From July 1st until July 5th, 2024, the Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land held its annual retreat at the Seminary of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Galilee, drawing a large attendance of bishops and priests.
This year's retreat was led by Fr. Amjad Sabbara, a Franciscan priest of the parish of Jerusalem, who emphasized four foundational principles for cultivating a fulfilling priesthood: Firstly, the consistent study and understanding of the Holy Scriptures; Secondly, the pivotal role of spiritual guidance in the priestly life; Thirdly, the importance of fostering healthy relationships with others; and lastly, the transformative power of daily meditation, crucial for maintaining a steadfast commitment to authentic priestly ministry.
The retreat program featured diverse meetings and prayers following various Eastern rites, covering topics such as pastoral duties, sermons, and the forthcoming Jubilee Year of 2025.
On the retreat's final day, Friday, July 5th, a session was held with His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to strategize for the upcoming Jubilee Year in the Holy Land.
It was decided that December 29th, 2024, would mark the opening day of the Jubilee in the Holy Land. Recognizing various Holy sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, and the Annunciation Church in Nazareth, as locations for the faithful to obtain Plenary Indulgence - a special sign of God's boundless mercy that grants remission of all temporal punishment associated with sin - if the specified conditions are met. Additional details on dates and locations for indulgences throughout the Holy Land will be forthcoming.
Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed gratitude in his speech to all involved in organizing and participating in this annual retreat, now a cherished tradition of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. This gathering not only enriches understanding of the diverse Catholic rites but also strengthens priestly relationships among the clergy.
