Believers across Croatia celebrate the feast of St. Anthony

It is the feast of St. Anthony - a saint who is especially solemnly venerated in numerous parishes and churches that bear his name. St. Anthony is the patron saint of the poor and oppressed, preachers, expectant mothers, travelers, fishermen, and sailors.

Believers have been gathering since morning in shrines across the country. It is also solemn in Osijek's Tvrđa - masses were celebrated from 3 am.

“We have 12 confessors who are available to our pilgrims and penitents. There will be 12 masses, the first at 3 am and the last at 9 pm,” said Fr. Venancije Mihaljević, guardian.

“It is nice to be in Tvrđa today. The people of Osijek have a long tradition of venerating St. Anthony. It means a lot to all of us,” said Ivan Radić, the mayor of Osijek.

This holiday is traditionally celebrated all day long in the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua on Zagreb's Sveti Duh. The central mass is at 7 p.m. led by Monsignor Dražen Kutleša, but many believers have been arriving since the morning.

“Last year we were in Padua, this year we came to pray for health, children and family” said one pilgrim.

“I have been praying to St. Anthony for my child all my life, he is my guide,” said another.

“Every year I come to thank St. Anthony,” said a third.

“Pray for the children, for yourself, for the homeland, for peace in the world,” said another.

Source: HRT