Faithful gather across Croatia for Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Thousands of faithful across Croatia marked the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday, a national holiday and one of the country’s most widely celebrated religious observances.

Zagreb Archbishop Dražen Kutleša celebrated Mass at Marija Bistrica, Croatia’s largest Marian shrine, located around 35 kilometres northeast of Zagreb.

In his homily, Kutleša said believers turn to Mary not for theological debate, but because they see her as a mother who guides them towards Christ.

“The faithful do not come to Mary to find a basis for theological debates, but because they recognize in her their mother. She does not take Christ’s place; she leads us to Him, but she does so as a mother would — gently and patiently, through closeness and silence. That is why people dare to weep before her, to acknowledge their own weaknesses, and to begin again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rijeka Archbishop Mate Uzinić celebrated Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Trsat, home to the country’s oldest Marian shrine. In his homily, he stressed the importance of taking responsibility for the common good, referring to the devastating wildfire that recently affected Omiš and the surrounding area.

“In these days, when we watch in pain the consequences of the wildfire in Omiš, we once again become aware of just how fragile this common home we have been entrusted with is, and just how much we need responsibility to preserve it,” Uzinić said.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković joined thousands of faithful at Trsat.

“I would like to wish all the faithful a blessed Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast that is deeply cherished and celebrated by many Croatian Catholics,” Plenković said.

“Today, we are here in Trsat, at one of Croatia’s many Marian shrines. The large number of people gathered here is a testament to the Croatian people’s strong attachment to their identity and faith. I hope everyone has a peaceful and enjoyable feast day,” he added.