Spiritual Preparations, Masses and Community Gatherings Mark the Feast of St Anthony, the Beloved Saint loved by Croatians all over the world.
Croatian Catholic missions in Australia have celebrated the feast day of St Anthony of Padua, the beloved saint of the Croatian people and heavenly patron of several Croatian parishes in Australia. Masses were preceded by spiritual preparations during the celebration. Community picnics, lunches, and gatherings followed, bringing together numerous faithful.
The information gathered, accompanied by beautiful photographs, bears witness to these encounters in faith. It confirms the community’s growth in faith and the impressive number of young people who gathered for the celebrations.
HCC Blacktown: Blessing of Folklore Group Children
At the Croatian Centre Blacktown on St Anthony’s Day itself, 13th June, following Holy Mass, Father Ivica Pečnik blessed the children of the folklore group HFG Domovina Sydney. On Sunday, parishioners from this parish made a pilgrimage to St Anthony at the HCC St Anthony in Summer Hill. There, grand celebrations were being prepared in honour of the parish patron. Community fellowship followed after Holy Mass with traditional food – roast meat, lamb, ćevapi and cakes, thanks to dedicated volunteers.
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/HKCBlacktown
HCC Summer Hill: Thirteen Tuesdays of Devotions and Solemn Celebration
HCC St Anthony of Padua in Summer Hill dedicated devotions to St Anthony over 13 Tuesdays from 18th March to 10th June this year. These included morning and evening devotions on the theme of the glorious, merciful, gentle, beloved St Anthony. A three-day novena was also held before the feast itself. This included prayers of the Holy Rosary, Holy Masses, the ceremony of St Anthony’s passing, and veneration of St Anthony’s relics.
On Friday 13th June, along with Holy Mass, a blessing of children and lilies was given. On Sunday, a solemn Holy Mass and church picnic took place at this centre. Numerous pilgrims from various Catholic centres gathered there.
Photographs from the Feast of St Anthony of Padua – Youth Evening Mass on Friday 13th June 2025:
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/SvAnteSummerHill
The photos from the Mass celebration and the gathering in the courtyard of the centre on Sunday, 15 June, were sent to us by the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Sydney, Ivica Glasnović:
Upcoming Celebrations: Corpus Christi and Consecration to the Sacred Heart
The parish bulletin announced the feast of Corpus Christi on 21st June. A joint Eucharistic procession will be organised between the Croatian Catholic Church of St Anthony and St Patrick’s in Summer Hill. Holy Mass is at 6:00 PM in St Anthony of Padua Church, followed by the Eucharistic procession. The conclusion will be at St Patrick’s in Summer Hill. If you can, please join this beautiful celebration!
The act of consecration of the Croatian people and Croatian homeland to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will take place on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday 27th June at 7:00 PM.
Gold Coast: Joint Celebration with Brisbane Choir
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/hrvatskikatolicki.centarbrisbane
On Friday, 13th June, the feast day of St Anthony of Padua, Holy Mass was held at 5:00 PM in the Church of Blessed Aloysius Stepinac in Salisbury and on Sunday, 15th June, Holy Mass in Salisbury was held at 8:00 AM.
On Trinity Sunday, the community on the Gold Coast celebrated the commemoration of St Anthony of Padua. Holy Mass was celebrated in St Leopold’s Chapel at 11:00 AM. After Mass, a picnic was organised at the Croatian Sports Centre Gold Coast. The liturgical singing was led by part of the choir from Blessed Aloysius Stepinac Church in Brisbane.
The Croatian Sports Centre Gold Coast prepared a festive lunch with music for all those gathered, featuring excellent delicacies. The sporting part of the day included a Futsal Soccer tournament (5 vs 5) for ages 10-14 years and 15 years and above with prizes. Additionally, there was a children’s section with a jumping castle.
We are sharing photographs from the celebration (courtesy of the Croatian Sports Centre Gold Coast page). Thanks are extended to all who prepared the delicious picnic meal and to all who responded to this Sunday celebration. Photos: https://www.facebook.com/CroatianClubGC
