Written by: Josipa Prskalo

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Fatima Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, that was blessed in the Fatima sanctuary, was sent from parish to parish in order to make the dedication of each faithful community in the Vrhbosna Archdiocese. On May 1st, the statue started in Olovo, from there visiting all the parishes and it has been in Komušina since September 21st.

Worthily preparation

The pilgrims began to arrive to the shrine early in the morning, and they had the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation at the parish church.

The prayer program began with introductory rituals and greeting in the chapel of the parish church led by the parish priest rev. Boris Salapić, where the pilgrims had the opportunity to pray in front of the image of Our Lady of Kondžilo and the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
After this, there was a one-hour procession with the miraculous image of Mother of God, which, this time, was followed by the blessed statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
Upon arriving at the shrine on mount Kondžilo, a Holy mass celebration was led by card. Puljić in concelebration with more than 20 priests and with the participation of a large number of pilgrims.

To be recognizable that we are Mary's children

The words of greeting at the beginning of the Mass were said by rev. Boris Salapić, parish priest of the parish of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Komušina and head of  Our Lady’s shrine. He expressed joy for the traditional gathering under the wings of Our Lady of Kondžilo, especially since this sanctuary was chosen for the dedication of the entire Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
After the proclaimed Word of God, in his homily, Archbishop of Vrhbosna, spoke about what actually meant the dedication to the Heart of Mary. "We bring all the Archdiocese here today to give to the Heart of Mary, and her to motherly give it to her son, Jesus Christ. 100 years ago in Fatima, Our Lady appeared to small children. She invited the world to pray for peace, especially with the rosary prayer, but also for a person to have the peace of heart, he needs to make a step - to turn away from the  sin, open to God's grace, to the Word of God - that is what she has been saying through the children. The Church accepted that message - and we, in our archdiocese accepted that message, that is why we carried her statue through all the parishes of our archdiocese. Many parishes were so receptive and accepted the statue of Mary and prayed and devoted themselves - every parish, and the people who wanted it", cardinal Vinko emphasized.
"Mary's whole role was to bring Jesus - it is her sense. She is a member of the Church and the Mother of the Church. Today not only her character is here, but her person is with us - from Heaven. She prays with us. That is actually our blessing, to be recognizable that we are Mary's children – Jesus’ brothers. And to be Jesus' means to accept his message, a proclamation of how to live by the Gospel according to God's commandments. That is what we need to take with us from this hill of Kondžilo", Archbishop said.
Before the end of the Mass, the Archbishop, together with all the faithful, before the exposition of Our Lady's statue, led a prayer with which the entire Archdiocese was “fitted” under the Heart of Mary, and rev. Anto Zubak, Archbishop's secretary, together with the children released rosary made of balloons smallest ones in the air, released a missionary rosary made of balloons, which, with the prayers of the faithful, slid into the sky.

At the end of the Mass, parish priest Salapić told thank you words to all those who gave their share in this important event, and after the Mass celebration, which was liturgically sung by the Cathedral Choir under the guidance of rev. Marjan Stanušić, the believers in a procession returned to Komušina parish church.

There the refreshment was prepared, for all the present, after which the pilgrims went home