Every year, as per tradition, the Church in Jerusalem is in celebration. Together with the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, considered the first pillars of Christianity, was celebrated, but especially there was a celebration for the ordination of 4 new priests. Two such important saints: St. Peter, the rock on which Jesus built his church, and St. Paul who, with his travels and writings, is the Apostle of the Gentiles. St. Paul says that faith, which is certainly relationship and personal encounter with Christ, a choice that has changed our lives, must however also come to terms with rejection, opposition, misunderstanding. H.B. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, recalled this during his homily at the solemn Mass he presided over. "The Apostle," the Patriarch continued, "reminds us that the Christian life is and remains a proposal, always cordial and serene, but that at the same time it also requires firmness and clarity, with oneself, first of all, in one's inner life, and then also in one's witness to others." H B PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins St. Paul says very clearly that the good battle is not using weapons - they use this expression - but it is the weapons of light and righteousness. With our witness of love for Christ who redeemed the world, without fear but also with the clarity that every Christian must have, we are called to give our beautiful witness of faith. An important and fundamental milestone for the four new priests-all of African descent - "called to be brothers, fellow travelers, friends, fathers, teachers." At the beginning of the celebration it was Brother Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land who testified to hold them worthy to access the second degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders. Br FRANCESCO PATTON,ofm Custos of the Holy Land New vocations are always a good sign that the Church is alive. They will live their service as Franciscan priests in a special way because they will be able to help people precisely because of the experience they have had, to love more and more the humanity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. They will also be the ones who in the coming years will invite this great continent that is Africa. A continent where the Church is growing, to love the Holy Land and to come here on pilgrimage and renew their faith, here at the sergeant. They are a great sign of hope and of the future. At the end of the Holy Mass, it was Br. Jean Kogba who thanked all those who took part in the celebration, as well as those who contributed to the formative, personal and spiritual journey These brothers bring with them a great honor: the memory of this land and the opportunity to make it known, after years spent in service in the places of Christ. Br JEAN KOGBA MOGODA, ofm Our Lady of Africa Foundation My country will be happy to have a priest who comes from Jerusalem. This is an immense joy I have to bring to my country: I have walked in the footsteps of Jesus, in his country, in his land, and now I'm going back to my people: they will all be happy, joyful, amazed, and they will help me to go forward. Br AMOSE DANIEL MWALE, ofm Province of St. Francis in Africa Something I dreamed of many years ago, since I was a child. Today it has truly been fulfilled. I will take the Holy Land with me, wherever I go, in my future missons. This is a blessing. Read More