The intense days of the Commissaries continued until Tuesday afternoon, deepening the themes of support and proclamation of the Holy Land. It was also a moment to listen to these men and women who came from all over the world.
Ilaria Ljuljdjuraj, Collaborator Northern Italy Commissariat
"Over the years my affection for these places has grown, because coming here I met people and faces who later became friends, and so the desire was born to return to meet them".
Fr. Jose Jesus, OFM, Commissary Mexico
"In this land it is not only about encountering places, but about encountering concrete faces, up to the very Face of the Lord".
Experiencing what the pilgrims experience, the Commissaries were able to visit some of the Holy Places to pray and celebrate, such as the Way of the Cross that takes place every Friday along the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem.
On Saturday the entire day was dedicated to Bethlehem: the stop in Beit Sahour, at the Shepherds' Fields, and the celebration in the recently inaugurated Croatian chapel. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Raphael Tayen, Latin Parish Priest of Bethlehem. Afterwards there was a visit to the Terra Santa School and to Catholic Action.
In Jerusalem, on Sunday, the Commissaries experienced a special moment in the Latin parish of Saint Saviour, celebrating Mass together with the local Christians. In the afternoon they lived an immersion experience at the Terra Santa Museum, located at the Shrine of the Flagellation, guided by Fr. Eugenio Alliata, archaeologist of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum.
Fr. Adilson Corrêa da Silva, OFM, Commissary Brazil
"People think that here there are only churches, but we also have schools, culture through the museum and moments of conviviality with the people. There is therefore much more to present!"
Celina del Rosario, Collaborator Mexico Commissariat
"I am a teacher, and it was very touching to visit the school and see children, boys, girls, teachers, and to know that with a little help, the Good Friday collection, we give some children the possibility to go to school".
Monday was dedicated to the presentation of the Custody's communication and the possible pilgrimage itineraries in the Holy Land. The day concluded with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
H.B. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
"The commissaries of the Holy Land are little-known figures, but of great importance. They are those who bring the Holy Land into the world, which means bringing Jesus into the world. They are true evangelizers, because thanks to the Holy Land they can meet many people who often do not even go to church. God always uses instruments, He never speaks directly. Before there were prophets or apostles, and in a certain sense even the commissaries can be considered apostles".
To conclude these days of deepening, on Tuesday 25 they celebrated, before the Aedicule of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Francesco Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land.
Many stories and many journeys have led here, to the heart of Christianity, lives that unite for the love of Jesus and for the Holy Land.
Fr. Geraldo Van Buul, OFM, Commissary Netherlands
"A meeting like this questions and challenges us. In my situation as an older person, I can run the risk of falling short. I think a congress like this is a great encouragement!"
Fr. Edgar Alves Pereira, OFM, Commissary Brazil
"I think for us it is a new beginning. It is part of our mission as commissaries: to encourage people to form groups to bring them here to the Holy Land".
Fr. Vencel Toth, OFM, Commissary Hungary
"It is important for us to create connections and relationships, to exchange experiences and live fraternally. We sincerely thank the local Christians who remain and safeguard these important places. The center of our lives is Jesus Christ and He must remain in our lives".
Fr. Stefano Tondelli, OFM, Commissary Umbria
"This congress and these meetings help us to deepen and to know, and starting from the people who lived and worked here on the places, they help us to know better the history of the Holy Land in order to share it with people, with pilgrims".
Fr. John Oh Hack Jun, OFM, Commissary South Korea
"Having the concept of creating the bond with the Holy Land is more important, and now I will try to take with me what I have learned here and spread these things to our confreres in Korea and to the Korean people".
And thus, by giving their lives in the nearest or farthest places, in arid or fertile lands, in the simplest or most complex contexts, from the youngest to the eldest, they assume their vocation as ambassadors of peace and witnesses of the Resurrection to the ends of the world.
Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, custos of the Holy Land
"The Custody and its ambassadors who are present in different countries of the world are close. They are here because we want to start again, because we want to listen to the cry of these peoples and this land, bring it to all the churches of the world and at the same time invite to return, to draw near, to become close".
