26th meeting of Ministrants of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna


On Saturday, April 25th, the feast of St. Mark, the annual meeting of Ministrants  of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna was held at the Catholic School Centre "Petar Barbarić" in Travnik, the 26th in a row, under the central motto: "Abide with us" (cf. Luke 24:29).

According to established practice, the meeting consisted of two parts: a liturgical one in the seminary church of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, and an entertainment-sports-recreational one, which included a quiz on Ministrant’s knowledge and a competition in sports skills and other activities (football, table tennis, chess, Ludo, animation - games without borders, and a selection of the best literary work).

After the arrival of around 400 Ministrants from 18 parishes of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, those present had a fitting May devotion and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.

The Holy Mass was celebrated in the seminary church by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, with the concelebration of 16 priests, including the Commissioner for the Pastoral Care of Vocations of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, rev. Ljubo Zadrić, and the rector of the Travnik Seminary, rev. Željko Marić.

At the beginning, rev. Zadrić welcomed and greeted the Ministrants, the priests who accompanied them, Msgr. Vukšić, and the seminary administration.

Introducing to the Holy Mass, Msgr. Vukšić expressed his joy at the meeting and thanked the Ministrants for their contribution to the beauty of the liturgical event.

In his sermon on the occasion, Archbishop Tomo spoke about Jesus' sentence: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15), explaining how this sentence and call still resonate today because it is the task of every disciple of Jesus. "Many times we tend to think that proclaiming the Word of God is the task of those who have chosen to serve at the altar, that is, those who have chosen a spiritual vocation. However, Jesus is addressing everyone here, without exception. Therefore, our common task is to preach the good news, but in different circumstances, through different obligations and opportunities. It is an honour for all of us and the mission of everyone who bears the name of Christ is to be an announcer", Msgr. Vukšić reminded the altar servers, telling them that they too contribute to this mission, regardless of their age.

He explained that each person's mission is different, but equally important. "In addition to being altar servers, you are also students and you work in your schools. Your mission is the works of your age. Witnessing for Christ the Lord in the form of works at your age is done in classrooms, in the company of your peers, in front of your teachers, wherever you are, wherever you travel, with whoever you communicate with", he explained, saying that then more is rightly expected of altar servers in the classroom and in front of teachers because "being an altar server should be a spice to what is a mission for everyone."

"Let us pray for the intercession of St. Mark and the apostles so that we may always be on the right path", Archbishop Tomo concluded his sermon.

The singing was animated by the altar servers, and the theologian Petar Kolak played the organ.

At the end of the Holy Mass, Rev. Zadrić provided some technical information about the continuation of the program, which followed in the auditorium of the Centre, where he also welcomed and animated them.

He briefly presented the motto of this year's meeting to the young people and, through an interactive conversation, explained the importance of staying, or closeness. He cited the example of saints who can be a role model for staying close to Jesus and show how valuable things should not be let go.

Lunch followed and the start of the entertainment-sports-recreational program. In addition to participating in the quiz on the ministry of the altar boy, basic religious doctrine, the Holy Scriptures and the examples of saints in the life of the Church, competitions in sports skills and other activities were organized: football, table tennis, chess, Ludo and animation games without borders.

After the competition, a ceremonial awarding of cups, diplomas and certificates of appreciation was held, which were presented by the Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić.

The following is a list of winners in individual competitions and parishes in group competitions, as the games ended:

Ludo

1. Ana Čorić – Parish of the Holy Trinity, Novi Travnik

2. ⁠Vedrana Kunštek – Parish of the Name of Mary, Gromiljak

3. ⁠Anton Mrkonjić – Parish of St. John the Baptist, Lug-Brankovići

Table tennis

1. Nikola Džido – Parish of the Holy Trinity, Novi Travnik

2. Ivana Šiško – Parish of Accession of the Lord, Novi Travnik

3. Branimir Kunštek – Parish of the Name of Mary, Gromiljak

Quiz of knowledge

(1. – 5. grade)

1. Iva Rajić – Parish of the Holy Trinity, Novi Travnik

2. ⁠Petra Mikulić – Parish of Accession of Blessed Virgin Mary, Uskoplje

3. ⁠Pavle Jehja – Parish of St. Luke, Novi Grad-Sarajevo

(6. – 9. grade)

1. Nora Trgovčević – Parish of the Holy Trinity, Novi Travnik

2. ⁠Petra Hrnjkaš – Parish of the Holy Family, Kupres

3. ⁠Kristijan Pecirep – Parish of Name of Mary, Gromiljak

Chess

1. Renato Vrhovac – Parish of the Holy Trinity, Novi Travnik

2. Borna Tolić – Parish of Accession of Blessed Virgin Mary, Stup-Sarajevo

3. Mihael Miličević – Parish of the name of Mary, Gromiljak

Animator games

1. Parish of St. John the Baptist, Uzdol

2. Parish of the Holy Trinity, Novi Travnik

3. Parish of the Holy Spirit, Nova Bila

Football

(4. – 6. grade)

1. Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, Žepče

2. Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prozor

3. Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, Bugojno

(7. – 9. grade)

1. Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prozor

2. Parish of the Holy Trinity, Novi Travnik

3. Parish of St. John the Baprist, Lug-Brankovići

The most valuable player for the younger age group was Mihovil Jeličić (Prozor), while among the older age group, the title was won by Toni Brekalo (Prozor).

The best literary work on the topic Stay with us was declared the work of Ivona Sučić, from the parish of St. John the Baptist, Jelah.

At the end, during the award ceremony, the employees of Katolički tjednik also received a certificate of appreciation for the media coverage of this event.