Throughout this time we have lived events which are unforgettable, yet hard to simply summarize; therefore, we present them  to you in chronological order so that you, who have supported us during these years, may share evermore in our mission in the Holy Land and rejoice at the wonders that, despite our unworthiness, God is working in our midst:

–       The joy of the Easter Vigil with all of its liturgical richness, and the fifty day of Easter that we are living;

–       The Convivence held in the Domus Galilaeae with the initiators of the Neochatechumenal Way, that saw the participation of five cardinals, 140 Bishops, 300 Episcopal vicars, and the itinerants of the Neocatechumenal Way from all over the world;

–       The Eucharistic Celebration in which two seminarians were conferred the ministry of Lector, two others received the ministry of acolyte, and another one was admitted to the Holy Orders;

–       The Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Greek-Catholic rite in which two seminarians were ordained lectors (that’s how the Eastern rites calls it), and a Maronite seminarian who was ordained cantor and lector of his same rite;

–       The great joy that Pope Francis’ visit as a Pilgrim to the Holy Land has brought us. We accompanied him as he presided over the Holy Eucharist in Amman, Jordan, and afterwards in the prayers at the Gethsemane. After the Holy Eucharist in Amman, we had the privilege of welcoming the Holy Father under the Apostolic Nunciature’s House where he was residing. As he was looking on from the window, Father Rino presented us while we greeted him with songs . We then proceeded to “serenade” Pope Francis with the help of 600 brothers of the Way coming from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Iraq and Dubai. These brothers were accompanied by the itinerants responsible for the Way in each of their countries, the inter-ritual Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Beirut with their respective formators and priests ordained there, and lastly by our Seminary of Galilee. What a sight! What communion! After Father Rino’s presentation, Pope Francis gave us his blessings and wished us all a good night!

We would like to end with the same words, which we received from the Holy Father Francis at the Gethsemane: “You, dear brothers and sisters, are called to follow the Lord with joy in this holy land! It is a gift and also a responsibility. Your presence here is extremely important; the whole Church is grateful to you and she sustains you by her prayers.” Pray for us!