It is a holiday when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Believers across the country went to churches this morning for holy masses. This year, too, there was no Christmas Mass in the Zagreb Cathedral, which was damaged in the earthquake, but the Zagreb Archbishop, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, led mass in the worship space of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac on Kaptol.
He sent messages of peace and called for the renewal of bonds of mutual trust, respect and solidarity in our society, but also for prayer, understanding and help for Ukraine.
Many of our fellow citizens started the most joyous holiday with mass celebrations. The Archbishop of Zagreb called on the faithful to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.
“If we return to Christmas, Christmas will bring us back to ourselves, to our neighbors, community, family, church and homeland. It will bring us back to the beauty of news that does not divide, alienate, threaten or cause anxiety,” said Cardinal and Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanić.
“Filled with Christmas joy, the Church today announces to itself and to the whole world the novelty of the Christmas event. Let's try to look at this event from the point of view of a shepherd. The shepherds were the first to announce the joy of Bethlehem, the first to be illuminated by the glory of the Lord,” said Bozanić, leading the solemn Eucharistic celebration of Christmas.
He explained how in the presence of shepherds, materially poor people, heavenly light, human dignity, respect, service and giving praise to God meet, so believers together with shepherds at Christmas are invited to give praise to God, directing their hearts and eyes to the newborn.
The Cardinal called on the faithful to renew their faith and hope, looking at the little child in the manger, to live consistently their Christian vocation, bringing joy and peace everywhere, and to renew the bonds of trust, mutual respect, understanding, togetherness and solidarity in our society.
HRT journalist Lucija Judnić reported on the main messages sent on the holiday of Christmas for Croatian Television news.
“The cardinal sent messages of understanding and solidarity, first of all for our loved ones, but most of all for those we meet every day in our lives. After that, he highlighted the message of unity and said that we need unity not only during the holidays, but also throughout the year,” reported Judnić.
“He especially prayed for peace in Ukraine, because while we celebrate Christmas here, the Ukrainian people are experiencing their most terrible moments,” said Judnić and added that the cardinal also prayed for those in need, those who are sick and poor, and that he emphasized that this is the ideal time to turn around and look at the people around us and give them a hand, she added.
She also said that the cardinal turned to us and that this is the time when we are at home with our family and how we have time to think about our actions, thoughts and deeds. “It is time to return to prayer and to God,” she stated.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and ministers were also present at the mass.
Source: HRT
