Christmastime in Gaza, celebrated, as is now the custom, in the last week of advent, was really beautiful. The Gospel of Luke for this Fourth Sunday of Advent tells the story of Mary rising and going quickly to see her old and pregnant cousin Elizabeth who lives in the hill country of Judea. The meeting and the greeting of the two women lets loose the joy of the babies they carry in their wombs. That is just the way it was for this visit of our Patriarch Fouad, pastor of the Mother Church of Jerusalem and representing the whole Church.
Both quick on his feet and determined, he passed through the walls and barriers to finally reach the house of the Holy Family in Gaza, a parish community marked by years under siege, imprisoned and mortified by the Israeli attach a ear ago, hungry for justice and peace, but rich and in faith and hope. The Patriarch’s powerful and courageous words reached the hearts of the Gaza Christian, bringing comfort and joy to each person: “Oh Infant of Bethlehem, you who passed through Gaza in your flight to Egypt, grant us your patience, your love, your goodness – the Patriarchate said – May this new year bring reconciliation, purification of intentions, a meeting of hearts, the end of divisions, the destruction of walls and the construction of the bridges of understanding, mutual forgiveness and encounter among peoples.” The little child of Bethlehem did not have either prestige or power in the eyes of the world. Yet he is our King, God among us! In his small size and weakness there is hidden the light and salvation for all men!
The parish of Gaza anticipated the coming of this day with commitment and dedication. For days, well-organized working groups set up the manger scene, decorated the interior and exterior of the church, prepared the songs and liturgy, and got the hall and lunch ready. After many years of silence, the Scouts got out their drums and welcomed, cheered and greeted the entire delegation with the Patriarch. It was very large: Bishop Marcuzzo, Don Peppino Barbesta pastor of Retegno (LO Italy) founder of Workers Believers. The community of the Incarnate Word IVE, which to the pastor of Gaza Father Jorge belongs to, and his brother Father Elias, were happy to receive their Father Provincial, Fr Luis Montes, as well as Father Gabriel Romanelli and father Victor. Belonging to the Patriarchate were Fr. Humam Khzouz, the Patriarchal general administrator and Fr. Majdi Siryani, director general of schools. Mother Ines Al-Yacoub, Superior General of the Sisters of the Rosary also came to visit the community of her sisters. Don Nandino Capovilla of Pax Christi and Don Marco Italy Corniolo, Andrea and Lorenzo, two brothers of the Families of the Visitation and 3 journalists also came along.
About 300 faithful filled the small parish church and celebrated the Sunday mass with warmth and participation. After the Mass, all the Christians greeted their visitors under the pleasant sunshine.
Thanks to Fr. Nandino the celebration also reached many others whose eyes turned towards Gaza. More than 50 cities were ‘spiritually’ participating in the mass, remembering Gaza in their prayers.
In the greeting hall the Patriarch also met with Muslim dignitaries. He blessed and handed over an ambulance that Caritas Jerusalem donated to Al Ahli Arab Hospital. Then, together with all the religious sisters of Gaza, the bishops and priests of the delegation, His Beatitude blessed the house named “Hogar de Cristo.” It is entrusted to the community of the Missionaries of the Incarnate Word under the supervision of Fr. Elias and will soon house handicapped children.
After a convivial lunch there were the goodbyes and the departure for Jerusalem in the hope that, with the permission of the Israeli government, they all might see each other again on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem.
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