NAZARETH – On June 8th, 2024, at the Basilica of the Annunciation, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the priestly ordination of Deacon Basel Baransi, from the Reneh parish, which was marked by the participation of many bishops and priests.
Basel, 27 years old, is the son of a blacksmith and a homemaker. He has two brothers and a sister. He completed his academic studies at the Patriarchate School of Reneh and after finishing his high school studies he applied to join the Seminary of Beit Jala. He began his journey to the priesthood with seven other young men, but he was the only one to remain and be ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Jerusalem. He informed us that his desire to become a priest was born thanks to Fr. Elias Aoude, who served the Reneh parish for many years with great love and care, which birthed in him a love for God and His people, leading him to leave all behind and consecrate his life.
For the ordination, the deacon must choose a priest to be his godfather, to accompany him spiritually. The godfather also delivers the homily at the new priest's first Mass, offering spiritual insights and pastoral advice for his new mission. Basel chose Fr. George Ayoub, Head of the Arabic Section of the Vatican Secretariat of State, who is also from the parish of Reneh.
Early in the morning, the faithful gathered with joyful hearts in the church square and the streets of Nazareth to welcome His Beatitude the Cardinal accompanied by the to-be-ordained Deacon Basel Baransi. At the ringing of the church bells, the ordination ceremony began.
In his homily, Card. Pizzaballa emphasized the role of the priest in caring for the flock by loving them and being an image of Jesus: "To become like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, your heart must be united with His, as well as the heart of the community. Certainly, when people meet you, they will see your humanity, but they must also see the love of Christ through your words and actions".
In an atmosphere of awe, prayer, and joyful tears, the deacon prostrated himself, to offer his life to God. The clergy and faithful began to recite the Litany of the Saints, a Sacred moment of prayer, where the Church is joined by the intercessions of the angels and saints before the throne of God. Then, the bishops and priests participated in the laying of hands on the deacon’s head, symbolizing the unity of the priestly body. After donning the priestly robe, His Beatitude the Cardinal anointed the deacon’s hands with Holy Chrism Oil, a sign of consecration to the ministry of priesthood, and presented him with the bread and wine, which he will offer on the altar for the rest of his he life.
The next day, Sunday, June 9th, 2024, Father Basel Baransi celebrated his first solemn Mass among the members of his parish and town of Reneh. The scout parade began at the entrance of the town, where all gathered to greet the new priest and give thanks to God.
At the beginning of Mass, Fr. Ibrahim Shomali, the parish priest of Reneh, welcomed all the clergy, local dignitaries, and honored guests, who came to celebrate the granting of Pastoral Authority to their son, the new priest.
In his homily, Fr. George Ayoub, reminded Fr. Basel of the Word of God that it is no longer him who lives but Christ in him, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, and advised him to remain in Christ, to carry the fragrance of holiness, throughout his priestly service without weariness.
In the end, Fr. Basel Baransi, expressed his sincere gratitude for all who accompanied him during his seminary studies, especially his family, and all who worked earnestly to ensure the success of his ordination.
Explaining the meaning behind his priestly motto “With age-old love I have loved you” (Jeremiah 31:3) he said: “I have chosen this verse to remember God’s love that has called me to become a priest and to embody it continuously to those I serve. For where love is, there is God”.
O Lord, grant us holy priests!
