“Christ is born, let us glorify him – Halleluiah!”
Members of the Jesuit community went to Bethlehem on the Christmas morning to celebrate mass in the Basilica of the Nativity, in the Chapel of Saint Helena. Six Jesuits were present as the others were busy with their various apostolates.
Father David, superior of the community, celebrated together with Fathers Luc, George, Wiesiu, Jaroslav and Mark. The Basilica was packed with local believers for the mass of Christmas day celebrated by Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Outside hundreds of migrant workers visited the site, Filipinos, Indians, Sri Lankans, French and English-speaking Africans and many others. Notable by their absence were the foreign pilgrims who would usually flock to Bethlehem in these days. The ongoing pandemic is a dramatic crisis for the many Bethlehemites, especially Christians, who work in the tourist industry.
Father Josef together Father Ryszard, the students of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the priests on sabbatical were able to participate in the midnight mass in Bethlehem, presided by the Patriarch. They returned home at 2.30 in the morning and then celebrated a more relaxed liturgy at home in Jerusalem with Father Doan.
Most members of the community then gathered for a sumptuous Christmas meal, prepared by our talented cook, Nicola, and served by his assistant, Shadi.
Fathers Peter, John Paul and Paul were away from the community, each one engaged in Christmas celebrations. Father Peter was on parish service in the town of Bir Zeit, Father Paul was serving the contemplative sister on the monastery of Lavra Netofa in Galilee and Father John Paul was presiding the Christmas celebrations at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute, where he serves as rector.
The Jesuit community wishes all our friends, relatives, benefactors and companions a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Jesuits in the Holy Land 
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