CUC Staff Pilgrimage to Volavje

On Monday, 7 July 2025, staff members of the Catholic University of Croatia went on a pilgrimage to the parish church of Saint Peter the Apostle at the Shrine of Our Lady of Volavje the Miraculous, to thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for all the graces received during the 2024/2025 academic year.
 

The parish church of St. Peter is renowned for its frescoes from the first half of the 15th century, which are unique in northern Croatia as they depict scenes from the Passion of Christ, not found elsewhere in the region. The bell tower, built before 1668, is one of the oldest in the Jastrebarsko area. The church houses three altars dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, Our Lady of Sorrows, and St. Anthony the Hermit, as well as organ pipes from 1858, which have been restored and are still used during Masses. The funeral chapel, built in 1668, still contains the original wooden altar of the Body of Christ from the late 17th century.

The village of Volavje has been mentioned as a Marian shrine as early as 1217, making it one of the oldest Marian shrines in Croatia. A local legend tells of snow falling in mid-August to mark the place where the Blessed Virgin Mary, after an apparition, wished for a church to be built. A short historical overview of the church and the site was presented by Rev. Matija Novački, who hosted the pilgrims.

Following the talk, the pilgrims prayed the Midday Prayer together and celebrated Holy Mass, presided over by Prof. Ante Crnčević, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity, and Mission of the University. Concelebrants included Rector Prof. Željko Tanjić, Ph.D., Prelate Assoc. Prof. Krunoslav Novak, Ph.D., Secretary General of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, Prof. Jerko Valković, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Richard Pavlić, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Josip Bošnjaković, Ph.D., Assist. Prof. Odilon Singbo, Ph.D., University Chaplain Rev. Branimir Jagodić, and Rev. Matija Novački.
 

After the Mass, the pilgrimage concluded with fellowship and a shared lunch. We express our sincere gratitude to Rev. Matija Novački for his generous help in organising this pilgrimage.