Concelebrating with the archbishop of Vrhbosna were: the provincial of the Franciscan province of Bosna Srebrena, OFM Zdravko Dadić, the charge d'affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Amaury Medina Blanco and about 20 other priests.

To be humbled

After the presentation of the candidates for the order of deacon, the archbishop of Vrhbosna delivered an appropriate homily in which he referred to the Gospel of the day, which speaks of a Pharisee and a tax collector who have the same goal - to pray in the Temple and be righteous before God. However, only one of them went home with met goal. “It is obvious that there is also some big reason why only one reached the final goal and the other did not. And to the question: Why is it so?, the answer was directly given by Jesus in the words: 'Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled; and he who humbles himself will be exalted' (Lk 18:14). The key is therefore in the way of walking towards the goal, in the way in which one prays and in the way in which one wants to be justified before God”, said Msgr. Vukšić adding that it is clearly visible that in the Pharisee's prayer he himself is the subject, while the subject of the tax collector's prayer is God. “Jesus' parable about the prayer of the Pharisee and the tax collector is a great lesson for anyone who folds his hands and lifts his eyes to God. In it, Jesus interprets how one should pray, not only externally, but sincerely, humbly and with the spirit to seek God from within”, said Archbishop Tomo.

“Teach others to pray”

In the second part of the sermon, he addressed the new deacons and spoke to them about the gift they receive in the order of the diaconate. He once again emphasized the importance of humility and loving one's neighbour, encouraging them to rejoice over every sinner and support him on his path of conversion, but also to give the “Pharisee” a second chance, as Jesus did. “Always be clear in your principles, and gentle when applying to specific people. And may your pastoral work always be adorned with a patient testimony of God's mercy”, the archbishop concluded.

After the sermon, the candidates for ordination expressed their willingness to accept consecrated refuge, observe the liturgy of the hours, and respect and obey the diocesan bishop and the legitimate religious head. Msgr. Vukšić distributed the sacrament of the holy order of the deaconate to the candidates with laying of hands and a consecratory prayer. Then the newly ordained deacons, with the help of their parish priests, put on official liturgical clothes and at the end of the ceremony received the evangelist from the hands of the archbishop, and exchanged the peace with him, and then proceeded to serve at the altar.

At the end of the Holy Mass, Archbishop Tomo distributed certificates of deacon ordination to them.

New deacons

Darko Endrich is the son of Dejan and Svjetlana, born Uzelac. He was born on November 29^th, 1995 in Osijek. He comes from Osijek parish. He graduated from the Vocational, Trade and Commercial High School in his hometown. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the KBF in Sarajevo in 2022.

OFM Mile Beljo is the son of Mijo and Marija, born Dragić. He comes from the parish of Rama-Šćit. He was born on August 10^th, 1996 in Prozor. He graduated from the Gymnasium high school in Prozor.

OFM Nikola Livaja is the son of Marko and Blaženka, born Akrapović. He comes from Busovača parish. He was born on September 4^th, 1997 in Nova Bila. He graduated from the Franciscan Classical High School in Visoko.

OFM Stjepan Orkić is the son of Vladimir and Irina, born Storoženko. He comes from Tolisa parish. He was born on September 11^th, 1997 in Vinkovci. He graduated from the Franciscan Classical High School in Visoko.

OFM Drago Blažević is the son of Branko and Janja, born Škoro. He comes from Uskoplje parish. He was born on May 16^th, 1998 in Prozor. He graduated from the Franciscan Classical High School in Visoko.