On Sunday, September 7, 2025 – His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, during which Sister Rawan Younes (Daniel), a native of the city, made her Profession of Perpetual Vows, joining the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception of Ivrea. Concelebrating were Fr. Antonius, parish priest, and Fr. Wojciech Bołoz, guardian and rector of the Basilica of the Annunciation, together with several priests and religious sisters of the congregation.
Parishioners and townspeople of Nazareth gathered to witness Sister Rawan’s public promise to God. Responding freely and lovingly to His call, she consecrated herself to Christ through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Offering her life as a living sacrifice, she entrusted herself to the grace of the Holy Spirit in service to both the local and universal Church.
“Nazareth is known for one word — Yes”
In his homily, His Beatitude emphasized the significance of this celebration for the parish of Nazareth, recalling that Sister Rawan is a daughter of this city and received the sacraments of the Church here. Her consecration, he noted, is a sign of hope and life for the community.
He reminded the faithful that Nazareth is known worldwide for one word: “Yes – Let it be done,” the words pronunced by Mary, in acceptance of God’s will for the salvation of humanity.
He stressed that God continues to call today, and that the faithful must make space in their lives to listen to His voice and respond to His will: "In today’s celebration, we see that there are still people responding to God’s call, because God keeps calling, but we have to respond to his call. Most of the time, our life is full of many things, that we do not have space to hear the voice of God and respond. Today’s consecration reminds us to make space for God in our life, to hear and do his will. This is exactly what he is talking about in the reading of the Gospel.”
Reflecting on the Gospel, the Patriarch explained that Christ does not literally demand hatred of family or self, but rather that He be the primary reference point in the life of every faithful, the measure by which all decisions are made: "He should be the foundation criteria on which you build your life. All the other things of life should be an expression of the centeredness of Christ in your life and not the contrary”.
He added that Christians do not differ from others in studying, working, or raising families. What makes their lives distinct is the way these things are lived. This is why consecrated men and women—those who give their lives entirely to God, leaving everything behind—remind us of our true calling: to live relationships in freedom and to love God with an undivided heart: “They inspire us to give our lives to God, showing how beautiful it is to do so. When we meet them, we should feel a kind of longing—a nostalgia—for the better life we can live with Him.”
At the conclusion of the Mass, His Beatitude addressed Sister Rawan and all consecrated men and women, urging them to be witnesses of the joy, peace, and passion that flow from a life entirely dedicated to God. In a time marked by war, hatred, and destruction, consecrated persons remain a living sign of God’s love poured out for others. He then entrusted Sister Rawan to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the Mother full of love, sacrifice, and joy, asking her to accompany Sister Rawan in her consecrated journey.
After the celebration, parishioners congratulated Sister Rawan and her family, expressing joy at this special moment for the city of Nazareth.
