“Precious Witness”: Apostolic Nuncio Hails Croatian Community in South Africa for Upholding Christian Identity

He added, “Here, in Johannesburg, far from the homeland, you carry Croatia in your hearts. You carry it in language, in song, in prayer, and in family traditions. But above all—you carry it in faith. This possession is your strength; this is your treasure.”

“May your children and grandchildren, born here in Africa, never lose this gift. May Saint Jerome and Saint Francis be their examples of love for Christ, for the Church, and for their people,” implored the Holy Father’s representative in South Africa since April 2024.

He conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s message to the people of God from Croatia living in the Southern African nation, saying, “I also wish to convey to you the greeting and apostolic blessing of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, who prays for this community, for your families, and for all Croatians in South Africa.”

Archbishop Jagodziński described the October 5 event as “a threefold celebration,” honoring St. Jerome, St. Francis of Assisi, and the consecration anniversary of the church by the Servant of God, Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, in 1993.

He said, “We celebrate Saint Jerome, the great son of Croatian soil, translator of the Holy Scriptures, and Doctor of the Church, who once said, ‘Ignorantia Scripturae, ignorantia Christi est’—‘Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.’” 

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“We also celebrate Saint Francis of Assisi, whose path from the Holy Land led through Croatian regions, and who, through his spiritual sons the Franciscans, has for centuries accompanied the Croatian people—even here in Africa, where in many missions the Franciscans were the first bearers of the Good News,” added the 56-year-old Vatican diplomat. 

He continued, “Today we also remember the year 1993, when this Church was consecrated by the Servant of God Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, himself by name linked with Francis of Assisi, a witness and shepherd who, in difficult times, remained unwavering in faith.”

The event was moved to Sunday, October 5, from its original date of September 30, the liturgical memorial day of Saint Jerome, to enable more of the faithful to take part. On the same occasion, the Croatian community also honored Saint Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is marked on October 4.

The Nuncio, who also represents the Holy Father in Botswana, Lesotho, eSwatini, and Namibia, reflected on the true nature of faith in his October 5 homily, describing it as “not only knowledge of certain truths, but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, founded on love for the One who first loved us.” 

“It is a love that goes as far as giving oneself. And precisely there, in surrender to Christ, our life finds meaning, strength, and beauty,” he added.

He went on to invite the Croatian community in South Africa to unite with the universal Church in praying that the People of God may remain ever strong and unwavering in faith.

“Together with the Apostles, with the whole Church, and with all your ancestors who handed down the faith to you, let us cry out: “Lord, increase our faith!” Increase our faith that we may remain steadfast like the mulberry tree, that we may grow like the mustard seed, that we may be light to the world and salt to the earth,” he said during the October 3 event.

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.