In the parish church of St. Elijah the Prophet in Bosansko Grahovo, a prayerful remembrance was held on July 30th for the killed parish priest, rev. Juraj Gospodnetić, and the faithful, on the occasion of the 83rd anniversary of their suffering.
On this occasion, the Banja Luka bishop, Msgr. Franjo Komarica, celebrated Holy Mass in concelebration with the parish priest, rev. Davor Klečina.
At the beginning, Father Davor recalled the suffering of the young priest Juraj Gospodnetić, who was taken from the parish house by Chetniks on July 27th, 1941, cruelly tortured, and then killed. He also mentioned the Stipan and Ana Barać family, who, along with eight minor children, were entirely exterminated. He also mentioned the total number of 220 killed parishioners.
In his sermon, Bishop Komarica reminded that “the destiny of Jesus’ faithful Christians is inseparably linked with the destiny of Jesus Christ, both in good and in evil.” He mentioned the importance of remembrance and the annual commemoration in Grahovo for the priest and numerous slain parishioners.
At the end of the Holy Mass, Bishop Komarica prayed for all the deceased in front of the old memorial plaques at the bottom of the parish church, and Father Klečina announced that starting next year, the prayer for all those who suffered during the annual memorial service will take place in front of the new commemorative monument built in the courtyard behind the parish church.
KT
