Despite the worsening epidemiological situation in BiH caused by the coronavirus, the Day of Prayer Remembrance for the martyrs and victims of the Banja Luka Diocese was held in Drvar for the 19th time on July 27th.
Prayer meeting in the temporary worship space of the parish of St. Joseph began with the devotion of the Way of the Cross of the Martyrs, led by the parish priest of Banja Luka, rev. Žarko Vladislav Ošap, followed by a Holy Mass celebration led by the Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica, with whom five priests concelebrated.
At the beginning of the Holy Mass, parish priest rev. Davor Klečina presented the great suffering of the Catholic Church and the Croatian people in western Bosnia and Eastern Lika, which began in World War II. on July 27th 1941., with the murder of Drvar parish priest Waldemar Maksimilijan Nestor and pilgrims, culminating in the following days and weeks. It is a historical fact that by the end of World War II the Catholic Church and Croats were literally eradicated from that wide area – from Ključ to Knin, and from Livno to Bihać and Gospić, and so on for the next 50 years, until the end of the last war when a mild recovery happened.
The parish priest also pointed out that three neighbouring parish priests, Waldemar Maksimilijan Nestor from Drvar, Juraj Gospodnetić from Grahovo and Krešimir Barišić from Krnjeuša, were first martyr-priests at the head of a large column – more than 600 priests, monks, nuns, theologians and seminarians who were killed and suffered in World War II. and the post war period in the former state.
In his sermon, Bishop Komarica pointed out that the true meaning of earthly life, man’s personal history, the history of Christianity and the history of the Church, with all the joyful events as well as dramatic sufferings, should be viewed under the aspect of eternity.
“Relying on their steady faith in Christ and the law of his gospel, they testify that good is stronger than evil, that love is stronger than hatred, that forgiveness is stronger than revenge”, the bishop continued, concluding that truth and justice still succeed to make a path to definitive victory.
Concluding the sermon, he called on the faithful to always walk the path of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, and to pray for the conversion of those who do evil and injustice.
The nuns, Servants of the Little Jesus, from the monastery in Žabljak near Livno sang during the Holy Mass, and this year – due to the current situation – there were significantly fewer believers, especially pilgrims from the Republic of Croatia. Nevertheless, about 60 believers who arrived from Bosansko Grahovo, Livno region, Zagreb and Drvar were present at the Holy Mass. Among the government representatives at the commemoration was the Prime Minister of Hercegbosna County, Ivan Jozić.
At the end of Holy Mass, in front of the memorial cross to the fallen Croatian defenders, the delegation laid wreaths and lit candles, and Bishop Komarica prayed Prayer for the dead for all the victims.
Let us remind that this memorial day was introduced in 2001. and was called the Day of the Martyrs of Drvar – in memory of the Drvar parish priest Waldemar Maksimilijan Nestor, who was brutally killed on July 27th 1941., together with a group of believers who were returning from the pilgrimage to St. Anna in Knin – and since 2008., by the decree of Bishop Franjo, the commemoration has been called the Day of Prayer Remembrance of the Martyrs and Victims of the Banja Luka Diocese, and has thus become a diocesan commemoration.
KT
www.nedjelja.ba
Drvar – July 28, 2020
