As in previous years, the organizers were the Archdiocesan Youth Pastoral Centre John Paul II (NCM) and the parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Komušina. The motto of this year's meeting is Those who trust in the Lord will walk and not tire (cf. Isaiah 40:31). The celebration of the Youth Day of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese in this Marian shrine began the day before with a vigil Holy Mass led by rev. Sandro Jurešić.

Aware of Jesus' proximity

According to a long-standing tradition, the pilgrims first gathered at the outdoor altar behind the parish church, where a penitential service was held, led by the pastoral associate of the NCM, Rev. Stipica Lešić. This was followed by an invitation from the parish priest and guardian of the sanctuary, rev. Boris Salapić to pray in front of the image of Our Lady of Komušina, led by Vicar General Ćosić. After that, a solemn procession began, in which a large number of believers participated again this year. On the way to Kondžilo hill, the image of Our Lady was carried, the rosary was prayed and Marian songs were sung. Arriving at the elevation, there was again an opportunity for confession until the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration led by Msgr. Ćosić together with about 15 priests, among whom was the secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Javier Camañes-Forés.

The vicar general began his sermon with a reference to this year's motto Those who trust in the Lord will walk and not tire (cf. Is 40:31), noting that, as a prophet of faith, Isaiah asks that the chosen people in great crises trust only in God: that is the only possibility for him to find his salvation in the king who will be the Messiah himself. He further reminded that the Prophet's words are the motto of the 39^th World Youth Day in 2024, which was chosen by Pope Francis as part of the preparations for the Jubilee of Youth in 2025, whose motto is Pilgrims of Hope, and emphasized that whenever the Church wants to ignite hope in the world, relies especially on young people to whom the future belongs and who are "missionaries of joy". "And that first of all means that you should always be aware of the closeness of Jesus, especially in the trials and on the detours of life", emphasized Msgr. Ćosić.

Do not be afraid of Christ!

Furthermore, he asked the gathered crowd for answers to several questions, including: "Will you tirelessly follow the Lord, aware that he actually walks with you and in front of you?" And after receiving a loud, unanimous and enthusiastic response, he recalled the words of the two Popes: "Pope John Paul II. in 1978, as the bishop of Rome, told young people, but also everyone: ‘Don't be afraid to open your hearts to Christ!’ Likewise, at the beginning of his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI instructed young people: 'If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No.'" In conclusion, he exhorted: "Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away and gives you everything. When we surrender to him, we get a hundredfold in return."

After the sermon, the prayers of the faithful were read and gifts were presented by members of the Sivša - Usor Frama. The liturgy was musically animated by the parish youth choir Spes from the parish of St. Anthony of Padua Žepče. At the end of the Holy Mass celebration, NCM employee Stefan Kukrić read a message and blessing to the young people from the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić. After the Eucharist, the faithful once again headed in a dignified procession, during which the rosary was prayed and Marian songs were sung, towards the church where Msgr. Ćosić brought the prayer part of the Youth Day to an end.

This was followed by a program for young people, during which the participants presented their work in groups from the previous day, and animated games were arranged.