Written by: Lidija Pavlović-Grgić

Translation: Ksenija Ninić

Two candidates of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena - OFM Silvio Zlatarević and OFM Mario Dadić, were ordained for deacons during the Mass presided by cardinal Puljić in communion with OFM Jozo Marinčić, the Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, and professors and educators of theological educational institutions, as well as with a number of other priests.

Time of hope

At the beginning of Mass celebration, the Archbishop welcomed the present. After the candidates were presented and elected to the deacon ordain, and the gathered Christians expressed gratitude to God for this act, the Archbishop said an appropriate  homily in which he spoke in a special way about the Advent as a time of hope and joy.
"We, in Advent, come to meet Him who manifested his love, embodied, was born, gifted himself. That is why we want to experience Advent, as a time of recognizing God's love, that we are loved beings. When he is aware that he is loved, a man has inner security and strength of faith. That is why walking in the Advent - is the pilgrimage of faith", the cardinal said, saying that one should watch over what God gives him so he doesn’t lose the gifts of God.

Prayers of the Church

In a special way, he addressed the ordained ones by mentioning that an entire human life is an advent. "Today, with a sacred order, they become the first altar servants, assistants to priests and bishops, servants of the sacrificing Christ, and to serve him, means to be ready to sacrifice. Therefore, beloved ordained ones, if you want to be happy in your life, understand the beauty of service and sacrifice, because only like that are you opening your heart for believer’s happiness", the cardinal said stating to the ordained ones,  who receive a special mission - the proclamation of the gospel, to live what they proclaim. "Do not be afraid, you will not wear out if you truly sacrifice with love, you will only enrich yourselves because you will enrich others!", stated the Archbishop, inviting all to pray for new spiritual vocations.

At the end of the Mass, the Cardinal congratulated to the ordained ones and in a special way to their families and parish communities and invited them to continue following them with their prayers.