On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a celebratory Mass at the Church of Jesus the Adolescent in Nazareth, marking the end of its Centennial Jubilee. Concelebrating were Msgr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar of Galilee, and Fr. Mounir Al-Ra’y, Rector of the Salesians in Nazareth, alongside various bishops, priests, religious sisters, Salesian Pastoral Council members, and the local faithful.
Perched on a hill overlooking Nazareth, where the Son of God grew in piety and wisdom under the care of Mary and Joseph, the Church of Jesus the Adolescent was established in 1923. It has since served as a world center of worship to the Adolescent Jesus, alongside the Salesian School, which has played a pivotal role in guiding youth toward a life enriched with Christian values, equipping them to face life's challenges with faith and hope.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Cardinal Pizzaballa spoke of God's profound desire for a personal relationship with us, manifested through the Incarnation, where Jesus embraced our weakness and completed His redemptive work through His death and resurrection in Jerusalem. “To truly know Jesus,” he emphasized, “we must let go of our worldly mindset and follow Him with humility. Strength comes from living according to Christ's perspective, which often contrasts with worldly views.” He expressed gratitude for the Salesian presence in Nazareth, highlighting their mission to embody the Adolescent Jesus in the lives of the youth through devotion, service, and education. “Catechesis is vital,” he said, “but it’s through lived experience and encounter with God that faith becomes vibrant, allowing Jesus to live among us and making us witnesses to His love.”
Concluding the Mass, Fr. Mounir Al-Rai expressed heartfelt thanks: “I extend my gratitude to all who came before us and made great sacrifices to build this church, which stands as a holy place of encounter with God through his beloved Son Jesus. We pray that God continues to guide us in nurturing the youth of this blessed land, so they may fully embrace the mission entrusted to them by God.”
