Banja Luka, June 12, 2003 (IKA) – The Holy Mass at which Pope John Paul II will beatify the Venerable Ivan Merz will begin at 11:30 a.m., June 22, in the Franciscan monastery complex of Petrićevac in Banja Luka, according to an announcement from the General Secretariat of the Church Organizing Committee for the Preparations for the Second Apostolic Visit by the Holy Father to Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to the schedule, that has been posted on the Internet page for the Pope’s visit (www.papaubih.ba), the Pope is expected to arrive at the airport in Banja Luka on June 22 at 9:40 a.m., when there will be a formal welcoming ceremony. At 10 a.m., a meeting between the Holy Father and the members of the collective Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina is planned, and at 10:30 a.m. the Pope will depart for the monastery of the Holy Trinity, greeting assembled believers. The Mass for the beatification of the Servant of God Ivan Merz will begin at 11:30 a.m. At 2:30 p.m., a luncheon is planned for the Holy Father, the Bosnian-Herzegovian bishops, and the cardinals and bishops of the Pope’s entourage. At 5:30 p.m., the Pope will receive a courtesy call from the Presidents of the Bosnian-Herzegovian entities and the members of the Inter-Religious Council of Bosnia-Herzegovina. At 6:30 p.m., the Pope is scheduled to make a private visit to the cathedral in Banja Luka. The formal farewell ceremony for the Pope will be held at 6:45 p.m. at the airport.
The area where the Mass is to be held at the monastery of Petrićevac will be open to pilgrims at 3 a.m., and pilgrims should arrive on the premises prior to 9 a.m. Only persons with tickets will be admitted to the liturgical area. The celebration of the Mass will be preceded by an introductory program that begins at 8 a.m. At the entrance to the liturgical area, each pilgrim will receive a liturgical guide and the Papal flag without charge.
On the official Internet page of the Pope’s visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, there is information and an accreditation form for journalists wishing to cover the Pope’s visit. Accreditation forms should be faxed to 00 387 33 206 562. All pilgrims wishing to attend the beatification of the Venerable Ivan Merz and the Pontifical Mass in Banja Luka can contact the General Secretariat of the Church Commission via e-mail: ordinar@inecco.net or bbiskupija@inecco.net, or they can telephone 00 387 51 319 212 or 00 387 51 304 993.
The web page also contains information on the future blessed one, Ivan Merz, the Catholic Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the government authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and news and useful information for pilgrims and journalists.