Father Alberto celebrates first masses in our kehillot


A beautiful tradition is that a new priest celebrates first masses in order to thank the Lord for the grace of ordination. Father Alberto Pari OFM, who was ordained on June 29, 2015, celebrated first masses in the Jaffa kehilla on Saturday, July 4, 2015 and in the Jerusalem kehilla on Sunday; July 5, 2015.

alberto jaffa

Kiril reports from the Jaffa kehilla:

The Jaffa kehilla welcomed Franciscan friar, Alberto, who was ordained to the priesthood last Monday.

The freshly ordained priest celebrated his first Sunday mass in Hebrew in the Hebrew speaking community in Jaffa. This is noteworthy, especially as the mass was fluently read, almost like any native Hebrew speaker would read it.

Father Albero gave his blessing to the community in which he had served for a year when he was assigned to the Jaffa convent in order to learn Hebrew. Therefore, he feels a special closeness to the members of the community, and he pointed out that for him they are like “family”. This sentiment was welcomed by those present.

After the mass, during the reception, each one had the opportunity personally to wish Father Alberto well in the hope that he would have many years of fruitful service in the service of the Lord.

Father Rafic reports from Jerusalem:

alberto jerusalem

On Sunday, July 5, 2015, Father Alberto, who had been ordained on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, came to the Jerusalem kehilla and celebrated the mass among us for the first time. Many friends came to this celebration in honor of the new priest, among them nuns from the convent of Poor Clares and two friends from the Jewish synagogue community of Zion. After communion, Yossi, a member of the Jaffa community, sang a song he had written over the past weeks to honor Alberto. At the end of the prayer, the kehilla expressed its closeness to Father Alberto by presenting him with a gift, an Armenian flute called a doudouk, in order to encourage him to continue developing his talents, now as a priest. We wish him much success in his life and his service… May this be His will!

Support Us Contact Us Vatican News in Hebrew Mass in Hebrew Child Safeguarding Policy


© 2020 Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel