The Holy Mass celebration in the evening of May 29^th was led by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna Metropolitan Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, concelebrating with 25 priests, among whom were: Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Acts (PMD) of BiH Msgr. Luka Tunjić, diocesan director of the PMD for the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, OFM Stipan Radić, Archdeacon of Guča Gora, Msgr. Pavo Jurišić and the dean of the Sarajevo KBF rev. Darko Tomašević.

At the beginning, a crowd of believers, who came to see him off in his native parish, were greeted by the parish priest rev. Anto Ledić who briefly presented the rite of receiving of the cross, which, as he explained, is an important event for the entire local Church.

Introducing to the Holy Mass, Archbishop Tomo encouraged everyone to include in their prayers the future missionary Lešić and all those who brought the Gospel of Christ to the regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This thought - about missionaries and missionary mission, Msgr. Vukšić continued in his sermon after the diocesan director of the PMD, OFM Stipan, after the proclaimed gospel, read the biography of rev. Stipica.

After the homily, Msgr. Vukšić said a prayer of blessing of the missionary cross, while the future missionary Stipica knelt in front of the altar.

After the communion prayer, the parish priest Ledić addressed the audience, congratulating rev. Lešić on the “holy courage” to go in the footsteps of the missionaries who proclaim Christ to those who never heard of him. “Surely many are wondering if Stipica will succeed. I am convinced that he will with God's help because, as he himself said on one occasion: ‘We are all missionaries, each in his own way and according to his own circumstances: not because we want it or not, but because of the two most difficult and beautiful commandments of Jesus – love for God and love for the brother man as for himself’”, said pastor Anto and at the same time promised that rev. Stipica will receive prayer and material help from this parish community, where he was born and raised.

Then the national director of PMD, Msgr. Tunjić thanked the pastor Ledić and the mission section of this parish, which, as he mentioned, is among the most active in the Vrhbosna Archdiocese. He also pointed out that missions and missionaries are not “only the past”, but also the future, and mentioned that rev. Stipica is 76^th and also the youngest Croatian missionary.

Finally, rev. Lešić, addressed the present, who first expressed his gratitude to God for the gift of life and the holy vocation, and to his parents and brothers Kristijan and rev. Vedran who is serving in Australia. He then thanked his heavenly patron St. Stephen, asking him to continue to advocate for him to be “full of the Holy Spirit, like him, and to fulfil his missionary vocation as best he can; so if I have to suffer martyrdom for Christ, for the Church I want to serve with all my being”.

“Many asked me how I decided for the mission call and whether I would endure all the difficulties. I ask myself those same questions. I would like to look for the answer in one of the sayings of Bl. Alojzije Stepinac who says: ‘To the one who trusts in Jesus, everything becomes easy.’ I truly trust that Jesus will encourage me and strengthen me on this path with the Holy Spirit”, said the new missionary.

After the final Holy Mass blessing, Archbishop Tomo and the priests present, together with rev. Stipica, this joyful event was immortalized with a photograph in front of the altar.

After the Holy Mass, dinner and socializing was organized in the parish hall, where the song as an integral part of all the joys of the Croats in the Lašva Valley did not miss out, and which will be rev. Stipica take with him to Uganda where he is leaving soon.