Each year, thousands of pilgrims make their way to the tranquil hills of Anjara, in Jordan’s Ajloun region, to visit the revered Shrine of Our Lady of the Mount. This sacred site holds deep spiritual and historical significance, as Christian tradition tells that Jesus, His Blessed Mother, and His disciples once passed through the ancient town and found rest in a cave — the very location where the church now stands. Built in the 1950s, the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain is nestled amid Jordan’s lush highlands and houses a cherished statue of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus. Over the decades, it has become a beloved destination for prayer and reflection, particularly for Jordanian Christians seeking hope, consolation, and the intercession of the Blessed Mother.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, the annual pilgrimage took place in a spirit of deep devotion. Msgr. Iyad Twal, Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan, presided over the solemn Mass marking the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount, celebrated at the sanctuary in Anjara. The celebration was attended by Archbishop Giovanni d’Aniello, Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan, alongside many priests, religious men and women, and crowds of the faithful from across the Kingdom.
In his homily, Msgr. Twal reflected on the role of the Virgin Mary during the Jubilee of Hope, encouraging the faithful to look to her as a beacon of light in uncertain times:
“Beloved in Christ, I invite you — and I pray for you and with you — that the Virgin Mary may be your Star of Hope, the beacon that leads us in faith. She is our loving Mother and the Mother of the Church. Let her be your model and guide. Though her life was marked by questions and silence, faith was the answer that gave her courage and joy. We too are filled with questions today; our hearts long for signs, and our minds search for meaning amid life’s challenges. But Mary reminds us: Fill your hearts with the Word of God — with His pure Gospel. Reflect on it, and live it.”
During the Mass, prayers were offered for the peace and stability of Jordan, that it may remain a haven of security under Hashemite leadership. The congregation also prayed for a just and lasting peace in Palestine, for an immediate end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, for the cessation of conflict in the Middle East, and for the triumph of dialogue and just, peaceful solutions.
At the close of the celebration, Fr. Yousef Francis, pastor of the local parish, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in the pilgrimage, thanking those who contributed to the success of this blessed annual event.
