18th military police pilgrimage to Marija Bistrica

Envoy of the President Military Advisor Zlatko Gareljic, Croatian Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic, Defence Minister Branko Vukelic, Chief of General Staff General Josip Lucic, State Secretary of the Interior Ministry Miljenko Radnic and other senior military and civilian officials and representatives of the military-diplomatic corps also attended the pilgrimage.

This year also, for the 18^th time, by pilgrim to the Mother of God of Bistrica we wanted to show the relationship with our whole history, and also our connection with our soldiers who in 1993 were at the first military pilgrimage. Today’s presence at the pilgrimage shows the connection between people, army and police but also the values that preserved us.
Before the sermon, the present were welcomed by the envoy of the Minister of Interior State Secretary of the Interior Ministry Miljenko Radnic and Defence Minister Branko Vukelic.

On this occasion, State Secretary Miljenko Radnic recalled that this meeting in Marija Bistrica was also a reminder to all those who have fallen for their homeland and the Croatian people. “By defending the homeland, Croatian soldiers showed amazing strength and courage, and accomplished their mission honourably. Thanks to their sacrifice, today, Croatian man may as Croatian policeman and soldier serve for his country and its citizens for the common good in order to achieve high range of human freedom and true democratic values”, Secretary of State Radnic said and added that “the duty of Croatian policemen and soldiers nowadays represents a duty of a moral and responsible person. To be called like that means to live the mission of protecting the law, who is ready to conscientiously and responsibly fulfil its honourable mission and a guarantee of a peaceful and secure life for each one of us”.

Defence Minister Branko Vukelic, when addressing the Croatian soldiers and policemen, said: “When we had the hardest time, we addressed our heavenly patroness, we pilgrim to Marija Bistrica, seeking solace for the pain and tears for our friends who have fallen defending the freedom of Croatia, for the suffering refugees that were left out with nothing – except love, hope and faith. And today, just as in times of struggle for existence of the Croatian state, rosary around the neck of Croatian soldiers and policemen talks about the unbreakable connection of our veterans and patron. Faith in our own abilities, confidence in the heavenly intercession led us to victories, toward freedom, and toward realization of the dream of generations of Croatian people about our free country!”
He added that Croatian soldiers and policemen fulfilled their historic mission in the best possible way. “You continued to build our defence system. Today, as members of the Croatian Armed Forces, a member of NATO, you have been participating in numerous missions and operations around the world demonstrating and proving how our country cares about peace and security. Your efforts are recognized, and your understanding of the people in need is that one more quality respected by our allies, but also by ordinary people who are very much aware of the human dimension of Croatian soldiers and policemen”, said Minister Vukelic.

Mass in the church of Blessed Stepinac was led by military Bishop Juraj Jezerinac and concelebrated with the Director of the Principal office of Catholic pastors of the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Tomo Knezevic and assistant bishop of the U.S armed forces Richard Spencer and many other priests and military chaplains.
Religion was the central theme of homily of Msgr. Juraj Jezerinac who on this occasion said: “Faith, no matter how it seemed insignificant in our eyes, carries incalculable power, the power which can move physical reality, and change man inside. It is given to us, and the effect is our unity and communion with God, Jesus Christ. In this era of globalization of human societies, worldviews and values, meaning and language of faith is crucial, it is almost more important than ever”.

Referring to the forthcoming Croatian accession to the European Union, Msgr. Jezerinac said that the Christians have a great responsibility for our Europe. Will Europe sail to the irretrievable or it will think and by respecting others, seek out solutions worthy of its hopes, will greatly depend on us Christians and everyone else who in this area share with us the truth about God and man.
Msgr Jezerinac said at the end: “Do not succumb to your human and Christian living. You are the Church and the power of God is in you. Fight for more humane relations in society and keep the power of faith as fire that warms you”.