The academy ended with the traditional joint photo session of the Masters of Theology, the Grand Chancellor, the Provincial, the Rector, the Dean and the Vice-Dean. - Photo: Miroslav Gracić, Katolički tjednik

The Holy Mass in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated by the Grand Chancellor of this higher education institution, the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Metropolitan Msgr. Tomo Vukšić in concelebration with about 20 priests, including the provincial of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, OFM Zdravko Dadić, the secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Javier Camañes-Forés, and the dean of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Prof. Dr. rev. Mario Bernadić, who initially thanked all the priests in the communion.

A lesson on the difficulties of the apostolic vocation

At the beginning of his homily, the archbishop referred to a passage from the Gospel of Luke (10:1-9), about the incident when the disciples asked Jesus to destroy a village in hostile Samaria. He explained how Jesus used this opportunity to teach them about the difficult demands of the apostolic vocation. He also explained that every time and every society and their circumstances are times and places to which Jesus' disciples are sent and to which they must come in order to proclaim and bear witness - and that each of their vocations is an honourable way and opportunity to carry out this mission.

"At the same time, academically educated members of the people of God, as well as those who are on the path of such education and training, are not only a very important part of Jesus' plan, but more is rightly expected of them. May St. Luke be an example and an advocate for all of you - professors, educators, priestly candidates of our three seminaries (archdiocesan, Franciscan, Neocatechumenal) and lay students - disciples of Jesus sent today to this city", encouraged Msgr. Vukšić, urging them to be open and inclusive towards each other, patient and full of understanding, also because they come from different nations, languages, races, continents and cultures. "And because of this width, you are a visible sign of Catholic width and universality in this city", the preacher concluded.

The Holy Mass celebration was animated by the Choir of Theologians of the Vrhbosna Theological Seminary under the direction of Prof. Dr. Sc. Rev. Ivan Rako.

Master's degree promotion and farewell to Prof. Jurišić

After the Eucharist in the Sarajevo Cathedral, a ceremonial academy followed in the Pavao VI Hall of the Faculty of Theology, which began traditionally with the singing of the hymn Gaudemaus Igitur performed by the Theological Choir. At the beginning of his address, Dean Dr. Bernadić greeted those present and then presented the work of the Faculty of Theology in the past year: "The Faculty was the organizer of several important scientific conferences: the International Scientific Symposium Responsibility for the Created World, the First European Workshop on Dealing with the Violent Past of Bosnia and Herzegovina - a Contribution to Dialogue and a Culture of Listening and Solidarity (in cooperation with the Maximilian-Kolbe-Foundation) and the Second European Summer School of Interreligious Studies and Peacebuilding. In addition, we were co-organizers of several international scientific symposiums", said the Dean, particularly highlighting the publishing industry, saying that two new titles were published by the Faculty this year: Sović's Grammar of the Hebrew Language (Sovićeva gramatika hebrejskog jezika), by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dubravko Turalija and Spiritual Theology: Understanding and Practice (Duhovna teologija: razumijevanje i praksa), by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Drago Župarić. He also noted that KBF professors have also published books published by other publishing houses.

He also emphasized that the Faculty has successfully continued to implement several key projects and highlighted two: The project of entering library materials into the COBISS system – with the help of Renovabis, is entering its final phase. The entire library material will be completed in the COBISS system. This was followed by a short address by Provincial Dadić, Msgr. Vukšić, in the role of Grand Chancellor of KBF, and Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton Nihad Uk. After the welcoming speeches, a farewell ceremony was held for the long-time professor and first dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Msgr. Pavo Jurišić, about whose life path spoke Prof. Dr. Darko Tomašević, and Dean Bernardić presented him with a Certificate of Gratitude. Professor Jurišić, who spent 33 years at KBF, thanked the dean and colleagues for their warm farewell.

After the musical performance, the promotion of the Master of Theology students followed. The following were promoted: Marko Ljubić, Miroslav Petrić and Dario Adžić. On behalf of the newly promoted Master's students, Dario Adžić thanked the professors and mentors.

Awards to the best

Then, the Dean's Award for the best achievement was presented to Nikolina Jukić, a student who passed all the exams of the 4^th year of study in the past academic year 2024/2025, achieving a score of 9.64. And for the fourth time! The Dean's Award for the best student written/scientific paper in the past academic year 2024/2025 was awarded to Dario Adžić, who wrote his paper, entitled The Place of Pneumatology in the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger, under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hrvoje Kalem.

Awards for non-teaching staff for exceptional dedication to the work of an employee of the Faculty who stands out for the quality, creativity, accuracy and scope of the work performed were awarded to: Barnard Vasilj, Josip Večer and Sanja Bajkuša.

Certificates of appreciation for exceptional contribution to the activities and reputation of the Faculty - the initiative to join the Franciscan Theology in Sarajevo to the Catholic Faculty of Theology were awarded to Msgr. Tomo Vukšić and the Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, OFM Zdravko Dadić.

The Academy ended with the traditional joint photo session of the Masters of Theology, the Grand Chancellor, the Provincial, the Rector, the Dean and the Vice-Dean.