End of the Year of Faith in Nazareth

The mass was celebrated by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, and concelebrated by most of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. The mass was a joint initiative of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land working hand in hand with the Municipality of Nazareth. Catholics gathered from all rites and all parts of the dioceses in Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Also present were many representatives of the migrant communities, the Filipino community, the Indian, community, the Geez rite community, the Sri Lankan community and the community of Lebanese Maronites.

The site of the mass was the great auditorium first built for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto read a message to the assembled faithful from Pope Francis. In his homily, the Patriarch focused on the fruit of the Year of Faith.

The Saint James Vicariate was well represented among the concelebrants, including Father David among the Ordinaries as well as Fathers Giuseppe (Tiberias), Father Wieslaw (Russians in the south), Father Sergey (Russians in the north) and Father Rafic. Particularly notable was our seminarian Benedetto, who read the first reading in Hebrew. Elena from the Hebrew speaking kehilla in Tiberias was among those who brought gifts to the altar during the offertory.