The unveiling of the memorial to Saint Zdislava was watched by thousands of pilgrims

Křižanov (Žďársko) - Approximately five thousand people arrived today in Křižanov in the Žďár region for the unveiling of the memorial to St. Zdislava. The ceremonial mass in the church was celebrated by Bishop Vojtěch Cikrle from Brno, and four dozen other priests attended. Cardinal Dominik Duka also sent a representative to the event. The people who came to Křižanov contributed money to a collection for the completion of the memorial to St. Zdislava. Křižanov's mayor, Marie Smejkalová, told ČTK.
    The cost of building the memorial was seven million crowns. Its creation was made possible by donations from thousands of donors - individuals, municipalities, and companies. Before today’s event, the last few hundred thousand crowns were still needed to reach the total amount. "Given the interest, I believe it was possible to collect that today," Smejkalová said.
    She added that Křižanov likely does not remember a similar event. In addition to the mass and the unveiling of the memorial, people were able to watch performances by the group Hradišťan, for example. "Residents from surrounding villages baked cakes and gave them to the pilgrims who arrived in Křižanov," the mayor said.
    The memorial to St. Zdislava stands on a stone pedestal in the middle of a fountain and consists of a nearly two-meter-tall bronze sculpture. Its author is sculptor Otmar Oliva, who captured the saint as a girl before leaving home.
    Construction work in the square began last year after Easter. The perimeter of the memorial is lined with 12 columns. They carry architraves, or beams, with inscriptions. The wall under them is covered with wood and allows seating.
    Zdislava was the daughter of the owners of Křižanov, Přibyslav and Sibyla. She was born around the year 1220. At the age of 17, she was married to Havel of Markvartice, the founder of Lemberk. She became known for caring for the sick and the poor and is the patroness of families. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Olomouc on May 21, 1995.