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Father Slavko Barbaric
In the year 2000, on the 24th of November, Father Slavko left us. He had just finished praying the Stations of the Cross with pilgrims and parishioners, as was usual for him on Friday afternoons. Climbing mount Krizevac he became aware of some pain. He sat back on a rock, slumped, soon lost consciousness and rendered his soul to the Lord.
Fr. Slavko was born on the 11th of March 1946. He entered the Franciscan Order at Humac on July 14th 1965, making his vows on the 17th of September 1971. He was ordained a priest on the 19th of December, 1971.
His studies took him to Freiburg, where he obtained a doctorate in religious pedagogy, and received the title of psycho-therapist in 1982. Thanks to his knowledge of the main languages of Europe, he worked tirelessly with the pilgrims in Medjugorje, where he was transferred in 1983. From the beginning he busied himself with writing books of spiritual content among which are “Pray with the Heart”, “Give me your wounded Heart”, “Celebrate Mass with the Heart”, “At the school of Love”, “Adore My Son with the Heart” and “Fast with the Heart”.
The books of Fr. Slavko have been translated in twenty different languages, with over 20 million copies dispersed throughout the world. Besides writing, he was in constant dialogue with the pilgrims, celebrated the Eucharist, led the prayers under the Cross, the Rosary on Podbrdo and the Way of the Cross on Križevac. Every year, he organisedspecial encounters for the priests, or the young people and in the prayer house, Domus Pacis, he held seminars on prayer and fasting.
Following the enormous suffering during war time, he founded and guided the institution of instruction and formation Majčino Selo, in which children orphaned during the war and children from broken families, women with crisis pregnancies, or abandoned elderly people were housed and looked after. His experience as a psycho- therapist made him priceless for Campo della Vita, Sr. Elvira’s community, Cenacolo and Mother Rosaria’s community, Figli del Divino Amore.
Father Slavko had a unique combination of qualities: Knowledge of languages, and an ease of communication. He was learned, but simple. He had a constant attention and dedication for anyone who was suffering or in need, and he had the humility and joy of St. Francis.