This year’s commemoration of Bl. Ivan Merz was commemorated on May 10th in Banja Luka, his hometown, in two places: in the cathedral and in the parish church of Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Holy Mass in the cathedral was led by the native son, the archbishop of Vrhbosna in peace, cardinal Vinko Puljić, in concelebration with the Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica and about 20 priests.
In an appropriate homily, the Cardinal presented the life of this blessed man – from his birth and upbringing in Banja Luka, to his religious and intellectual maturity during the First World War and his service in European cities, and his death.
At the end of the Holy Mss, Bishop Komarica said a prayer to Bl. Ivan in front of his picture and relics. This was followed by a joint photo shoot and refreshments in the courtyard of the cathedral.
In the afternoon, in the parish church of Visitation of BVM, Bishop Komarica led a Holy Mass for the staff and students of the Catholic school centre Bl. Ivan Merz, and also spoke about the historic day when, 20 years ago, St. John Paul II. “raised to the honour of the altar and to the obligation to honour this native of Banja Luka, Bl. Ivan Merz”.
This was followed by a ceremony at the Centre where the bishop addressed those present, thanking God and everyone for the past 18 very successful years of the Centre’s existence and activities.
KT
