TEKIJE, Aug 4 (Hina) - Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic on Friday conducted mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Tekije (Our Lady of the Snow) near Petrovaradin, in the northern Yugoslav province of Vojvodina, on the occasion of Our Lady
of the Snow Day, the most important religious holiday of Croats living in the Srijem and Backa regions. Numerous faithful who gathered at the shrine were greeted by the host of the event, Djakovo-Srijem bishop Marin Srakic, who said Archbishop Bozanic continued the tradition of Zagreb archbishops and cardinals who for years had conducted such events. Archbishop Bozanic's visit encourages this people, who recently suffered much as did those Catholic Croats who were expelled from their homes and lived in exile in different countries and could not attend today's celebration, Srakic said. The faithful were also greeted by Srijem vicar Djuro Gasparovic, who said the Day of
TEKIJE, Aug 4 (Hina) - Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic on Friday
conducted mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Tekije (Our Lady of the
Snow) near Petrovaradin, in the northern Yugoslav province of
Vojvodina, on the occasion of Our Lady of the Snow Day, the most
important religious holiday of Croats living in the Srijem and
Backa regions.
Numerous faithful who gathered at the shrine were greeted by the
host of the event, Djakovo-Srijem bishop Marin Srakic, who said
Archbishop Bozanic continued the tradition of Zagreb archbishops
and cardinals who for years had conducted such events.
Archbishop Bozanic's visit encourages this people, who recently
suffered much as did those Catholic Croats who were expelled from
their homes and lived in exile in different countries and could not
attend today's celebration, Srakic said.
The faithful were also greeted by Srijem vicar Djuro Gasparovic,
who said the Day of Our Lady of Tekije had been celebrated since 1716
by Catholics of all rites and nationalities, who gathered every
year in piety and loyalty.
Archbishop Bozanic thanked for the welcoming words, adding he had
come to the shrine of Our Lady of Tekije to pray for all people and
their needs, as well as to convey the messages of the church in
Zagreb to Christian brethren and sisters.
"I want to strengthen our unity with God and our Christianity, which
makes us equal before God and among each other," Bozanic said.
Archbishop Bozanic and Subotica bishop Janos Benzes will on
Saturday morning hold masses in Croatia and Hungarian
respectively.
(hina) rml