Fr. Slavko Barbaric
It is now approximately 10.30 pm Malaysian time and 3.30 pm Bosnian time. I have just lighted some candles for Father Slavko. Nine years ago, on this day and around this time, Medjugorje was in shock because of the sudden demise of Father Slavko Barbaric. At 2.00 pm on that day, Father Slavko led about 70 parishioners and pilgrims on the "Way of the Cross" to the summit of Mount Krizevac. It has been drizzling all afternoon but when they reached the summit of the mountain, the drizzle had stopped and the sun came out. They could see a beautiful rainbow near St. James Church. After the "Way of the Cross", they started to descend but when they arrived at the Resurrection Station, Father Slavko stopped and blessed them. He sat upon a rock and then lay on the ground where he lost consciousness and died of a heart attack.
The Resurrection Station on Mount Krizevac.
Father Slavko's premature death was a terrible shock and great loss to the world. But why did he die at such a young age? He was the kind of man who did not know how to feel tired. There were no rest days for him as he continued to serve God and His people all the days of his life without any letup. He only went to sleep after midnight and would wake up before sunrise to pray. He used to say that the only time he had for himself was the time at dawn when he could go to Mount Krizevac or Podbrdo Hill to pray. He has never failed to go to Mount Krizevac or Podbrdo Hill to pray every morning irrespective of the weather condition. As a priest, he had no time to think about himself or manage his own wellbeing. He has never complained about anything but continued to serve the people of God with patience and kindness. He did not know how to take some time out from his duties and responsibilities for himself as his life motto was not to have anything but to give away everything.
According to Father Tomislav Pervan, if the Lord were to say to Father Slavko that he would die the next day, these words would not have any effects on his daily life. Why? Because his purpose in life is to serve God and His people and therefore would not take any time out to focus on his own life. He would still continue to climb Krizevac Mountain and Podbrdo Hill. He would still continue to pray. He would still carry out his duties and responsibilities as a priest just as he had always done. That was why the thought of death couldn't scare him. As what Father Slavko had always said, "As the Father has loved me, so I also love you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Like his Master before him, Father Slavko laid down his life for us and in doing so, he forgot about himself. That was why he died a premature death.
Father Slavko had truly lived the life of Christ and walked in His footsteps. It was indeed a great blessing to have a priest like Father Slavko who has devoted himself entirely and completely to the Church and to the Kingdom of God. Those who know him would agree that he is a wonderful and precious gift from God. But on the other hand, we also have priests who only think of themselves and keep pestering the pope to allow them to get married. Why become priests if they cannot give themselves completely to the work of Christ and His Church? If they are only interested to get a job so that they can support their wife and children, they should not take advantage of the Catholic priesthood. Catholic priests should live by Father Slavko's motto - not to have anything but to give away everything. It is a disgrace if their purpose is to keep taking from the Church so that their family members can live comfortably. Sometimes I do wonder what would have been the fate of Christianity if Jesus were to say these words to His Father, "Father, I don't want to die on the cross. I want to get married. I want to enjoy a wonderful sex life. I want to see my children grow up. Dying on the cross is no fun." If these were His words, then Christianity wouldn't have existed at all. Our Lord Jesus Christ, we really need more priests like Father Slavko for the salvation of the Catholic Church. Can you please send many, many priests like Father Slavko to us?
Born on 11 March 1946 in Cerin, a town located in the municipality of Citluk, Father Slavko grew up in extreme poverty. Despite his humble beginnings, he was a very intelligent man who turned out to be one of the greatest scholars of his time. After completing his 2 years of military service in the Yugoslav army, he joined the Franciscan order at the age of 19. In his 20s, he was the kind of scholar priest who spent most of his time in the libraries. In 1973, he obtained his master's degree in pastoral technology at the University of Graz, Austria. In 1982, he obtained his Ph.D. in religious pedagogy (with the title of psychotherapist) at the University of Freiburg, Germany. He was fluent in many European languages including Croatian, English, German, French, and Spanish. One cannot deny the fact that Father Slavko is perfection itself. He simply had it all - good looks, charm, knowledge in different languages, the highest level of education, integrity, intelligence, diligence, humility, piousness, and charity. Most of all, his life was one of great sacrifice and service because it was the life of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ - that was what made him perfect. And he will be fondly remembered for generations to come.
The visionaries: Vicka, Ivanka, Ivan, Mirjana, Jakov, Marija
Father Slavko was officially transferred to Medjugorje in 1983 where he became the spiritual director of the visionaries until his death in 2000. He did not forget that his childhood was passed in poverty and since there were so many orphans and other deprived children in Medjugore, he founded the orphanage, Mother's Village, in 1993, with the help and support of the Franciscan sisters. Mother's Village was built during and after the war and was officially registered on 8 September 1996. It had always been Father Slavko's dream to care for those who had been abandoned by their own family members and left out of the social welfare system. And this dream was materialized during the final decade of his life.
To the orphans and poor children, Mother's Village is a safe haven as it provides shelter, food, care and education for them from birth to 18 years old. Mother's Village is also a refuge for handicapped children, young unwed mothers and senior citizens. Many young unwed pregnant women who were rejected by their own families and society have found new life and hope in Mother's Village. Thanks to Father Slavko, many children's lives were saved because they were born into an environment where they could grow up feeling loved and accepted. A special house, known as St. Anthony's House, was built for handicapped children - these children are given special training and education to help them live normal lives. There is also a house for the elderly with no one to care for them thus making Mother's Village complete with the grandfathers and grandmothers around.
Since Father Slavko's greatest concern was for the education and well-being of the children, the St. Francis Garden was created just for this purpose. The aim of this garden is to enable the children to live as close to nature as possible so that they can experience peace and relaxation in their every day lives. In this forested area, there is a zoo, two ponds and an area for prayer and recreation with developmental aids for children. The developmental aids aforemetioned include swings, toboggans, merry-go-rounds and a train for kids. There are also three ponies for therapeutic riding programs that are intended to improve the health and wellness of the special needs children. This program is particularly useful for children with motor disabilities as it helps them to restore balance and equilibrium.
According to Father Pervan, Father Slavko was here, in this world, but at the same time he was so much out of the world. As what Jesus said, "They are not of the world, anymore than I belong to the world. Consecrate them by means of truth - Your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world; I consecrate myself for their sakes now, that they may be consecrated in truth" (John 17: 16-19). "Everyone who has given up home, brothers or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property for my sake will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life" (Mathew: 19:29).
Father Slavko has given himself, his time, and everything he had to serve God and His people as a priest. The life of Father Slavko is a clear indication that celibate priests are much needed in the Catholic Church because they can give their entire life to their ministry. Let us always remember what Father Slavko has done for us, for the Church and for this world. May he receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Tonight, I would say the Croatian rosary with Father Slavko. Dear Father Slavko, do you know how much I adore, respect and honour you? You will always have a special place in my heart.
Since Father Slavko's greatest concern was for the education and well-being of the children, the St. Francis Garden was created just for this purpose. The aim of this garden is to enable the children to live as close to nature as possible so that they can experience peace and relaxation in their every day lives. In this forested area, there is a zoo, two ponds and an area for prayer and recreation with developmental aids for children. The developmental aids aforemetioned include swings, toboggans, merry-go-rounds and a train for kids. There are also three ponies for therapeutic riding programs that are intended to improve the health and wellness of the special needs children. This program is particularly useful for children with motor disabilities as it helps them to restore balance and equilibrium.
According to Father Pervan, Father Slavko was here, in this world, but at the same time he was so much out of the world. As what Jesus said, "They are not of the world, anymore than I belong to the world. Consecrate them by means of truth - Your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world; I consecrate myself for their sakes now, that they may be consecrated in truth" (John 17: 16-19). "Everyone who has given up home, brothers or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property for my sake will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life" (Mathew: 19:29).
Father Slavko has given himself, his time, and everything he had to serve God and His people as a priest. The life of Father Slavko is a clear indication that celibate priests are much needed in the Catholic Church because they can give their entire life to their ministry. Let us always remember what Father Slavko has done for us, for the Church and for this world. May he receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Tonight, I would say the Croatian rosary with Father Slavko. Dear Father Slavko, do you know how much I adore, respect and honour you? You will always have a special place in my heart.
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References:
1. Medjugorje. Information Center "MIR" Medjugorje.
2. The New American Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
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