His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa Calls for Vigilance and Service at Annual St. Vincent de Paul Celebration

On Saturday, 29 November 2025, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the annual Mass honoring the commitment and charitable work of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Jerusalem. Concelebrating with him were Monsignor William Shomali, Vicar General, Monsignor Boulos Marcuzzo, and Fr. Rami Assakrieh, Parish Priest of Jerusalem.

Among those in attendance were His Eminence Archbishop Atallah Hanna, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Mr. Elias Tams, President of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Society’s members, Mr. Joseph Hazboun, Director of the Pontifical Mission in Jerusalem, as well as many faithful and the Arab Catholic Scouts group.

In his Homily, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa reflected on the long and deeply rooted presence of the Saint Vincent Society within the Christian community of the Holy Land, especially in Jerusalem. He emphasized that while Christians profess belief in Christ’s return, daily concerns, work, family, income, and the demands of life, often distract from the greater spiritual truth that one day we will stand before Jesus. On that day, he noted, the truth of how we lived our earthly life will be revealed. For this reason, Christians are called to live in a posture of expectation so that His coming does not go unnoticed.

Speaking about Christian vigilance, the Patriarch described it not as fearful anticipation but as the eager waiting of a lover for the beloved: “Vigilance is the ability to see the sun rising,” he said, “not like a soldier standing guard in fear. This Gospel reading does not speak of frightening apocalyptic signs, but of Christ coming to us in the simplicity of daily life. When you are waiting for someone you love, your whole being is alert to every sign of their arrival.” He invited the faithful to cultivate moments of pause and interior silence, to recognize Christ’s presence in everyday life rather than being consumed by routine and life demands…

This news was originally published on the Website of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Please click here to read the full text.