The solemn Eucharist was led by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić. In communion with him were the retired Archbishop of Vrhbosna, cardinal Vinko Puljić, the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and the Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan, Msgr. Petar Palić, and the Bishop of Banja Luka, Mgrs. Željko Majić. About 15 priests concelebrated, including the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, and the parish priest, rev. Tomo Mlakić.

At the beginning, those present were greeted by Msgr. Vukšić, and especially those families who came to the Holy Mass in Kupres and recommended them to the intercession of the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, praying for God's blessing that all families may be places of trust, love and the gift of life. Since the same day was also the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Archbishop Tomo invoked God's blessing on all of them and for the gift of life that comes through families.

Jesus was born in a family

The homily on the occasion was delivered by Monsignor Majić, who at the beginning quoted St. John Paul II. who, during his pastoral visit to Croatia on October 4^th, 1998, at a meeting with bishops in Split, said: "May the family, the 'domestic Church', have a special place in your pastoral work because 'the future of the world and the Church goes through the family'". Following this, he recalled that the bishops of the BK of BiH had decided over time to celebrate Family Day every year on the last Sunday of July in Kupres, in the Church of the Holy Family. Noting that the Holy Scriptures begin with the account of the creation of the first family and end with the vision of the wedding feast of the Lamb and his Bride, he emphasized that the incarnate Son of God, in whom is all the fullness of revelation, true God and perfect man, chose a family as the place of his birth and upbringing. "In doing so, he not only consecrated family life, but also showed the value of the family as a natural and regular environment for the normal development of the human person. With his presence at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, he blessed marital and family love (cf. Jn 2:1-12). The family is at the same time the first and permanent place of upbringing and spiritual growth, not only of one person, but also of an entire nation. Thus, the family is the "spiritual genealogy" of an individual and the "focus" of the civilization of love. Inherent in human society, it is at its centre and represents the foundation of its future”, he said, adding that the family is not just a social structure that can be changed according to the current inspirations and interests of individuals or political and other groups. “It has been in God’s plan from the beginning. And just as God himself is not changeable, neither is the family. Unfortunately, there are many who forget this today and reject it to the point of contempt: marital fidelity is ridiculed, openness to life is considered backward, and sacrifice is experienced as a loss. And as if that were not enough. Various partnerships in many countries are legally equated with the original marriage and family. However, the Christian family is called to be a sign of opposition, a witness to a different way of life – God’s way, obedience to God’s will and the realization of God’s eternal and unchangeable plan”, he asserted, adding that it is a school of knowledge and love.

Reflecting on the Holy Mass readings from the Letter to the Ephesians, he quoted St. Paul, who encouraged husbands to love their wives as Christ loves His Church, and emphasized that this is not a romantic statement that we hear in songs and hymns with light notes, but an invitation to the love with which Christ himself loved His Church, loved man.

The family should live togetherness

He further quoted Pope Benedict XVI, during his visit to Croatia on June 5^th, 2011, at a meeting with Croatian Catholic families, when he addressed parents with words of encouragement to introduce children to the life of the Church, read the Holy Scriptures with words, and for homes to be like a small Hall of the Last Supper, like that of Mary and the disciples, in which unity, communion, and prayer are lived.

Monsignor Majić further recalled that in 1979, when celebrating the Year of Branimir, the Croatian bishops defined the Croatian Catholic family as a community that prays daily and celebrates Holy Mass on Sundays. "And that is a kind of Croatian vow that still obliges every one of our families today: family prayer every day and the obligatory Sunday Holy Mass", he underlined, adding that the family and community are a source of hope.

"When society loses its meaning and identity, when many fear the future, then the family is the one that offers security, permanence. Saint Pope John Paul II speaks of the family as a "domestic Church". But not of the Church for itself but of the Church for the salvation of the world, calling it to be a "missionary Church." Therefore, today our prayer is that you, dear families gathered at this Jubilee of the Family, as well as all our families who live family values in the intimacy of their homes and celebrate this Family Day, become a "missionary Church" - a pilgrim Church of hope, which illuminates the Path that is Jesus himself, our Hope, and who has never disappointed us. Do not let those of you who have received so many graces from the Lord disappoint our Hope that does not disappoint us”, said Msgr. Majić, and continued to reflect on the Gospel in which Jesus, after Mary and Joseph found him in the temple, was obedient according to St. Luke.

Children should be obedient to their parents

On this trace, he addressed the children and encouraged them to be obedient, just as Jesus was to his earthly parents. “…love for God also includes love for your parents who, in love, in response to God’s love, brought you into the world, raised you in faith and gave you their lives at great sacrifice. Therefore, grateful for this love, be obedient to your parents. Today, together with you, we pray to the merciful God to grant you the spirit of counsel so that in the voice – the advice of your father and mother, you may avoid so many earthly counsellors who turn you away from the right path; the spirit of strength to put into practice what you have learned in life”, said the Bishop of Banja Luka, and towards the end In his sermon, he addressed the elderly, grandparents, whom he commended to God's mercy, praying for their sufficient health for a peaceful old age.

"Dear children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Do not be afraid of your grandparents; do not reject them. They are a precious gift to your own family, but also to the church community. The experience of their Christian married and family life, if we observe it with love, can be of immeasurable benefit. Therefore, we encourage you to appreciate the importance and role of the elderly in your own families and in general. For their lives are not a burden, but an exceptional and precious help; the lives of the elderly help us to illuminate the scale of human values; their mature, sacrificial, selfless and faithful love is a blessed example and inspiration to all spouses and those who are preparing for sacramental marriage", he said, and in the end, in this Jubilee of the Family, he specially greeted and thanked the spouses who came to Kupres to thank God for 25 and 50 years of marital fidelity." "The Jubilee is not just a commemoration of the day when it all began. The Jubilee is actually a new beginning. Therefore, today, while we thank God together with you for your faithfulness, perseverance, and the multiplication of love. Together with you, we pray to God for new strength - a new beginning. May God bless your efforts to overcome the trials of the world in which you live, not to close yourself off but to break the darkness of the world with the light of faith and faithfulness; be courageous proclaimers of the Gospel in your families, in your place and in the world", he said at the end and, reading Psalm 128, called on the Holy Family of Nazareth - Jesus, Mary and Joseph - to protect families and all their members, old and young, and may the Holy Spirit pour out his strength on them so that they may be a light in the darkness, a voice of joy in times of confusion, and strength in times of life's discouragement.

Marriage vows anniversaries

After the prayer at the communion, Msgr. Vukšić blessed the golden and silver spouses. Thus, 14 married couples received certificates of gratitude for renewing their vows after 25 years of marriage, while Babić Božo and Darinka; Kovačević Mirko and Mandica; Skoko Jozo and Zdravka; Spajić Drago and Pavlina; Vila Pero Franjka and Bartulović Blaško and Kata celebrated 50 years of marriage.

After the address of the Secretary of the Council for the Laity, Family and Life Jelena Brkić Šmigoc and the parish announcements, Archbishop Tomo gave the final blessing.

The liturgical singing was animated by the parish choir from the Herzegovina parish of Gradina.

The Holy Mass was broadcast live by Radiotelevision Herceg-Bosna.

The beginning of the Family Day

The day before, on July 26^th, in the afternoon hours in Kupres, the eighth Family Day began with the registration of participants. In the Church of the Holy Family, the opening prayer was led by the President of the Council for the Laity, Family and Life of the Bishops' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Majić.

Two lectures were held in the working part of the meeting. Dr. Ankica Baković spoke on the topic of Beloved, where she focused on the role of women in marriage and family and on psychological challenges from a woman's perspective. In the second lecture, entitled Courage to be a Beautiful Man, a Man, a Father..., Rev. Josip Bošnjaković emphasized the role of men in the family as husbands and fathers. He also spoke from a psychological perspective about the challenges that men face.

After that, the participants of the 8^th Family Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina deepened the presented topics by working in groups.

The evening Holy Mass was celebrated by the President of the Bishops' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Vukšić, followed by a concert and a spiritual celebration led by OFM Marin Karačić. During this part of the program, songs and testimonies were exchanged.