Translated by: Ksenija Ninić

After the priests gathered the Council started with a Eucharistic celebration in the seminary church of St. Cyril and Methodius led by the archbishop of Vrhbosna cardinal Vinko Puljić in concelebration with Msgr. Pero Sudar, provincial Jozo Marinčić and all present priests. At the beginning of the mass, the Archbishop pointed out that the Eucharist is the strongest source of priest's communion, and thanked the priests that came to the Council.

He reminded that in the first years, the Council of priests was held without a mass, and then the Presbyters gave suggestions about it, because the Eucharist is the best source of communion. „That is why I want to thank all of you who regularly accept the invitation to attend the priest's council and the Mass celebration“, said the Cardinal and dedicated the Eucharist for the local Church of Vrhbosna.

In his sermon, the Archbishop emphasized that the Eucharist is the most powerful prayer from which the priesthood identity and communion emerge. „The Eucharist is the centre of a local church, it builds and one draws power from it“, said cardinal Puljić at the beginning.

„We are in the times when we are experiencing a great temptation. Though, all the time has had its temptations, we live ours today. It's nothing remarkable. It is our task, it is our mission“, said the cardinal, and noted the importance of trusting in God in which it is to be understood that Jesus Christ is the centre of human life and mission. He then encouraged priests not to get discouraged by secular problems that „block“ a true priestly calling.

„Let's be honest, the most common 'blockade' is our personality, selfishness, wishes that did not come true, and sin as well. We must constantly enter the light of Christ in order to recognize ourselves in his name and mission“, said the cardinal, and emphasized that the Church lives according to communion, not by the fragile personality of a particular presbyter.

The mass celebration was animated by singing of theological choir Stjepan Hadrović.

After the Mass, a working part of the meeting was held in the Hall of the Priest's home, chaired by general vicar Msgr. Luka Tunjić, while the Chancellor, venerable Mladen Kalfić was a writing clerk.

At the beginning, the Cardinal addressed the gathered and reminded that the invitation to attend the Council applies equally to all. He emphasized the need to exchange ideas and not „emptying frustrations“, but seeking solutions to the problems they face in pastoral care.

He then recalled important pastoral events of the past year, among which is the dedication of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The first lecture titled: Priest in service of words and sacraments was held by Dr. Dubravko Turalija, the co-ordinator of family pastoral at the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, professor of Scripture at the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Sarajevo. He spoke of priestly ministry from the biblical aspect, especially of the Old Testament, taking an example of Moses and Aaron.

Dr. OFM Danimir Pezer, dean and professor of liturgical at the Franciscan Theology in Nedžarići, spoke of the priest and of his service from the liturgical pastoral aspect, looking at the dangers that „lurk“ the priests and the relationship of the priest toward the Word of God and the sacraments. After the lecture there was a short discussion.

The needed information was then provided by the Archdiocese's economist, venerable  Franjo Tomić. The General Secretary of the Synod of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Dr. rev. Mario Bernadić addressed the present and briefly presented the ninth edition of Bilten.

The head of the Catechetical Office of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Dr. rev. Tomislav Mlakić presented the work of the office he leads.

Promoter of spiritual callings rev. Marko Mikić spoke about gathering of altar servers of Vrhbosna Archdiocese.

Cardinal Puljić had the closing word, and he encouraged the priests to action in certain segments of pastoral care and administration in parish management.

The meeting ended with prayer and meal in the premises of the Vrhbosna's Seminary.