News from the Vicariate

During the 70th Anniversary Gala a documentary about St. James Vicariate was screened for the first time. We thank Christian Media Ceter, especially Ms. Tatiana Gomes de Macedo for their work at the production of the movie. The entire documentary is available on YouTube.

On May 2, 2026, in Jerusalem, the St. James Vicariate for Hebrew‑Speaking Catholics marked a historic milestone: seventy years of life, mission, and witness in the heart of the Holy Land. The jubilee celebration unfolded in two deeply connected moments - a solemn Eucharistic celebration on the Feast of St. James, and a festive gala afternoon filled with music, testimonies, and gratitude.

The celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the St. James Vicariate for Hebrew-Speaking Catholics took place on Saturday, May 2. The afternoon gala, held in the Auditorium of the Notre Dame Center, was a moment of reflection on the present and of remembering the past. We were blessed by the presence and the words of many distinguished guests. We are pleased to publish the speeches delivered during the gala.

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem delivered his homily during the thanksgiving Mass for the 70 years of the Vicariate of St. James for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel. The Eucharist took place on May 2nd in Notre Dame Jerusalem Center. We publish the text of the homily.

Amid the ongoing war, this year’s celebration of Easter was marked by hardship and uncertainty. Yet nothing can diminish the joy of the Resurrection. Even in difficult times, our faith remains strong and alive. Here is how the Easter feasts were celebrated throughout the Vicariate of St. James.

To all our friends around the world we wish Happy Easter from the place where Christ raised up from the death. May His resurrection be the foundation of your life.

On the night of Ash Wednesday, 18 February, Sr. Elizabeth passed away. Her funeral took place on Friday, 20 February, at Saint Louis French Hospital in Jerusalem, followed by her burial in Ein Karem.

On Wednesday, 18 March, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa visited the Vicariate of St. James for Hebrew-Speaking Catholics at the HaRav Kook House in Jerusalem. He joined the priests’ regular monthly meeting, offering guidance and support during this challenging period of war and uncertainty.

The 15th issue of Et Ratzon (lit. “A Pen of Favor”, wordplay: “A Moment of Grace”) was published by HaKolel, The Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. It contains an article by Hana Bendcowsky about the Vicariate of Saint James which was written as an interview with the Vicar.

On Monday (January 20th) our Vicariate had the joy of welcoming the bishops of the Holy Land Coordination, who are visiting the region from 17 to 21 January as part of their annual pilgrimage of solidarity with the Christian communities of the Holy Land. Their gathering this year is guided by the theme “A Land of Promise: Encounter and Dialogue with People of Hope.”

The weekend of 9th and 10th of January 2026 in Haus i.E. im Ennstal (Styria, Austria) brought together music, testimony, and dialogue in a meaningful encounter with the reality of the Holy Land. Across two days, participants listened, reflected, and connected, opening space for understanding, faith, and solidarity.

Watch with your children our movie about Nativity. It is in Hebrew and was published on our YouTube channel.

On December 19–20, 2025 families from our communities gathered in Tiberias for a special Weekend of Families, celebrating faith, unity, and the 70th anniversary of the Vicariate of St. James. It was a time of prayer, learning, and joy, strengthening the bonds that unite us as one family in Christ.

Last Friday (November 14th) more than one hundred people gathered in the parish hall of Notre Dame of the Champs in Paris for a meeting with fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James.

The monthly Newsletter of St. James Vicariate is available in five languages (English, German, Italian, French and Polish). It contains the news from the communities and connects the local, hebrew-speaking Church with all the Catholics of the world. In unity we are strong. Please, subscribe in order to stay in touch with us.

On November 1st the Feast of the Communities (Yom HaKehilot) took place in Jerusalem. The holy Mass was celebrated in the Auditorium of Notre dame of Jerusalem, meanwhile the picnic lunch was served by the students of the Collège des Frères (La Salle New Gate Jerusalem).

On the night of October 29, 2025, the streets of Tel Aviv glowed with movement, rhythm, and light as 42 participants from the St. James Vicariate joined the Night Run Tel Aviv among tens of thousands of runners.

The new Liturgical Calendar for the year 2025/26 is available. The digital version (pdf) may be found on our webpage. The printed edition may be purchased through the priests responsible for the communities.

"Today we are not only celebrating the release of the hostages but also the resurrection of hope": this is how Father Piotr Zelazko, Patriarchal Vicar of the Vicariate of St. James for Hebrew-speaking Catholics, commented to L’Agenzia S.I.R. (Servizio Informazione Religiosa) on the release of the 20 Israeli hostages, still alive, held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The annual retreat for priests of the Vicariate of St. James took place at the Monastery of Montserrat. All priests participated in the spiritual exercises from September 28 to October 3, 2025.