The solemn Eucharist was led by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Metropolitan Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, President of the Bishops' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In communion with him were: the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and the Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan Msgr. Petar Palić, the Bishop of Banja Luka Msgr. Željko Majić and the Military Ordinary in BiH Msgr. Miro Relota, OFM, who preached. About 15 priests concelebrated, including the Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, and the parish priest of the Kupres parish of the Holy Family, Rev. Jadranko Kurt.

At the beginning of the Holy Mass, Archbishop Vukšić greeted all participants in the celebration of Family Day in Kupres. He recommended all those present, especially families, to the intercession of the Holy Family. "We ask the Holy Family to accompany all of you who live a family life with its intercession so that the dear God may continue to pour out his blessings on each individual in your families and on all families in the world", he encouraged.

Don't forget your elders

The homily was delivered by Msgr. Relota, who especially greeted and thanked the married couples who are celebrating: 25, 50 and 60 years of marriage this year, emphasizing that their years of fidelity are not only their personal joy, but a gift to the entire Church. "You are a living sign that love can last, that a promise made before God can be kept and that through all the storms of life one can stay together", he said.

At the beginning of the homily, the bishop reminded the faithful that the motto of this year's Family Day is Familiy, become what you are, and explained that these are the words of Saint John Paul II. who called in the apostolic exhortation Familiaris consortio: "Familiy, become what you are, believe in what you are."

God's plan

The preacher emphasized that this call resonates especially strongly today because the family is not just one human community. "The family is God's plan. It did not come about solely by human agreement, but is written in the very heart of people. God created people for communion. No one is called to live alone. People need another: a spouse, a parent, a child, a brother, a sister, a friend. In the family, people discover that life is not just about taking, but about giving. The family is the first Church. The first place where man meets God. The first place where they hear prayer. The first place where they learn to forgive, help, share and love", Msgr. Relota reminded. He addressed the elderly in a special way, telling them that they were not forgotten.

"You preserved the faith in difficult times. You prayed when it was not easy. You taught children to cross themselves, go to Holy Mass and respect God's commandments. Today the Church embraces you and thanks you", said Bishop Miro, encouraging young people not to forget their elders. Furthermore, the preacher spoke about how our families have gone through many trials throughout history: wars, persecutions, poverty and departures. In particular, he recalled the times when our people left their homes, villages and homes to earn a living.

Faithfulness – sermon without words

“Even today, many families feel the pain of separation. Many parents have children far away. Many young people are looking for a future outside their homeland. Many homes are not as full as they once were. But history teaches us – a people that preserves their family, their faith and their roots – has a future. That is why today we must not only look at what is missing. We must see what we have; We have parents who sacrifice. We have mothers who pray. We have fathers who work and bear responsibility. We have grandparents who preserve the faith. We have children who are our hope”, Bishop Miro reminded us and at the end he once again expressed his respect for married couples, saying that God is still at work in our families.

“Your silver, golden and diamond anniversaries tell young people: it is worth fighting for love. Your fidelity today is a sermon without words”, said Msgr. Relota.

Baptism of little Gabriel

After the homily, Archbishop Vukšić baptized the son of Antonija and Filip Vrgoč, little Gabriel, who was godfathered by Dragan Turalija.

At the end of the Holy Mass celebration, the parish priest Jadranko thanked everyone who contributed to the organization and preparation of the 9^th Family Day in the parish of Kupres, especially the families who received the guests. Then Bishop Majić, president of the Council for the Laity, Family and Life of the BK BiH, thanked everyone who was involved in the organization of the event, especially the choir from Livno led by sister Blanka Jeličić, who animated the Holy Mass with music.

After praying for the family, Monsignor Vukšić congratulated and blessed the diamond, gold and silver spouses and presented them with jubilee plaques; Cmiljka and Ile Tokić and Zorka and Vjekoslav Bašić celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary. Half a century of marriage was celebrated by: Mirjana and Stipe Karadža, Ivanka and Drago Pehar, Zora and Ivan Tabak, Mara and Pero Filipović, Iva and Marko Grubešić, Ivanka and Stipo Rančić, Ruža and Dominik Čabrić, Mira and Zdenko Knezović, Kristina and Leopold Filipović, and Marica and Branko Kuštro. A quarter of a century of marital union was celebrated by: Ivana and Drago Rimac, Marija and Stipo Vučak, Mira and Marko Jonjić, Sanja and Ivo Mijatović, Ljubica and Branko Stojanović, Dragica and Marinko Jerkić, Ljubica and Anto Lozančić, Željana and Marijo Fabris, Anita and Anto Drinjak, Dragana and Ivo Lasić, Ivanka and Anto Bagarić, Davorka and Petar Matić, Svjetlana and Marijo Pehar, and Marica and Ivan Zadro. Some of the aforementioned spouses, although they had registered to participate, were prevented from attending this Holy Mass.

Beginning of Family Day

The ninth Family Day began on July 25^th in the afternoon in Kupres with the registration of participants. In the Church of the Holy Family, the opening prayer was led by Monsignor Slađan Ćosić. The catechesis entitled Saintly for Marriage and Family was held by Rev. Ante Vrhovac, rector of the Petar Barbarić Archdiocesan Seminary in Travnik and head of the Office for Marriage and Family of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna. The Holy Mass at 6:00 p.m. was led by Monsignor Tomo Vukšić, and the homily was delivered by Bishop Palić.

The last part of the first day's program was a concert of spiritual music, Lord, I Need You, held in the Kupres Cultural Center. Numerous singing groups and individuals performed.