Pilgrimage to Škabrnja Marked the Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Homeland War

Students, faculty, and staff of the Catholic University of Croatia marked 18 November – Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Homeland War and Remembrance Day for the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja by taking part in a pilgrimage to Škabrnja.

Upon arrival, they attended the commemorative programme held at the entrance to the village – Ambar – and then joined the Procession of Remembrance, which proceeded from the beginning of 18 August 1991 Street to the memorial site of the mass grave.

This was followed by a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, presided over by the Archbishop of Zadar, Msgr. Milan Zgrablić, and concelebrated by the gathered priests, among whom were the CUC Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity and Mission Prof. Ante Crnčević, Ph.D., Assist. Prof. Odilon Singbo, Ph.D., and University Chaplain Fr. Branimir Jagodić.

The programme continued with a walk to the memorial site at the St. Luke parish cemetery, where students, faculty, and staff lit candles on behalf of the entire university community.

On their way back to Zagreb, the pilgrims stopped in Udbina, at the Church of Croatian Martyrs, where they were welcomed by the local dean and parish priest of St. Nicholas Parish, Preč. Josip Šimatović. He introduced them to the history of that region, the Gospić-Senj Diocese, and the church itself.

On the eve of Remembrance Day, 17 November, the University held a memorial programme consisting of a Mass for all fallen defenders and victims of the Homeland War, a prayer service in the chapel, and the lighting of candles in front of the University’s main entrance. After the lighting of candles, a screening of the docudrama “Škabrnja” by director and screenwriter Nada Prkačin was held in the Bl. Alojzije Stepinac Hall.