Translated by: Ksenija Ninić

The Assembly started on February 5th with an evening Holy mass in the cathedral of St. Bonaventure led by bishop of Banja Luka msgr. Franjo Komarica. 

With the directors of arch/dioceses and national director of PMW in BiH msgr. Luka Tunjić, rev. Antun Štefan, national director of PMW in Croatia also cooperated in the work of the assembly.

Annual reports

The diocesan director of PMW for diocese of Banja Luka, msgr. Vlado Lukenda, who was in charge of organising the assembly, at the beginning of the mass celebration greeted and welcomed everyone and presented the directors.

Bishop Komarica, in his sermon, reminded the present of the universality and missionary nature of the Church. Pointing out the importance of missions in the world, he asked the believers to be more active in missionary life of the Church and thanked the directors on their self-sacrificing work. At the end of the Holy mass rev. Štefan talked about his mission experience in Benin, and msgr. Tunjić talked about selfless work of our missionaries (about 80 of them) in the whole world.

Second day of assembly was in the sign of presentation and consideration of annual reports. At the first part of the assembly, bishop Komarica was present and in his greeting part said that a theologically-ecclesial turn towards the missions should be done, and expressed joy for this important event for Church, was held in Banja Luka. 

Msgr. Tunjić greeted back and specially greeted two new diocesan directors: OFM Stipan Radić for Archdiocese of Vrhbosna and rev. Pero Miličević for the dioceses of Herzegovina. „Missions should become a style of life and belief for every believer“, msgr. Tunjić emphasised.

Rev. Štefan praised the good cooperation between PMW in BiH and Croatia saying that everybody should feel the heartbeat of the missionary, involve in their work and needs, and try to, with more enthusiasm, like missionaries, spread the Joyful news.

Msgr. Tunjić presented the first report that consisted of introduction, pastoral-financial report and conclusion. Then came the reports of the diocesan directors and a discussion. The reports were accepted with a recommendation to listen to the needs of missionaries and possibilities of realisation of some projects.

It was pointed out that the missions come from the faith of the Church and that material support can never replace the praying support. After came thinking about every project individually and taking over commitments for better organisations and realisations of projects.

The mission enthusiasts

In the evening hours of February 6th, in the parish church of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary in Banja Luka a Holy mass led by rev. Štefan was celebrated. Parish priest rev. Žarko Ošap, greeted the directors and believers by inviting them to pray every day for missions. In his sermon, as experienced missionary, he spoke inspirationally and charismatically about missions and about love for Christ. He encouraged this small but big hearted community.

In the morning hours of February 7th, in communion of members of Ordinary of Banja Luka diocese, directors and sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ, bishop Komarica led the Mass celebration. After the Mass and breakfast, the directors visited some of the most important establishments of the Banja Luka diocese: Caritas' centre for life and family, sisters Missionaries of love – sisters of Mother Theresa, parish and Franciscan monastery in Petrićevac., Caritas' home for elders where they talked to rev. Zvonimir Matijević, retired priest of Banja Luka diocese, who testified about his persecution and forgiveness in front of pope Francis, in Sarajevo on June 6th.

Then they went to Mariastern, trappist monastery. Particularly impressive was visitation to the parish Presnače, where on May 12 th 1995., parish priest rev. Filip Lukenda and sister Cecilija Grgić were killed.

At lunch time, in the Ordinary of Banja Luka diocese, msgr. Tunjić thanked bishop Komarica, msgr. Lukenda and all members of the Ordinary, for the „logistic support“, and especially for having an open hart. Bishop Komarica one more time expressed joy because the annual assembly of the PMW of BiH was held in Banja Luka. Next annual assembly of the National council of PMW of BiH will be held at the end of February in Sarajevo.