The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, also known as the Portiuncula, was marked on Sunday, 2 August, with a solemn mass in Čakovec. The central ceremony was led by the Bishop of Varaždin, Mons. Bože Radoš, who celebrated alongside priests from the Međimurje region. On this day, the faithful commemorate their connection with the small church of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi, where St Francis of Assisi founded the order in the 13th century.
The feast is closely linked to the history of the Franciscan order and a special spiritual privilege. Indeed, St Francis obtained from Pope Honorius III a plenary indulgence for the faithful who, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, and provided they have confessed, received Holy Communion, visit Franciscan churches. This privilege, originally linked to the church of the Portiuncula, was later extended to all Franciscan churches, making 2 August a day of particular spiritual significance for Catholic faithful.
Alongside the central mass in Čakovec, the parish of St Nicholas celebrated its parish feast with three days of spiritual preparation. The preparations culminated in a traditional procession that set off from Republic Square to the Franciscan monastery. The procession, attended by faithful from across Međimurje, was joined by guests from neighbouring Slovenia and Hungary.
Among those present were prominent local officials, including Međimurje County Prefect Matija Posavec, and Ljerka Cividini, the mayor of Čakovec, with her deputy Lana Remar. The director of the local tourist board, Nives Radek, was also present, highlighting the importance of the event for the cultural and religious life of the region.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Zrinski Guard, representatives of the police, and firemen. Members of local associations, as well as cultural and artistic societies from Gornji Knježec, Žiškovac, Mursko Središće, Mihovljan, Štefanec, Podturen, and Goričan, also joined the celebration, further enriching the atmosphere and highlighting the connectedness of the wider area.
