Feast of Saint Joseph at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem: Celebrating the "Patriarch of the people", His Beatitude Patriarch Emeritus Mgr Michel Sabbah
By: Cécile Leca. Photos: Cécile Leca. Video: Nicolawos Hazboun /lpj.org
JERUSALEM - On March 18th, 2023, in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a Mass to mark the feast of Saint Joseph and the 90th birthday of His Beatitude Mgr Michel Sabbah, Patriarch Emeritus.
Often called the "Patriarch and voice of the people", Mgr Sabbah served as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1987 to 2008, as the first non-Italian and Arab Palestinian to hold this position in over five centuries. Born in Nazareth, he was ordained a priest in 1955, choosing to answer God's call and to serve the Church despite the difficult times the country was then facing. Before becoming Latin Patriarch, he studied in Beirut and Paris and worked as director of the Latin Patriarchate schools and then as a teacher in Djibouti. He is known for his work for peace in the Holy Land and the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has served as president of Pax Christi, an international Catholic peace movement, as founder of the Society of Saint Yves, and as chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission.
"Before being a Patriarch, before being a bishop, Mgr Sabbah was a priest. And he remained so during all his life," said Patriarch Pizzaballa during his homily. "The prayers, the liturgy, the sacraments, and most importantly, Jesus-Christ, were always part of his identity. [...] And he was a pastor who loved his people, and who became their voice. A voice of truth that, in the midst of a very tormented and complicated political context, brought hope and unity to the hearts of the people," he added, highlighting Mgr Sabbah's achievements during his time as Latin Patriarch.
At the end of the Mass, His Beatitude Mgr Sabbah thanked all the priests and faithful who attended the celebration, urging them to be true Christians and to love as Jesus Christ himself loved. "In your communities, be one mind, one soul and one spirit; be a united family that leaves no one behind. And in society, be an example of Christ by loving others, no matter who they are, for a Christian's love is a love for all mankind"…
This news was originally published on the website of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Please click here to read the full text.
