sri, 13. veljače 2019. 08:46
On the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the murder of 66 Herzegovinian Franciscans in the monastery church in Široki Brijeg from February 4th to 7th, the manifestation The IX. days of the killed Herzegovinian Franciscans, was held.
For the first three days, the prayer program began with the rosary prayer, and continued with the celebration of holy mass for the murdered friars and civilians who had been killed by the Yugo-communist authorities in Second World War and after. Through these days, the masses for the dead were led by OFM Ivan Landeka jr., together with the vice-postulator OFM Miljenko Stojić and friars from the monastery in Široki brijeg.
The prayer of the Rosary, reading and singing at the holy masses were done by ministrants, members of the Franciscan Youth, and members of the Franciscan civil Order and Choirs of the parish.
On the anniversary of the murder of 66 Franciscans of Herzegovina and a number of believers, on February 6th, in the morning, in front of the Cross at the Square of the Victims of Široki Brijeg, members of the local city and county authorities, and the associations that came out of the last war, laid down wreaths and lit candles. The Vicepostulator, OFM Miljenko led the prayer for the killed.
On the last day, February 7th, on the anniversary of the murder of the Franciscans in Široki Brijeg, which is also the Day of Remembrance of all the Franciscans of Herzegovina killed in the Second World War and after, the program of commemoration began in the afternoon.
During the prayer, at the war shelter, members of the Frama of Široki Brijeg lit 12 candles in memory of 12 friars who were killed and burned in this shelter.
Then the present, in a procession, went to the monastery church to the tomb where 24 killed friars were buried. The holy mass for the deceased was led by dr. OFM Miljenko Šteko, the provincial of the Franciscans of Hercegovina, together with the general vicar of Hercegovina’s dioceses rev. Željko Majić, vice-postulator OFM Miljenko and about 70 Franciscans of Herzegovina.
The Provincial in his sermon noted that they were gathered together with the feelings of gratitude for the faith and the sacrifice of the killed brothers, but also for all the other brothers and sisters who, as baptized, testified the cross of Christ and thus their suffering was put in the existence of all believers today.
“We seek, with the help of the Vice-postulate, the evidence in truth and bear their memories in the reality of the event, far from all mythologies. As believers, we have been engaged in the celebration of the Eucharist, which is the ‘culmination of the Church's work’, and the source of our faithfulness”, said the provincial, OFM Miljenko.
Singing at the holy mass was led by a great parish choir under the leadership of s. Mira Majić. The Mass reading was read by OFM Rade Dragićević, and the prayer of the faithful was read by the Guardians of the Franciscan monasteries.
At the end of the Mass, General Vicar rev. Željko addressed the audience, who delivered the greetings of the local bishop Ratko Perić and thanked the Vice-postulate for everything it does.
OFM Miljenko Stojić, vice-postulator of the procedure of martyrdom of OFM Leo Petrović and 65 brothers, thanked everyone who helped in any way during these days and throughout the year and briefly presented the work of this Vice-postulate over the past year.
Throughout the four days, the praying program was broadcasted via the Internet, and through radio waves of Radio Široki Brijeg and Radio Marija in BiH and other media throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the Days of the killed Herzegovinian Franciscans, the awards and the plaques were awarded to the most successful in the last year VIII. prize contest on the subject of the murdered Herzegovinian Franciscans. Children, young adults and adults were represented.
Among the adults, the first prize was won by Mirela Lovrić from Široki Brijeg for drama Dide, pobiše nam fratre. The second prize was given to Ante Matić from Zagreb for the story-testimony Mučenička smrt fra Stjepana Naletilića, njegova brata Marijana i Matiše Penavića. The third prize went to Sanijela Matković from Široki Brijeg and piece Riječ bijaše I na kraju.