20th pilgrimage of the Croatian Armed Forces and Police to Our Lady of Bistrica

Members of the Ministry of Defence and the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the first time of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of France were in Bistrica as well, which gave the additional international dimension to the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims were joined by Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Evelin Tonković, representatives of the Ministry of Veterans, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić and other civilian and military officials.

The Holy Mass was held in the open space of the church of Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, concelebrated with military bishops and priests from many countries, including Lebanon, USA, Slovakia, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Germany and other, having been presided by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop His Eminence Alessandro D’Errico, and homily was held by the Military Bishop Juraj Jezerinac.

“Dear Croatian soldiers and policemen, Croatian defenders, Croatian fire-fighters, dear parents and wives, husbands and children of deceased veterans, all of you here assembled; do not be afraid of the future! Rely on durable history of our country, on the faith like Mary had, put yourself at the service of others, like Our Lady did, cultivate a relationship with God and people on her way of trust, commitment, joy and peace”, Msgr Juraj Jezerinac said in his homily, and invited the present for this pilgrimage to be an event of our changes, the day of our joy, a celebration of our novelty. “Let us remain deeply connected to each other through prayer, preserving the division, respect the values of others, respect the right on life and human, preserving the good that has enabled our people to survive”, Jezerinac said.

He recalled the beginnings of pastoral care for the military and police in Croatia, as well as 15 years of Military Chaplaincy in Croatia. “There were problems, there are now, and there will be. The times are not easy, people are exposed to rapid and complex changes, the needs are greater then the opportunities, the will is not adequately supported with abilities. But we must remain realistic. One should understand the time and its demands. Military Ordinary struggles for everyone to preach the peace, trust in God, the Lord of history and the need for accountability of each employee and the diocese as a whole. We need to revive the trust and with Him enter into the future that we have to offer to those to whom we are sent”.

Minister Kotromanović said that this pilgrimage also showed that the Croatian Armed Forces and Our Lady of Bistrica are in love. He congratulated the Military Ordinary on good organization of the pilgrimage and on their previous work. Commenting the international character of the pilgrimage, Defence Minister stressed that the aim was for armed forces’ members from other countries to come in Bistrica, and he expected that next year there will be even more of them.
“Members of the Croatian Armed Forces are extremely proud to participate in this pilgrimage. This strengthens the cohesion and morale, Christian and moral values, love for God, for human and homeland”, General Lovrić said.

“Experiencing this unity of police, military, fire-fighters, veterans is a special experience, special value which obliges us to be even better”, Deputy Minister of the Interior said.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico, conveyed the message of Pope Benedict to all the pilgrims on forgiveness and bestowed blessing upon them.