Sarajevo: meeting of the ‘Under Ten’ friars of the Conference of St Jerome

From the 17th to 19th September 2026, the Franciscan Theological Faculty and the Convent of St Paul in Sarajevo hosted a meeting of the Under Ten OFM friars, attended by around sixty friars from all the Franciscan Provinces of the Conference of St Jerome. 

The gathering was conceived as a time of fellowship, listening, and sharing, offering friars in the first ten years of their religious life a space to reflect on their journey, discuss their experiences and look to the future with greater awareness. The chosen theme, ‘The first ten years: realities, expectations, moments of crisis’, guided the activities toward personal and communal reflection, fraternal life, Franciscan identity, and discernment. 

The meeting began on Thursday, the 17th September, with the participants' arrival, followed by Vespers and a communal dinner. During the evening programme, Br. Siniša Balajić, Minister of the Province of the Most Holy Redeemer (Croatia), presented the meeting's theme and programme. This was followed by a session for the friars to introduce themselves to one another, allowing them to get to know each other and share their experiences from the start. 

Friday began with the celebration of the Eucharist and the prayer of Lauds. Before the presentations began, Br. Konrad Cholewa, Definitor/s General, greeted the participants, having travelled from Rome to be present for this important occasion of fellowship and fraternity. Br. Konrad also read out a message from the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, addressed to the young friars gathered in Sarajevo. The message was a significant sign of solidarity and encouragement from the General Government of the Order to the friars in the early years of their Franciscan journey. 

The first reflection, presented by Br. Josip Vlašić (Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Bosnia and Herzegovina), was on the theme ‘Who am I today as a friar?’ Starting from the relationship between ideals, reality and personal history, the participants were invited to reflect anew on their vocational journey and to consider the person and the Friars they have become over the years. The reflection continued through group work, during which participants shared experiences, questions, and insights.

The second presentation, given by Br Danijel Nikolić (Province of the Holy Cross – Bosnia and Herzegovina), addressed the theme ‘A fraternity that supports – a fraternity that can become a burden’. The reflection focused on the day-to-day life of the fraternities, fraternal relationships, the relationship with authority and obedience, as well as experiences of loneliness and a sense of belonging. This session was followed by group work and a plenary session, during which participants shared the insights that had emerged from their discussions. 

In the afternoon, the friars learned about Sarajevo, its history, and its unique religious and cultural heritage. The tour included visits to the old town, the Franciscan Convent of St Anthony in Bistrik, the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Old Orthodox Church, and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Visiting these places of worship allowed them to rediscover Sarajevo as a city where, throughout its history, different religious and cultural traditions have come together and coexisted. 

The day drew to a close with communal prayer, supper, and a convivial evening filled with conversation, testimonies, and questions. In a simple, family-like atmosphere, the friars shared their experiences of religious life, the joys and difficulties of their vocational journey, and the challenges of serving within the Franciscan fraternity. 

Saturday, the 19th September, was devoted to discernment and looking to the future. The concluding reflection, presented by Br. Kristijan Stipanović (Province of the Most Holy Redeemer – Croatia), was entitled ‘How to move forward? Remaining, growing, asking for help’. At the heart of the meeting was the question of what every friar needs today to remain faithful to his vocation, to continue to grow as a person and spiritually, and to recognise, when necessary, the possibility of asking for help. The group also identified possible steps, both personal and communal, to continue the journey with greater awareness and responsibility. 

The meeting concluded with the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Monsignor Miro Relota, OFM, Military Ordinary for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and concelebrated by Brother Zdravko Dadić, Minister of the Province of the Holy Cross, and the other participants. 

The days spent in Sarajevo gave the Under Ten friars precious time for fellowship and sharing. The frank discussion about their experiences during the early years of religious life enabled them to recognise not only the expectations and difficulties but also the experiences of grace and growth that accompany the Franciscan journey. 

Through prayer, listening to one another, group work, the celebration of the Eucharist, and informal moments of fellowship, the gathering fostered deeper mutual understanding and reminded them of the importance of walking together, supporting one another in fidelity to the Gospel and to one’s Franciscan vocation. 

The experience in Sarajevo thus represents a further step on the path towards communion amongst the Provinces of the Conference of St Jerome and encourages the young friars to continue to live out the call they have received with confidence, freedom, and responsibility. 

Br. Danijel Nikolić, OFM

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