Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signatura, led the solemn Mass celebration of the parish feast of the birth of St. John the Baptist on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in the Zagreb – Nova Ves Parish. The Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Croatia, Mons. Leopoldo Girelli, Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb, Mons. Marko Kovač, Parish Priest, Rev. Andrija Miličević, and the gathered priests concelebrated at the Mass.

In his homily on the occasion, the Cardinal reflected on the connection between the lives of Jesus Christ and St. John the Baptist. Reflecting on the proclaimed Gospel, he emphasized the mission of St. John the Baptist, who withdrew into the desert so that he could fulfill it and do the most important thing at the right moment, which is to point to Jesus as the Lamb of God. “In the end, St. John the Baptist ended up dying, perhaps not because he directly bore witness to Jesus, but because he denounced a sin that should not have been committed. But as we know, Jesus said of himself that he was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. From this perspective, we can say that it was precisely for the sake of this Truth that John the Baptist gave his life, suffered a martyr’s death,” said Cardinal Mamberti.

Speaking about John’s name, he emphasized that he did not receive it from his ancestors, but was given to him according to the vision of his father Zechariah, and it means “The Lord gives grace, which is a foreshadowing of the one who will truly come and who is mercy itself, that is, a foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus Christ,” the cardinal said, emphasizing that “each of us is called, like John the Baptist, to bring the Good News to the world. Just as John the Baptist showed the world the Savior and Redeemer, so every Christian is called to bring that good news with his life.”

Referring to the Sovereign Order of Malta, he emphasized that one of the two fundamental missions of its members is caring for the needy, but also that, above all, they should proclaim Christ. “All actions should be directed towards bringing everyone we help and stand close to closer to Christ. This coming closer and bearing witness is the fundamental Christian mission,” concluded the preacher, calling on believers to pray that all Christians will be courageous in carrying out that mission.

The mass was attended by members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which celebrates its patron saint, St. John the Baptist, and members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Press Office of the Archdiocese of Zagreb
Photo: Badrov

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