pon, 17. travnja 2023. 12:14
In the parish of the Ascension of the Lord in Novi Travnik, on the Second Easter Sunday, April 16th, the Sunday of Divine Mercy was celebrated with a solemn evening Eucharistic celebration, which Pope John Paul II. declared as a holiday for the entire Church on April 30th 2000.
The Eucharistic celebration was led by the parish priest in Crkvica (Zenica), rev. Anto Dominković, in the concelebration with the local parish priest, rev. Marko Majstorović, parish vicar, rev. Marcel Tunjić, dean of Travnik and parish priest, rev. Marko Mikić and five other priests. Assisting at the altar were theologians Zoran Miličević and local son Nikola Vrhovac, as well as ministrants.
The Holy Mass was preceded by devotion to God's mercy and the possibility for the sacrament of reconciliation, as well as during the days of spiritual preparation for this holiday. Before the start of the Holy Mass celebration, rev. Majstorović blessed the candles for the procession and the bearers of the image of Merciful Jesus.
Liturgical singing on the day itself, as well as during the days of spiritual renewal, was animated by the parish choir and the Zrakice children's choir under the direction of the choir leaders.
At the end, the parish priest expressed his thanks to all those who contributed to the preparation and development of the spiritual renewal that preceded the Feast of Divine Mercy and to all those who participated in the organization of the celebration of the feast itself. The sisters of the Society of Merciful Jesus, who work pastorally in the parish, were also congratulated for their patron.
After the Holy Mass, there was a traditional procession with the image of Merciful Jesus through the nearby streets of the parish. Despite the rainy day, many believers participated in prayer and devotion, as well as in the Eucharistic celebration and in the procession, which ended with a blessing in the parish yard and veneration of the power of St. Faustina and Bl. Sopočka.
Let's also add that the first day of spiritual renewal on April 12th, which was a Wednesday - when the parish honours Our Lady of Quick Help - was led by the National Director of Papal Missionary Works in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canon Msgr. Luka Tunjić. On that day, various mission objects were displayed in the parish hall, which the faithful could look at, and also give their contribution to the missions.
The second day of the renewal was led by the priest at the Archbishop's Seminary Petar Barbarić in Travnik, and the parish priest of Rostovo, rev. Jakov Kajinić, and on the third day the parish priest of Vitez, OFM Velimir Bavrka.
On Saturday, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, the renewal was led by the parish vicar in the parish and sanctuary of St. John in Podmilačje, OFM Nikica Vujica. Members of the Zrakice children's choir renewed their promises, and there was also a blessing for the children.