O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, Queen of Palestine and of the Holy Land, in this time of trial we turn to you because you love and know us: No concern of our hearts is hidden from you. Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence! You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Yet humanity has strayed from that path of peace. It has forgotten the lessons learned from the tragedies of the recent past, the sacrifices of the millions who fell in wars.

By our sins we have broken the heart of our heavenly Father, who desires us to be brothers and sisters. Now with shame we cry out: Forgive us, Lord!

Holy Mother, amid our struggles and weaknesses, amid the mystery of iniquity that is evil and war, you remind us that God never abandons His people, but continues to look upon us with love. He has given you to us and made your Immaculate Heart a refuge for the Church and for all humanity.

DEIR RAFAT – On Sunday, October 29th, 2023, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the Solemn Mass for Our Lady Queen of Palestine and the Holy Land, main patroness of the diocese, at the Shrine of Our Lady. Several Bishops, and priests also concelebrated; In the presence of the Religious sisters, and the few faithful, who managed to come to the monastery amidst these difficult times.

Due to the current situation that is on-going in our beloved Holy Land, great number of faithful who yearly come from different parts of the Holy Land to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady, in the Shrine of Deir Rafat, which was built in 1927, unfortunately, were not able to come. Yet they celebrated in their parishes and asked Our Lady to intercede for the people of this Holy Land and its peace.

You can find a video showing the moment of a missile strike near the Holy Family Church in Al Zaytoun Neighborhood in Gaza, where a group of families were praying together.

You can find some photos showing the massive destruction that occurred to the Orthodox Cultural Center in Gaza after it was bombed.

Photos’ source: Facebook Page of His Eminence Arbchishop Atallah Hanna, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia.

You can also find a video including a testimony directly from the center after it was bombed.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement On Tuesday, 31 of October 2023’s morning, condemning the [Israeli] military’s bombardment of the Orthodox Cultural Center in the Tel Al Hawa neighborhood of Gaza earlier today. In this statement, the Patriarchate emphasizes that this attack represents a stark embodiment of [Israel]’s unwarranted determination to destroy the civil infrastructure and social service centers, as well as shelters for civilians trapped in the besieged enclave. The Patriarchate highlights that social, cultural, and sports centers have become vital providers of essential humanitarian services and safe havens for those affected by [Israeli] airstrikes targeting residential areas.

By: Photos Credit: Custodia Terræ Sanctæ

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for a day of Prayer and fasting, on Friday, Oct. 27, to implore peace for the Holy Land, and the whole world. This is the second appeal made by His Holiness Pope Francis as the first was called on by His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, on Oct. 17, to which all Oarishioners of the diocese as well as many dioceses of the world responded to.

His Holiness Pope Francis prays for an end to the violence in the Holy Land, especially in Gaza where a humanitarian catastrophe has unfolded, as well as for the release of [Israeli] hostages held by Hamas.

By Francesca Merlo

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire in the Holy Land. Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for his Sunday Angelus, the Holy Father invited everyone to "continue to pray ... for the serious situation in Palestine and [Israel]". In particular, he asked that humanitarian aid be allowed to enter Gaza and that all hostages be freed.  

His Holiness Pope Francis reminds the Synodal Assembly that the Holy Spirit is the gathering's protagonist, and offers his heartfelt thanks to all, as he addressed the closing session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, which concludes with the Holy Mass on Sunday in the Vatican.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The Holy Spirit is the protagonist of this Synod...

His Holiness Pope Francis offered this powerful reminder during the closing session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place Saturday in the Vatican, in his brief remarks.

The Holy Father began his remarks, in Spanish, thanking all those who have played a key role in the synodal gathering.

The Synthesis Report at the conclusion of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality is published. Looking ahead to the second session in 2024, the text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Women and the laity, diaconate, ministry and magisterium, peace and the climate, the poor and migrants, ecumenism and identity, new languages and renewed structures, old and new missions (including the “digital” mission), listening to all and probing everything more deeply, even the most 'controversial' issues. In the Synthesis Report approved and published today by the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, there is a renewed look at the world and the Church and their demands. After four weeks of work, which began on 4 October in the Paul VI Hall, the General Assembly concluded its first session today in the Vatican.

Children from the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza record a video praying the Our Father and the Hail Mary for an end to the war, as the sound of falling bombs can be heard in the background.

By Vatican News

Parishioners from Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza are praying fervently for an end to the war and peace for all.

In a video recorded on Saturday, bombs can be heard exploding in the background. The Parish compound has turned into a refuge for many seeking shelter.

Jordan, 2023

Below is the Communiqué of the Anglican–Oriental Orthodox International Commission which held its tenth meeting in Jordan in October 2023:

The Anglican–Oriental Orthodox International Commission held its tenth meeting in Jordan from the 24th to the 27th October 2023, thanking the Most Revd Dr Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, for his gracious hospitality.

Consideration had been given to the appropriateness of travelling to Jordan in a time of war in the wider region. It was decided that the meeting should go ahead, as a sign of solidarity with the local Churches.

The Commission prayed for peace and justice in the region, expressing its deep solidarity with its people. Archbishop Hosam joined a session of the meeting online, briefed the Commission on the situation across the region, prayed with the members and referred to his joint appeal with the Archbishop of Canterbury for prayer for peace and justice. He characterised the conflicts in the region as a potential existential threat to the Churches.

In a broken world, lacerated by war and suffering, His Holiness Pope Francis asks believers to join him in Prayer for peace and reconciliation. He implores the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, to offer the solace, guidance, and hope of a mother who has seen her children endure pain and loss throughout history. To Her, he consecrates “the world, especially those countries at war.”

By Linda Bordoni

Consecrating our lives, the Church and the world to the Queen of Peace, His Holiness Pope Francis prayed to the Mother of God to touch the hearts of those imprisoned by hatred, and convert those who fuel and foment conflict.

Mt 22, 34-40 

We are at the last of the three controversies stirred up by Jesus' opponents with the aim of getting him into trouble, of discrediting among the crowd his growing reputation as a prophet, which had gradually spread thanks to his deeds and words.

The first one (Mt 22:15-21) we heard last Sunday, regards the tribute to be given or not given to the emperor: Jesus had responded by shifting the level of the problem and inviting his interlocutors to look deeper, to see the image that everything bears within itself, to distinguish what bears the image of God and should be repaid to Him, and what instead bears the imprint of man, and should be treated as such.

The second (Mt 22:23-33) was about the resurrection of the dead: here, too, Jesus changes perspective, and reminds the Sadducees who question him that God is faithful to man's life, and this love-filled faithfulness is the foundation of hope in the resurrection.

Today (Mt 22:34-40), the question posed by a scribe concerns the Law, and he asks Jesus what the great commandment is.

I would like to dwell first on two points.

In an intervention delivered at the beginning of Wednesday afternoon’s General Congregation of the General Assembly, His Holiness Pope Francis highlights the description of the Church as God’s faithful people, infallible in believing.

Intervention of Pope Francis

at the 18th General Congregation

of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly

of the Synod of Bishops

I like to think of the Church as God's faithful people, saint and sinner, a people convoked and called with the force of the beatitudes and of Matthew 25.

Jesus, for His Church, did not take up any of the political schemes of his time: not the Pharisees, nor Sadducees, nor Essenes, nor Zealots. No “closed corporation”; He simply takes up the tradition of Israel: “You shall be My people and I will be your God”.

I like to think of the Church as this simple and humble people who walk in the presence of the Lord (the faithful people of God). This is the religious meaning of our faithful people. And I say faithful people so as not to fall into the many ideological approaches and schemes with which the reality of the people of God is “reduced”. Simply faithful people, or also, “God’s holy faithful people” on the way, saind and sinner. And this is the Church.

Within the framework of initiatives related to the Year of the Armenian Diaspora, a series of official meetings commenced on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, featuring discussions with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church of Cilicia. The event, titled "From Introspection to Reorganization," is intended to reinvigorate the organizational structures of the Armenian Prelacy and the Lebanese Armenian community.

The first meeting took place on the evening of Monday, October 23rd, 2023, in Yercho Samuelian-Yerakuyn Hall of the Prelacy of Lebanon. Distinguished attendees included diocesan representatives, members of the Executive Council, the Religious Council, as well as representatives from various councils and committees operating under the Prelacy.

Participants in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God giving thanks for their experience, detailing the work of the past few weeks, and expressing the hope that in the coming months, everyone will be able to "concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word 'synod'".

Letter of the

XVI Ordinary General Assembly

of the Synod of Bishops

to the People of God

Dear sisters, dear brothers,

As the proceedings of the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops draw to a close, we want to thank God with all of you for the beautiful and enriching experience we have lived. We lived this blessed time in profound communion with all of you. We were supported by your prayers, bearing with you your expectations, your questions, as well as your fears. As His Holiness Pope Francis requested two years ago, a long process of listening and discernment was initiated, open to all the People of God, no one being excluded, to “journey together” under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, missionary disciples engaged in the following of Jesus Christ.

In an interview with Vatican Media, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expresses his sorrow for all the victims of the conflict that is bloodying the Holy Land, saying Hamas has committed unjustifiable atrocities but that "starving two million people will not help."

By Federico Piana

His is a bleeding heart, torn by grief for the thousands of victims who are increasing every day. But it is also a divided heart, “because in my community there are Palestinians and [Israelis]. And holding everything together at this time is really very complicated.” Speaking with Vatican Media, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expresses his concern at the increasing difficulty in interceding for both sides in the dispute. Nonetheless, he says, “One has to try, one cannot give up.” Efforts for peace certainly cannot be set aside.

His Holiness Pope Francis renews his appeal to release [Israeli] hostages and to let humanitarian aid reach Gaza, while inviting the faithful to join him in praying for peace on Friday, 27 October.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"I encourage the release of hostages, and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza."

With these words, His Holiness Pope Francis made his latest appeal for the Holy Land, which came at the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square as he addressed Italian-speaking pilgrims.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum and Justin Welby, have issued a joint emergency appeal for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The international appeal calls for Prayers and donations not only for the work of the Anglican-run al-Ahli Arab Hospital’s vital work in Gaza, but also for the Diocese of Jerusalem’s ministries throughout the Holy Land which are also being greatly affected by the [Israel]-Hamas war.

Responding to the appeal, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Jerusalem said: “Thank you again for all your prayers and support during this time of great calamity! Continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for security for all who dwell in its lands.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May the Lord give you peace!

We are going through one of the most difficult and painful periods in our recent times and history. For over two weeks now, we have been inundated with images of horrors, which have reawakened ancient traumas, opened new wounds, and made pain, frustration and anger explode within all of us. Much seems to speak of death and endless hatred. So many ‘whys’ overlap in our minds, adding to our sense of bewilderment.

The whole world views this Holy Land of ours as a place that is a constant cause of wars and divisions. That is precisely why it was good that a few days ago, the whole world joined us with a day of prayer and fasting for peace. It was a beautiful view of the Holy Land and an important moment of unity with our Church. And that view is still there. Next October 27th, the Pope has called for a second day of prayer and fasting, so that our intercession may continue. It will be a day that we will celebrate with conviction. It is perhaps the main thing we Christians can do at this time: pray, do penance, intercede. For this, we thank the Holy Father from the bottom of our hearts.