The Interpretation Centre of the Cathedral of St James

The book “Mamma Schiavona or Mother of God in Croatia” by Msgr. Ph.D. Jurja Batelje, canon of the First Table Chapter of Zagreb and general postulator for causes of beatification and canonization of the Zagreb Archdiocese, was presented on April 22 in the multimedia hall of the Interpretation Centre.
Along with the author, the book was presented by art historian Dr. sc. Joško Belamarić, while the Pivači svetog Jakova performed in the musical part of the program. The presentation was attended by Bishop Tomislav Rogić of Sibenik and Bishop in peace Ante Ivas.

Joško Belamarić said that the book by Msgr. Batelja is extremely important because it reminds us of the phenomenon that in the past, the entire south of Italy from somewhere in the seventh century and through the twelfth and thirteenth centuries was flooded with numerous Croatian refugees who came either because of wars or for economic reasons. “In a number of places, we have attributes that speak in favor of the Croatian presence in the south of Italy. Our people’s communes were numerous, so we also have one parish priest in them whose last name was Draganić and he was from Šibenik. When we hear the predication of Mamma Schiavona, Msgr. Batelja is absolutely right when he is translated by Mother Croatia. When you hear folk songs sung in honor of Mamma Schiavona, you hear the melodies of the Dalmatian Zagora,” said Dr. Joško Belamerić, among other things.

Msgr. Batelja spoke about the connection between Abbot Giuseppe Ramiro Marcone (1882 – 1952), abbot of the Benedictine Congregation of Montevergine, and his secretary Fr. Giuseppe Masucci (1906 – 1963), also a monk of the aforementioned Congregation, with Archbishop of Zagreb Alojzije Stepinec. Abbot Marcone in August 1941, during the Second World War, Pope Pius XII. sent as his envoy to the Croatian Episcopate in NDH, not wanting – due to the diplomatic practice of the Holy See – to recognize that country de jure in wartime circumstances.

Precisely thanks to his search for the voice of holiness of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac in the writings and testimonies of Abbot Marcone and his secretary Masucci, Msgr. Batelja himself became a grateful pilgrim and worshiper of the Mother of God of Montevergina, called “Mamma Schiavona or Mother of God Croatia”. Batelja pointed out several important data and facts that can be found in Abbot Marcone’s reports to the Holy See, in which he describes the actions of Cardinal Stepinac and which testify to his determination in preaching and applying evangelical principles in his pastoral work. This book is therefore inspired by that very love which, on both sides of the Adriatic Sea, gives glory to God the Creator who redeemed and saved us in Christ Jesus. He did this in cooperation with the Virgin of Nazareth, the Blessed Mother of God. And her image is so miraculously connected with Abbot Marcone, the Montevergina community, the Italian people, Blessed Alojzije Stepinac and the Croatian people, said Msgr. Batelja.