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The Croatian project is now an official mission of the Congregation. With a joyful celebration participated of the Provincial Director of the Polish Province, the members of the new mission and by many friends, priests, sisters and lay associates of the Congregation in Croatia, the Moderator General has officially elevated the Croatian project as an official mission of the Congregation.

The Croatian project was initiated in 1979 by the Teutonic Province, by accepting the invitation of the General Curia to open a house in Banja Luka, at that time part of Yugoslavia and now of Bosnia.  Fr. Willi Klein was the first member to go to the new house. He was in charge of preaching retreats, popular missions and forming the USC  lay associates. The house was completely destroyed during the Balkan civil war and Fr. Willi moved to Zagreb, now in Croatia. There he took care of refugees and  gave humanitarian aid to many war victims. In 1998 the Missionaries from Poland joined to collaborate and give their assistance.  In 2003 candidates were accepted for formation into the Congregation.

At the present the Croatian Mission has three priests, two residences, four seminarians of Theology and several young people in inquiry. The ministry of the new mission is the formation of lay associates, preaching retreats and popular missions, and helping in pastoral ministry. The Croatian Mission is under the care of the Polish Province.  Except one priest, all members of the mission are Croatian.

Text and Photo:  Francesco Bartoloni, CPPS[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]