The Eucharist was led by the retired Archbishop of Vrhbosna, cardinal Vinko Puljić together with the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Metropolitan Msgr. Tom Vukšić. About 20 priests concelebrated, among whom were the charge d'affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in BiH, Msgr. Amaury Medina Blanco and the Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić.

Bread is an everyday food

Welcoming those present at the beginning, cardinal Puljić reminded of the importance of the Lord’s Supper Holy Mass when the Eucharist is established and the priestly order. Congratulating all the presbyters on this date, he encouraged them to boldly bear witness to the faith and persevere in their vocation. He wished the faithful to continue to have the joy of faith.

His occasional and mosaic sermon, cardinal Puljić began with a parable about people who keep photos of their dead, most often their parents, or those with whom they lived and who are dear to them, in their hearts, wallets and houses. He pointed out that this image is a “connection” and reminded that Jesus wanted to remain present among those he loved and therefore chose, not the image, but to be present in the occasion of bread and wine.

“We wonder why bread? Whatever food we eat, we get tired quickly, but a popular proverb says: ‘If you have any bread, do not be afraid of any guest’. Bread is everyday food. It is in it, that Jesus chose to stay with us to be close to us. First to feed us spiritually, and then so we can live the redemption. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist we present the work of redemption and salvation”, the archbishop in peace said, noting that the Church calls for repentance before taking communion.

Symbolism of humility

He further explained how Jesus washed the feet of the apostles on Holy Thursday, which is actually a symbol of service and a sign of humility and love. “Whenever we approach the mystery of the Eucharist, we should have a spirit of humility, love and readiness to serve, because the Eucharist builds communion”, he said, noting that there should be pure souls in this act. He explained that dirty hands do not go to the table where one eats, and emphasized that “the holiest bread cannot be eaten without a pure soul”.

“Celebrating this Holy Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Church wants to awaken in us the faith and awareness of the great gift of grace that we can be united with Jesus and take him into our lives (...) May this feast of the Lord’s Supper, awaken in all of us greater dignity of the holiness in this time of secularism and relativism, let us not become more secular but understand who and what is holy”, said cardinal Puljić and also reminded that Holy Thursday is an excellent time to pray especially for all those to whom Jesus entrusted the transformation of bread into his body so that people who are dedicated to this act may do so with dignity and holiness.

In the end, he encouraged this Holy Mass to awaken first the dignity of faith, then the feeling of holiness and finally the joy that Jesus trusts people: “Lord, prepare us to receive you with dignity and we thank you sincerely to show that we are yours in our daily lives.”

After the communion, the Holy Mystery was transferred in a procession to the side nave of the cathedral, where the faithful will come on Good Friday and Good Saturday and pray in silence.