ZAGREB, 15 Aug, 2021 - The Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, said on Sunday the task stemming from the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, applied to every individual and the entire people, "starting from those who carry responsibility in the Church, political and social areas."

Speaking at the central Mass on the occasion of the Assumption in the Marija Bistrica Marian shrine, he said, among other things, that the ongoing pandemic showed that strong civil friendship and unity were necessary and that people were responsible for one another.

"That's why today we pray for all those ill with coronavirus as well as those caring for them, notably the medical staff."

The cardinal also said the Feast of the Assumption led to a better understanding that every conception and birth of a human being was a gift to the mother, the family and the community.

Among those attending the service were Veterans Minister Tomo Medved and Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Minister Darko Horvat.

Today is also the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Marija Bistrica as the Croatian National Marian Shrine.

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I remember the first time I heard about Sinj and their way of celebrating the Feast of Our Lady´s Assumption. It was way back, when there was no highway connecting Zagreb with Dalmatia and to reach Split, one had to drive through Sinj (among others).

We used to hit the road on a Friday afternoon to get to Split the next morning, driving through Sinj some time very early in the morning. Usually, this was a quiet time with almost no traffic.

But not on that night.

We chose to travel on a Friday - August 14 once and were shocked about the amount of people walking along the road at 2 or 3 am as we were approaching Sinj. Not only that, but the traffic got really heavy and by the time we reached Sinj, those pilgrims walking by were actually moving faster than we did in our car. Hundreds of people, if not thousands were there to bow to Our Lady of Sinj.

It is a Friday today, a Friday when the next day is the August 15 - Feast of Our Lady´s Assumption and Sinj will celebrate it with thousands of people present. Some of them will be walking part of the night to get to Sinj at 4 am. Watch the road and if possible use the highway.

Or even better, join the celebrations and experience the festivities in Sinj. The Procession with the Picture of Our Lady of Sinj starts at 9:30 followed by a Holy Mass at 11.

(Info and photos: Sinj tourist board)