The concelebrants were: Rev. Marko Mikić, Rev. Tomislav Kralj and Rev. Darko Endrich, and the Holy Mass was also attended by: Mother superior sister M. Anđa Vranješ and the provincial superiors sister M. Ana Marija Kesten (Sarajevo Province), sister M. Terezija Pervan (Split Province), sister M. Emanuela Pečnik (Zagreb Province); the director of the Society of the Friends of the Little Jesus, sister M. Marta Vunak and numerous pilgrims, members of PMI societies from the parishes of the Zagreb, Split-Makarska and Vrhbosna Archdiocese.

The Prodigal Son Comes to His Senses

Monsignor Jurišić based his homily on the parable of Jesus, “the prodigal son”, or “the merciful father”, read that day, who, as Jesus says, was not partial – but loved both sons equally; however, the older one was serious, and the younger one struggled through his youth until he demanded his share and, after his father granted his wish, left his father’s home without a word. But in the big world, ducats quickly disappeared. “Backed into a corner, he gradually comes to his senses and decides to return to where he was good, even if it means being a hired hand, if he can no longer be a son”, explained Msgr. Jurišić and continued by describing the return of the prodigal son to the doorstep, his repentance, and his father's delight when he saw him: "The son is back, there is reason for joy!"

Furthermore, he noted that even in the best story there is someone who spoils everything, and in this case it is the older son who has shown hatred towards both his brother and his father.

"The story remains open, it is not over. The older son or brother did not want to reconcile with the younger brother. They are still at war today. And the younger one again demanded his own and again went far and inflicted hundreds of woes and calamities. How many times? Seventy times seven. That is your confession. Each time: 'I decide to improve and not sin anymore,' and after that again, and again, and again. There we are before God", said Postulator Pavo, concluding with the following message: "The older son represented justice as he understood it. So we can say that he is right in his own way. But God is greater. He knows how to forgive. When he forgives a sinner, he rejoices. For God is love and joy!"

At the end of the Holy Mass, those present went to Stadler's grave at the bottom of the cathedral, where they lit candles, laid flowers, and prayed for his beatification.

The Holy Mass was preceded by a one-hour spiritual program prepared by pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia in collaboration with the sisters, inspired by the life of the servant of God Josip Stadler.

Praying and interceding

In the afternoon program, the provincial superior of the Sarajevo Province of the SMI, sister M. Ana Marija Kesten, gave a lecture in the cathedral entitled Monuments of Stadler's Hope in Sarajevo and introduced the pilgrims to Stadler's institutions in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"They also preserve spiritual monuments of hope for all generations of children, young people, families, elderly and infirm persons, priests, bishops, nuns who, even through the turbulent times of this country and this city, managed to survive and maintain their mission through great efforts. They are still a sign of Stadler's love for Christ, which he himself, through great sacrifice and renunciation, woven into this local Church, and in a special way into this beloved city of Sarajevo", said sister Ana Marija and concluded with the words of Bishop Mijo Škvorec, which he said on the 70^th anniversary of Archbishop Stadler's death: "We are happy to have such a man in our midst, about whom my professor at the Travnik seminary told me many times: 'It will be the greatest sin for the Croatian people if they do not pray and do everything they can to have Archbishop Stadler declared blessed and holy.'"