Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Nanovic Institute

“A festival of love and joy – that is the star which beckons all humankind in the first winter months … Each of us has no doubt already experienced such Christmas bliss. Still, heaven and earth are not yet united. The star of Bethlehem remains a star in the dark night even today ... Where is the peace on earth? Peace to those of good will; but not all are of good will. Therefore, the Son of the eternal Father must leave the splendor of heaven.”

– From “The mystery of Christmas: incarnation and humanity”
by St. Edith Stein, Patron Saint of Europe

On behalf of all of us at the Nanovic Institute, we wish you, your family, your colleagues, and all the world a joyous and holy celebration of the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord!

The image chosen for this greeting is a photograph from inside the Stone Gate, an important historical site in Zagreb, Croatia, dating to the 13th century. This painting is famously known as “Our Lady of the Stone Gate.”

According to tradition, this painting previously stood above the city gate, but after a great fire in 1731, it was found undamaged with only the frame burnt. Since at least this time it has been part of a prayer alcove within the Stone Gate structure.

To commemorate 200 years since the fire, a crown was added to the painting in 1931, and then in 1991 Our Lady of the Stone Gate was declared the patron of the city of Zagreb.

This photograph was taken during the Catholic Universities Partnership’s 20th anniversary meeting in Zagreb in May 2024 by the Nanovic Institute team. This meeting brought together students, academics, and leaders from Notre Dame and Catholic institutions in Europe, including the host: Catholic University of Croatia.

We thank our colleagues from Notre Dame, Croatia, and throughout the United States and Europe for their partnership and enduring friendship.