His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa Celebrates the Feast Of the Annunciation 2024 in Nazareth
On Sunday, April 7th, 2024, on the Vigil of the Feast of the Annunciation, the celebrations began with the official welcoming of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and his accompanying delegation at St. Anton Center. Then, the traditional procession to the Basilica of the Annunciation took place with the participation of many Bishops, Priests, Seminarists, Scouts, and faithful. Before heading to the Grotto, where Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin the birth of a Savior… Fr. Ibrahim Sabbagh, the parish priest of Nazareth, gave a welcoming speech. It was followed by a speech from Mgr Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar of Israel, and Mgr Youssef Matta, Greek Catholic Bishop, who offered their Easter greetings to all the participants.
Upon arriving, they were received by Fr. Wojciech Bołoz, OFM, Guardian and Rector of the Basilica of the Annunciation and Shrine of the Holy Family in Nazareth, and the Franciscan Friars. Prayers dedicated to this feast were recited in front of the Grotto. Afterward, Card. Pizzaballa presided over the celebration of a Mass in the Basilica. Concelebrating was Mgr. Adolfo Tito Yllana, apostolic nuncio to Israel and Cyprus and apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, Mgr Nahra, and Mgr Bolous Marcuzzo, as well as several Bishops and priests; in the presence of many faithful.
The next morning, on the Feast Day of the Annunciation, on Monday, April 8th, 2024, the Pontifical Mass was celebrated in the Basilica of the Annunciation, presided over by His Beatitude the Cardinal, with a wide participation of the faithful from Nazareth and neighboring villages and cities. Noteworthy, this year’s feast coincided with the Orthodox Church celebration of the Annunciation feast too. This is due to the original feast day, March 25, falling on Holy Week, hence, the date was moved to the first Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter, according to the Gregorian Liturgy Calendar.
The Cardinal’s homily carried many spiritual meanings and values, which he encouraged everyone to live by: “Dear Brothers and sisters, let us also fight with Christ the good fight of faith. The Holy Virgin today invites all of us to oppose the powers of death with our humble but firm witness of love, donating, forgiveness, and reconciliation, saying “yes” to the will of God. Baptism has made us citizens of heaven no less than our birth has made us citizens of this beloved and difficult Holy Land. Let us illuminate the darkness of the world with the light of Easter, keeping our lamp lit as we all wait to participate in Christ's Easter victory over evil and death”…
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This news was originally published on the website of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Please click here to read the full text.