Zagreb–Prozorje, 21 June 2026
On Saturday, 20 June 2026, the Archbishop of Zagreb, Msgr. Dražen Kutleša, ordained ten deacons to the priesthood in Zagreb Cathedral. Among them was Fr. Sebastian Slović of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S).
The following day, Sunday 21 June, Fr. Sebastian Slović, C.PP.S, celebrated his First Mass in the Church of the Precious Blood in Prozorje. The occasion was especially meaningful, as the Missionaries of the Precious Blood commemorate their founder, St. Gaspar del Bufalo, in a special way on the 21st of each month. The church and the Reconciliation Centre in Prozorje were filled that day with the prayers of the Church, the gratitude of family members, the joy of God’s people, and a reverent sense of awe before the mystery and gift of the priesthood.
The celebration of the First Mass began with the blessing of the chasuble, imparted by Fr. Ilija Grgić, CPPS, Director of the Croatian Mission. This was followed by the parental blessing given to Fr. Sebastian by his mother, Jasna, while his father, Mladen, bestowed his blessing “from the window of Heaven.”
In his words of welcome, Fr. Ilija greeted all those gathered to rejoice and celebrate this special occasion with Sebastian, his first “Eucharistic celebration, which he will now preside over in the name of Christ, giving to Him his voice, his heart, his mind, indeed his whole being.” He also welcomed the seventeen priests concelebrating the Mass, both religious and diocesan. A particular greeting was extended to Fr. Máximo Mesia, C.PP.S, Director of the Latin American Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, who had travelled from Peru together with a group of pilgrims especially for this occasion.
Fr. Máximo said in his homily:
“Dear Brother Sebastian, do not be afraid! The Blood of Christ sustains you. Yesterday, you were configured to Christ the Eternal Priest. Yesterday, your hands were anointed so that through them you might heal, liberate, sanctify, and bless.
You are no longer alone. Christ has guided you along difficult paths, yet He has never abandoned you. He has taken you by the hand, consecrated you, and now He will never let you go, so that you in turn may bring that same blessing to others.
When you come to the altar, it is not because you are holy, nor because any one of us is worthy standing there, nor because we are perfect—for we are all sinners. Your mission is to be a bridge of reconciliation, a channel of grace overflowing in your heart, and to show the way to God in a world marked by a culture of exclusion.
St. Gaspar taught that the Blood of Christ is both the price of our salvation and the strength of our apostolate. Whenever you celebrate the Holy Eucharist or sit in the confessional, remember that you are not giving yourself or something of your own; rather, you are offering the Blood of Christ, which washes, heals, and transforms wounded lives.
And in your own life, do not be afraid, for fear paralyses life itself. Do not fear those who can kill the body. St. Gaspar invites us to gaze upon the Crucified One, for there we find the answers to all our questions, and there we discover the strength to persevere on our journey, in our vocation, and in our ministry.”
At the conclusion of the Mass, Fr. Bogusław Witkowski, CPPS, conveyed greetings on behalf of Fr. Daniel Mokwa, C.PP.S, Director of the Polish Province, and presented the newly ordained priest with a stole as a gift from the Polish Province.
Filled with joy and visibly moved, Fr. Sebastian addressed the congregation and his brother priests with heartfelt words of gratitude. He thanked all those who contributed in any way to his journey and said:
“I thank all of you who have helped me to stand where I stand today, and I ask you to continue praying for me, that I may be and remain a priest according to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.”
He then imparted his First Mass blessing to the priests who were present, to his brother seminarians, and to his family.