It is with his whole existence that the Christian intones the new hymn inaugurated by Jesus’ Resurrection. By citing Saint Agustin’s moving words in his touching homily on May 9th, the Auxiliary Bishop and Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, Monsignor Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo highlighted the true sense of the step taken by five young seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary . In the solemn liturgy celebrated in the Domus Galiaeae’s church atop the Mount of Beatitudes, Miguel Pérez Jiménez was admitted to the Holy Orders. Sliman Hifawi and Juan Manuel Silva Lopez were conferred the ministry of lector, while Giovanni Falorni and Matheus Brum Maciel received the ministry of acolyte.
The Five young men from the Redemptoris Mater come from many parts of the world; in conformance with the Seminary’s international inspiration. Miguel is from Spain, Sliman from Israel (Jaffa of Tel Aviv), Juan Manuel from Colombia, Giovanni Falorni from Italy, and Matheus from Brasil. These five are preparing themselves to become diocesan priests for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and are willing to leave for the mission wherever they may be invited to go. Among those present at the joyful celebration were many priests, religious from the Holy Land, brothers in mission at the Domus, and the relatives of the candidates themselves, not to mention the various brothers and sisters of the Neocatechumenal Communities that came from various cities and villages of the Galilee, Jaffa Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
In a very fraternal setting the Rector of the Seminary, Father Francesco Giosuè Voltaggio, introduced the liturgy by thanking Monsignor Marcuzzo for his presence, and presenting a very rich and varied assembly. Father Rino Rossi, director of the Domus Galilaeae and responsible of the Neocatehcumenal Way in Holy Land together with his team, concelebrated the liturgy.
The celebration itself was inserted in a very unique historical timeframe marked by the canonization of the two Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, and Pope Francis’ upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In this context, Mons. Marcuzzo underlined during the liturgy the fact that every ministry looks towards the end of sanctifying the entrusted faithful, as well as the brothers.
The fraternal agape that followed the celebration, accompanied by cheerful songs in Arabic and other languages underlined the festive climate. Lastly, those present at the celebration will meet again at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth this coming June 14th for the ordination of four new priests for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem that also come from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Galilee.
Pierluigi Fornari, Journalist at Avvenire, Italy.
