Catholic Medical Association, February 12th, 2026
In Zagreb, Members of the Croatian Catholic Medical Association (CroCMA) marked the World Day of the Sick at the Croatian Catholic University together with members of the Croatian Catholic Association of Nurses and Medical Technicians, members of the Croatian Transplant Association and the Nutrix Student Club of the Croatian Catholic University. Among those present were Prof. Rok Čivljak, President of CroCMA and FEAMC, Prim. Ivan Barišić, President of the Zagreb Branch of CroCMA, and Slavica Janković, President of the Croatian Catholic Association of Nurses and Medical Technicians.
The program began with Holy Mass in the University Chapel, celebrated by Rev. Branimir Jagodić, University Chaplain. In prayer, all the sick and those in need were entrusted to God, asking that in Mary’s maternal embrace they may find comfort and strength and, like the guests at the wedding at Cana of Galilee, through her intercession experience the transformation of their trials and once again taste the “good wine” — a symbol of joy, beauty, health, and peace.
After Mass, the program continued in the “Blessed Alojzije Cardinal Stepinac” Hall, where the Dean of the Faculty of Health Studies, Prof. Ivica Matić, welcomed those gathered. In his address, he expressed gratitude for the many years of successful cooperation among the participating institutions and associations, especially highlighting ten years of jointly marking the World Day of the Sick and emphasizing the importance of unity in promoting care for the sick and Christian values.
This was followed by a multimedia lecture by Prof. Dario Sambunjak, a member of CroCMA and lecturer at the Croatian Catholic University, entitled “Illness and Healing in Selected Works of Christian Visual Art.” During the presentation, about ten works from the rich treasury of European sacred painting were analyzed, ranging from the early Renaissance to the nineteenth century. The lecturer selected works by early Renaissance painters such as Fra Angelico and Masaccio, as well as nineteenth-century artists such as Aimé Morot and Carl Bloch. What united all the analyzed works was that they directly or indirectly depict illness, suffering, and treatment or healing.
Participants had the opportunity to see depictions of Jesus healing the sick at the Pool of Bethesda, the Good Samaritan helping the wounded traveler, as well as miraculous healings through the intercession of St. Peter, Sts. Cosmas and Damian, St. Francis, and other saints. The lecture was dynamic and interactive, and participants actively took part in an online quiz related to the presented content. The winner of the quiz was Mirka Matuša Popović, a nursing student at the Croatian Catholic University. At the end, she was presented with a commemorative award — a framed depiction of St. Francis, hand-carved in wood, personally made by the lecturer for the occasion.
After the official part of the program, attendees remained for a brief reception. Once again this year, the World Day of the Sick was marked in an atmosphere of unity, solidarity, and sincere care for the sick.
