PROSLAVA BLAGDANA BL. Alojzije Stepinac, BISKUPA I MUČENIKA u misiji Nawanatau

Nakon svete mise netko je rekao: „Taj biskup je zaista bio velik čovjek.”

Da, bio je velik jer je ljubio malene, obespravljene i progonjene. U njima je prepoznavao svoga Gospodina koji ga je pozvao u svoju službu da bude dobar pastir onima kojima je poslan, ali i svima koji su od njega tražili pomoć i zaštitu.

Jutros se naš Centar sv. Carlo Acutis ispunio molitvom i radošću pripremajući se i „popravljajući put” kako bi proslavio svoga nebeskog zaštitnika. Okupili su se ponajviše mladi, željni Božje prisutnosti i istinskih svjedoka vjere poput kardinala Stepinca.

U njihovim životima, punima iskušenja i progonstava zbog tradicionalnih običaja, blaženi Stepinac došao im je kao svjetlo u tami nemoći da se odupru zlu koje okiva njihove obitelji. Zbog siromaštva mnoge su obitelji prisiljene donositi odluke koje razaraju živote, ne bi li se oslobodile ropstva tame. Upravo u toj stvarnosti, lik blaženog Stepinca postaje znak nade, snage i vjernosti Bogu.

Molilo se i pjevalo sa žarom i dubokom pobožnošću. Na poseban način, na kraju svete mise, molile su se Litanije svih svetih za njegov zagovor i za njegovo proglašenje svetim. Nakon mise, svatko je pojedinačno želio dotaknuti njegove relikvije – dar Zagrebačke nadbiskupije našoj misiji – kao znak blizine, vjere i zahvalnosti.

U toj molitvi Crkve, srca su se spontano sjedinila u vapaju:

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Molitva bl. Alojziju Stepincu

Blaženi Alojzije Stepinče,

vjerni pastiru i neustrašivi svjedoče istine,

ti koji si u patnji prepoznavao Kristovo lice

i nikada nisi zatvorio srce pred suzom siromaha,

zagrli danas svojim zagovorom

sve siromašne, obespravljene i zaboravljene.

Budi blizu prognanima koji su ostali bez doma,

utamničenima koji trpe nepravdu,

nepravedno osuđenima čije je dostojanstvo pogaženo

i svima koji su pritisnuti teretom tame, straha i beznađa.

Izmoli im snagu da ne klonu,

svjetlo da u tami ne izgube put

i mir srca koji samo Bog može dati.

Nauči nas, poput tebe,

da se ne bojimo stati uz istinu,

da branimo slaboga

i da ljubimo i onda kada je ljubav križ.

Isprosi našim obiteljima oslobođenje od ropstva siromaštva,

našoj djeci budućnost ispunjenu nadom,

a našoj misiji srce koje nikada ne prestaje služiti.

Blaženi Alojzije,

moli za nas i za cijeli svijet,

da pravednost i milosrđe pobijede zlo

i da u svakom čovjeku prepoznamo svoga Gospodina.

Amen.

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CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF BL. Alojzije Stepinac,

BISHOP AND MARTYR

in the Nawanatau Mission**

After the Holy Mass, someone said: “That bishop was truly a great man.”

Yes, he was great because he loved the small, the poor, the oppressed, and the persecuted. In them he recognized his Lord, who called him to serve as a good shepherd to those entrusted to him and to all who sought his help and protection.

This morning, our St. Carlo Acutis Center was filled with prayer and joy as we prepared and “made straight the path” to celebrate its heavenly patron. Most of those gathered were young people, longing for God’s presence and for true witnesses of faith like Cardinal Stepinac.

In their lives, marked by many trials and persecutions because of traditional customs, Blessed Stepinac came to them as a light in the darkness of helplessness, where they struggle to resist the evil that binds their families. Due to poverty, many families are forced into decisions that destroy lives in an attempt to escape the bondage of darkness. Precisely in this reality, the figure of Blessed Stepinac becomes a sign of hope, strength, and fidelity to God.

Prayer and song rose with great fervor and deep devotion. In a special way, at the end of the Holy Mass, the Litany of All Saints was prayed, asking for his intercession and for his canonization. After Mass, each person wished to personally touch his relics—a gift of the Archdiocese of Zagreb to our mission—as a sign of closeness, faith, and gratitude.

In this prayer of the Church, our hearts were united in one common plea:

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Prayer to Blessed Alojzije Stepinac

Blessed Alojzije Stepinac,

faithful shepherd and fearless witness of the truth,

you who recognized the face of Christ in suffering

and never closed your heart to the tears of the poor,

embrace today with your intercession

all who are poor, oppressed, and forgotten.

Be close to those who are displaced and without a home,

to the imprisoned who suffer injustice,

to the unjustly condemned whose dignity has been trampled upon,

and to all who are burdened by darkness, fear, and despair.

Obtain for them the strength not to give up,

the light to keep their path in the midst of darkness,

and the peace of heart that only God can give.

Teach us, as you did by your life,

not to be afraid to stand for the truth,

to defend the weak,

and to love even when love becomes a cross.

Intercede for our families,

that they may be freed from the bondage of poverty;

for our children, that they may have a future filled with hope;

and for our mission,

that it may have a heart that never grows weary of serving.

Blessed Alojzije,

pray for us and for the whole world,

that justice and mercy may overcome evil,

and that in every human being

we may recognize our Lord.

Amen.