The Feast of the Little Mother of God was celebrated solemnly at the parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Selina, a settlement in Podgorje, where the festivities took place on Tuesday, 8 September. The central part of the liturgical celebration was a concelebrated Mass held in the Selina parish church. The Mass was presided over by retired Zadar Archbishop Želimir Puljić, who, following the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, led a procession with the statue of Our Lady through the streets of the town.
In his homily, Archbishop Puljić highlighted that Catholics make pilgrimages to Marian shrines with great reverence and pray for her intercession. He emphasised that Mary never abandons the Church which gathers around her, recalling numerous shrines associated with the Croatian people. He mentioned Bunarić near Subotica, Aljmaš, Voćin, Marija Bistrica, Trški Vrh, Trsat, Kondžilo, Olovo, Široki Brijeg, Sinj, Nin, Solin, Vepric, Gospino Polje in Dubrovnik, and Our Lady of the Rocks in Kotor.
The Archbishop reflected on the Gospel of Matthew in his sermon, particularly the genealogy stretching from Abraham to King David and Joseph. This genealogy is read on Mary’s birthday, and in the Gospel of Matthew, the verb "to beget" is mentioned no fewer than 28 times. He also recalled Elizabeth’s greeting to her kinswoman Mary: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb", stressing that Mary was Joseph’s wife.
Throughout history, the Croatian people have always found solace in Mary. King Zvonimir, the Zrinski family, and other historical figures placed their trust in her, while Queen Helena in Solin had a church dedicated to Mary built, known as the primordial shrine of Our Lady of Otok. During the Homeland War, brave defenders wore the Rosary as a sign of faith and protection.
Concluding his reflection, Archbishop Puljić encouraged the faithful to pray to Mary for the blessing of fathers and mothers. He asked the Mother of God to watch over and protect the families of the Croatian people, highlighting her role as protector of family communities.
