A Musical Evening Celebrating 50 Years of Benedictine Presence in Abu Ghosh

The celebration began with the First Vespers of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, presided over by Fr. Louis-Marie Coudray, OSB, Prior of the Abbey. In a spirit of thanksgiving, the community remembered the courageous beginnings of the Benedictine presence in Abu Ghosh and reflected on fifty years of faithful monastic witness. The abbey has become a place of prayer, hospitality, encounter, and friendship, welcoming countless pilgrims, visitors, and local residents throughout the decades.

A special moment during the evening was the address by Mr. Kasem Ibrahim, Mayor of Abu Ghosh. Speaking warmly about the relationship between the village and the monastery, he highlighted the important role the Benedictine community has played in the life of Abu Ghosh. His remarks reflected the deep mutual respect and friendship that have developed over the years, making the anniversary not only a celebration for the monastic community but for the entire village.

Following Vespers, guests were invited to a remarkable musical programme held in the abbey church. The concert brought together members of the monastic community, talented musicians, and pupils from Abu Ghosh in a beautiful expression of artistic excellence and cultural diversity.

The programme featured flute performances by Sr. Marie Madeleine and Sr. Eve-Marie. The audience was also captivated by the rich and distinctive sound of the kora, performed by Sr. Christine Marie. 

Particularly noteworthy was the participation of the children and young students of Abu Ghosh, whose contribution added a special vitality and joy to the evening through their remarkable talent and the fruit of ongoing musical education. Their presence served as a beautiful reminder that the legacy of the abbey is not only preserved through memory but also carried forward by younger generations. 

The evening continued in the monastery gardens with a reception, where guests shared refreshments, conversations, and memories. 

As the Abbey of Saint Mary of the Resurrection looks back on fifty years of presence in the Holy Land, the celebration offered a powerful testimony to the enduring importance of prayer, beauty, hospitality, and dialogue. It was an evening that honoured the past, celebrated the present, and looked with hope toward the future.