On March 19th, 2024, the faithful of the diocese of Jerusalem celebrated the feast of Saint Joseph by holding many prayers. It included a Mass presided over by Fr. Francesco Patton, the Custos of the Holy Land, at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, with the participation of many faithful. The Mass ended with a procession to the Grotto of Saint Joseph, in honor of the Custodian family of the Holy Land.
Also, Mgr Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar of Galilee, presided over a Mass at the Annunciation Church, during which Br. Gierash from the Missionaries of Charity Brothers made his First Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. He came from India to prepare himself spiritually for this new step in his consecration to the Lord. In his homily, Mgr Rafiq Nahra commended the role of consecrated people in the life of the Church, and the witness they bear of God’s love and care.
In the evening of the feast day, Mgr Nahra presided over a second Mass in the Shafa’amr church, which was concelebrated by Fr. Eli Kuzum, Parish priest of Shefa'amr, and Fr. Ramez Twal, the Youth Chaplain of Galilee; in the presence of many faithful. In his homily, he referred to the silent obedient life of St. Joseph, especially in moments of pain and distress: “When in pain, we need to sit in silence and allow the Word of God and His Spirit to be present with us”.
On the same day, Mgr. William Shomali, Patriarchal General Vicar, also presided over a Mass in the parish of Jifna, which bears the name of Saint Joseph, which also celebrated its 168th anniversary. In his homily, Mgr. Shomali congratulated Fr. Johnny Bahbah, the religious sisters, and the parishioners while encouraging them to continue taking St. Joseph as an example for them in their spiritual journey, and to live the virtue of obedience that Saint Joseph embodied: “Throughout the ministry of Jesus, Saint Joseph is not mentioned to have spoken a single word, and we ought to live according to God’s plan without complaints, fear or boredom, but with complete trust in his plan for our lives”.
Meanwhile, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Saint Joseph Latin parish of Mafraq celebrated the Feast of Saint Joseph, also the patron Saint of the parish, on Sunday evening, March 17th, 2024. The mass was presided over by Fr. Baha’ Istefan, the parish priest, with the participation of the Rosary sisters and many parishioners. In his homily, Fr. Istefan spoke of Saint Joseph’s role in guarding the Holy Family, and said: “He represents every father, and every Christian family must ask for his intercession”.
In addition, on this special occasion Fr. Firas Nasrawin, Parish Priest of St. Joseph Parish, Jabal Amman, invited Fr. Shawqi Baterian, the first priest to ever be ordained from the parish of Jabal Amman, to preside over a Mass at the parish and concelebrated by Fr. Jihad Shweihat, Jordan's Patriarchal Vicar. In his homily, Fr. Shweihat reflected on the silent work life of Saint Joseph, saying: “Many of our tasks, we must do in silence and love, surrendering our lives and its details to God, who can make something great out of them. At the end of Mass, the parishioners gathered in the parish hall to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph.
