Diocese’s shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in the parish of Presnače near Banja Luka on May 12th, it was the place to mark the 28th anniversary of the witnessing death of the parish priest, rev. Filip Lukenda and members of the Society of Sisters of Mercy sister Cecilija Grgić.
The Holy Mass was led over by the Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica and during the Eucharist shared the service of lectorate with the theologian of the Banja Luka diocese Mirko Barun, who began his priestly formation in October 2022 in Đakovo. The words of greeting were sent by the parish priest, Msgr. Ivica Bozinović.
The few parishioners were joined by relatives of the murdered sister Cecilija and rev. Filip, as well as numerous sisters of Mercy led by the provincial superior, sister M. Vinka Bilješko.
In the appropriate sermon, Msgr. Komarica, among other things, pointed out that the world rejects Christ and, consequently, his disciples, but “it is up to all of us that their sacrifice bears fruit”.
The liturgy was animated by the Sisters of Charity with organ accompaniment by Sr. M. Julijana Djaković.
Let us remind you that on the night of May 12th, 1995, the parish apartment in Presnače was burned down, where the parish priest, rev. Lukenda and sister Cecilia, and the church was demolished. Unfortunately, so far no one has been held accountable for this crime.
KT
