Christmas Eve Mass Held in Sarajevo Cathedral with Numerous Faithful

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A vigil Mass was held in the Sarajevo Cathedral “Sacred Heart of Jesus” ahead of the biggest Christian holiday of Christmas, when Catholics celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Mass was led by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna and President of the Bishops' Conference of BiH, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, and a special sermon was delivered by the Coadjutor Archbishop of Vrhbosna and Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate in BiH, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić.

He called on everyone to pray for those in need of prayer, to pray for them tonight, that the newborn king may grant them inner comfort, strength, and true hope in life.

"Therefore, let us repent for our sins so that we may offer this Christmas Mass with a contrite heart and living faith," said Cardinal Puljić.

During the introductory rites, after greeting the faithful, Cardinal Puljić invited believers to acknowledge their sinfulness and ask God for mercy.

He thanked everyone who sent Christmas greetings to the faithful from BiH and the world, including religious officials, scientists, and politicians.

The Coadjutor Archbishop of Vrhbosna and Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate in BiH, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, stated that Jesus has shown every person the greatness and strength of inner spiritual peace with oneself, within one's own conscience, thoughts, and life, and thus with God.

"The peace that the Christian faith proclaims, and which all of Jesus' disciples are called to live, is not merely a matter of their individual intimacy and personal feelings, but this peace, achieved on a personal spiritual and psychological level, becomes the foundation and means for contributing to the building of social peace and glory," stated Msgr. Vukšić.

According to him, the means and ways to build and maintain social peace according to biblical teaching are humility as a basic attitude, gentleness towards others, patience with everyone, concrete life and actions worthy of the calling to which we are called, love as a rule in relation to others, noble intentions and noble actions, unity in intentions that should be shaped by the bond of peace.

Wishing all Christian believers a happy and blessed feast of the birth of Jesus, Msgr. Vukšić invited everyone to unite in love, to unite with all peacemakers in order to pray for and build peace.

In the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christmas and Holy Masses will be celebrated on December 25th in parish and monastery churches.