Concelebrating with him were: the Bishop of Mostar and Duvno and the Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje and Mrkan, Msgr. Petar Palić, Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Herzegovina, OFM Miljenko Šteko, Vicar General of the Military Ordinariate in BiH, Msgr. Željko Čuturić and several other priests.

Prayer for a just peace

In the sermon, Msgr. Vukšić first reminded that three decades have passed since the founding of the HVO and how conditions, emphases, circumstances and the situation in the whole society and in international relations have changed. “Under these conditions, 17 years ago, the First Infantry (Guards) Regiment of the Armed Forces of BiH was formed, which is the guardian of the memory of the HVO and also an expression of continuity. Thus, these celebrations mark two anniversaries, so it is an opportunity to congratulate all members of the HVO and the Regiment”, said the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, noting that “we greet the living and pray for the dead”. He also thanked the members of the BiH Armed Forces who, by their existence and helping the population in various needs, make a great contribution to the living memory of the HVO.

“After a difficult war in which we saw the loss of many lives and destruction, the whole society moved into the future full of hope that a just peace will be achieved. And since this just peace, unfortunately, has not yet come to life even after 30 years, we justifiably invoke it, work for it and pray for it”, said, among others, Msgr. Vukšić and then presented some of the basic thoughts from the teachings of the Catholic Church on the nature of peace. Recalling how Jesus called peacemakers the sons of God, he noted that the Church illuminates the true and sublime notion of peace and condemns the inhumanity of war. Citing a document from the Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, he said that “Christians are urged to, with the help of Christ, the Creator of Peace, work with all people with the intention of establishing peace in justice and love, and to strengthen justice in every society, and constantly prepare, upgrade and always jealously guard everything necessary for a just and lasting peace”.

Peace needs to be built constantly

He recalled the words of Pope Francis, who called the war in Ukraine a defeat for the people, noting that the Christian vision of social peace is based on justice and love.

“Such peace does not come from the fear of violent rule, but from the ‘work of justice’” (Isaiah 32: 7). Peace is the fruit of respect for the natural moral law imprinted in man’s nature and therefore in human society by his divine Founder, and in history it should be achieved by people who thirst for ever more perfect justice (...) That is why peace is never gained once and for all but it needs to be built all the time”, said the Archbishop of Vrhbosna and called on every man to permanently master personal passions and bad inclinations, as well as the vigilance of the legitimate government.

He spoke in particular about the importance of understanding all people as brothers and sisters and how everyone should be busy fulfilling human brotherhood. He explained that building peace, especially in complex societies such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, unconditionally requires a strong will to respect other people and nations, their rights and their dignity.

The Holy Mass was attended by numerous representatives of socio-political life from BiH and Croatia, as well as citizens of Mostar.

After the Eucharistic celebration, a parade with 84 war flags of HVO units was held, from the cathedral to the square in front of the Croatian Home of Herceg Stjepan Kosača where candles were lit and wreaths were laid, and then a ceremonial academy was organized.

It should be reminded that on the occasion of marking the 17^th anniversary of the 1^st Infantry Regiment of the AF BiH and the 30^th anniversary of the HVO, from April 6^th to 8^th in Sarajevo, Vitez, Tomislavgrad and Orašje, wreaths were laid at memorials, and prayers and Holy Masses were held for killed and deceased members of the HVO in the last 30 years.

The holiest part of the liturgical year began on the Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - Palm Sunday, April 10^th. On that occasion, the Holy Mass in the Sarajevo Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was led by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Metropolitan Msgr. Tomo Vukšić.

Seven priests concelebrated, including the Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić as well as the rector of the cathedral and the rector of the Cathedral of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Ante Meštrović.

At the beginning, a solemn procession was held from the altar to the front door, where the Archbishop reminded what Palm Sunday is and blessed the branches distributed by those present.

After the Holy Mass readings, in the proclamation of the Passion of the Lord according to Luke, the role of Jesus was played by the canon and professor at the Sarajevo KBF, Msgr. Pavo Jurišić, the narrator was the parish vicar of the cathedral parish, rev. Dino Mustafi, and other roles were assigned to members of the Josip Stadler Cathedral Choir from Sarajevo.

This was followed by a homily in which Msgr. Vukšić said at the beginning that both names for this Sunday - the Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and Palm Sunday - suit it equally. “On the one hand, this is the day we remember as Jesus’ glorious entry into Jerusalem, and on the other hand, this is the Sunday that announces the Gospel prediction of Christ’s condemnation, rejection and death on the cross (…). And when we talk about the suffering of Christ (…) we find ourselves in a situation where Jesus - almost the only time during his earthly life - the only time he organized something solemn, triumphant in his own life. Until then, he regularly selflessly performed and preached and very often - and in situations where he performed miracles from his listeners and those who watched what he did - he demanded not to proclaim, not to talk, not to celebrate him on earth. And contrary to his established custom, near the end of his earthly life (…) Jesus organizes a ceremony in his own honour - not in honour of the Son of Mary, but in honour of the Son of God”, said Archbishop Tomo, among other things, then explaining the symbolic of the branches that are being blessed, he told us to persevere in spite of temptations.

Let us remind you that Palm Sunday also marks the World Youth Day, which was founded in 1986 by St. John Paul II.