The meeting began with a Eucharistic celebration led by the canon of the Vrhbosna Chapter and rector of the cathedral, Rev. Marko Zubak, and was attended by about 150 singers gathered in eight groups.

Music as Prayer

At the beginning of the sermon entitled Let God Be First, Rev. Zubak said that all the gathered believers: organists, choirmasters, psalmists, singers have their place in the divine liturgy, but that is not the first place because it is occupied by God and His work of salvation. "This basic postulate is the foundation of our gathering today in this holy jubilee year. This year's jubilee meeting inspires us in both our thoughts and our actions that in the holy liturgy God is the One who acts first, and we, in faith, open ourselves to His action. This means that music becomes prayer, and our heart and voice, uniting, expand and realize the divine presence", said the rector of the cathedral, further emphasizing that the special characteristic that should characterize musical servants is self-giving and a humble desire for God himself to be glorified, and therefore serious preparation, regular and complete surrender, not to the conductor, but to the Lord himself, is important.

He then concluded that the foundation of the Christian ministry is the dignity of the baptism they received, and through it they became partakers of Christ's priestly, prophetic, and royal ministry. "Through the priestly ministry, we offer our whole life to God as a spiritual sacrifice pleasing to Him. And through the prophetic ministry, which is in great crisis today, we become channels for God's Truth, which we proclaim through music and, like St. John the Baptist, we are sometimes called to proclaim publicly, but primarily through our testimony. We are prophets in our midst! We are also participants in the royal ministry, and it is most evident in our participation in the sacrifice of Christ. Out of love for God and people, our sacrifice is reflected in joyful service that bears within itself a lasting seal of perseverance. We all lack this", Rev. Zubak reminded us.

The Crisis of Faith

He then spoke about the current crisis in the Church, which is based on faith. "The crisis of the Church stems from the crisis of the liturgy, our wrong understanding, and then also of action and living. The musical servant today is exposed to a multitude of different influences. I will list just a few. Some would like to sing songs of popular piety in the divine (not human!) liturgy, others to sing songs of charismatic orientation, still others of Marian spirituality and other inclinations. In all of this, the minister must be very brave and not give up on what goes beyond him, which is liturgical spirituality that is manifested in hymns, psalms, hymns, the Word of God, spiritual songs based on the Mystery. There is no deviation from this (…) Every work must have its place, because otherwise every celebration will not provide the uniqueness of God's work of salvation and its realization", concluded the preacher.

Finally, on behalf of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Metropolitan Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, thanked the choir members for their perseverance and contribution to the realization of the divine liturgy in the churches and parishes of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna.

The Holy Mass celebration was animated by the Josip Stadler Cathedral Mixed Choir under the direction of Rev. Marko Stanušić

Appropriate concert

After the end of the Holy Mass and after a short break, a concert of spiritual music followed, during which eight choirs honoured those present with performances of 16 polyphonic or Gregorian chants. The program was led by sister Rahela Brkić.

The first choir to perform was the Bl. Marija Petković from the parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Uskoplje, under the direction of sister Renata Lizatović, with the performances O da bude radost (Oh may there be joy) and Prinosimo ti Gospodine (We give to you Lord), followed by the following choirs with performances: The Parish Choir of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Sarajevo, under the direction of sister Petronila Kovačević – Ponizno se teb’ klanjamo (We humbly bow before you) and Na gozbu Kralja Jaganjca (At the Feast of the King the Lamb), the Choir of the parish of St. Elijah the Prophet Novi Šeher led by Katarina Perković – Oče naš dobri I Marijo svibnja Kraljice (Our Good Father and Mary, Queen of May), the Choir of the Parish of St. Anthony from Bugojno conducted by sister Auksilija Milić – Majko, Divo (Mother, Wonderful) and Ovo je dan (This is the Day), the Choir of the Parish of St. Anthony Žepče led by sister Jelena Lončar – Marijo, slatko ime (Mary, Sweet Name) and Sveti Anto (Saint Anthony), the Choir of the Parish of St. Michael from Vareš led by sister Ružica Marijić – Ovaj kruh I ovo vino (This Bread and This Wine) and Mir svoj, o Bože (Peace, oh God), the Choir of the Parish of St. John the Baptist from Lug-Brankovići with conductor Jelica Filipović – O dušo naših hrano (Oh food of our soul) and Čuj vruću molbu – Gospi od zdravlja (Hear the Hot Prayer – Our Lady of Health), and the last to perform were members of the Josip Stadler Cathedral Mixed Choir from Sarajevo conducted by Rev. Marko Stanušić – Tu es Petrus and Panis angelicus.

After a short address by Rev. Stanušić, Rev. Zubak presented certificates of appreciation to the choir leaders, followed by a joint photo session and socializing at the Vrhbosna Theological Seminary.