In Dvorišće, on Tuesday, 20 October, a Eucharistic celebration and blessing marked the restoration of a shrine dating from the mid-19th century. The shrine is situated along a former village path, on the edge of the woods and fields, at a spot where people once passed daily on their way to the fields and while driving their livestock.
It is a valuable example of Biedermeier sacred architecture. According to historical records, it was once adorned with a depiction of the Holy Trinity, but the original inventory of the shrine has not been preserved. Today, the shrine contains a mosaic of a Franciscan saint, whom local tradition identifies as Saint Francis of Assisi.
The initiative to restore the shrine was launched by Bojan Kolarić. Damir Horvat donated the paint and carried out the painting work, while Kristijan Tot took care of arranging the space around the shrine.
In his homily, parish priest Fr Dr Silvio Košćak spoke of the call for humans to be God’s dwelling place. He referred to the words of Saint Paul and Jesus’ call to vigilance, and emphasised that the value of a place does not depend on how many people pass by it.
The priest also recalled Saint Francis of Assisi’s attitude towards the created world and stressed that the restoration of sacred monuments should encourage people to renew their interpersonal relationships. Following the Eucharistic celebration, the restored shrine was blessed and prayers were said.
