»Mass for the homeland«: (Just) a religious ceremony or a religious, diplomatic and statehood-strengthening activity?

Abstract

In this article, the author analyses the overlap between the religious and the diplomatic/political aspects in the practice of celebrating masses for the homeland. The purpose of this article is to establish to what extent the diplomatic and political component is present in this practice, and how the homeland mass practice is understood in the Slovenian political context. For this purpose, the author analyses two aspects: the structure of masses for the homeland and the presence of diplomatic and political elements in the ceremony, and the attitude of young people towards the practice. The latter is relevant particularly because young people will become political decision makers in a few years. Their current views will then be reflected in the positions of their political parties.