On the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, on Thursday, January 28, 2021, the Croatian Dominican Province joined for an evening mass in the Dominican Church of the Queen of Holy Rosary in Zagreb to begin the celebration of two great jubilees: the Jubilee Year commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of Our Holy Father St. Dominic and the 800th anniversary of the arrival of the Dominicans in Croatian territories. The Mass was presided by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Croatia, Msgr. Giorgio Lingua.
In his homily, Archbishop Lingua said he was honored to be invited to celebrate the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas with the Dominicans in the year in which the Order of Preachers celebrates the 800th anniversary of the dies natalis of its founder, St. Dominic, and the 800th anniversary of the arrival of the Dominicans in Croatian territories, and how significant their presence in this area has been over the centuries. He also thanked the Dominicans for everything they are doing and did during the eight centuries of their presence in Croatia, emphasizing their special contribution in the spiritual and intellectual field. Msgr. Lingua pointed out that Dominicans can be truly proud of their past and that it is necessary to pray to the Lord to be worthy inheritors and witnesses of their glorious predecessors today.
The Eucharistic celebration was followed by the grand opening of the newly renovated central Provincial Library “Hijacint Bošković”, situated within the Priory of the Queen of the Holy Rosary. In addition to being renovated in accordance with the needs of study and learning and better storage of books, Br. Slavko Slišković, O.P., Prior Provincial, expressed hope that various events will come to life in the library, such as book presentations and various scientific, educational and cultural events. In accordance with the epidemiological measures, representatives of the state and city authorities, cultural institutions and the scientific and university communities also gathered with the Dominicans, some of whom delivered speeches. The musical contribution of the ceremony was given by Trio Veljak.
The opening ceremony was also covered by the media – the Holy Mass was streamed live via Laudato Television and Croatian Catholic Radio and via the Province’s website and YouTube channel, while the opening program of the renovated library was streamed live via the Province’s website and YouTube channel.
