On the occasion of the 21st anniversary of OFM Vjekoslav's death, the Franciscans from the Franciscan Province of St. Cross - Bosna Srebrena, which belonged to the late Brother Vjeko, came to Rwanda. OFM Jozo Marinčić, the Provincial of Bosna Srebrena, OFM Juro Tokalić,

parish priest in the Parishes of Sokoline and Vrbanjci, OFM Josip Adrić, Provincial tailor of Bosna Srebrena, who will remain for a while in Rwanda and teach local Franciscans to tailor the habits, and OFM Damir Pavić, Provincial Secretary, all arrived to this country as FIA informs.

The Holy Mass was led by the rev. Cyril Uwize, parish priest in the Muyunzwe parish belonging to the Rwandan diocese Kabgayi. 15 priests concelebrated, including the Franciscan priests from Rwanda and Burundi, Provincial Marinčić, Salezian priest Danko Litrić, a long-time missionary in Rwanda, OFM Juro Tokalić and OFM Damir Pavić.

Four Franciscan brothers were present at the mass including OFM Josip Adrić, Franciscan Sisters from the Monasteries near the church, numerous students and teachers of the center OFM Vjeko Ćurić, and the parishioners of the mission in Kivumu.

Rev. Cyril in his sermon, speaking of Jesus' life, spoke in a remarkable way about the martyr death of OFM Vjeko Ćurić and the message that carries his life. He mentioned OFM Vjeko's care for the poor and oppressed during the heavy war period in Rwanda, and then the fact that OFM Vjeko was a true visionary. He pointed out that in the post-war period he worked on the process of reconciliation and unity in Rwanda and invested enormous efforts in the field of education of children and young people. He was a true pioneer, and what he started first, today is continued by the Rwandan government as a long-term goal in developing the country.

At the end of the Mass, his testimony of OFM Vjeko's life was also told by Franciscan Florent Rugigan, who knew well OFM Vjeko, and now works in neighbouring Burundi.

After the Mass celebration, marking the anniversary of OFM Vjeko's death was continued with an entertainment program that was performed on the plateau of the Fra Vjeko Ćurić Centre. The program began with an introductory prayer and a brief greeting of OFM Ivica Perić, a Bosnian Franciscan, who continued the work of OFM Vjeko and today runs the Centre bearing the name of OFM Vjeko.

After that, there was a rich program that consisted of traditional dances, poems, poetry and stage performances prepared by the students of the Centre. In the end, Father Eugene Dushimiman, the econom of the local diocese addressed the present, and thanked for the gift of OFM Vjeko’s life. A brief speech was also held by the Provincial OFM Jozo Marinčić.

He greeted all those present and gave a greeting from Bosnia Herzegovina, OFM Vjeko’s homeland, and emphasized that OFM Vjeko was a good man and a true Franciscan who spent his life doing good to his close friends. He also thanked local Friars, headed by OFM Ivica Perić, for all efforts to maintain and continue the construction of this Centre, all teachers and staff of the Centre, and all the beneficiaries of this project. And all attending students, he invited to meet their school responsibilities and that way prepare for the life ahead of them.

On the day before the marking of OFM Vjeko’s death, the Bosnian Franciscans took a chance to visit the place of OFM Vjeko’s death, near the church of St. Family in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. They went there together with the local Friars from the mission in Kivumu and the students of the Centre Fra Vjeko Ćurić and together prayed for him and remembered his death 21 years ago.

On the same day, the Bosnian Franciscans accompanied OFM Ivica Perić and visited the missionary branch of Kivumu, located in Mpushi. OFM Ivica proudly points out that OFM Vjeko Ćurić Centre, which today cares for approximately 700 children and young people from pre-school to high school ages, lives and continues to develop thanks to donations coming from the Croatian people.

He mentioned that last year, thanks to the donations of Bosnian Friars Ante Ivanović and Ivica Matić, a roof structure was constructed that covered the area in the Centre, where occasional events and morning gatherings were held. Recently, within the framework of the Centre’s expanding, a girls’ boarding school has been completed, and construction of a similar facility for boys is about to begin.

“We are grateful that the work of mercy and brotherly love begun by OFM Vjeko Ćurić in the far Rwanda continues to live and bring rich fruits. Thank God for all the noble and merciful acts of our missionaries who serve in the evangelic spirit to the people in need in Rwanda”, pointed out the Franciscans of Bosna Srebrena.