On the same day, the Province of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Servant of the Child Jesus, based in Sarajevo, celebrated its patron saint.

The new Adam and Eve

The solemn Eucharist was led by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić together with the archbishop of Vrhbosna in peace cardinal Vinko Puljić, and in concelebration with about 30 priests, among whom were: vicar general of the Vrhbosna archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić and the Charge d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Amaury Medina Blanco.

At the beginning of the sermon, Archbishop Vukšić reminded that on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a passage from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 3:9-15,20) is announced at all Holy Masses, the basic content of which is that God did not abandon man even after his sinful fall. “Christian tradition sees in that passage the announcement of the 'new Adam' who, with his obedience 'until death [...] on the cross' (Phil 2:8), more than abundantly corrects Adam's disobedience”, said Msgr. Vukšić then reflected on the content of the celebration in which the Church professes faith "that the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first hour of her conception, by the special grace and privilege of Almighty God, foreseeing the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved unsullied from every stain of original sin“.

Mary as the cause of salvation

“She was the first and in a unique way to enjoy the victory over sin that Christ won: she was exempt from every stain of original sin and throughout her entire earthly life, by God's special grace, she did not commit any sin”, said Archbishop Tomo and reminded of the parallel Maria – Eve.

“Because of disobedience to the Word of God, Eve became the cause of death, and Mary, because of obedience to the Word of God, became the cause of salvation. Namely: 'Just as a man was struck, fell and died because of one disobedient virgin, so because of one virgin, obedient to the Word of God, he was resurrected and regained life'”, Msgr. Vukšić quoted St. Irenaeus.

Towards the end of the homily, he recalled how the cathedral was filled by the Sisters Servants of the Little Jesus, who’s Heavenly Patroness the Province of Sarajevo celebrates. “We rejoice with you, dear sisters, and congratulate you. And, in the sincere desire that we all persevere in faithfulness to the Word of God and to be humble servants and instruments of God's love among people, may we be accompanied by the intercession of Mary, who with deep faith and free obedience participated in Jesus' work of saving people”, said the archbishop.

At the end of the Eucharist, those present gathered around the grave of the servant of God Stadler and said a prayer for his beatification.

Let us remind you that the servant of God Josip Stadler (1843 – 1918) was the first archbishop of Vrhbosna after the restoration of the regular church hierarchy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the founder of the Society of Sisters of the Servants of Little Jesus (October 24^th, 1890), who are today, his spiritual daughters.

Stage presentation Nadbiskup Josip Stadler

In the premises of the Sarajevo Catholic school Centre (KŠC) Sv. Josip in the afternoon, on December 8^th, there was a stage play by director and play writer  Ante Bilić, Nadbiskup Josip Stadler (Archbishop Josip Stadler), performed by the Croatian Theater Travnik.

Before the performance of the young artists from Travnik, the provincial head of the Sarajevo Province of the SMI Sisters, sister Ana Marija Kesten, addressed the attendees on behalf of the organizers, who, among other things, thanked the postulator, Msgr. Pavo Jurišić for the great contribution he invested in the preparation of important documents that were needed by the Congregation for the study of Stadler's life. Among the others present at the performance was the Superior of the Society, sister Marija Banić, with sisters from the Supreme Administration in Zagreb.

After the performance, the sisters presented the author Bilić with a handwork in copper called Stadler's Cathedral, and the actors from Travnik were presented with roses.