On Saturday, November 8, 2025, a grand ceremony was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Bistrička. The volunteer clinic, located in the recently renovated premises of the Pilgrimage Center, was blessed as part of the MBB Shrine. The clinic was opened at the initiative of Dr. Sanja Kovačić, Sc., in 2018 and initially operated in the premises of the Shrine’s external restroom. However, with the renovation of the Pilgrimage Center, in agreement with the then rector of the Shrine, Rev. Domagoj Matošević, a location was found for a new clinic, offering excellent conditions for all volunteers. To function optimally, it also needed to be equipped, and this is where supporters and donors came into play. The clinic’s main donor is the Maltese Service in the Republic of Croatia, led by Knight Count Georg Eltz. Saturday’s event, the blessing of the volunteers and the volunteer clinic, was planned as a kind of greeting from the Shrine, to thank all those who contributed to the establishment and operation of this precious clinic. All current and former volunteers, benefactors, and donors were invited. The event began with a Holy Mass in the Basilica of the Holy Migrants, presided over by Father Tomislav Glavnik. The Mass was accompanied by a song by the “Marija” Sisters of the Stav Association. After the Mass, the clinic and volunteers were blessed by Father Domagoj Matošević, former rector of the Shrine of the Holy Migrants, now moderator of the Archdiocesan Spiritual Board and interim treasurer of the Archdiocese of Zagreb. Following the blessing, a brief ceremony was held in the Hall of St. James, part of the Pilgrimage Center. First, the Rector of the Shrine of the Holy Migrants, Father Tomica Šestak, welcomed and thanked the participants. Also speaking to the audience were Knight Count Georg Eltz, Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the Republic of Croatia; Knight Professor Dr. Pietro Mortini; and, finally, the Head of the Volunteer Medical Service at the MBB Shrine, Dr. Sanja Kovačić. The program was moderated by Ana Kruhak, and at the conclusion, certificates of appreciation and recognition were awarded to all volunteers, donors, supporters, and collaborators. The ceremony was also attended by the director of the KZŽ Health Center Željka Žnidarić, the director of the Department of Emergency Medicine Krešimir Božić, and the mayor of the Municipality of Marija Bistrica, Josip Milički. The great importance of this clinic and the work of all its volunteers is also demonstrated by the statistics presented by Dr. Kovačić. Specifically, this year alone, 101 pilgrims with acute health problems or acute exacerbations of chronic diseases were treated at the clinic. Of the total number, only four patients were hospitalized; the remaining 97 were treated at the volunteer pilgrim clinic, which currently employs 52 active volunteers. These include doctors, nurses, and a pharmacy specialist, as well as non-medical staff (professors, students, etc.). In 2025, 43 volunteers served, including 13 doctors, 18 nurses/technicians, an ECG technician, and 11 external volunteers.

As the head of the voluntary medical service at the MBB Sanctuary stated, nine volunteers were unable to volunteer this year due to starting a family, illness, and caring for their parents. All of this demonstrates the value of the establishment and operation of this clinic, which now, thanks to both the Sanctuary itself and donors and supporters, has excellent, functional space equipped with top-notch equipment. Above all, it relies on a large number of volunteers who donate their time to help others, in this case the pilgrims of Bistrica. The collaboration with the KZŽ Health Center and the KZŽ Institute of Emergency Medicine was also highlighted.