In the churches of the city of Banja Luka, Thanksgiving celebrations were celebrated in the evening of New Year’s Eve, while day or evening masses were celebrated on the feast of Mother of God, on January 1st.
In the Central Parish Church of the Visitation of the BVM, Holy Mass was traditionally led by bishop Franjo Komarica, with concelebration of the parish priest and dean Žarko Vladislav Ošap and the rector of the cathedral, venerable Pero Ivan Grgić. In his sermon, the bishop invited those present for a brief examination of conscience – what they had received “from the Giver of all good” and how grateful they were for it.
In the end, they all sang together the praise song You God we praise.
On New Year’s Day, January 1st, and the Feast of Mary Mother of God, the Auxiliary bishop Msgr. Marko Semren, led a Holy Mass in the cathedral, and in the parish church of Marija Zvijezda the Holy Mass was traditionally led by Bishop Komarica.
In his sermon, he outlined the main emphasis of the Pope’s message for the 53rd World Peace Day: Peace as a path of hope – dialogue, reconciliation and ecological conversion.
During the Eucharist, the bishop blessed the restored image of Our Lady of Angels.
After the Holy Mass there was a socialising with singing Christmas carols and brotherly dining.
