The Christian presence in Haifa has a history of struggle, as the Carmelites held on to the land on which the current monastery was built, despite persecution from various occupying powers that this town has witnessed.
Initially, the city of Haifa was divided into two areas, the southern and northeastern parts of Mount Carmel. According to the latest statistics provided by the parish, the number of Christian inhabitants in the city is approximately 17,500, including 2,144 Latin Catholics. The current parish priest is Fr. Kabernious Kabernious of the Carmelite Order, overseeing 653 families since 2022.
Milestones in the history of the Latin parish in Haifa:
- In 1208, the Carmelite order in Haifa was founded by His Beatitude Patriarch Alberto, who resided in the city of Acre at that time.
- In 1767, Daher el-Omar, the ruler of Acre, ordered the Carmelite monks to demolish their house and build another in a different location. The site chosen then is where what is known as the Stella Maris Church was built.
- In 1774, a monastery and a small church were built under the patronage of Saint Joseph, making it the first Catholic church in Haifa after the Crusades.
- Between 1799 and 1803, the Carmelites left the Holy Land until a new delegate arrived from Malta, Fr. Jule, in the summer of 1803. He resided in the monastery and managed the church's properties.
- On June 14, 1827, the Feast of Corpus Christi, Fr. Jules presided over the celebration of laying the foundation stone for the new monastery.
- On July 15, 1836, the Haifa parish was established, marked by administering the first baptism in the parish.
- In 1961, the current church was built, and the design of the new church was overseen by Mr. Antonio Barluzzi, who supervised the construction of the Church of the Beatitudes, the Church of the Transfiguration, and the Church of All Nations.
Procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, on April 12, 1964
The new church is located in the center of Haifa, with a hall underneath that can accommodate 450 people.
The priests built a complex behind the sacristy, containing halls for various pastoral activities, including the Third Carmelite Brotherhood, founded in 1927, the Carmel Club (founded in 1939), the Carmelite Scouts (founded in 1961), and various categories of the Marist Brothers.
Latin Catholic schools in Haifa:
- Carmelite School (run by the Franciscan monks)
- Carmel School (parish school)
- Nazareth Sisters School (run by the Latin Patriarchate)
Parish activities:
- The Parish of Haifa currently has a Pastoral Council, and a choir group and holds Sunday School and marriage preparation courses, as well as hosts various movements and fraternities such as the Hope Movement, which live according to the spirituality of Saint Anne, Focolore Movement, and Saint Joseph Fraternity.
His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will begin his pastoral visit to Haifa on Tuesday, June 11, until Sunday, June 16, 2024.
Stay tuned for the daily photo album of the pastoral visit on our Facebook page: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
