In the introductory speech, the Cardinal emphasized that the Church, on the day of Epiphany, also celebrates the Day of Holy Childhood or the World Mission Day of Children.

Before the beginning of the Mass, the rector of the cathedral, Msgr. Ante Meštrović reminded those attending, as well as those who listened the Mass over the waves of Radio Marija BiH, that Cardinal Puljić marks the anniversary of his bishop's ordination.

“Pope John Paul II. he loved to ordain new bishops on the day of Epiphany , so 28 years ago on January 6th 1991. he appointed priest Vinko Puljić as the new Archbishop of Vrhbosna”, said Msgr. Meštrović and reminded that auxiliary bishop of Vrhbosna Msgr. Pero Sudar, who could not attend this Mass for other duties, 25 years ago in 1994., in a difficult war day and under enormous bombing, was ordained a bishop in the Cathedral.

After announcing the gospel, dean Štefan read the Epiphany Announcement of Easter for 2019, which reads: “Dear Brothers and Sisters, the glory of the Lord has come to us and will always be published until He comes again. In the course of time and timing we mention and live the mysteries of salvation. The center of the entire liturgical year is the three days of our Lord crucified, buried and resurrected, and its peak is Easter: Sunday of Resurrection, April 21st. Every Sunday of that week's Easter, the Holy Church is inaugurated by this great happening, in which Christ overcame sin and death. From Easter, all sacred days come: the beginning of the Lent, on Ash wednesday, March 6th; Ascension of the Lord, May 30th; Sunday Pentecost: June 9th; Sacred Heart of Jesus day, June 28th; the beginning of the new liturgical year and advent, on Sunday, December 1st. And on the feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, apostles and saints, and in commemorating the faithful dead, the Church announces in its earthly path the paschal mystery. Christ, who was, who is and who comes, Lord of time and history, the inexpressible glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

At the appropriate sermon, Cardinal Puljić recalled that he celebrated “the wonderful feast of Epiphany”, which the people call the feast of the Holy Three Kings or Wise Men. He explained that the Church in the East began to celebrate the celebration of Epiphany first, when the three wise men (kings) bow to little Jesus, and that the Church in the West was beginning to celebrate the Christmas when new-born Jesus is being bowed to by shepherds. He pointed out that both feasts are centered around the divine Child. He added that the little Jesus is the one who makes these feasts beautiful, gentle and ceremonial.

Interpreting the Gospel part on the arrival of three wise men from the East in Bethlehem he said that the birth of the Child caused disturbance especially to King Herod who was frightened for his kingdom and had slaughtered innocent babies in Bethlehem with a sword.

“Unfortunately, it's not only Herod who kills. Today, there are a lot of Herods starting with those who create wars and those who make children go to those wars to those who kill children for their own political interests. All of them are Herods of today. Children are really vulnerable. Herods are also those who kill unborn children, but also those who break children and morally destroy or abuse them. Throughout history, there has always been Herods, and there are still today”, he said, pointing out that today's believers have been sent to persistently fight for the rights and dignity of children because they are fighting for man and for the future of mankind.

Reminding that the three wise men found Jesus and bowed to him as a Newborn King, he said that finding God means to admit Him and bow to him. “It is, in fact, an act of faith that comes from humility. Where there is no humility, no adoration, there is no faith”, the Archbishop said, adding that the three wise men in humility bow to God and, by gifting gifts, confess their faith.

The seminarians of the Vrhbosna seminary were in the assistance at the Mass and animated liturgical singing.

KT