Easter Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Gathered Numerous Believers

(Patria) - An Easter liturgy was held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Sarajevo, attended by numerous believers, with the mass led by the Archbishop Metropolitan of Vrhbosna, Tomo Vukšić.

Archbishop Vukšić said that it is God's will for us to be turned towards each other and not to create division.

"Every person can contribute by showing with their example how things should be, we can be a beacon in the darkness on a stormy sea," he said.

In his sermon to the faithful, Vukšić said that Easter, besides being a feast commemorating the most important event in Jesus' life, is also "God's answer to man's desire and natural aspiration to live forever".

He added that every Christian holiday also carries a contemporary message for the society and the moment in which it is celebrated, and so does Easter:

- That as believers, we should notice such signs, read and apply their message, and learn from the messages that God sends us through them. It is good that followers of different religions are fasting and praying these days, thus preparing for the holidays of their faith. This simultaneity of our devotional exercises should not be viewed merely as an ordinary fact to be noted and only as a sympathetic and dear phenomenon, but it is necessary for us as believers to ask ourselves what our dear God wants to tell us at this time and in this region through this sign of simultaneous and strong devotions. Through these exercises, it is undoubtedly clear that we are spiritually close to each other, and that those who perform them are close, if they perform them correctly. This evident spiritual closeness should be recognized as a value and translated into everyday life so that on a social level, in everyday communication, we are close, solidary, humane, noble, generous, especially with those in need," said Vukšić.

All together then recited the "Our Father", and the second part of the Easter liturgy concluded with the "Apostles' Creed".

The third part is the Eucharistic service, during which priests consecrate bread and wine, which then become the body and blood of Christ and are given to the faithful.

After the bread and wine were consecrated, the rite of peace followed, during which believers extend their hands to each other so that they can receive communion.