After the blessing, the Holy Mass in front of the birthplace of servant of God Barbarić, was led by Archbishop Vinko, concelebrating with him were: the Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Herzegovina, OFM Miljenko Šteko, the Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, Vicar General of the Herzegovina dioceses, rev. Nikola Menal, parish priest of Klobuk OFM Robert Jolić, Rector of the Archbishop’s Seminary Petar Barbarić in Travnik rev. Željko Marić - organizer, and many other priests.

At the beginning of the Holy Mass, cardinal Puljić thanked the late Stanko Barbarić who helped various church projects, and who arranged the “sanctuary” of his great-granduncle, servant of God Peter, in his native Šiljevište, and then donated it to the Church with the surrounding property. “Wanting to fulfill the will of the late Stanko Barbarić and respect this place, talking to the Bishop of Mostar and Duvno, Msgr. Petar Palić and the local parish priest in Klobuk, OFM Robert, we found a way to bless this place so that many pilgrims who come and pray can continue to keep the dear memory of the servant of God Petar Barbarić. It is up to us to fulfil his last wish, for this to be a centre for the education of future priests through seminars, spiritual exercises, meetings. "Every Thursday there will be a Holy Mass for the public so that we can pray together for his beatification, with the desire that all of us, truly inspired by Peter’s life, follow his path, doing the will of God”, said cardinal Vinko.

The parish priest of Klobuk, OFM Robert, pointed out that Holy Masses are often celebrated in this place. “I am also pleased with the announcement that the Cardinal will also spend part of his retirement days here in Šiljevište”, said Pastor Jolić.

After the biblical readings and the proclaimed gospel, Archbishop Vinko in his sermon paid special attention to the values of proper family upbringing. “We are all rocked in the cradle of the family atmosphere and we actually came across the first school of faith, here in this house our venerable servant Petar finished the first school: the school of faith. He taught that God is holy, that God’s commandments are holy, and he brought that to life. In every family where God is truly brought up to be first, that God’s commandments are more important than all the world’s powers, it is a sure school to grow in holiness. If he had not received it here, he would not have died in Travnik with the reputation of holiness. Had it not been for the house of prayer here, he would not have become what he has become. In every house where one truly prays, where one truly believes, where one keeps God, it is easy for God to call”, said, among other things, cardinal Puljić.

The blessing of the chapel and the Holy Mass were attended by many locals and pilgrims, priests from Herzegovina and Bosnia, nuns, as well as numerous representatives of socio-political life. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by a reception.

A modest young man who connected Herzegovina and Bosnia

Petar Barbarić was born on May 19^th 1874 in Klobuk, in the village of Šiljevište. He lived there until he was 15, educated, tended sheep, and worked as a sales assistant. After deciding on a priestly vocation, Petar quietly connected Herzegovina with Bosnia by riding a horse to the Travnik seminary.

Peter left a deep mark among his colleagues in his short life, but after his death he became a role model and inspiration to everyone. He died of an illness at the age of 23 in Travnik on April 15^th 1897. His grave is located there, and his memorial home is in Klobuk.

Today, pilgrimages and prayers are held in both places. Although he was born in 1874, he is an ideal role model today in the time we live in, noting that “of all the paths leading to heaven, the shortest, easiest and most reliable is the one a man takes to fulfill his ordinary duties”.

Let us add that the grandson of his brother Stanko Barbarić (1931-2020), who was a successful entrepreneur from Zagreb, is most responsible for the existence of this spiritual oasis in Šiljevište. He came up with the idea of this kind of “sanctuary” when he saw, and remained fascinated on one occasion in Travnik, how much Peter is worshiped in Central Bosnia, how many people visit his grave and are influenced by his intercession.