Always and Everywhere be True Sons of the Church

In the history of the Croatian people, faith, family and nation have always been inseparably woven together like the Croatian pleter, forming the backbone of our identity. Few embodied this truth more courageously than Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, whose unwavering fidelity to Christ and His Church stood as a beacon of hope in times of trial. On the solemn occasion of blessing the Croatian flag, Cardinal Stepinac addressed the men of Croatia with a call both timeless and urgent: to remain steadfast as true sons of the Church, in all circumstances, without compromise. His words, rooted in the Gospel and the centuries-old Catholic tradition of our people, remind us that the strength of a nation is not merely in its banners but in the hearts of men who remain faithful to God, His law, and the holy Church of Christ. As you read this article, may you be inspired by his words and strengthened in your own vocation as Croatian Catholic men, called to live with courage, integrity, and unwavering faith.

Cardinal Stepinac speech on the occasion of the blessing of the flag for Croatian Catholic men, in the parish of St. Peter in Zagreb, April 18, 1937. 

( … ) After a certain luncheon, a householder invited his guests into his garden, but before that he asked the guests if they had anything else to say. At that, an excellent man stood up and said: “I have something to say.” He crossed himself and said: “Thank you, Almighty God, for all your graces. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever!”  That was a true Catholic man!

You Catholic men have unfurled your banner today and asked for the blessing of the Holy Church upon it. Raise it high and walk beneath it like true heroes, like true Catholic men.

Catholics today lack much heroism and courage in professing the holy faith of Christ. You, men, be courageous in this! Always and everywhere be true sons of the Church, be true Catholic men both in your families and in public life. In families, shine with your good example. Be husbands not in word, but in deed. If you need to give others in the family an example of how to pray, how to approach the Lord’s table, how to live a Christian life, then first of all you, husbands, should take the lead and be a light to others. Today, when our youth are exposed to so many dangers, if you men do not shine, if you do not lead, if you do not strive with all your might for their betterment, then the priest of God will have labored in vain. Therefore, be true Catholic men in your families and lead by your good example. Hold fast to that of Christ: “I have given you an example, that as I do, you also should do.” [10]

But even more! Be true Catholic men in life! Men who will not deny Christ before anyone and who will not be ashamed to be his disciples! What would you say to a child who is ashamed of his father? That he is worthy of contempt. And remember the words of Christ, which read: “Whoever is ashamed of me before men, I will be ashamed of him before my Father in heaven.”[11] Men must be determined warriors, who will not be afraid to lay down their lives in defense of the justice and truth of Christ. Men do not fear, those who kill the body, but Him who is able to destroy both body and soul for eternity.[12]

We need men like those of our ancestors, who fought heroically for their holy faith against the Turkish invasions.

[10] Jn 13: 15.
[11] Mt 10: 32.
[12] Mt 10: 28.

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