In memory of the martyrs killed by Communists”Holiness is a task of all mankind “, these words, pronounced by Pope Benedict XVI, inspired also the Catholic Church in Bulgaria which November 13 commemorated its martyrs shot by the Communist regime. The martyrs are blessed Eugenio Bossilkov, Bishop of Nicopoli, along with the three Assumption Fathers Kamen Vicev, Pavel Dgigzov and Josafat Sciskov. A solemn mass in their memory was celebrated in Saint Joseph’s Concathedral in Sophia by the Apostolic nuncio in Bulgaria monsignor Giuseppe Leanza, by the president of Bulgarian Bishops mons. Hristo Projkov and by the guardian of Capucine Fathers father Mariusz Polzin. On November 13 recurred also the centenary of the death of Joanne of Savoy, Queen of Bulgaria and mother of ex premier king Simeon II of Saxon-Coburg-Gotha. In addition to the many faithful and relatives of the beloved Queen, the celebration was attended also by a number of diplomats, religious men and women who knew Joanne of Savoy before Communist rule. “Bulgarian blessed are models for today’s Christians who want to give meaning to their lives and follow Christ”, Monsignor Leanza said in his homily. “Along this path the human and Christian values of Joanne of Savoy are an exemplary support. She was a role-model as tender and loving mother, along with her devotion, goodness and mercifulness towards others”, he affirmed. The figure of Joanne of Savoy was recalled also by Monsignor Loris Francesco Capovilla, who for many years was the private secretary of blessed Pope John XXIII, former nuncio in Bulgaria. “The fact that we are Catholics reminds us that we are brothers of the Orthodox and of the Jews; we are and intend to be friends of the Muslims and of all those who seek God, follow His rules and confide that one day they will be received in the heavens.Queen Joanne testified to these values in the course of her long life, enlightened by faith and warmed by charity in her serene transition blessed with Franciscan simplicity”.A centre of cultural and religious educationIn the city of birth of blessed Eugenio Bossilkov, Belene, mons. Petko Hristov, bishop of the diocese of Nicopoli, will inaugurate on November 17 a Centre for Cultural and Religious Education. The celebration will be attended by faithful from the diocese and by several religious. On November 17 will take place also the youth diocesan meeting. “We have been meeting in Bulgaria for many years” – the rector of the sanctuary Father Corrado Gasbarro told Sir Europe – “ our experience shows that in order to preach the Gospel we also need facilities. Our hope is that the exemplary life of blessed Eugenio Bossilkov may inspire the youth to be free men and women who love the truth, are good citizens and are faithful to the Gospel of Christ.” The bishop of Nicopoli also expressed his gratitude to the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), to the Holy See and to ACS for the solidarity with the Bulgarian Church. A new Franciscan conventIn the past few days, in the diocese of Nicopoli, in Pleven (130 km north-east of Sophia) bishop mons. Petko Hristov gave his blessing to a new convent of the conventual minor missionary Fathers devoted to Blessed John Duns Scoto, teacher of theology. The site, which includes also a modern pastoral centre, was erected near the new Cathedral of the Virgin of Fatima which is being completed. The ceremony was attended by several superiors of the minor conventual Fathers order from the Balkans and Eastern Europe, representatives of local authorities, diplomats, representatives of the Orthodox Church and of several Protestant communities. “This year we will be celebrating 800 years of the Franciscan charisma”, father Eugenio Ruzanski, guardian of the conventual Fathers in Bulgaria told Sir Europe. “It should be remembered that the first Catholic missionaries who reached the Balkan country were the Franciscans. In order to continue our work, the pastoral centre of the new cathedral and convent will help us turn Pleven in a place of spirituality and culture”, he affirmed. ” “In this way we may be of help also to the Orthodox, many of whom support the Western culture bound to the Catholic Church throughout history”. His views are shared by parish priest Stanislaw Zeminski who intends to help Bulgaria’s youth in accessing the job market with IT and language courses. An honour to Mons. ProjkovIn Sophia, on November 15, the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Bulgaria Camillo Zuccoli will assign to the President of Bulgaria’s Bishops mons. Hristo Projkov the “pro piis meritis” Cross for the contribution of the Catholic Church to the suffering and the poor in Bulgaria during transition from the Communist regime to democracy. The charitable activities of the Chevaliers of Malta in Bulgaria in close cooperation with the Episcopal Conference will be equally illustrated in the course of the event.
