Warm welcome for first group of pilgrims to the Holy Land in more than a year and a half

The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has welcomed the first group of pilgrims to the Holy Land in over a year and a half, since Covid-19 restrictions were put in place, and has renewed his invitation to return to the places of Jesus.
After joyfully opening the doors of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to the faithful, priests and journalists, who are in the Holy Land as the first group of the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, Archbishop Pizzaballa  renewed his invitation to come to the Holy Land.

A different experience

In an interview with Vatican Radio, the archbishop said that the meaning of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land “allows us to experience with our eyes”. It is always an extraordinary experience, which this first group is living in an even more special dimension of recollection: in the sacred places, in fact, there are not the usual queues to enter or the normal hubbub of tourists. It is a time of sorrow for the absence of pilgrims, the patriarch emphasizes, but also an occasion for reflection:

We do not need crowds, says Archbishops Pizzaballa, explaining that this time of emptiness, after having brought so many problems to everyone and especially to the many families who live from tourism in this land, can be an opportunity for rethinking. We can try to rethink the rhythm and mode of travel to ensure that they respond better to the needs of pilgrims but also of those who make religious tourism and may be touched spiritually by the encounter with the places, with the facts of Jesus and therefore with the person of Christ.

The welcome

After the Mass at Gethsemane and the visit to Bethlehem, the moment of prayer at the Holy Sepulchre arrived, with the ideal embrace between the friars of the Custody and Cardinal Feroci who is leading the group of pilgrim.

They were greeted upon their arrival with a prayer sung by the Friars Minor of the Custody. In particular, Friar Sinisa recalled that the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre has never been truly closed. He underlined this by explaining that he was surprised and hurt by the news given by the media of an alleged reopening with the end of the lockdown. There has never been a lockdown of the Holy Sepulchre either day or night, the friar explained, assuring that prayer is constant for all Christians around the world and asking that prayers be said for the Holy Land.

ENDS

Source: Vatican News article

SHARE

More news

PARISH PRIEST

Fr Sean O Sullivan
Address:
3 The Presbytery,
Church of the Resurrection, Farranree,
Cork T23Y7K2

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address:The Sacristy, Church of the Resurecction,
Knockpogue Avenue, Farranree, Cork, T23 NV97
For booking Masses, baptisms or weddings or for requesting Baptism, Confirmation and Marriage certs or Mass cards.

Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Please note that there is no attention in the Parish Office on Wednesday mornings.

Contact:
Martha Ryan or Marian O’ Sullivan during Parish Office hours. 

MASS TIMES

Sunday Masses:
Saturday Evening Vigil Mass         6.30 p.m.
Sunday Mass                                  10.30 a.m.

Weekdays: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10.00 a.m.
Please note that there is no Mass on Wednesday mornings.

 Holydays:   As announced on the previous weekend.

Confession is available upon request before or after any Mass, or by contacting Fr Sean.

Church Open for Private Prayer:  Our Side Chapel  remains open daily for private prayer from after Mass  until 4.00 p.m.

Stay in Touch

Church of the Resurrection, Knockpogue Avenue Farranree, Cork, T23 NV97

Copyright 2023 © FARRANREE PARISH All rights Reserved.