The central Eucharistic celebration, with the concelebration of more than 20 priests and the service of three deacons at the altar, was led by the Chancellor of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, venerable Mladen Kalfić. Among the concelebrants were the dean of the deanery of Žepče and the parish priest in Žepče, venerable Predrag Stojčević and the host and guardian of the sanctuary, rev. Franjo Tomić.

In the appropriate sermon, venerable Kalfić pointed out that the faithful in Maglaj were gathered by a saint for whom St. John Paul II stated that is “the light of the Church, the pride of the Croatian people and the ornament of the Capuchin order” in order to thank the Triune God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for all the gifts, supernatural and natural. Then, referring to the biblical texts of that day, he said that God had shown his love for people throughout the history of salvation.

“Today, instead of strengthening the faith, awakening hope and encouraging love, like the Chosen People or the saints, we often create sorrow, helplessness, lethargy and repulsion. We weren't like that! With difficulty our ancestors ate their hard earned bread. However, despite the physical effort they endured, everything resounded with song and prayer,” said chancellor Kalfić, recalling that St. Leopold comes from a large family and explained that saints are born and raised in a family. Finally, he called on the faithful to turn to St. Leopold and to pray to him: for kindness, humility, modesty and secrecy, but also for the gift of conversation, for new priestly and religious vocations, the unity of Christians and for all the sick in soul and body.

At the end of the Holy Mass, parish priest Tomić delivered a speech and reminded of the spiritual preparation that took place through 12, ie nine Wednesdays in honour of St. Leopold, led by the priests of the Žepče Deanery. In memory of this day on behalf of the parish, rev. Tomić presented the preacher with a special gift - a picture of a saint whose priestly service will be inextricably linked to the sacrament of penance.

The faithful community was preparing for the patron saint with Triduum Holy Masses led by OFM Anto Pervan, a Capuchin. In addition, there was an exhibition of paintings U čast Sv. Leopoldu i gradu Maglaju (In honour of St. Leopold and the town of Maglaj).

By the way, the parish of St. Leopold in Maglaj was officially renovated in 1970., and its first mention as a parish dates back to 1623. After its founding in 1973., it had about 1 600 believers, before the war 1 510, and according to the census from the last Christmas blessing of the family in 2020., about 400 souls in 175 families live there now.