|
Franciscan colleges Ever since they came in Osijek Franciscans have recognized the importance of this central Slavonian city. At the provincial meeting in Velika, a town near Požega, they decided on 9 October 1707 to found philosophical studies for Franciscan priests. Therefore a Franciscan college was established within the Franciscan monastery which was open until 1724. Then a theological seminary was set up, and after the monastery had been enlarged, in 1735 the philosophical college, which had previously worked within the theological seminary, was again opened. That year both colleges gained the highest title among Franciscan schools so "the general college of the first degree in the Franciscan order" represented internationally acknowledged educational centre with two college-level schools. Franciscan printing-house Strong educational and cultural activities of the Osijek Franciscans were encouraged by the printing-house established in 1735 in the old part of the monastery and under management of the theological seminary. It was the first printing-house in Slavonia, where skilled brothers typographers and bookbinders worked. It printed Tezariji (collections of theological and philosophical theses), different forms, prayers on holy cards, and smaller books. But it came to a standstill, together with Franciscan college activities, on 9 August, 1783 by decree of the Austrian emperor and Croatian-Hungarian king Joseph II, because according to state law printing was allowed only when the printing-house got the "imprimatur" of the secular authorities, i.e. was censored. Educational activities In autumn 1779 the Franciscans took over the Jesuit grammar school and managed it until 1855, when secular teacher took it in charge. In the period of 76 years numerous Franciscans taught in the Latin grammar school in Osijek and managed it. First appointed Franciscans were: P. Matija Petar Katančić, P. Aleksandar Tomiković, P. Franjo Hoffmann, P. Stjepan Janičić, P. Josip Pavišević and P. Sebastijan Zindl. This is recorded in many preserved writings in the monastery library. The library and the archives are a great treasure with a lot of old and valuable books and archival materials. There are plans for the rearrangement of the library, such as recent cataloguing of its 16th ct. materials. Promotion of music At the moment when the legislature of the Franciscan order demanded of the monasteries with philosophical and theological studies to pay special attention to promotion of liturgical and choral singing, Franciscans in Osijek had already been doing it since 18th ct. Very soon afterwards playing on the pipe organ was taught in the monastery church. In the church of the Holy Cross organ was restored in 2002. Ever since musical activities have been prompted, especially in the form of monthly organ recitals by distinguished Croatian, European and world-famed organ players. Charity work Twenty years before the Homeland War our monastery was the seat of the interparish Caritas led by laymen, with a priest as spiritual guide. Through the year they would materially help several dozens of poor families, and three times a year – before Easter, Christmas and at the beginning of the school year – collection drives were launched in all Osijek churches. Money and food were collected that were given to people in need. A record was kept of those who needed such help, who were regularly visited by members of Caritas. When the aggression against our country and city began, Caritas activists, being already experienced with charity work, readily helped with the distribution of the humanitarian relief that was arriving from all over the world. The first warehouse for the received aid was our church and courtyard chapel, along with other monastery spaces. After a year of such work, in order to organize better the activities, and on request of the Diocesan Ordinary in Đakovo, earlier director of the Interparish Caritas Mr Ivan Štark was replaced by a new head, Rev. Martin Radman, parish priest of the Most Holy Name of Mary parish. |