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Commemoration of the feast of Blessed King Charles IV in Zagreb


On the 21st October 2020 in Zagreb the commemoration of Blessed Croatian King Charles IV Habsburg-Lothringen was held. Marking the anniversary of the Trialist proclamation of 1918 on the unification of Croatian crown lands and the commemoration for the fallen Croats in the Great War of 1914-1918.


This year as well, the Croatian Royal Council organized a series of events related to Blessed King Charles IV who is also the only Croatian Blessed King. As well as the anniversary of the of the Trialist Proclamation on the unification of Croatian crown lands in 1918. On that occasion, we remembered the glorious Croatian past, the significance that the Blessed King Charles IV has for us in both spiritual and historical terms. On that occasion we remembered all the fallen Croatian soldiers in the Great War of 1914-1918.



The participants initially gathered in front of the building of the Croatian National Theater and marched along Deželićeva Street towards the Church of St. Blaise. Due to current epidemiological norms, participants kept a prescribed distance outdoors while wearing binding masks indoors. The church doors were opened for the commemoration by the parish priest rev Borna pl. Puškarić, while the Holy Mass was led by rev Vlado Mikšić, who during his sermon emphasized the importance of Blessed King Charles IV. for the spiritual life, his role as father and husband, as well as that of a Christian ruler of peace who served his subjects.


A short speech was given by Mr Claude Grbeša, President of the Croatian Association for the Beatification of Queen Zita, who on that occasion thanked rev Vlado Mikšić and the parish priest rev Borna pl. Puškarić. As well as all those present, among which the members of the Croatian Royal Council, inviting everyone to the commemoration of the Servant of God Zita in May next year. After the Holy Mass, the relic of the Blessed Croatian King Charles IV was presented, before which the faithful bowed and prayed.



After the Holy Mass, the participants of the commemoration headed to the monument to the fallen Croatian soldiers in the Great War of 1914-1918, which is located in the historic complex of the barracks of Prince Rudolf (Austrian Str), where the ceremonial program began. A welcoming and introductory speech was given by Mr Borna Kuri, Secretary of the Croatian Royal Council, who on that occasion greeted all the present participants and announced the course of the ceremonial program. On that occasion, on behalf of the Croatian Royal Council, he thanked the parish priest of St Blaise rev Borna pl. Puškarić and rev Vlado Mikšić, as well as other participants in the commemoration and members of other organization that participated in the celebration.



After the welcome speeches, two presentations were announced. The first presentation was given by Mr Dominik Jakov pl. Bulat Vručinić on the topic of the life and the path to the holiness of Blessed Charles IV. The speech described his family position, short memories from his childhood and youth and the path to maturity as a future ruler and the weight of the reign and the conditions that found him on the throne. The speech also emphasized His spiritual aspect and the significance of Charles IV as the Blessed of the Catholic Church.


The second presentation was on the reign of King Charles IV. with special reference to the events of 1918 that led to the Trialist Proclamation. The presentation was held by Mr Ante Brešić pl. Mikulić who emphasized the historical aspect and significance of his reign, the relationship of King Charles IV towards Croatia as ruler. His attempts at state reforms of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy that followed in 1917 and 1918. The proclamation of the unification of the Croatian crown lands on the 21st October 1918 and the ratification of the proclamation in Budapest that followed the next day. He also described the historic events related to the two conflicting political camps, one for the preservation of the Croatian Kingdom in the Monarchy and the other for the creation of a new Yugoslav state.



After the presentations and speeches, the two Croatian anthems were performed. The first one was Lijepa naša domovino (Our beautiful homeland), composed by Josip Runjanin and text by Antun pl. Mihanović, while the second was the Kraljevka (Croatian Royal Anthem) by composer Franz Joseph Haydn and text Petar pl. Preradović. The mentioned anthems were performed by Mrs Karla Despot.


(Kraljevka - Croatian Royal Anthem, known as Gott erhalte in Croatian)



After the performance of the anthems, those present, following the obligatory distance, approached the monument to the fallen Croats in the Great War of 1914-1918, where they laid wreaths and lit candles. After that, the official commemoration of the feast of Blessed Croatian King Charles IV, the Trialist Proclamation of 1918 on the unification of Croatian lands and the commemoration of fallen Croatian soldiers in the Great War, ended.



Croatian Royal Council 2020.







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