Te Deum 2026

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the academic community of the Catholic University of Croatia celebrated its Te Deum at the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Sveti Duh, Zagreb. The solemn Holy Mass served as an occasion for our academic community to thank God for the abundance of gifts received during the 2025/2026 academic year.

The Holy Mass was led by University Chaplain Rev. Branimir Jagodić, in concelebration with Rector Professor Željko Tanjić, Vice-Rector for University Quality, Identity, and Mission Professor Ante Crnčević, General Secretary of the Croatian Bishops' Conference Assistant Professor Krunoslav Novak, Professor Jerko Valković from the University Department of Communication Studies, and Professor Odilon Singbo from the Chair of Theology.

In his homily, Rev. Branimir emphasized: "The University lives on work, seriousness, discipline, deadlines, and results; and it would be dishonest to pretend that this is not important. However, if at the end of the year we only stop at what can be counted, measured, recorded, and presented in a report, then we might know what we did, but we will not necessarily know what happened to us. And the Te Deum is not an academic report before God. The Te Deum is a moment in which the entire year is brought before the Lord so that we may look at it in His light. Not only to give thanks for what succeeded, but to recognize where God guided us, where He exposed us, where He patiently raised us, where He freed us from illusion and brought us back to what is essential... Therefore, let this thanksgiving be more than an ending. Let it be the beginning of a more serious faithfulness. Faithfulness to truth, faithfulness to conscience, faithfulness to man, and faithfulness to God, who did not just give us gifts, but gave us Himself as an inheritance," the chaplain concluded.

The musical beauty of the Eucharistic celebration was enhanced by the Choir of the Catholic University of Croatia.

Following the Holy Mass, the community gathered for a barbecue social, which was generously supported by donations from Catering Lobby, konoba Marenda, Iločki podrumi, Pekara Dinara, Sollicitudo, Roto dinamic, and Ledo. The musical entertainment for the program was provided by the tamburica ensemble Trešnja.