The thanksgiving Holy Mass celebration in the evening of May 19^th, on the occasion of the 150^th  anniversary of Barbarić's birth, was led by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Metropolitan Msgr. Tomo Vukšić in the concelebration of 22 priests, among whom was the director of the Catholic school centre and the rector of the seminary, rev. Željko Marić, dean of Travnik, rev. Josip Lebo and the Provincial of the Croatian Province of the Society of Jesus, Father Sebastian Šujević.

Birth anniversary of Petar Barbarić

In an appropriate homily, Archbishop Tomo touched on the life of the Servant of God Petar, saying that the Feast of Pentecost is located between Peter's birth and baptism, who, not only listened to God's word with pleasure, but carried out his will in a fruitful way.

He then briefly presented Petar's life path and education in Travnik, and finally the confirmation that the servant of God possessed the theological virtues of faith, hope and love in a heroic degree, as well as the cardinal virtues associated with them: prudence, justice, strength and moderation.

Calling for prayer for his beatification, he pointed out that a special feature of his spirituality was great devotion to the Heart of Jesus. He noticed that Petar's love for the Church and the High Priest came to the fore especially in September 1895, when the Servant of God launched an initiative, with the approval of the head, for the Travnik Seminary to stand in solidarity with the entire Christian world and to give satisfaction to the Vicar of Christ for the public insults that were inflicted on him by the then state authorities.

His uniqueness was also shown at the moment of his death, when his dedication to God's will was particularly evident, and Msgr. Vukšić concluded that the lesson of his life is clear: "Performing daily duties is the only correct way of concrete relationships with God and people, of building a better world, and that is why it is the shortest, easiest and most reliable way to heaven."

The Holy Mass celebration was animated by the KŠC mixed choir Petar Barbarić under the direction of Vlatka Čabro.

History warns and encourages

On Monday, May 20^th, the students of the Elementary School and Gymnasium visited the Bojna cemetery, where they lit candles for the souls of deceased students and teachers. This was followed by a screening of a film about Petar Barbarić in the hall of the Centre, and an art exhibition by a student of VIII. class Lara Augustinović and student II. class of Gymnasium, Mija Martić.

Holy Mass was served then and led by the canon of the Vrhbosna chapter, rev. Marko Zubak, with the concelebration of several priests and directors of other Catholic school Centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the appropriate sermon, rev. Zubak spoke about the example of the lives of saints who show believers how to live whole. He mentioned St. Francis, whose writings help modern man, because "piety in the world is more meritorious than flight from the world".

"But it should be adapted to the strength, opportunities and duties of each individual. It seems that Jesuit educators and professors in their time knew this and succeeded. In the same way, we do not want to lag behind them in this time of ours. And regardless of the fact that in the end they experienced severe ingratitude, and were expelled from this Gymnasium by an ungodly system, this fact does not diminish their greatness, but glorifies it even more (...) Travnik survived together with so many truth lovers and numerous humiliations, but thanks to the greats of faith and spirit, always remained dignified and upright", explained the preacher, using the opportunity to thank God for so many lovers of truth and life, knowledge and faith, restorers and builders, and above all, guardians of human and divine dignity in these areas.

He then referred to the history and the time before the foundation of the gymnasium, then the difficult period of banning the activity of priests and the institution in general. "Yes, our human and earthly history can sometimes be difficult and painful, full of blood and tears, but we know, as our famous ancestors knew, that God came into our human reality and brought the light of his truth and victory . This is evidenced by numerous fruits: docents, doctors, primaries, writers, writers, painters, bishops and priests who knew even in those difficult moments that Love wins", emphasized rev. Zubak.

About courage...

That's why he once again thanked God for all the zealous and dedicated, self-denying and courageous professors, educators and builders, both the famous ones from long ago, as well as our present "equally persistent and diligent ones who know how a knife hurts and a wound burns". "That's why we need the courage to be original, unique, not imitating others, but to develop our originality, to love ourselves and our own, but also to never, ever despise other people. We need courage not to gossip about others, to distinguish evil from man and destroy evil, but love man. We need the courage to pray more, to love our homeland and our roots, our Church, all of God's world", encouraged the leader of the Holy Mass celebration at the end, concluding that "even today there are brave and courageous Brandis, Barbarić, Andrić, Stadler... , and it is worth meeting them, talking to them and being encouraged by their courage".

After the Holy Mass, a formal academy and reception were held.

Let us remind you that Petar Barbarić was born in 1874 in the small village of Šiljevišta, Klobuk parish. Even as a child, he developed a love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady, and she accompanied him on his way to Travnik Seminary. He died in the name of holiness on April 15^th at the age of 23, and the procedure for his beatification is ongoing.

Promotion of the book

It should be said that the celebration of the Day of the KŠC Petar Barbarić began on Friday, May 17^th, when the promotion of the autobiography of the Jesuit and professor of the Archdiocese’ High School in Travnik, father Anton Puntigam, written by translator and editor, father Ivan Šestak, dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and of Religious Sciences, University of Zagreb.

The book Kako me je Bog vodio. Doživljaji i sjećanja (How God Led Me. Experiences and memories) with prof. Šestak was promoted by professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Religious Sciences in Zagreb Dr. Ivica Musa, curator of the Ivo Andrić Birthplace museum Enes Škrgo and prof. Arijan Volić, KŠC employee.

The moderator of the program was Marija Marić, and the promotion was accompanied musically by Ivana Janko - Stupar, Vlatka Čabro and rev. Jakov Kajinić.