Chapter “of the mats” and Province Day


In the Franciscan monastery of St. Bonaventura in Visoko on September 14th, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross members of the same name Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena gathered for the traditional Chapter “of the mats”, and at the same time celebrated the Day of the Province.

First, the prayer of the Middle Hour was held in the hall of the Franciscan dormitory, and then the Guardian in Visoko OFM Franjo Radman greeted those present.

This was followed by a lecture by OFM Janko Ćuro, vicar of the Province, on the topic Media and truth, after which a discussion developed.

After that, the provincial OFM Zdravko Dadić greeted those present, thanking them for their arrival as well as for all that they do for the benefit of the ancient province, inviting them to be permanently committed to proclaiming the gospel truth.

Then a Holy Mass was celebrated in the monastery church, which was led by the provincial OFM Zdravko, with the concelebration of the priests present. In his sermon, he emphasized that this holiday is an opportunity for everyone to remind themselves of the fact that it is good to be “on the cross” because it builds a person.

He referred to the recently held Chapter and Chapter Congress of Bosna Srebrena, as well as the guidelines and review of the general visitor. He called for reflection on the proper judgment of one's brotherhood, which is to be ready to face one's own weaknesses and failings before pointing fingers at the weaknesses of others.

He also pointed to the fact that one of the biggest challenges facing the Croats as a nation and this Province is the demographic problem.

After the Holy Mass, a lunch was held in the monastery dining room, followed by an actual hour where the present friars could discuss all issues important to the Province.

The Provincial presented the statistics and changes that have taken place since the last Chapter on the mats, remembering all those who have passed away or left the Province. He presented information that is significant for the Province, mentioning: the renovation of a part of the building in Kovačići and friars in postgraduate studies and abroad; continuation of the work of Franciscan theology; the opening of the Vrata Bosna museum in Tolisa and the anniversary of the opening of the first People's School in Bosnia and Herzegovina; organizing aid to shrines in Olovo and Podmilačje; allocation of aid from SOFRE for individual brothers; the possibility of recording and storing data, as well as recording documents from the Ottoman period in Franciscan monasteries in cooperation with the Benedictines, and some other topics.

He also announced that next year at the Chapter special attention will be paid to the Rule of St. Francis.

The sad fact that the appeal filed by the Province demanding to find the perpetrators of the murder of OFM Nikica Miličević and OFM Leon Migić was also commented on.

The meeting ended with a gathering in the monastery premises in Visoko.

By the way, the Franciscan Province of the Holy Cross - Bosna Srebrena has been legally in existence since June 5th, 1340, i.e. for 682 years today, although the friars have been present here for a century earlier.