The First Solemn Entrance and Procession of his Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Twal to Nazareth

Friday, 10 October 2008

On Saturday, September 6th 2008, the bells of the city of Nazareth rang out of joy on the occasion of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the First Solemn Entrance of this Beatitude Fouad Twal, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to Nazareth. Many groups of faithful gathered in Nazareth, and participated with the scout teams, the choir and the educational institutions. A religious procession started from St. Anthony parish centre to the Latin Basilica of Annunciation, where a thanksgiving prayer took place.His Eminence Boulus Marcuzzo, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Israel accompanied the Patriarch along with Fr. Ricardo Bustos ofm, the Guardian of the Terra Santa Convent in Nazareth, as well as Fr. Amjad Sabbara ofm, the Latin Parish Priest, and the mayor of Nazareth, eng. Ramez Jarayseh, with Mr. Sizar Marjyeh, the head of the Christian affairs in the Israeli Ministry for Religious Affairs. Sunday: Pontifical Mass of the feast of the Nativity of Our LadyThe first Pontifical Mass of His Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Twal started on Sunday morning, September 7th 2008 in the Basilica of Annunciation. His Beatitude began talking about the value of the city of Nazareth, saying that the message of annunciation started in Nazareth, where Virgin Mary lived, and where the Son of God has incarnated and was called Jesus.The Patriarch also paid tribute to his predecessor his Beatitude Mons. Sabbah, the former and the first Arab Patriarch, who is the son of the city of Nazareth. Then, his Beatitude pointed out the role of the Franciscan priests in taking care of the city of Annunciation, the city of Nazareth.His Beatitude too mentioned the inauguration of the year of St. Paul last June, where he talked extensively about St. Paul's courage, encouraging the faithful to follow his footsteps in facing the challenges and continuing the way in being a model of faith in the sincerity of the land, family and work.The Patriarch's homily ended in a thanksgiving prayer to God, putting all the Christian families in the hands of Virgin Mary, and asking her to grant us enough wisdom and patience to stick with our Christian identity and homeland. A prayer for peace followed, where the faithful asked for staying away from wars and all acts of violence and return to unity among all.

 

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