The uncertainty of whether we would be able to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration was tugging at our hearts, because of the recent developments in a 10-month-long war. However, faith led us to climb the mountain and have this beautiful experience in the 100-year-old basilica of Mount Tabor. Presiding over the celebration Br. Ibrahim Faltas, Custodial Vicar, and to deliver the homily Br. Ibrahim Sabbagh, Latin priest of Nazareth. His homily was centered in the readings of the liturgy that show us the meaning of the Transfiguration. He also recalled so many people who, like Christ, give their lives for their brothers and sisters, enduring sufferings and even death so that the Kingdom of God can grow and spread in the world. To be consoled is to feel loved by Jesus who gives himself totally to us. Among those present were the Sisters of the Incarnate Word who were part of the Gaza Community: Sr. Maria Del Pilar, Sr. Maria del Perpetuo Soccorso. Together with Mother Cielo, a nice group of religious sisters came on pilgrimage to pray here at the Shrine. Sr MADRE MARÍA DEL CIELO Institute Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara We would like with this pilgrimage to give witness and pray for so many who are suffering mainly in this Holy Land and to remember all the innocent victims of this war. We ask the Lord to comfort them. Sr MARIA DEL PILAR Institute Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara We have come here to pray and ask for the Lord to transfigure our hearts and the hearts of all and ask for the gift of His peace. This celebration closes the commemorative year of the Centenary of the dedication of the Basilica of the Transfiguration, which took place last year before the war broke out. But it is precisely the mystery of the Transfiguration, said Brother Ricardo Bustos, guardian of the Mount Tabor Convent - that still gives us a key to interpretation that goes beyond our expectations. Br RICARDO MARIA BUSTOS, ofm Guardian Convent of Mount Tabor We had expectations, we had a program to carry out during the year. But the Lord, certainly, had arranged it differently. And during the year we remained like this, basically, a little bit like Peter, James and John. With Jesus, here on the mountain, but without the people. Today that is the day of the conclusion of the Jubilee year. The imminence of an attack, of a much more generalized war than we've had until now. And so, however, that should not frighten us. Because what Moses and Elijah saw, in their dialogue with Jesus, is the sunset. And the sunset is the resurrection of Jesus. Beyond this year's challenges, a sign of Jesus' presence was the arrival of three Carmelite nuns from the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Institute, who have been serving the shrine for just over a month. Br RICARDO MARIA BUSTOS, ofm Guardian Convent of Mount Tabor We were always waiting to know who could come to accompany us, to join us in this presence. And also in the table service. This is a sign that the Lord surely walks with us. At the end of the Holy Mass Brother Ibrahim Faltas thanked Brother Ricardo and the Mount Tabor community and all those who organized the celebration. He greeted Monsignor Rafic Nahra, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel and the Abbot of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem Father Nikodemus Schnabel. And also all the Franciscan and diocesan priests from Galilee and Judea and the many faithful who came to pray and ask the Transfigured Lord, for the gift of Peace. Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm Custodial Vicar The transfiguration strengthened the disciples' faith, but it also invigorated our faith. Now after this very beautiful moment we go down to the other mountain. We go down to experience this concern of war, of wickedness, of hatred, of destruction, of everything that we are experiencing right now. But we say that really at least we are prepared, we are ready to face these challenges that await us below. After the Mass, the procession to the "Descendentibus" chapel started and St. Mark's gospel was read. It narrates the moment when Jesus and the disciples come down from the mountain and he orders them not to tell anyone about what they saw until he had risen from the dead. There, Brother Ibrahim blessed the twigs of the Trees of the Mount and then distributed them to those present as a sign and reminder of what we heard and experienced on this Mount. Read More