JERUSALEM: Catholics in Jerusalem gathered to pray for an end to the Israel-Hamas war and peace in Gaza. The prayer was led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pisaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Hundreds of believers from all Christian churches in Jerusalem, including women, men, children and the elderly, came to join the prayer gathering.
The prayer, which began just before sunset, ended with the lighting of candles in the courtyard of the Terra Sancta School in Jerusalem. The prayer vigil for peace was organized by the Arab Catholic Scout Group, Zabeel Ecumenical Center and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Jerusalem.
Director of Terra Santa School and in charge of the protection of the Holy Land, Fr. Ibrahim Faltas was at the forefront of organizing the prayer meeting.
The faithful recite the liturgical prayers and chant ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit; He read the gospel passage ‘The kingdom of heaven is theirs’. A children’s choir sang prayers for peace.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pisaballa shared his thoughts ‘as the number of war dead increases, so does the weight of all our hearts’. Father reminded us what the Christian attitude should be in this kind of situation.
“When we live as a society we should not give place to petty quarrels. All must be united, it is Jesus who unites us. Christians must reject violence. The world is not going to end! Life goes on… we should be able to be a part of that life in a positive and constructive way. The word peace seems far away but the presence of Jesus is a comfort to us’ – he said.
The Cardinal is in daily contact with Christians suffering in Gaza. About 700 people are living as refugees in the Trikutumba Church in Gaza. Every day they participate in the Holy Mass in the morning and in the afternoon and pray the rosary constantly for peace.
“The civilians of Gaza are facing a terrible situation. They lost their homes; Nothing of its own. They don’t know if they will get food or water today, or if bombs will fall on them. But they believe in God’s providence and believe that God will help them. They want to live in the land where they were born’ – the Cardinal added.
‘Danger is increasing in church premises too’ – Gaza parish priest Fr. Gabriel Romanelli told the ‘Catholic News Agency’. ‘The missile attack in the neighborhood is getting more intense, everything is shaking like a big earthquake’
The prayer meeting was concluded with a short candlelight procession.
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2023-11-10 15:28:38
