Zagreb, September 26, 1998 (IKA) — The head of the Liturgical-Musical Subcommission of the Zagreb Archdiocese, Dr. Ivan Šaško, presented the liturgical portion of the encounter with Pope John Paul II in Zagreb on October 2 and the celebration of the Mass in Marija Bistrica on October 3.
When the Holy Father arrives at the square in front of the Zagreb Cathedral, the choir will sing Laudate Dominum. The Pope will begin the encounter with the sign of the cross. After introductory prayers by the Holy Father, the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, will express his greetings. This will be followed by an allocution and apostolic blessing by the Holy Father. As the Pope enters the Zagreb Cathedral, the hymn Veliča duša moja Gospodina [My Soul Magnifies the Lord] will be sung as he walks to the presbyterium. At the grave of the servant of God Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, the Holy Father will remain in silent personal prayer for a time. Then the Holy Father will proceed towards the exit as the choir sings Isus Krist jučer, danas i uvijeke [Jesus Christ, Yesterday, Today and Always]. When the Pope enters the palace of the archbishop, all assembled will sing Djevice nevina [Immaculate Virgin].
In Marija Bistrica on October 3, as the procession of bishops moves toward the altar to await the Holy Father, the assembled community will sing the hymns Do nebesa nek se ori [Let It Resound to the Heavens] and Liljane bijeli [White Lily]. At the beginning of the celebration of the Mass, Archbishop Bozanić will deliver greetings. This will be followed by the introductory allocution of the Holy Father in which he will urge the faithful to repent.
In the ceremony of the proclamation of the beatification, Archbishop Bozanić and the postulator for the cause, Msgr. Juraj Batelja, will approach the Holy Father and ask him to commence the solemn act of the proclamation of the beatification of the servant of God Alojzije Stepinac. Archbishop Bozanić will briefly present the life of Cardinal Stepinac. Then all will rise and the Holy Father will solemnly pronounce the words for the proclamation of the beatification. The picture of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac will be unveiled and placed next to the altar. While hymns are sung in honor of the newly blessed one, the reliquary containing the relics of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac will be brought to a designated place near the altar by a procession of the faithful carrying candles and flowers. The archbishop of Zagreb and Msgr. Batelja will again approach the Holy Father, thanking him for the proclamation of the beatification. The celebration of the Mass will continue. For this occasion, the statute of Our Lady of Bistrica will be carried from the inside the church to the presbyterium of the outdoor liturgical area. At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, the Holy Father will burn incense before Mary#!s image, while the assembled will sing the hymn Zdravo, Djevo [Hail Virgin]. The choirs who will sing on Friday, October 2 in Zagreb are as follows: the Mixed Cathedral Choir (led by Dr. Vladimir Babuć),
the Men#!s Cathedral Choir (led by Dr. Miho Demović), and Collegium pro musica sacra (led by Sister Imakulata Malinka). On October 3 in Marija Bistrica, a choir comprised of singers from the church choirs of the Zagreb Archdiocese and the Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac Children#!s Choir (led by Bernardica Kraljević-Mikulandra) will sing, accompanied by the Croatian Army Orchestra. The organ will be played by academician An elko Klobučar and prof. Hvalimira Bledšnajder. The conductors will be Maestro Miroslav Martinjak and Maestro Mladen Tarbuk.