At the solemn Holy Mass celebration together with Archbishop Vukšić, the Provincial of the Croatian Salesian Province, rev. Tihomir Šutalo, and the parish priest and dean of Žepče rev. Predrag Stojčević, more than 40 priests concelebrated. Numerous believers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Italy also participated.

The first ordination in the parish

At the beginning of the Holy Mass celebration, rev. Stojčević greeted the gathered, who called for prayer for the future four presbyters "that the dear God will guide, strengthen and illuminate them so that they can successfully fulfil their mission". After the proclamation of the gospel, the bishop accepted the new presbyters.

At the beginning of the sermon, Archbishop Vukšić pointed out that numerous ceremonies took place in the Žepče parish throughout its long history, but that this parish did not remember the distribution of the sacrament of the priestly order, emphasizing special gratitude to God's providence for this gift.

Generosity

He then referred to a passage from the Epistle to the Thessalonians in which St. Paul writes to the community of Christians to recognize those who are leaders among them and to receive them with love and value them for their works. "Recognize, dear brothers and sisters, those who are your superiors, is a thought that is valid for all times in the Church of Christ. And the motive is their deeds that they do among you... They are equal to you in everything else. By their basic human dignity. They were chosen from among you. The specific difference between the rest of the people of God and those who are leaders in the people of God are their works: it is the proclamation of the Word of God, the teaching of the people of God and the celebration of the sacraments, i.e. the sanctification of the people of God. Those two are what distinguish them from the others", said Msgr. Vukšić adding that St. Paul goes on to tell the leaders to admonish the untidy, encourage the discouraged, support the weak and be generous to everyone because "only that priest who is generous, according to the example of Christ, to everyone, is a good priest".

He added that all priests are called to follow the example of the apostle Barnabas, who is said in a similar biblical text to have been a virtuous and faith-filled husband.

At the end, he told the parishioners to pray to God to make them virtuous and full of faith.

Living the gospel

Then followed the actual act of priestly ordination, the promise of respect and obedience to the diocesan bishop and religious superior, and the litany of profession when the ordained are in prostration.

At the end of the Holy Mass celebration, rev. Vinko Rogalo gave words of thanks on behalf of the newly ordained priests.

Provincial Šutalo also greeted the gathered, who emphasized the new priests’ motto "He who calls you is faithful" (1 Thessalonians 5:24a). "I believe that you have felt many times until now that the One who called you was faithful to you, and I am sure that He will remain faithful in the future as well. I invite you and recommend that you continue your motto and say: 'I am faithful to Him who called me.' A priest remains faithful if it is evident that he is living the gospel", rev. Tihomir said.

The Holy Mass celebration, which was animated by a choir made up of young people from the entire Salesian province, ended with the Te Deum, the blessing of the newly ordained priests and a photo session.

Families, invitees and guests continued their socializing with a joint lunch.

It should be noted that this is first priestly ordination in history that was held in the parish of Žepče, where the only Salesian community in Bosnia and Herzegovina operates as part of the Don Bosco Catholic School Centre.

New priests

Newly ordained priests are: rev. Mislav Alerić (Parish of the Holy Spirit from Slavonski Brod), rev. Marko Majić-Mazul (Parish of Bl. Alojzija Stepinac from Zadar), rev. Danijel Nejašmić (Parish of St. John the Baptist, Trstenik - Split) and rev. Vinko Rogalo (parish of the Holy Family, Kupres).