CATHOLIC FACULTY OF THEOLOGY DAY CELEBRATED

On Monday, October 20, the Catholic Faculty of Theology of the University of Sarajevo celebrated its patron Saint Luke and its day with a Eucharistic celebration and a solemn academy.

The Holy Mass in the Sarajevo Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated by the Grand Chancellor of this higher education institution, Archbishop Metropolitan of Vrhbosna, Mons. Tomo Vukšić, concelebrating with about 20 priests, among whom were the Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, Fra Zdravko Dadić, the Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in BiH, Mons. Javier Camañes-Forés, and the Dean of the Catholic Faculty of Theology, Prof. Dr. Rev. Mario Bernadić, who, in his introduction, thanked all the celebrants.

At the beginning of his homily, the Archbishop referred to a passage from Luke’s Gospel (10:1-9), about the occasion when the disciples asked Jesus to destroy a village in Samaria, which was hostile to them. He explained how Jesus used this opportunity to give them lessons on the demanding requirements of the apostolic calling. He also interpreted how every time and every society and their circumstances are the times and places to which Jesus’ disciples are sent and to which they must come to proclaim and bear witness – and every calling of theirs is an honorable way and opportunity to fulfill that mission.

“Furthermore, academically educated members of God’s people, as well as those on the path of such upbringing and education, are not only a very important part of Jesus’ plan, but more is rightly expected of them. May Saint Luke be an example and intercessor for all of you – professors, educators, priestly candidates of our three seminaries (archdiocesan, Franciscan, Neocatechumenal) and lay students – Jesus’ disciples sent to this city today,” Mons. Vukšić encouraged them, telling them to be open and inclusive, patient and understanding towards one another, also because they come from different nations, languages, races, continents, and cultures. “And through this breadth, you are a visible sign of Catholic breadth and universality in this city,” the preacher concluded.

The Mass celebration was animated by the Choir of Theologians of the Vrhbosna Theological Seminary under the direction of Prof. Dr. Rev. Ivan Rako.

Master’s Promotion and Farewell to Prof. Jurišić

After the Eucharist in the Sarajevo Cathedral, a solemn academy followed in Paul VI Hall of the Catholic Faculty of Theology (KBF), which traditionally began with the singing of the anthem Gaudemaus igitur performed by the Choir of Theologians of the Vrhbosna Theological Seminary (VBS). At the beginning of his address, Dean Dr. Bernadić greeted those present and then presented the work of the Catholic Faculty of Theology (KBF) in the past year: “The Faculty organized several important scientific conferences: the International Scientific Symposium Responsibility for the Created World, the First European Workshop on Confronting the Violent Past of Bosnia and Herzegovina – a contribution to dialogue and a culture of listening and solidarity (in cooperation with the Maximilian-Kolbe-Foundation), and the Second European Summer School of Interreligious Studies and Peacebuilding. In addition, we co-organized several international scientific symposia,” said the Dean, and particularly highlighted publishing, stating that two new titles were published by the Faculty this year: Sović’s Hebrew Grammar, by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dubravka Turalija, and Spiritual Theology: Understanding and Practice, by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Drago Župarić. He also noted that professors of the Catholic Faculty of Theology (KBF) had published books with other publishing houses.

He also emphasized that the Faculty successfully continued the implementation of several key projects and highlighted two: The project of entering library materials into the COBISS system – with the help of Renovabis – is entering its final phase. All library materials will be completed in the COBISS system. This was followed by short addresses from Provincial Dadić, Mons. Vukšić, in his role as Grand Chancellor of the Catholic Faculty of Theology (KBF), and the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk. After the welcoming speeches, a retirement ceremony was held for the long-serving professor and first Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Mons. Pavo Jurišić, whose life journey was spoken about by Prof. Dr. Darko Tomašević, and the Charter of Gratitude was presented to him by Dean Bernadić. Professor Jurišić, who spent 33 years at the Catholic Faculty of Theology (KBF), thanked the Dean and his colleagues for the warm farewell.

After the musical interlude, the promotion of Masters of Theology followed. Those promoted were: Marko Ljubić, Miroslav Petrić, and Dario Adžić. On behalf of the newly promoted Masters, Dario Adžić thanked the professors and mentors.

Awards for the Best

Then, the Dean’s Award for Best Achievement was presented to Nikolina Jukić, a student who, in the past academic year 2024/2025, passed all exams of the fourth year of study, achieving a GPA of 9.64. And for the fourth time! The Dean’s Award for the best student written/scientific paper in the past academic year 2024/2025 was awarded to Dario Adžić, who wrote his paper, titled The Place of Pneumatology in the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger, under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hrvoje Kalem.

Awards for non-teaching staff for exceptional dedication to work, presented to Faculty employees who particularly distinguish themselves by the quality, creativity, accuracy, and scope of their work results, were awarded to: Barnard Vasilj, Josip Večerko, and Sanja Bajkuša.

Certificates of Appreciation for exceptional contribution to the Faculty’s operation and reputation – for the initiative to join the Franciscan Theology in Sarajevo with the Catholic Faculty of Theology – were awarded to Mons. Tomo Vukšić and the Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, Fra Zdravko Dadić.

The academy concluded with a traditional group photo of the Masters of Theology, the Grand Chancellor, the Provincial, the Rector, the Dean, and the Vice-Deans.

Text: Josip Vričko

Photo: Miroslav Gracić, Catholic Weekly