Povratak fratara; teška i burna povijest, ustoličenje Franjevačke klasične gimnazije
The return of Franciscans; hard and tumultuous history, foundation of the Franciscan Classical High School

Summary/Abstract: At the times of the national rulers and consolidation of the Catholic faith, both in Bosnia and in Herzegovina, the invading beast came from the East, destroying everything on their way, particularly everything that is different from them and their customs - and what was different was the faith, which was more thorough; different customs, heritage, culture ... It is the Ottoman Empire that was destroying Europe, especially our region, Southeastern Europe, ravaging the noblest Croatian countries (in part, and later on entirely) Bosnia, Herzegovina and southern Dalmatia. By repressing all hope, they always had in mind the discouragement of faith and its protagonists, the friars - who were the bravest and always lead the believers. This way the long-awaited difficult return of the Herzegovinian Franciscans and the novices from Kreševo occurred, who safeguarded the monastery for several centuries and preserved the bloom of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Custody, headed by Friar Matko Ćorić (Beljo). On May 19th 1844 - the Herzegovinian Franciscans split off from the Bosnian Province. Difficulties of the event were witnesses by the stay of Friar Grga Martić, who was already a famous poet - and later on Friar Angjeo Kraljević joined, who became bishop and apostolic regent in Herzegovina from 1864 to 1879. In Čerigaj, in the old “nest”, they started with religious work again, by teaching novices and youth - until the foundation of High School in Široki Brijeg - which was being improved, and in 1918 it was turned into accredited Franciscan High School; it had everything that was necessary, excellent teaching staff and was able to compare with all the great high schools of that time. Besides the great intellectuals-professors of that time, many generations of Franciscans were raised, and there were other extremely gifted individuals among the students. We will mention one on them here, the one who brought the flame of the faith from his family, from Drinovci, who spread the faith in Franciscan High School in Široki Brijeg, and later amongst Croatian Catholic youth in Mostar – when he was very young he became a renowned and acclaimed poet; one of the greatest Croatian and European (expressionist) poets, Antun Branko Šimić.

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