World Day of Migrants and Refugees celebrated on September 21st, 2019

“I set my bow in the clouds and it shall be a sign of the Covenant between me and the earth” we learn in the Book of Genesis, 9, 13. The experience of the rainbow that we read about God and humanity was the experience that the different migrant communities - living in Israel - experienced on Saturday, 21 September, as they gathered to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees at the site of St. Anthony Church in Jaffa.

Like the rainbow with many colors but one in its shape, believers – lay and religious - of all nationalities celebrated their oneness as church family at the Eucharist presided by Mons Pierbattista Pizzaballa; they celebrated their multiplicity with songs in various languages and cultural gestures that showed the beauty and richness of the human family in the world.

After the Mass all gathered for a cultural program that took us to Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, all over the world! Great oneness in diversity! The colorful gathering ended with a picnic lunch with variety of foods and goodies from the various continents. All were happy in being together as one family, one church who is young, multicultural and alive.

Thank you, God, for having lived together, as your children, our oneness in diversity. Keep us united in being your witnesses where you called us to be and live.