In the concelebration with the archbishop were the parish priest Don Davor Topić and the archbishop’s secretary Don Josip, and the mass was also attended by the Federal Minister of Justice Vedran Škobić, reports KTA.
The archbishop’s wish was to meet the prisoners at the beginning of the liturgical season of Advent and encourage them and wish them a blessed spiritual journey towards the celebration of Christmas.
At the beginning of the mass celebration, words of greeting and welcome were said by one of the prisoners.
– Father Archbishop Tomo, we would like to extend a warm welcome to you at this time of Advent. We also want you to know that your visit to us, who are in this place, which is neither honorable nor beautiful, means a lot, and especially that you do not forget us and give the strength of faith in this trial of life to become better believers and better people – he said.
In the sermon, Msgr. Vukšić emphasized the spiritual meaning of the time of Advent and encouraged those gathered to renew their faith and convert.
– Dear brothers, we are in the time of Advent when we are expecting Christmas in faith, the celebration of Christ’s birth. Apart from Christmas being a holiday of arrival, it is also a holiday of meeting. Christmas is God’s arrival among people, that is its content. God wants to meet us in our conversion. It is true that becoming better, like God, is demanding, but possible. Let’s remember that repentant convert on the cross next to Jesus, as well as many events from the life of the gospel, including workers of the last hour. Many do not understand this, but God’s love is immeasurable for every human being – said Archbishop Vukšić.
On this occasion, Archbishop Vukšić met with Federal Minister of Justice Vedran Škobić, director of the Zenica Penitentiary Rusmir Isak and deputy director Ivica Dujmović.
During the visit, the archbishop, together with the minister and the prison administration, visited the “Carving Center”, which operates in several organized sections and where the method of rehabilitation through artistic expression is applied.
After getting acquainted with this creative activity within the prison walls, they also visited the areas where, during the previous regimes, prisoners were tortured – the second pavilion known as “Staklara” and the basement area called “Isusovača”.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
