In Medjugorje the final celebration of the Franciscan Jubilee

On Saturday, September 5, in Medjugorje, the final celebration of the Franciscan Jubilee took place on the occasion of the Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis. Members of the Franciscan Order of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Franciscan nuns, members of the Secular Franciscan Order, young people of the Franciscan Youth and numerous pilgrims participated.

The day opened with the greeting of the parish priest of Medjugorje, Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić, and with the catechesis of Fr. Ante Vučković on the theme "The Lord has given us brother Francis". On behalf of the Council of the Franciscan Communities, Br. Zdravko Dadić, Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Province of the Holy Cross Bosna Srebrena, invited the Franciscan Family to live the Jubilee as an opportunity for renewed loyalty to the vocation and testimony of the Gospel.

"May this Jubilee not stop us only at the memory, but may it awaken in us a new zeal for Christ, a renewed fidelity to the vocation and the courage to witness the Gospel. In a world where there is a lack of peace, communion and hope, the Franciscan family continues to be a recognizable sign of peace, fraternity, simplicity and love for every person and for the whole creature," said Br. Zdravko Dadić

The Holy Mass was presided over by the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM, and concelebrated by 184 priests. In his homily, the Minister General recalled the theme of mercy as a key to reading the path of St. Francis: to receive mercy, to live mercy and to return mercy.

Commenting on the evangelical image of the sentry, Br. Massimo recalled mutual responsibility: "The sentinel is not the one who watches to judge, but the one who watches so that his brother does not get lost". He therefore recalled Francis' encounter with the lepers and the words of the Testament, emphasizing how mercy describes not only what Francis does towards the other, but also what God works in him.

The Minister General also recalled the secular presence of the Friars Minor in the region: "The Friars Minor have remained next to the people: guardians of the faith and announcers of the Gospel". Looking at the wounds left by war in families, in memory and in relations between peoples, he indicated in reconciliation and peace a concrete task entrusted to the Franciscan Family.

"We have received mercy. We return mercy. We received peace. Let's bring peace," concluded Br. Massimo, recalling the greeting of St. Francis, "May the Lord give you peace", and inviting all to bring the greeting to fraternities, families and among the peoples of the region.

At the end of the Mass, the film "The Lord has given us brother Francis - from Assisi to the Croatian regions" was screened, followed by a concert by the Franciscan choir conducted by Fr. Ante Vukoja. The day ended with the Eucharistic adoration.