The Holy Mass was concelebrated by eight priests with the Cardinal, including the Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, with the assistance of two deacons, and the presence of the faithful, among whom were nuns from several societies, as well as theologians.

At the beginning of the Holy Mass, cardinal Vinko greeted, welcomed and reminded that on this day in 1992, Stepinčevo was celebrated for the first time in the cathedral. “He was still not beatified at the time, but we just wanted to become aware of who lived with us and for us”, he said.

In his homily, he first reminded that on the occasion of receiving the ordain from the President of the Republic of Croatia, he said that three characters inspired him and were role models in his pastoral path: God’s servant Josip Stadler, Bl. Alojzije Stepinac, God’s servant Franjo Kuharić, and then presented some stories from the life of Bl. Stepinac “who is, not only the moral vertical of the Church and the Croatian people, but a brave witness to the faith and a lasting guidepost of life”. „Bl. Alojzije was a tried and tested witness to the faith and steadfast in the ministry of proclaiming the Gospel. He filled it with his suffering for the Church. He sealed his message of faith with death. Before the shameful trial, he bravely stood up as a dignified witness to the truth and a clear conscience. So he could say at the end of the trial, ‘And as for me and my trial, I don't need mercy, my conscience is clear.' What encouraged me with Bl. Stepinac in his trial, was his dignified attitude despite deep humiliation, ordered insults. I witnessed his beatification in Marija Bistrica on October 3^rd, 1998, when my tears started with gratitude to God for experiencing this”, recalled the Cardinal who, as he said, was especially encouraged by Stepinac's sermon in the Zagreb Cathedral on October 25^th, 1942 .

I do not understand the leaders of the Church who persistently spread the untruth about the silence of Bl. Stepinac, and they were silent while they were killing us and doing so many massacres. They did not condemn with a single word, they even called it God’s work, that they destroyed so many churches and expelled us”, said, among other things, cardinal Vinko.

The Cathedral Choir Josip Stadler, under the direction of rev. Marko Stanušić animated the celebration, and the faithful had the opportunity for holy confession before and during the Holy Mass.