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25th pilgrimage of three peoples |
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Christmas in Slovenia |
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Immaculate Conception |
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Domenica 21 novembre 2005, Festa della Salute |
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Gospa od Zdravlja - Hail Holy Queen |
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Vsi Sveti - (All Saints' Day) |
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Gospa Sveta (Maria Saal) a place of welcome for Slovenian Pilgrims |
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Mary, the Queen of Peace |
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The Family of Mary's and Jesus' Heart |
| Frederick Baraga |
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Frederick Baraga |
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Bishop Baraga's Grave |
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Baraga Days 2008 |
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Baraga Days 2005 |
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Šmarnice |
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Pope Benedict XVI |
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† John Paul II |
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Vstajenje (Resurrection, Auferstehung) - Easter 2005 |
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Easter Horseback Riding in Upper Lusatia - Easter 2005 |
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The Crucifix Group - Good Friday 2005 |
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Nativity - Christmas 2004 |
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St. Mary's Assumption - Vnebovzetje Marijino |
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Corpus Christ Day |
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The Pilgrimage Church of Gräbern |
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Sveta gora |
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Gospa Sveta (Maria Saal) |
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Easter |
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Musica Sacra Slovenica |
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Christmas |
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| Matja Prešeren / The Gothic and Baroque styles prevail in numerous (Roman Catholic) churches, which are often located on hilltops. |
| 25th pilgrimage of three peoples |
| 25. srecanje treh dežel |
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| The Archbishop of Maribor, the Archbishop of Lublana, |
| and on the right, the Bischop of Klagenfurt - Celovec |
| Millstatt (Carinthia), June 23, 2007 |
| by Dr. Jožko Šavli (July 1, 2007) |
| This traditional pilgrimage is about strengthening the bonds of friendship and fraternity between Slovenia, Friuli (Italy) and Carinthia (Austria), and each year it is hosted by one of the aforesaid countries. Delegates from each diocese take part in the pilgrimage, which are usually those from Lublana, Udine and Klagenfurt - Celovec. This year it was the turn of the Carinthian diocese and for the first time the meeting took place in Millstatt, an idyllic retreat situated in a panoramic setting. There, in the one-time Benedictine abbey repose the remains of St Domitian, the saintly Carantanian duke († ca. 802) who had the primary role in the evangelisation of Carantania after a pagan rebellion. |
| This year's motto of the pilgrimage was » Encounter with Jesus «. The thought was the same as it was in the time of Christianization of ancient Carantania, the present-day Carinthia (Austria) and Slovenia. The focus of Christianization was Aquileia and Salzburg. Beside Alois Schwarz, the Bishop of Klagenfurt - Celovec, and Pietro Brollo, the Archbishop of Udine, no less then four Ordinaries represented Slovenia: Franc Kramberger, the Archbishop of Maribor, Alojz Uran, the Archbishop of Lublana, Andrej Glavan, the Bishop of Novo mesto and Metod Pirih, the Bishop of Koper. It was certainly a surprise to see Slovenia so well presented. |
| We consider it a silent homage to St. Domitian, whose grave is to be found in Millstatt and who, after many decades of denial, has finally been recognized anew. This was first of all the merit of Prof. Dr. Franz Nikolasch (Salzburg), who in his extensive research rejected all assertions, that duke Domitian never existed and only was an invention of the Benedictine monks. That the name of the saintly duke came to life again, was also the merit of Alois Schwarz, the Bishop of Klagenfurt - Celovec. In summer of 2006, he opened the St. Domitian Pilgrim's road in Millstatt, and 2007 he selected Millstatt as the site for the pilgrimage of three peoples. Thus, the »encounter with Jesus« at a historic place, which was so important in early Christianity of the lands, which are known now by the common name of Alpe - Adria. |
| ~~~ |
| Internationale Berliner Kolumne |
| Christmas in Slovenia: Potica, incense, colourful Christmas tree, our very special crib and fireworks after Mass |
| by Anja Prasnikar, 23 Dezember 2005 |
| Every Christmas we bake a special cake called Potica. It is a typical Slovenian pastry and very traditional. The potica is hand rolled, and each layer is filled with a divine nut crème. It is so nice, when the smell of fresh baked pastry drifts through the whole house. Times like this I enjoy most! On Christmas Eve our whole family gets together. The Christmas tree is already up, because we all together decorated it a few days earlier. Only this year, there was not enough time, because we have to work so much. Our Christmas tree is always very colourful. We just love it! Completely covered with Christmas decorations! You hardly can see any green. The presents are already artfully stacked under the tree. That looks so beautiful! My father sets up a crib every Christmas. Since we got older, it is not so big anymore. But when I was small, there were many figurines, each one played an important role. The whole thing resembled a small village; we even had a train running, and water, and of course the house, where Jesus was born. |
| When it slowly gets dark outside, something very special happens. My grandfather comes back from church with holy water and incense. First, he goes around the house and sprinkles water, then in each room; incense is everywhere, and it smells so wonderful. Then he goes home, he lives right next door, and at 7.00 pm he is back in our place. Now, we have supper. The menu is not the same every year, but there is always meat on the table. Because the men in our family love to eat meat. Sometimes, it is a cold buffet, and at other times it is a hot meal. My favourite beverage at Christmas is hot wine (Glühwein in German), which we drink together, and eat Potica. By that time it is about 9.00 pm, and everybody is watching television for a short while. There are so many Christmas songs, and we flip through the channels, regardless if they are Slovenian or Austrian. If there is a good movie on TV, we watch it too. Once in a while I go in my room and often I fall asleep. That makes it even harder to get up again, because we have to go to church for Midnight Mass. |
| Oh, I have to walk to church, and I am already so tired! But it is really pleasant to walk outside! Especially when snow has fallen, then you make fresh tracks on the fresh snow … I have a special Christmas feeling in church! Our church is small, and at Christmas it is always full. You hardly get a seat! Because, all those are coming, who never go to church, except for Christmas. They show up only to be counted as attending. That's how it is in a small village. The Christmas Mass is quite long. The songs are so beautiful, and the choir is exceptional! Our small choir in Godesic! When they are singing, the texts are projected on the wall. This way, we all can sing along. |
| After Mass, we have a small firework in front of the church, and all the youngsters gather around. Then they run around, make noise and enjoy the colourful sparkles of the firecrackers, (just like in Germany at New Years Eve). But I am too tired and hardly can wait to go home. So, the three of us are on our way, that is, my parents and I without my brother. He stays with his friends, but I don't know what they are up to. |
| We live about a kilometre from church, and I am always glad when someone stops with the car on the way home and gives us a lift. Then I go to bed. Oh yes, you want to know what happened with the presents and Santa Claus? Well, we never had a Santa Claus in a red suit, when we were small. There was no such thing in the old Yugoslavia. Sometimes, a person, dressed in white and grey, brought us presents. He was something like Godfather "Frost". Besides, the presents are so nicely wrapped and look so beautiful under the tree; it is a shame to open them! Therefore, we leave them there until the next morning and sometimes even longer. Eventually, each one of us opens his presents. I am always most curious how my parents and my brother will react on my presents for them. |
| That is how we celebrate Christmas - in my family. - I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! - ˇELIM VAM VESEL BOˇIC IN SRECNO NOVO LETO!! |
| Our Comment: |
| Keeping Slovenian religous traditions |
| The authoress of this article is to be congratulated by Carantha editors for bearing witness of this beautiful Christmas celebration. We discovered her article in German after the Christmas holidays. In spite of this, we have translated and published it, because this great religious experience concerns all religious feasts in Slovenia, such as Easter, Mary's month, Corpus Christi Day and several others. This marvellous religious tradition is worth to be shared with other people in the world, especially with those of Slovenian descent. In order to keep alive this spiritual messag, we can only wish and hope that it will be continuously spread and described by other people in Slovenian, as well as in other languages. Further more, on the Carantha title page we once again called attention to the Caratanian - Slovenian Saints, in particular to St. Domitian, the patron of Carantania. We are sure, the day will come, when, in a very solemn way, Carantanian Saints will be celebrated anew by religious Slovenian people. |
| ~~~ |
| The Feast on December 8th |
| was venerated very early in Carantania |
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| Mary's miracle-working image of Maria Straßengel near Graz, in Styria |
| (the one-time Carantanian March) |
| by Dr. Jožko Šavli |
| In the surroundings of Graz (Gradec) in Styria, on top of a hill a Gothic pilgrimage called Maria Straßengel was erected. Its name reflects the Slovenian meaning straža (guard). The oldest record in a document from 860 AD proves that King Ludwig the German donated several properties to the Archbishop of Salzburg ad Strazinolun The original name form very probably was Stražnole (pl.), this is, the guard post. |
| A further document from 1147 says that Otakar III, Margrave of the Carantanian March (Styria), donated this site to the nearby Cistercian monastery in Rein (Runa). After a tradition, Otakar III is said to have donated a Holy Mary to the convent in 1157, which he had taken along from Palestine. Indeed, Otakar III was there on a Crusade together with Count Bernard of Maribor († 1147), the consort of his aunt Conigonde. The chapel of Straßengel, where the Madonna has been kept until today, was mentioned for the first time in 1208. Regretfully, in 1978 the image was stolen from this well-known pilgrimage church and has been replaced by a copy. |
| In pamphlets portraying Straßengel we find the quotation, that this miracle-working image of Mary was painted in ca. 1430. This, however, is not very likely. At that time, the utmost that could have happened in view of the image, is a touch up. The original paining is certainly much older. Why? Because the shape of Mary does not correspond with the Gothic style of the 15th century. On the contrary, it rather reflects Byzantine traits, even though on this picture Mary is not keeping the hands elevated and she does not wear a large roundel with the image of Jesus on her chest, as it is usually portrayed. By all means, this Mary painting pertains to the well-known types called Panhagia Platytera (the Most Holy with a great body). Ikone Basilius, the Great Father of the Church, explained it this way: What was accomplished in immaculate Mary's body when the fullness of Divinity shone forth in Christ by virtue of her virginity, is also accomplished in every soul who remains virgin. |
| Thus, the image found in Straßengel reflects the Panhagia Platytera, diffused very early in the Christian East (Byzantine area), to which also Palestine belonged. Therefore, the tradition, that Otakar III brought the painting from that part of the world, was not done without reason. The image is also proof, that the veneration of the Immaculate Conception, which was proclaimed dogma in the 19th century by the Pope, was spread very early on in Carantania. |
| ~~~ |
| Domenica 21 novembre 2005, Festa della Salute |
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| Nel 1630, più di mezzo secolo dopo la terribile pestilenza del 1575-77, il morbo si abbatte nuovamente su Venezia. Il Senato fa voto di erigere una chiesa intitolata alla Salute, chiedendo l'intercessione della Vergine Maria per porre fine alla pestilenza. |
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| Per la progettazione della basilica, come al solito, fu bandita una gara; vi parteciparono undici concorrenti. Risultò vincitore giovane architetto Baldassarre Longhena. Il suo progetto rispondeva alle esigenze di grandiosità richieste dalla Serenissima: una chiesa che doveva esaltare la Vergine e al tempo stesso la Repubblica. |
| La pianta rotonda (una novità assoluta) stava a simboleggiare la corona della Madonna ed esprimeva la metafora della verginità, dote che si estendeva alla città. |
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| La prima pietra fu posata con la peste ancora in piena attività e fu consacrata nel 1687. |
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| Una dedica alla Madonna: il grande canto "Salve Regina" |
| Questo bell'inno è conosciuto anche con il nome inglese "Hail Holy Queen". Nel 1218 i Cistercensi lo adottarono come canto processionale quotidiano e nel 1251 come finale della Compièta (l'ultima delle ore canoniche dell'ufficio divino, che conclude la preghiera della giornata liturgica). I Dominicani ed i Francescani inoltre lo hanno adottato durante lo stesso periodo ed il Carmelitani lo hanno usato per un po' di tempo al posto dell'ultima lettura evangelica a Messa. Il Pontefice Gregorio IX (1227-1241) ordinò che fosse cantato dopo la Compièta al venerdì. Dal quattordicesimo secolo sino ad oggi è parte della Compièta per il Rito latino. Nella tradizione quest'antifona è recitata alla Compièta dalla domenica della Trinità fino all'Avvento. Un'indulgenza parziale è concessa al fedele che recita questa preghiera con devozione. |
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| Per la storia della basilica vai a |
| http://www.comune.venezia.it/ |
| ~~~ |
| Gospa od Zdravlja |
| Hail Holy Queen |
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| Under the Croatian name "Gospa od Zdravlja", the Hail Holy Queen is also venerated all over Dalmatia. In Split, her famous miracle-working image is kept in the Franciscan parish church (see image). She is patroness of several Dalmatian parishes, and her feast is celebrated with great solemnity. Many people of Dalmatia spent several years on the sea and were exposed to numerous risks, and thousands of them were constrained to go abroad. For them, Gospa od Zdravlja has been a symbol of hope until this very day. - (Zeljko Nincevic) |
| ~~~ |
| Vsi Sveti |
| (All Saints' Day) |
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| by Dr. Jožko Šavli |
| On this day Catholics visit the graves of their loved ones and remember all who have died. On the following day the faithful pray for the souls in purgatory. It is also about guidance and admonition before the Day of Judgement, announced by Jesus Christ. On the Lord's day he will come to judge the living and the dead. The famous Slovenian church painter Tone Kralj illustrated this individual event, as portrayed in the parish church of Vrtojba close to Gorica. The composition of the painting shows Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross, which brought salvation to mankind. However, salvation depends on the individual. On Christ's left are depicted the various peoples who were righteous and were spared from the destruction. On the right side are the Christian sinners, who did bad things in life and did not listen to God's word. On top of the Cross, which is rising into heaven, is the image of Agnus Dei among the symbols of four Evangelists surrounded by angel choirs. The painting is a characteristic example of modern Slovenian church art. It reflects the Slovenian religiousness based on the inside spiritual experience. |
| ~~~ |
| Gospa Sveta (Maria Saal) |
| a place of welcome for Slovenian Pilgrims |
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| by Dr. Jožko Šavli |
| Gospa Sveta (Maria Saal) -Still today, numerous Slovenian pilgrims continue to visit the ancient Carantanian cathedral of Gospa Sveta north of Klagenfurt - Celovec in Carinthia (Austria). A few decades ago they were not welcomed by the local parish priest, Wilhelm Mucher, who was a combatant for a »German« Carinthia. Moreover, in 1967, when crowds of pilgrims from neighbouring Slovenia made the journey to Gospa Sveta for the 1200th anniversary of Christianization of Carantania (Slovenia), the Carinthian German press began to attack them. The then government of the Federal Republic of Slovenia, on the directive of Belgrade, cut all public transportation services to Gospa Sveta, because the »good Yugoslav - Austrian relationship« should not suffer over the pilgrimage matter. At that time, the See of Gurk/Krka (Carinthia) did not protest against the political decisions. No wonder that the Slovenian faithful felt abandoned by the Church. |
| Today, the situation is quite different at Gospa Sveta. The present-day parish priest, P. Bernhard Grewe, is very open towards Slovenian visitors and pilgrims. He can be reached at: pfarrbuero@pfarre-mariasaal.net or tel. 0043/4223/2254. Address: Domplatz 1, 9063 Maria Saal (Austria). |
| Besides, the Bishop asked the retired Msgr. Leopold Silan to look after the welfare of the pilgrimage at Maria Saal. Since he is well versed in Slovenian, particular care is given to Slovenian pilgrims. His address is: Karfreitstrasse 30/7, 9020 Klagenfurt - Celovec (Austria), tel. 0043/463/91-35-74. |
| We are pleased to bring this news to the Slovenian people at home and abroad. It is high time, that the ancient cathedral of Carantania once again becomes the meeting place of faithful Carantanians, the people of one nation and two languages, German and Slovenian. It has been too long, that these people were divided into academically constructed "Germans" and "Slavs" with all ideological and political consequences. |
| (cf: Korenine (Roots) Part II, article, Maria in Solio (Maria Saal) |
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St. Modestus of Carantania |
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Echo, Letter on Religion and Ideology dated Oct. 19/05) |
| ~~~ |
| Mary, the Queen of Peace |
| on Kurešcek (Slovenia) |
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| This will be a place of graces, a place of healing from diseases and wounds of the soul. Whoever takes refuge with faith in my Heart and in the Heart of my Son at this place will be healed and share in the peace that only heaven can give. (Communication of February 10, 1990) |
| On Kurešcek hill (833 m), which is rising south of Lublana, there was until the Second World War a lovely church consecrated to Mary, the Queen of Peace. People from the surrounding area loved to come here. Anyway, after the war the church fell gradually into decay, because the Yugoslav Communist regime did not approve permits for the repair of church facilities. - However, on February 10, 1990, Father Francè Špelic had a vision at the ruins of the church: Mary the Queen of Peace expressed the wish that people shall pray again at this humble site. Thereafter, everybody was surprised how fast the church on Kurešcek hill had been rebuilt in a miraculous way between 1990 and 1991. |
| Whether it was accidental or not, the pilgrimages to Mary, Queen of Peace on Kurešcek started at the same time when Slovenia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. Thereafter, war broke out in the rest of Yugoslavia and lasted for several years. Slovenia had been spared from the horrors of war. It was a true miracle. People believed that this blessing occurred through the intercession of St. Mary. Since the times of Carantania she is patroness of the Slovenian people. |
| The life story of the visionary Father Francè Špelic (* 1927) is very touching. He describes it in his book »Vrnil se bom k Ocetu« (I'll return to my Father, 1998). He grew up in a poor family under very difficult circumstances. His mother had cancer and was operated. Feeling the end of her life quite near, she recommended Bishop Baraga to young Francè. At the beginning of the WW2, at the age of 14 he joined the partisans. At the end of the war he was only 18 years old, and a convinced communist and atheist. At 19 he followed the order of the Party and got married. He started his career as an officer under the Communist party. A turning point in his life came after several years! |
| By accident he got hold of the Holy Bible and started to read it. It was like a magnet for him. Then, he had ascertained himself that God exists! He says in his book: I received God with such a faith, that no one could have taken him away from me. I did not know anything about Him, except that He is! - But Francè Špelic was still a communist, when a terrible thought crossed his mind: Christ died for people, who were better than I. No one did, what I have done. God cannot forgive me!… He suffered terribly for nearly four years. |
| However, once he read in the Gospel, that Christ died for all people, and no one who has faith will be damned. He says: In the word "no one" I saw myself. Though, I believe in God and I also will be saved! It was an immense alleviation, when he experienced the presence of God's Love and God's Mercy in this way. |
| His life was full of suffering. After he retired from the Party he experienced numerous attacks and humiliation. The Yugoslav secret service often took him to »hearings«, and during the investigation proceedings he was brutally beaten. There were 12 »hearings«, he says, the shortest one lasted 5 hours, the longest 9 hours... But they could not break him down. He studied and became a deacon. And then, in spite of the fact that the Bishop of Lublana, Jože Pogacnik, stood in opposition, Francè Špelic was consecrated priest. |
| Now, Father Špelic regularly comes to celebrate mass and hear confessions in the church of Mary, the Queen of Peace on Kurešcek. About Kurešcek no reports are published in the newspapers, and also not in the religious leaflets. In spite of this, the number of pilgrims visiting Mary the Queen of Peace is increasing, and many wishes are granted. |
| cf:www.kurescek.org |
| Our Lady of Carantania |
| ~~~ |
| The Family of Mary's and Jesus' Heart |
| Družina Marijinega in Jezusovega Srca |
| The Family of Mary's and Jesus' Heart (Družina Marijinega in Jezusovega Srca) is attached to the centre of Mary the Queen of Peace on Kurešcek. It is one of several prayer groups, which today appear in Slovenia and elsewhere. Brothers and sisters of the Family are praying for people in need. They follow the saying: |
| The prayer is a channel, through which God's mercy arrives. Where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus and in the communion of their hearts, they present to God the Father a common affair. Jesus himself is present among them with his prayer and willing to lend an ear: "I say to you that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in Heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst" (Mt 18:19-20). |
| The Kurešcek website posted several requests in Slovenian, which can be accessed under GMS 031/854-446 for the purpose of praying more effectively. One feels touched in ones most inner core when reading prayer requests for: improvement of health problems for very seriously ill sister; a newly wedded couple that they never would separate but share each others life in love together with their children; a young mother with a brain tumour (who had already two operations); a deluded daughter, that she might find a good husband and enter the holy matrimony before God; a family charged with inside wounds and suicide threats of son, a drug addict and alcoholic in very serious conditions... On Kurešcek, each 2nd Sunday of the month, Mass is celebrated at 4 p.m in thanks for the prayers heard by God. |
| ~~~ |
| Apostle of the Indians |
| American and Slovenian Candidate for Blessing |
| 1797 - 1868 |
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| by Dr. Jožko Šavli |
| In the past centuries the deeply spiritual life in Slovenia had given rise to many great personalities, whose activities spread beyond the borders of Slovenia into the rest of Europe and even as far as the newly discovered America. Among scores of Slovenian missionaries who came to the New World, Bishop Frederick Baraga is the most widely known. One of the most inspirational figures in the history of the American Church, an indefatigable missionary among the Indians of the Upper Great Lakes, Baraga laboured in a vast territory of over 80.000 square miles, including areas of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canada. |
| A towering figure of the Catholic Church and a candidate for beatification, Baraga continues to live in the hearts of the faithful as an epitome of goodness: the Snowshoe Priest, the Shepherd of the Wilderness, and Apostle of Ottawas and Chippevas (Otchipwe). |
| Baraga's Homeland |
| A very small inscription on the wall of the manor house of Mala vas, south of Lublana (Slovenia), says that Frederick Baraga was born there in 1797. The new parish of Dobrnic, an hour's walk away, was founded in 1784. Soon after Frederick's birth, his father moved his growing family to the nearby borough of Trebnje. |
| His parents infused their own virtues into his character; from his father, he received gravity, a sense of order, energy and firmness; from his mother a sensitive soul, a sovereign love for God and tender devotion to our Heavenly Mother and her bountiful love for the poor. He had two younger sisters whom he was taught to help and protect, at the cost of self-sacrifice. |
| At that period, the Slovenian provinces were part of the Austrian Empire, in which German language prevailed. Therefore Frederick began to study this language. Around 1800, the incessant wars being waged by Napoleon and his generals were moving back and forth across the land. The French troops occupied Slovenian provinces. For several years, they formed a particular State called Provinces Illyriennes. In 1809, in Lublana, the centre of provinces, Frederick Baraga started high school, in which the language of instruction was French. The death of his mother (1808) and father (1812) followed closely one upon the other and grieved him deeply. |
| In Lublana, Frederick met professor Dolinar, who kept a boarding house for students. Frederick and his sisters were welcomed into the distinguished and highly principled Dolinar's family and they progressed in virtue and learning. It was professor Dolinar who later advised Frederick to attend the university in Vienna. Here, he spent most of his time studying law and perfecting his knowledge of French, English, Spanish and Italian. |
| In those days, there was a great master in spirituality in Vienna, the Redemptorist, Father Clement Hofbauer. Many young men went to him with problems of all sorts, and to all he gave peace of soul. On the 12th day of July 1817, for the first time, Baraga met the priest who was to influence his life profoundly. He remained in close touch with the Redemptorist who had answers to all his problems and he proceeded to his spiritual formation. |
| In 1820, he wrote: "The desire to be a priest dawned in my soul on December 1st with such vehemence that I decided to enter the seminary as soon as I had finished my law studies". Hofbauer insisted he take his degree. Then, Baraga decided to become the Lord's herald, little knowing that he was destined to work for the Church in the region of the Great Lakes. |
| Call to the Missions |
| On October 22nd, 1821, he presented his request to the bishop for admission to the seminary at Lublana. On September 21st, 1823, he was ordained, and the day after he celebrated his first mass in the Cathedral of Lublana, at the altar of the Blessed Sacrament. Then, he was sent to a parish. When he preached, the church was filled to overflowing and many came from beyond the parish boundaries to listen to him. His love for souls inspired him to take his pen and write about the greatness of the Faith. He wrote and published a prayerbook Dushna pasha (Pasture of the soul), which has been, ever since, the favourite prayer book for the Slovenian faithful. |
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| Title page of Dusna pasha (Pasture of the soul) from 1830. It was reprinted a number of times, for the last time in 1905 in 80,000 copies. |
| This Slovenian prayerbook was a very sensation. In 1830, it was published first in 2000 copies, which were soon out of print. Thereafter, it was reprinted in 3500 greater and 5000 minor copies; its issues until 1945 were 2000, 4000, 4000, 3000, 5000, 2000, 600 copies. In 1905, the Mohorjeva Publishing in Celovec - Klagenfurt published it anew in 80.000 copies. In that period, the Slovenian speaking population was of ca. 1,5 million, and this event shows clearly their deep religiousness. |
| The Diocese of Lublana offered Frederick none of the ideal living conditions of Hofbauer's centre in Vienna. Jansenism and Josephinism poisoned the air. Jansenism, which preached inordinate strictness in observing God's Commandments, made chambers of torture of the confessional and closed the doors of the Tabernacle to the faithful. The Bishop of Lublana himself was a Jansenist. On the other hand, the Josephinism involved the intervention of the State in purely ecclesiastical affairs, in the abolition of the pious associations, and favoured many, not always orthodox popular devotions, such as the unauthorized exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the unauthorized public recitation of Rosary and the Way of the Cross. - In such circumstances the zealous ministry of Baraga was impeded. He felt he could not act otherwise toward the faithful and at the same time follow his conscience. The Curia's distrust and hostility grew daily and made the situation more and more contradictory. |
| A booklet of barely sixty pages telling the story of the Diocese of Cincinnati fell into Baraga's hand. He opened it, and read it through to the last word. The Diocese of Cincinnati, at that time, included a large area of the United States, i.e., the State of Ohio, Michigan and the Territory of the Hurons to the West with 988,800 inhabitants. In this vast territory the Church found itself in very difficult conditions, particularly the Indian missions, that had no priest at all. |
| The booklet read by Baraga told the story of the Diocese of Cincinnati during the apostolate of Bishop Fenwick, a former student of the Propaganda Fide College in Rome. According to the Propaganda Fide he was the Bishop of the poorest Diocese of the Catholic world. Bishop Fenwick attempted the impossible while trying to improve conditions. Beside financial help, priests were urgently needed. |
| However, the arguments which clinched the matter for Baraga was not the wonderful example of Bishop Fenwick, but the Indians. There were places where Indians had been without a priest for 65 years. The Indian missions, which had been so prosperous under the Jesuits, when those lands belonged to France, seemed to be condemned to a slow death with the arrival of Protestant British colonisers. - Baraga read the booklet and for two months he was deeply shaken by an interior conflict. Then, he asked his Bishop to be released from the Diocese of Lublana, to go to work as a missionary in the Diocese of Cincinnati. |
| The Leopoldinen Stiftung of Vienna, which sustained the missions, had presented Baraga's request to Bishop Fenwick. Just as soon as the answer from Cincinnati arrived, the Ordinary of Lublana, Bishop Wolf, gave Baraga the Littrae dismisiae as requested by civil authorities. Then Baraga left for Vienna, and then toward America. On December 1st, 1830, he stepped from the ship in New York. After a long journey, on January 31st, 1831, he reached Cincinnati. |
| The Apostle of the Indians |
| It was not difficult to find a post for the newly arrived apostle. Bishop Fenwick wanted to introduce the new missionary personally to the Indians; therefore Baraga had to wait a while before going there. He took advantage of the delay to study the Ottawa language. His teacher was William Maccatebinessi, son of the Indian chief of Arbre Croche (Harbour Spring). On May 1st, 1831, Baraba knelt for the first time, in front of the altar in the little church of Arbre Croche, to thank God for his safe journey and for having placed him in the midst of the Indians. |
| When Baraga started his work, the extent of the Diocese of Cincinnati was greater than that of the whole France. They were many and heartbreaking adverse factors: the immensity of territory, scarcity of means, lack of priests, the policy of Governments. After two months he wrote: "I am the only priest of the Diocese of Cincinnati living amongst the Indians… I am the only white man in the region." |
| When he first reached a mission, Baraga's first step was to found a residence; build a church, his own home and a school. Poverty was great, and the lack of financial means was serious, but the lack of priests was graver. Another grave problem was the scandalous behaviour of the white merchants and speculators who sold liquor, at a great profit, to the unsuspecting Indians. This ruined them in large numbers, besides disgracing the Christian way of life in their eyes. |
| In 1831, Baraga was named Vicar General of Wisconsin and later, he was made Vicar General of Michigan. The Leopoldinen Stiftung assisted him with even more substantial alms, considering him a son of the society, the first to offer himself to be sent to the Indian missions. |
| In the four places he evangelised: Arbre Croche, Grand River, La Pointe and L'Anse, the Indians were disposed toward Christianity. He insisted that the catechism and schooling be taught in the native language. At that time, the Indians were treated with great injustice and were, therefore, in great distress. Baraga took up their defence, and said that he was to follow them wherever they were sent. |
| In a self-confession, which Baraga made to his Bishop, he said: "I must visit the sick, hear frequent confessions of my people. I have to instruct the newly converted Indians and those who wish to become Catholics, I have to preach five times on Sunday, twice in the Indian language, twice in French and once in English… To attend to all of these duties in my mission, I find time too short…" |
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| Shrine of Bishop Baraga in L' Anse (Michigan) |
| In January 1852, he had to visit a group of Indians in a faraway village. He reached it by walking without stop for 24 hours, day and night on snow shoes, with only a piece of bread in his pocket. |
| The Bishop |
| At the National Council, in 1852, the Bishops discussed the problems concerning the creation of new Sees, because of the rapid increase of Catholics in the United States. The Bishop of Detroit proposed the creation of an apostolic vicariate in the zone of Lake Superior, because the territory was so vast that he could not adequately fulfil his apostolic mission in it. As candidate for the new vicariate he proposed Father Baraga, who had been working there since 1831. |
| The Bishops accepted the proposal that was sent to Rome. On August 22, 1853, Propaganda Fide wrote to the Archbishop of Baltimore requesting him to mail to Baraga the nomination of Vicar Apostolic of Michigan with the Episcopal title of Amyzonia "in partibus fidelium". On November 1st, the Feast of all Saints, the imposing ceremony took place in Cincinnati. Archbishop Purcell, assisted by bishops, consecrated Baraga. The See of the new Michigan vicariate was in Sault Ste. Marie. |
| In the same month Baraga left for Europe. The motive was, exclusively, to find priests for his new vicariate and to present to Rome his request, that the Michigan Vicariate be raised to be a residential diocese. This could be realized not earlier than in 1857 with the issue of a pontifical bull. |
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| The map of Baraga's missions presented to the Propaganda Fide Collegium, in 1855. |
| Nevertheless, after several years, Bishop Baraga sent to Rome the request to transfer the See of the Diocese to the city of Marquette (Michigan). The description of the conditions in the diocese, which he sent to Rome in 1861, is almost a photograph of his diocese. He accepted also the administration of the neighbouring territories belonging to the Dioceses of Detroit, Milwaukee, Saint Paul and Toronto. The lack of priests was, for many years, his chief preoccupation. The material goods were next to nothing… The population was composed of a variety of nations, languages and social ranks. Catechism was taught in each of four languages, according to the principle of equality of nations. |
| Finally, with a decree sent to Baraga in 1865, Propaganda Fide informed him of the concession given by Pope Pious IX to transfer the See of the Diocese to Marquette. Baraga's history as we know it speaks for itself of his truly apostolic soul. He was a typical apostle who renounced honours and riches and gave himself in bondage to the Church, for the salvation of the souls of the Indians. |
| During the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore, in the session of October 10th, 1866, Baraga was struck down with an apoplectic stroke. He left Baltimore, to return to his beloved flock. He was paralysed in all his limbs, but still active as the head of his Diocese. All his life he confided in Jesus Heart, and then his task went towards the end. It was on Sunday, January 19th, 1868, when he died and went to God for payment. |
| In less then forty years, the Diocese of Marquette passed from infancy to full growth. Without doubt, this remarkable progress can be attributed to Baraga, and this is a better memorial than any that was ever placed on his tomb. |
| The Writer |
| There is no doubt that it was due to Baraga that the Indians were given books in their own language. As soon as he arrived in Arbre Croche, he decided he must write a catechism and a dictionary in the language he had learned. It necessitated a real knowledge of the language, but very soon Baraga had acquired it so perfectly that the Indians were enchanted. These very books are, today, one of the principal sources of information on the Indian language, which have completely disappeared. |
| His Indian books are written in Ottawa and Otchipwe, and the Potowani and Nanomino Tribes could also read these. His religious writings are distinctly pastoral: the most important is the volume of Ottawa Anamie-Masinaigan (The book of prayers). The same book was published also in the Otchipwe language, printed 1837 in Paris. The book in Ottawa named Jesus Obimadisiwin Oma Aking (The life of Jesus, Paris 1837), which followed the Otchipwe edition, contains a sacred story, sermons for the missionaries and a few pamphlets to help the new missionaries read the Indian language. Baraga wrote altogether 32 Indian books. Among them the Katolik Emaniad o Nanagata Vendamo Masinaigan (The mediation of the Catholic Christian about the eternal truth, Detroit 1850) was the most voluminous and the best. |
| He wrote also in German and in Slovenian. In 1836, his book in German concerning the history and customs of the Indians of North America was published in Lublana (Slovenia), and in the same year his French translation was issued in Paris. A Slovenian edition was published in Lublana, where also other Baraga books were produced, the last of them being Nebeške rože (The celestial flowers, 1848). |
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| Baraga's book in Otchipwe language printed in Lublana, in 1843, and the Otchipwe dictionary published in Detroit, in 1853. |
| His books have also a historical value as they have presented the knowledge of languages now extinct. Baraga's principal non-religious publications were The Grammar of the Otchipwe Language (Detroit 1850) and the double dictionary: English - Otchipwe and Otchipwe - English (Detroit 1853). Besides writing, Baraga had also to take responsibility for the printing those books which were hard to sell. Several times, after the printing had been started, Baraga still had to find the money to pay for the binding of the books. |
| Baraga's Memorial |
| Frederick Baraga originated from Lower Carniola, which has been, because of the great religiousness and prayers of its inhabitants, a very "spiritual province" of Slovenia. Apart of Baraga, other great missionaries originated from this area like Ignacij Knoblehar, the missionary in Sudan, or Janez Gnidovec, the Bishop of Skopje in Macedonia, and many others. But the forces of evil could not tolerate this fireplace of Slovenian religiousness, and it was certainly not by accident, when anti-religious forces devastated it during the WW2. Nevertheless, the name Baraga and his fellows originated from this country; they remain in people's memory and continue to be an example of solid faith and of virtues for generations to come. |
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| The present-day Cathedral of St. Peter in Marquette, in which Baraga's grave is found. |
| The apostle of the Indians, Frederick Baraga, was buried in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Marquette. At the See another Slovenian, Bishop Ignacij Mrak, followed him. In 1879, the latter was followed anew by a Slovenian, Bishop Janez Vrtin. In the same year, the cathedral was completely destroyed by fire, but Baraga's coffin was not demaged. The Bishop let build a new cathedral, which in 1935 also burnt down. And again, Baraga's coffin remained untouched. A very miracle! |
| In America, a Bishop Baraga Association was founded in the territory of his mission. Still today, the image of the "Snowshoe Priest" continues to be an example of complete devotion to God and to the Christian mission. So, in 1967, Bernard J. Lambert from L'Anse (Michigan), where the legend of this devout man of God lives on through countless reminders of his mission, published Baraga's biography under the title Shepherd of the Wilderness. The book was reprinted in 1974. |
| The efforts for Baraga's proclamation of Blessing and Saint are in course already for many years. Many faithful turn to him for intercession with God on different subjects. But a granting is necessary, so that a miracle could be documented. For example, a miraculous recovery. Therefore, our supplications for his intercession in many of our affairs must be repeated over and over. |
| Since Slovenia became independent, and the identity of Slovenians as a state nation on the world level has been introduced to the American public, the name of Bishop Baraga is sparkling among the nations, which contributed to the spiritual and cultural progress of the United States. More than a century before the independence, Frederick Baraga and many others carried into the world the name Slovenia with their honourable deeds. |
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| Bishop Baraga's Grave |
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| P. Bruno in Kostanjevica |
| It is found in the so-called Bishop's Crypt of the St. Peter Cathedral of Marquette.When Bishop Baraga died, in 1868, his precious remains were placed in a plain pine coffin and interred under the Cathedral in a specially-made crypt near the Blessed Virgin altar. Fire destroyed the Cathedral in 1879, which some years later was rebuild. Fire again destroyed the Cathedral in 1935. In both fires, Baraga's grave was miraculously saved. Thereafter, a particular crypt was built under a lateral chapel, where the bishops of Marquette repose. A distinct place was reserved for the body of Bishop Baraga separated from the tombs of other bishops. The crypt has two rooms. As you enter the first room, there is an altar and prayer cards to Bishop Baraga. In the second room are the burial vaults with a place to kneel and pray for the Lord's help through the intercession of Bishop Baraga. In 1959, plaques were placed on each of the bishop's tombs, a prie dieu was set in place, there is a table for printed matter and a guest registry. Signs and improved lighting aided visitors. |
| (Courtesy of the Bishop Baraga Assotiation) |
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| Baraga Days 2005 |
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| With great success ended this year's Baraga Days 2005 which were held in his honour at the beginning of September at the Slovenian parishes of St. Vitus and Mary's Assumption in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). The blessing of the new Bishop Frederic Baraga bust took place in the Slovenian Garden on East Boulevard not far from St. Vitus church. Memorials like this one remind later generations of the great Slovenian pioneer, who worked as a priest, bishop and missionary of the Great Lakes, and who also was an apostle of the Indians. He dedicated his life to the great work of evangelization in the middle of the 19th century AD. The cause for Sainthood is now in process in Rome. His spiritual legacy represents a precious tie between Slovenia and America, which will remain forever. |
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| Šmarnice |
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| Mary's statue (16th century) in the parish church of Tolmin (Slovenia) |
| by Dr. Jožko Šavli |
| Šmarnice is the Slovenian word for the evening devotions in honour of Mary, which are carried out during the month of May. In the Cat |
