Croatia observes All Saints’ Day

Croatia is observing All Saints Day today a national holiday. The day has been celebrated in Christian tradition since a decision by Pope Gregory the fourth. Throughout the country masses were held in memory of all holy martyrs. Since tomorrow is All Souls' Day, today people traditionally visit the graves of loved ones that have passed away to light candles and lay wreaths in their memory. 

Today the church celebrates all those who have been declared saints, but also unknown people who achieved sainthood in their lives and whose names are not entered into the calendar.

“Communities of believers in the east wanted to mark all their martyrs with one hold day. Later that was taken to the west and soon accepted by the entire church. So with tAll Saints Day we want to remember absolutely all saints, because saints are extremely important. Saints are living proof that sainthood is possible, Saints are guideposts to God's kingdom, and saints are advocates for us to also come to where they are now,” said the rector of the Christ the King Church at the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb, father Vlado Mikšić.

The night before All Saints Day, numerous believers, especially the youth, gathered at prayer vigils. The Zagreb archdiocese is organizing a presentation in conjunction with Halloween titled "Holiness Wins," tonight and tomorrow at the Catholic university. The commissioner for the youth of Zagreb Archdiocese, Filip Šešak said that the presentation this year is about recently canonized "Pier Giorgio Frassati" protector of the youth, lover of nature and mountain hiking.

“He died at the age of 24 from child paralysis. What we want to encourage in the youth, is that when we look at saints, it is a life that is authentic; it is a life that is fulfilled. The youth are the ones who are aware of this. Today we all see how much we long for something more in life,” he said.

Citizens are visiting the graves of their loved ones throughout the country, although these days are especially difficult in Vukovar. A month is beginning where great suffering in the city is marked. For many the war took away children, parents, spouses and friends too early. Today's holiday is a sad reminder of all those no longer with us and all those that are still missing.

“It is too difficult, too sad, see how many of my relatives are already buried at the graveyard and I'm still waiting for my father. I know that he was taken to Borovo Selo alive, he didn't come back and we don't know where he is. It's too sad for all of us in Vukovar,” said one woman.

“We are always with them in our thoughts and then these days of remembrance come, soon it'll be the 18th. It's always good to come and teach our children about things that happened,” said another Vukovar citizen.

“Everything gets mixed, feelings and pain in the heart. You know what the song says - the city stands - that is my picture of the city, I still see that it is proud and dignified,” said another Vukovar resident.

Citizens visited graves throughout the country, including Osijek.

“I come to the graves of my son who died in the Homeland War and my mother. You know how you go to the graveyard? In tears and a feeling of sadness and all that,” said one woman from Osijek.

Source: HRT