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LATIN PATRIARCHATE PRINTING PRESSBEIT JALA 2013

EditorialNumber 28

december 2013

Charity of Charities

This is the story of Rita, a Filipina migrant who has been working as a caregiver in a pri-vate home for almost 15 years. At the price of enormous sacrifices away from her husband, her four children, and homeland, Rita over the years, saved everything she could for the edu-cation of her children and to buy a house in the Philippines. The house was a dream come true. She planned to go home for good in March to be reunited with her family and be present at her youngest daughters college graduation. After Typhoon Haiyan, her dream is shattered. What is left of her house are the walls and the floor, she lost everything. She cannot go home and will work for a few more years so she can rebuild her house. What a desolate situation!

How could we not to suffer for and with her? How could we not feel close to the Filipinos who work in our diocese? There are 35,000 in Israel and about 30,000 in Jordan and millions more around the world. These migrant workers are mostly Catholic, who are in the Middle East to support their families.

Two years ago, the just appointed Archbish-op of Manila, Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle (now cardinal) came on pilgrimage to the holy places in the Holy Land with over 100 pilgrims including several Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

This was an opportunity to talk about the many Filipino migrant workers in Jerusalem and Israel. Since the 2010 Synod for the Middle East, in line with the proposals selected (14 and 15), a pastoral care of migrants developed grad-ually through the commitment and work of the Coordination for the Pastoral Care of Migrants in the diocese. Our Church seeks to provide the spiritual help they need as a sign of Chris-tian hospitality and of ecclesial communion. Today, ecclesial communion is transformed with our prayers for the Asian archipelago during this time of suffering, the country of origin of many migrants.

Speaking to Vatican Radio on November 12, Cardinal Tagle made an emotional appeal, looking beyond the shock of more than 5,500 people dead, more than 1,600 people missing, and more than 4 million homeless, leaving one

speechless: It is time to comfort and take our neighbor in our embrace. It is time to show that love is stronger than earthquakes or ty-phoons. And we could definitely add, more powerful than famine in Africa, financial crisis worldwide, conflicts in the Middle East, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon and Israel-Palestine, where the Savior born.

Get ready for Christmas!The spirit of Christmas should not remain

in the rubble. Already, many humanitarian or-ganizations are working to rebuild the land of smiles. In Rome, a collection for the Philip-pines was recently held at St. Peters Square on Sunday, November 24, prior to the Mass con-cluding the Year of Faith. A significant gesture of solidarity stated by Pope Francis, to whom the donations were presented during the Offer-tory procession. This collection was announced a few days earlier by the President of the Pon-tifical Council for the New Evangelization, Arch-bishop Rino Fisichella. This act of charity appeared as the contribution of the Year of Faith pilgrims to so many brothers and sisters affected by the disaster, because faith with-out works is useless. On November 27, 2013, during the traditional Wednesday catechesis, the Pope recalled that taking care of the per-sonal and spiritual wounds of our neighbor is a sure way to find that sense of Christian char-ity and fraternal sharing. Damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan to the Philippines could require a time of ten years to rebuild, according to ex-perts. Praying for all those affected by disasters around the world, and striving to send them con-crete help is, in other words, a way to prepare for Christmas!

Christophe Lafontaine

P a G e 2 n e w s l e t t e r J E R U S A L E M

Diocese: Holy Land News

Consul General of France enters the Holy Sepulcher

Patriarch Twal Condemns Israeli Demolitionof Patriarchate Property

JERUSALEM, November 5 (AFP) -The Patriarchs statement came during his visit to inspect the demolished home, in the company of Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem, and Bishop Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, Father Humam Khzouz, General Administrator of the Patriarchate, Father George Ayoub, Chancellor; a number of priests, the director of the Patriarchate Endowment, lawyers, engineers; consuls of foreign countries, including Italy and Belgium; representatives of churches and institutions; and a crowd of journalists from local and foreign news agencies. In a press conference held at the site of the demolished home, the Patriarch said looking upon a painful and upsetting scene raises discontent and anger. There is no justification for the demolition, but when the municipality and the Israeli government enact demolitions and displace people from their homes, these practices increase hatred and endanger the future of peace. This land has belonged to the Latin Patriarchate long before 1967. The Patriarchate possesses the official deed, and all legal paperwork proving ownership. Even worse, the legal tenants of the property, Mr. Salameh Abu Tarbush and his family were taken by surprise by the demolition. The Patriarch added We are the rightful/lawful owners, and you will hear our voice before all governments worldwide, and we will take legal action in appropriate courts to rectify this injustice, to bring back justice and rebuild this home. We have willpower and a spirit of belonging to this land of our ancestors, this sacred land which is home of our past, present and future. The homes residents spoke about the displacement, which was carried out in the early hours of the morning, rendering them suddenly homeless. Their living situation is now tragic, in the open without shelter. The Red Cross is providing them with tents and assistance. The lawyer of the Latin Patriarchate, Mr. Mazen Copti, confirmed the illegality of the demolition of this home and land declaring, We will take all legal measures against the municipality of Jerusalem and the Israeli Ministry of the Interior to rebuild the house as it was.

AFP - Photo : Andrea Krogmann

Bishop William Shomali and Father George Ayoub, Chancellor of the Patriarchate, arriving at Jaffa Gate greet-ed the new Consul General of France, Herv Magro and his wife, before their official visit to the Holy Sepulchre. Neither of them could accompany the Consul and his wife to the Holy Sepulchre, due to the destruction of Patriarch-ate property near Bethlehem, by the Israeli army, which required the presence of all diocesan representatives and authorities. Many other religious, representing the local church, joined the Franciscan procession accompany-ing the new Consul General and his wife to the Basilica of the Resurrection. After greeting in the Holy Sepulchre Square, the heads of the major communities (Franciscan, Greek and Armenian), Herv Magro was warmly received in front of the empty tomb by the Custos of the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Underlining the local and universal character of the Holy City, the Custos was very pleased that the international community, and especially France, is committed to preserving this unique character. After the reading of the Gospel and the blessing by the Father Cus-tos, the Consul General made a short tour of the Basilica, guided by Fr. Stphane Milovitch, discrete for the French-

German group of the Custody of the Holy Land. After this, they proceeded to the Basilica of St. Anne, a French national property, where they were hosted by the White Fathers Missionaries of Africa, all together singing the Te Deum. At the Basilica, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, for-mer president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and former Nuncio in Egypt and a White Father, delivered the welcome speech, on behalf of the commu-nity. Herv Magro replied by expressing his emotion at such personal honors, which he was actually receiving as an invitation to live the responsibilities entrusted to him in a spirit of dedication and humility. He also assured of the willingness of France to continue its commitment to the local Christian communities. The continuity of the pro-tective role of France is not rhetoric. This is a memory in the present. If we were tempted to forget the events that take place in this region, whose Christian commu-nities are particularly affected, we impose an unwaver-ing commitment to the mission to support Christians of the East, said Mr. Magro. The morning ended with refreshments in the gardens of St. Anne.

Editor

l o v e t h e h o ly l a n d a n d b e l o v e d P a G e 3

Diocese: Holy Land News7,000 faithful of the Holy Landrenew their faith in Nazareth

More than 7,000 Catholics sang, prayed and professed their faith on the Mount of Precipice, overlooking Nazareth, the place where Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 celebrated Mass before a large crowd. He launched the Year of Faith in 2012 as a pilgrimage in the deserts of the contemporary world, where we need to take only what is essential: the Gospel and the faith of the Church, powerfully expressed in the documents of the Second Vatican Council Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was published 20 years ago. With the closing of the Year of Faith on November 24, 2013, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land saw that the faithful from Jordan, Israel and Palestine responded to the invitation to gather in Nazareth for this celebration. Pilgrims from several countries of the world and faithful living in the Holy Land came for this occasion. The presence of a large number of foreign journalists reinforced the global dimension of the event. Maronites, Armenians, Greek Catholic, Syrian and Latin Catholics professed their faith together during the Mass celebrated by His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Present to concelebrate were the Apostolic Delegate and Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto; Patriarchal Vicars; several Bishops of the Catholic communities and priests in the Holy Land. The State of Israel was represented by Dr. Uzi Landau, Minister of Tourism. The ministrys collaboration included organization, logistical and infrastructure resources, and the mobilization of security forces and services. During his homily, the Patriarch referred to the message in his recently published Pastoral Letter. He underlined the importance of having faith and keeping it, reminding us of Abraham and the Virgin Mary, who are models of faith for every Christian. Mentioning the Virgin Mary had much more meaning as the faithful focused on the Basilica of the Annunciation, where Mary, facing the angel, exemplified a decisive act of faith. Faith is not simply an intellectual adherence to the truths about God, but is a free observance, in complete trust, like that of a child to his parents who love and care for him.

Highlighting the very important relationship between the life of faith and the search for peace, Patriarch Twal also renewed his call and his prayer for peace in the Middle East, including Egypt, Iraq, Syria and especially Holy Land. Conscious that Christians hold a religious presence in the Middle East, he emphasized that the end of the Year of Faith does not mean the end of Faith.

Pierre Loup de Raucourt

Mount Zion Award 2013 given totwo women from Israel and PalestineOn Sunday, October 27, 2013 the Mount Zion Award 2013 for Reconciliation was presented to Yisca Harani and Margaret Karram at the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition. The award is given to men and women as a tribute to their work and contribution in advancing interreligious dialogue for peace, especially among Jews, Christians and Muslims. Many guests gathered at the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion in Jerusalem to greet the two recipients of the Mount Zion Award. Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem; Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ofm, Custos of the Holy Land; and several representatives of the Orthodox Churches; and an assembly of Jews, Christians and Muslims were present at the ceremony. The award was presented by Professor Dr. Verena Lenzen, Director of the Institute for

Jewish-Christian Research; and Abbot Gregory Collins of the Dormition Abbey.

Pierre Loup de Raucourt

A prayer vigil for World Mission DayOn Saturday, October 19, 2013, the Latin Parish in Jerusalem held a prayer vigil on the occasion of World Mission Day, in collaboration with the Pontifical Mission Office in the Holy Land. The evening was presided by Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem.

Joint Academic Day between Franciscansand the Dominican Ecole BibliqueOn November 15, 2013 the Dominicans of cole Biblique with their Franciscan broth-ers and colleagues of the Studium Bibli-cum Franciscanum, Jerusalem gathered for a first joint Academic Day. Every two years, it will be held on November 15, Feast of St. Albert the Great in the Biblical and Archaeological School. On the alternate year, it will be held on November 7, Feast of Blessed Duns Scotus, at the Studium Bibli-cum Franciscanum.

Meeting of Principalsof the Patriarchate SchoolsOn November 6, 2013, the Principals of the Latin Patriarchate schools in Palestine and Israel met in Bir Zeit . Father Faysal Hijazen, Director of Schools spoke about the development of teachers and reviewed the sessions provided for teachers. Since the beginning of the school year, there have been several days of meetings, reflection and work for teachers of French, English, religion, physical education and school counselors.

National symposium on Religion,Peace and Media in NazarethAn important conference was held on November 7 8, 2013 at the Golden Crown Hotel, Nazareth, on the theme Religion, Peace and Media. It was organized by the International Christian Committee in Israel (ICCI). Bishop Marcuzzo, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, participated in the conference and said that the time is naturally very appropriate to present the example of the recent and very successful initiative of Pope Francis for prayer and fasting, for peace in Syria.

Tabgha sanctuary of the Multiplicationcelebrates feastIt has become a tradition that on the second Saturday in November, the Benedictines and the local Christian community in the Holy Land celebrate the feast of the Shrine of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes in Tabgha (Tiberias). It is a beautiful legacy of the Diocesan Pastoral Synod of the Catholic Churches and its commitment to develop the specificity of the theology of the local Church and to bring the faithful closer to the Holy Places and vice versa, to the best advantage everyone.

P a G e 4 n e w s l e t t e r J E R U S A L E M

Pastoral and Liturgical Life

Gospel: By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. The meeting enabled several bishops to explore the Holy Land, and for others who live locally to meet again and be more aware of ecumenical dialogue and its importance to uphold in a unified manner a strong Christian presence in the Holy Places. As a matter of fact, Bishop Shomali and Bishop Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicars for Jerusalem and Nazareth respectively, talked about the religious and geopolitical situation of the country, warning of the difficulties facing the Church and people. The congress also received the visit of Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, who acknowledged the significance of holding the meeting in the Holy City, emphasizing that it is also a solid support for us, an obvious evidence that we are not forgotten. You have spoken not only of dialogue, but you are a living dialogue. Beyond ecumenical dialogue, the bishops turned to interfaith prospects during a meeting at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute on November 21, 2013, for an exchange of experiences or initiatives launched by themselves or by lay people in their countries to promote and advance meetings between different religions, especially in countries where Christianity is not a majority. Because the Church of the Middle East is not unique, several partnership projects were presented by European Associations, such as the Community of SantEgidio, Young Mens Christian Association, and Syndesmos (Orthodox Youth Movement). These partnerships are meant to ensure that through mutual and solid friendship of Bishops and Churches, Christians meet and form an increasingly universal community.

Pierre Loup de Raucourt

JERUSALEM On November 18-22, 2013, several bishops and friends of the Focolare Movement gathered for the first time in Jerusalem for the 32nd Ecumenical Encounter. The meeting focused on the reciprocity of love between disciples of Christ. Usually, Ecumenical Encounters of the Focolare Movement are held at Castel Gandolfo Mariapolis Center, near the Popes summer residence. But for 2013, the Movements leaders did something new and chose to hold several regional encounters in the Middle East, for two reasons. Firstly, they want to get closer to Christians coming from conflict-stricken areas. Secondly, for bishops of five continents, unable to travel to Italy, to explore these encounters and to take part in them. These two reasons, indeed, meet the encouragement and teaching of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, meant to widen the experiences of fellowship in the world and to contribute more to the achievement of effective and affective colleagueship among bishops (cf. Letter to Bishops dated 9th April, 1979, John Paul II). Consequently, three meetings were held in the Middle East: in Cairo, Egypt, on September 3-7, 2012, and another in Lebanon on June 4-6, 2013. A meeting in Jerusalem on November 18-22, has just ended. No fewer than 33 Bishops came from Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches, Anglicans, Lutherans and Methodists. Together they reflected and prayed around the theme selected for the occasion.reciprocity of love between the disciples of Christ. The latter was mainly used as a guideline to seal formally a covenant between bishops of different Christian churches, committed to live this reciprocity by obeying Christs commandment, Love one another, as I have loved you. This commitment, the highlight of this 32nd Congress, meets Jesus observation in the

Middle East Bishops gather at Focolare House

Patriarch asks faithful to pray for rainIn a letter addressed to the faithful of the diocese on November 28, 2013, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal asked one and all to pray for rain. The letter asked the parishes to pray for rain especially on the first Sunday of Advent, which falls on December 1. The letter further stated: Rain is late in our holy land and the threat of drought is hanging over us. In times of drought we must pray that God might bless us, have mercy on us and provide us with our needs, especially rain and remove from our land the evil of drought. Therefore we address you all to pray and intercede to God almighty and all powerful that He might take away the plague of drought from our

Diaconate Ordinations in GalileeOn Friday, November 8, 2013, the Church of the Holy Land joyfully welcomed to its fold four new deacons who were ordained for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The new deacons of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Galilee are Davide Paolo Alfieri Meli from Italy, Aragon Juan David Bueno from Colombia, and Leandro Setuval from Brazil.

Evening dedicated to MigrantsThe annual event in memory of Daniel Rossing was held Tuesday, November 26, 2013, and concerned migrants in Israel and their religious life. Daniel Rossing, an observant Jew, devoted his life to the dialogue between the Jewish people and the Church in the State of Israel. He passed away in 2010 and since then an evening to commemorate him has been organized each year by the Jerusalem Center for Jewish Christian Relations in collaboration with the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies.

Four new Canons of the Holy SepulchreThe Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, appointed four new Canons of the Holy Sepulchre: Father Faisal Hijazin, Director General of the Latin Patriarchate Schools in Palestine and Israel; Father Elias Odeh, Latin Pastor of Reineh; Father Michael McDonagh, incardinated in the Latin Patriarchate; and Father Orlando Sbicca, a priest of the Archdiocese of Perugia.

Memory of Sister Rima, missing in SyriaOn Sunday, November 10, 2013, during the Mass celebrated by the Custos of the Holy Land, the Sisters of St. Dorothy celebrated jubilees of 50 years, 10 years and 5 years of some sisters, surrounded by the affection of many friends. Sister Rima Nasri, who disappeared in Syria, 10 months ago, was remembered in prayer.

Czech Church Year of Faith National PilgrimageThe Czech Catholic Church made a large national pilgrimage to the Holy Land in early November on the occasion of the Year of Faith. This is the first after a long gap of 76 years. The pilgrimage had 1,100 pilgrims: 10 bishops, 72 priests and more than 1,000 faithful from five dioceses of the province of the Czech Republic, led by the Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Domenik Duka, and three dioceses of the province of Moravia-Silesia, headed by the Metropolitan of Olomouc, Archbishop Jan Graubner.

land and remember us in our trouble, that He might lighten the drought and water us with rains and resuscitate our land, all plants and animals and all we have. Before us, we have the example of Elijah the prophet who prayed at the time of drought and his prayer was answered (1Kings 18:41-45). We ask that the first Sunday of Advent, which falls on December 1, 2013, might be a day of prayer and intercession for this intention. May the Lord answer our prayer and receive our devotion, our fast and our submission and shower on us His blessings.

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Our Church in the Middle East

Bishop Shomali: Yes. Im afraid!

The meeting of Catholic Patriarchs of the East at the Vatican coincided with an escalation of violence in Lebanon and Egypt. Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem confided his fears and called for the need of an urgent solution in Syria, to avoid irreversible regional conflagration.

Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egyptwill they blow up the Middle East?

The situation is quite complex and increasingly dramatic: the confessional division between religious and secular and between Sunnis and Shiites.

In Iraq, the situation is still dangerous. In Syria, I see no signs of peace. Instead, the confrontation continues inexorably. In Egypt, the recent attacks in Cairo and Sinai plunge the country into a spiral of violence. As for Lebanon, it has been unstable in recent years. Its balance is precarious because it is based on sectarianism. Besides, Syria was a stabilizing element because before the Arab Spring, its word was respected in Lebanon. Today, in the Lebanese population, there is no force necessary. It is certain that the pacification of Syria is what we want more than anything else, would have a positive reflect on Lebanon in addition to being geographically close, and presents social, religious and demographic components similar to Syria.

So, I join the Patriarchs gathered in Rome, with the Holy Father, to reinforce and renew an appeal so that the war in Syria ends as quickly as possible. We must stop the senseless killings and confrontations that until now have declared no winner. All are losers.

Are you afraid?

Yes. I am afraid. The situation in Syria and Iraq may be repeated elsewhere and it will be worse. I feel that the Middle East is like a burning forest. Who can stop the fire? All parts of the Middle East are terribly affected, especially the most vulnerable, including us Christians.

As Christians, what should we do?

Our prayers should always accompany the men of good will, there are many, who are working for peace. During this time preceding Advent, the readings and Gospels describe the apocalyptic events that will precede the return of Christ. The texts warn of signs of the end times: wars, conlicts, famine, persecution many of these signs are now in our Middle East. In his proclamation, Christ said, When these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. (Luke 21: 28). We do not understand everything, but we know that the current silence of the Lord is not for long. You have to believe, even if we do not know today how and when that day will come.

Interview by Christophe Lafontaine

P a G e 6 n e w s l e t t e r J E R U S A L E M

Projects of the Latin PatriarchateEOHSJ Holy Land Commission visits Patriarchate projects

The Holy Land Commission of the Grand Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher visited the projects of the Latin Patriarchate on November 5-12 2013. The members came to assess the progress of the ongoing projects and to discuss potential projects for 2014, The delegation was composed of Dr. Christa von Siemens, President of the Commission to the Holy Land, and Professor Thomas McKiernan. The absence of the late Dr. Michael Whelan who died last summer was greatly felt. The delegation was accompanied in their visits by Fr. Humam Khzouz, General Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The EOHSJ Commission of the Holy Land regularly visits Palestine, Israel and Jordan to determine the progress and further needs of projects proposed by the Latin Patriarchate. Once studied, detailed records are presented to the Grand Magisterium, which after analysis, takes the decision to support a particular project according to the priority of the Patriarchate. Accurate reporting is undertaken, as Fr. Humam Khzouz oversees the development and progress of the projects. Twice a year, members of the Commission of the Grand Magisterium visit the projects funded by the EOHSJ to see the progress of projects until completion.

Also joining the delegation during the visits were Habib Sleibi and Adib Ibrahim both engineers and Fr. Bashir Bader, Assistant Administrator for projects in Jordan.

Ongoing and proposed projects

This seven-day visit allowed for the inspection of the 2013 projects, and to study and plan projects for 2014. The Commission was able to account for the improvement or completion of the Birzeit kindergarten. This was also the occasion for the blessing in the presence of Fr. Fayzal Hijazeen, Director of the Patriarch-ate schools in Israel and Palestine. The following 2013 projects were also visited in: Naur (two convents, one for the priest, and for the sisters), Amman (Our Lady of Peace Center), Fuheis (Rectory), Wahadneh (New Rectory) and Ajloun (restoration of the parish church).

For the coming year, new projects will include: Jenin Church, Parish Hall and Rectory; Weibdeh convent for the Sisters; Wassieh-Smakieh renovation of rectory, school and parish hall; Rabbah chapel renovation, Madaba parish multipurpose room; Mafraq school expansion; Irbid rectory renovation; Zarka renovation of parish offices and large living room; and Ashrafieh- Amman renovation of a school section.

Work is also planned in Jerusa-lem, which includes the renovation of the Ecclesiastical courts and the Vicariate in Nazareth. More than a dozen sites were visited in a few days, which are parts of the image of a living Church of the Holy Land through the continued support of the Grand Magisterium.

Christophe Lafontaine

l o v e t h e h o ly l a n d a n d b e l o v e d P a G e 7

Pour aller plus loin, visitez www.lpj.org :Jerusalem,ourspiritualbirthplace,Pope(November22,2013)

WecannotimagineaMiddleEastwithoutChristians(November21,2013)

ChurchinMiddleEastinvolvedinthestruggle(November20,2013)

FrenchPresidentmeetsChristianleadersinJerusalem(November18,2013)

PastoralLetter:Lord,increaseourFaith(November18,2013)

Gethsemanebasilicaislikenewafterrestoration(November14,2013)

England and Wales Knights of the Holy Sepulchreon pilgrimage to the Holy Land

A delegation of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre from England and Wales on pilgrimage, arrived in the Holy Land and Jordan. They came to learn about the reality of the local Church, its aspirations and difficul-ties. During the first days of pilgrimage, they visited socio- educational centers of the Church.

Arriving in Jerusalem on October 28, the delegation first made a courtesy visit to the Latin Patriarchate, then to the Ba-silica of the Holy Sepulchre. They went to Jordan later and visited Mount Nebo and the baptismal site of our Lord on the Jor-dan River.

In Amman, the delegation was re-ceived by the Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan, Bishop Maroun Lahham, who briefed them on the situation of Christians in Jordan and the reality of freedom, the political situation and its consequences affecting the region, especially with the mass exodus of Syrian refugees into Jordan.

Later in the Church of the Virgin of Nazareth in Sweifiyeh, Bishop Lahham presided over Mass concelebrated by the chaplain of the group, Fr John De Haan, and Father Rifat Bader, in the presence of members of delegation, and the local Knights in Jordan. One of the Jordanian Knights, Said Sawalha hosted a reception in honor of the pilgrims at the Regency Hotel and warmly welcomed them. The English Lieutenant, Dr. David Smith expressed the gratitude of the pilgrims for the reception.

The delegation will visit Syrian refugee camps in Jordan, including Mafraq and Zarka. They will also meet with Cari-tas Jordan, for an overview of the services offered by this humanitarian agency in alleviating the anguish of refugees, especially during the upcoming winter season.

Source : abouna.org

Order of the Holy Sepulcher

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Order of the Holy Sepulcher

Cycling 4600 kms from West to East

The seven Belgian pilgrims and members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, who left Brussels in early August to reach Jerusalem by bike, were welcomed at the Patriarchate.

After nearly three months of travelling more than 4600 kms, the seven Belgian pilgrims who left Brussels from the Church of our Lady of Sablon, the Chapter Church of the Belgian Lieutenancy of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, reached their destination and handed 77,000 worth of donations collected to the Creche orphanage in Bethlehem.

At the initiative of one of the Orders members, Daniel van Steenberghe, the Belgian Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order organized this truly exceptional pilgrimage. In addition to two members, Michel Duponcheele who had already made the walking pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and Ghislain della Faille, five pilgrims joined them for this adventure. Their daily journey was posted on a blog.

They arrived in Bethlehem and then Jerusalem where they were received by Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem and Consul General of Belgium, Mr. Bruno Jans and Sister Elisabeth Noirot, who is in charge of the orphanage in Bethlehem. Bishop Shomali highlighted the exceptional merits of these pilgrims who did not hesitate to go beyond their limits for the poorest of the Holy Land. It should be noted that their ages ranged from 61 to 72 years. The oldest pil-grim, Jean-Claude Gourcy, upon arrival, gladly and without hesitation participated in the olive harvest to help the orphanage!

His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem joined in the welcome ceremony and said that this pilgrimage is not only a unique personal approach, but is also an example for many others who want to help the Holy Land and Christian institutions in particular.

Editors