Chapter of the Province of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Croatia

The Eucharistic celebration presided over by Br. Tomaž Hočevar, Visitor General and President of the Chapter, in the Franciscan Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Samobor (Croatia), concluded the celebrations of the 43rd Chapter of the Franciscan Province of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Croatia, held at the Tabor House of Prayer in Samobor from April 20 to 24, 2026. In the year of the great Jubilee of the Order - the eight hundredth anniversary of the death of St. Francis - the Chapter was held under the motto "Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord again". 

The President of the Chapter thanked the brothers for making important decisions for the future of the Province, emphasising that the past must be left behind and we must look to the future. "In this Chapter, you have recognised the signs of the times, you have been able to listen to what the brothers say and what God wants. The choice of a young Definitory is a promise for the future and for the good of the Province", added the Visitator General. 

In the Chapter, the brothers examined the current state of the Province, the activities of the individual confraternities within it, as well as cooperation with the dependent Custody of St. Jerome - Zadar. They also proposed appropriate solutions for the improvement of the Province and discussed new initiatives and tasks of greater importance. In its conclusions, the Chapter emphasised in particular the mission of the entire fraternity and of each individual brother in the field of evangelisation and the care of new spiritual vocations. 

Currently, the Province has 161 friars, who work in 33 convents and parishes in Croatia, as well as in Serbia, Austria and Australia. The Franciscan Custody of St. Jerome - Zara, established a year ago and dependent on the Province, currently houses 35 elderly friars. 

The Chapter elected the new Minister Provincial, Br. Ivica Jagodić; the Vicar Provincial, Br. Mario Zubak; the Provincial Definitors: Br. Tomica Hruška, Br. Petar Cvekan, Br. Gabrijel Bošnjak, Br. Vjeran Lazić, Br. Marko Ćosić and Br. Vinko Brković. 

"In times of great change, we want to remain faithful to the Gospel, cultivate fraternity, closeness to people, especially the little ones and the needy, and joyfully proclaim Christ to modern man," underlined the new Minister, Br. Ivica. 

The Eucharistic celebrations were presided over by: Br. Milan Krišto, former Minister Provincial; Br. Tomaž Hočevar, Visitator General and President of the Chapter; Br. Ivica Jagodić, new Minister Provincial; Br. Mario Zubak, new Vicar Provincial and Mons. Marko Kovač, auxiliary bishop of Zagreb. 

 Br. Siniša Pucić, OFM