Eucharist at the beginning of the Week of Solidarity and Communion with the Church and the People of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, March 3rd, in the parish of St. Joseph in Prijedor was celebrated by the new bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Željko Majić, and the sermon was delivered by the president of Croatian Caritas, Bishop of Varaždin, Msgr. Bože Radoš.
The motto of this year’s Solidarity Week is Solidarity in ten words.
The concelebrants included, among others: the director of Croatian Caritas OFM Tomislav Glavnik, the directors of Caritas BiH Msgr. Tomo Knežević, Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, rev. Mirko Šimić, rev. Ante Pavlović of Caritas of Herzegovina’s dioceses, and parish priest rev. Marko Vidović.
The Director of Caritas of the Banja Luka Diocese, Msgr. Miljenko Aničić, before the start of the Holy Mass, greeted those present, especially the new bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Majić, who visited Prijedor for the first time as a bishop, and any of the parishes in general. He thanked everyone who helps the Church and people in Bosnia and Herzegovina through Croatian Caritas and greeted Caritas representatives from Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.
Introducing into the Holy Mass, greetings were given by Msgr. Majić, noting that the day Solidarity Week begins is also Solidarity Sunday in BiH, when parishes from BK BiH help each other. He pointed out that the Week of Solidarity is not only a period for helping, but also recognizing Jesus in those who are in need.
In the sermon, Msgr. Radoš first addressed the new bishop of Banja Luka and reminded him that after priestly ordination, a young mass is held. He said that this was “bishop’s young mass” and mentioned that Msgr. Majić was the director of Caritas of the Herzegovina dioceses and “knows well what acts of love are”.
“The one who does acts of love always comes as the one whom God sends and speaks in the name of the Lord”, said the bishop of Varaždin, reminding that Lent is a time of grace and salvation. He informed that the Church in Croatia wants to follow the Church and the people in BiH and to feel the pulse of faith and give gifts. “We want to travel, learn, grow with you. Lent is a time of cleansing, a time when God wants to heal our wounds. This is the period in which you should open your heart and interior. This time heals every heart disease”, said Msgr. Radoš and also spoke about how God gives certain “medicines” that can be used during Lent.
“The ‘prescription’ says which medicines we need to take in order to be healthy. Sin is a disease of the heart and no one else can cure it but love. Medicines are prayer, fasting and good deeds. God is the one who heals us with these medicines”, said the bishop, reminding that those who have less during Lent become a guide for the growth of solidarity and togetherness. “We cannot travel as individuals through the desert. The one who travels through the desert alone, has no goal, cannot reach the goal, often goes around in circles”, pointed out Msgr. Radoš, reminding that “the Lord offers us the medicine of goodness – to do good deeds so that He will heal us and so that we can, healed on Easter, glorify the One who is our medicine and the One who is the doctor of our soul”.
At the end of the Holy Mass, words of greeting were given by the parish priest, and Msgr. Majić encouraged Caritas employees and others not to tire of doing good.
Let’s remind you that during this year’s action, all parish communities throughout Croatia prayed together and donated in various ways through Croatian Caritas for the most needy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
By the way, the Week of Solidarity and Unity with the Church and the People of Bosnia and Herzegovina lasts until March 10th this year. The action has been organized and implemented since 2007, and its goal is spiritual connection and the realization of unity, and help to the most needy and vulnerable in BiH through structural and project assistance to Caritas in BiH: Caritas of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Caritas of Vrhbosna Archdiocese, Caritas of Dioceses of Mostar-Duvno and Trebinje-Mrkan and Caritas of Diocese of Banja Luka.
The believers in BiH also have their own action called Solidarity Sunday in BiH, which is also held on the Third Sunday of Lent. On this Sunday in all parishes, only the solidarity collection is collected, and the contributions are delivered to the diocesan treasurers and are a support for the parish communities, which in war and post-war times have become the remains of the remains in terms of the number of believers.
KT
