The celebration included a ceremonial celebration in the church of the Queen of the Holy Rosary and a special program at the Catholic School Center (KŠC) Sv. Josip, gathering more than 200 teachers and heads of catechists offices from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Power of the Church

Holy Mass was led by archbishop of Đakovo-Osijek msgr. Dr. Đuro Hranić, the President of the Council for the Catechization and New Evangelization of the Croatia's Bishop's Conference, in communion with the Archbishop of Vrhbosna Vinko cardinal Puljić, Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan Ratko Perić, auxiliary Bishop of Banja Luka, Marko Semren, the provincial of Bosna Srebrena OFM Josip Marinčić and head of the Catechetical Office of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, head of the National Catechetical office of the Bishops' Conference of B&H rev. Dr. Tomo Mlakić and a number of priests.

Speaking at the beginning of the Mass, Msgr. Hranić thanked God for the grace of his 25-year work through the catechism, and that in the teaching mission besides the clergy he also included many secular people - the respectable strength of the Church, and he also reflected on the symbolism of the anniversary that came on the same day as the day of st. Aloysius Gonzaga, the protector of the youth.

Do not be ashamed of Jesus

The Sermon was held by Msgr. Perić, who emphasized the importance of religious education in the educational process and treating it as all other school's classes. In a special way, he addressed the teachers by encouraging them to boldly testify Jesus and to do their mission more zealous.

The words of greeting were sent by rev. Dr. Mlakić, after which cardinal Puljić, the religion teachers with their experiences, Msgr. Hranić with the words and experiences from Croatia addressed the present guests, and the whole encounter was made more special with performances of the High school choir DominikS from KŠC Don Bosco from Žepče and Pivači sv. Jakova from Šibenik.

"This 25th anniversary is not only a thank you, but also an encouragement for those who teach in the schools to truly bravely testify, announce and raise future generations not to be ashamed of their religion but to bravely testify what they have learned. In the first place, the fruits are that faith, which was marginalized in the past system, has now become or wants to become equal to other school subjects, and secondly - all this young people somehow realize that faith is part of the formation and in some way of conscience. And cognition and formation are important for a man to be complete", said Cardinal Puljić.

Congratulating the Silver Anniversary, Archbishop Hranić emphasized the importance of religious education, which contributes to the complete upbringing of the person, but also to the dialogue with others.

This celebration was held during the Catechetical School course from 20th to 22nd June in Catholic school center S. Josip.