One of the greatest Catholic holidays, Christmas, was welcomed last night in churches across Bosnia and Herzegovina with midnight masses.
Masses were attended by many believers and religious leaders sent the same messages – that Christmas is a holiday of peace.
Archbishop of Vrhbosna Cardinal Vinko Puljić led the mass in the Sarajevo Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
In his sermon, Cardinal Puljić emphasized the current global issues and suffering of people.
“We live in the time of despair, caught up in the dark of the merciless wars which are led because of interests. Those whose brains have been washed and who are pushed to kill are called terrorists, and those who push them to do such things are even bigger terrorists. Big people who sell small people. The law of God is violated, and they call it democracy,” said Cardinal Puljić, emphasizing that the respect of life is lost because the unborn are killed and the old ones are euthanized.
“We celebrate Jesus because he brings light to life, he retrieves a man’s dignity,” said Cardinal Puljić.
Cardinal Puljić wished that the light of God shines in the hearts of people, in families, and in the world.
The midnight mass was also held in the Franciscan Monastery of the Saint Apostles Peter and Paul in Tuzla.
In the full monastery, the mass was led by the Guardian of the Monastery Friar Mario Divković, who said that Christmas is the day when God showed not only humanity, but also the unlimited love towards people.
With a desire that peace and prosperity follow all believers, Guardian Divković invited all people of good will to nourish friendly relations.
In the Church of the Saint Elias in Zenica, midnight mass was attended by several thousand believers.
The mass was led by the Friar Zdravko Anđić, who said that on the Christmas day the believers must prepare themselves for the arrival of God.
“Tonight we should not think about crisis and hopelessness. We should look forward, to the Christmas,” said Friar Anđić.
Many believers also gathered at the mass in the Church of the Saint Anthony of Padua in Bihać. The mass was led by Friar Bone Tomić, pastor of Bihać, who sent a traditional Christmas message.
“I wish that the God visits everyone’s heart and makes them feel peace and joy of this holiday, together with everything that it brings along,” said Tomić.
(Source: klix.ba)
