From July 1 to July 5, 2024, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Holy Land held its annual retreat at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Galilee, with the participation of many bishops and priests.
This year’s retreat, led by Fr. Amjad Sabbara, a Franciscan priest of the Diocese of Jerusalem, emphasized four fundamental principles for formation for a fulfilling priesthood: first, consistent study and understanding of Scripture; second, the vital role of spiritual direction in priestly life; third, the importance of nurturing healthy relationships with others; and finally, the transformative power of daily meditation, which is essential for maintaining a steadfast commitment to an authentic priesthood.
The retreat program included a variety of meetings and prayers following various Eastern rites and covered themes such as pastoral ministry, sermons and the Jubilee Year of 2025.
The final day of the retreat, Friday, July 5, featured a session with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to strategize for the upcoming Holy Year in the Holy Land.
It has been decided that December 29, 2024 will be the first day of the Jubilee of the Holy Land. Various holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, will be recognized as places where believers can obtain plenary indulgences (a special sign of God’s infinite mercy that grants remission of all temporal penalties related to sins) if they fulfill specified conditions. More details regarding the dates and locations of the Plenary Indulgences of the Holy Land will be announced in the future.
In his speech, Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed his gratitude to all those involved in organizing and participating in this annual retreat, which has become a treasured tradition of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, a gathering that not only deepens understanding of the diverse Catholic rites but also strengthens pastoral relationships among the clergy.
Click here to see the official Jubilee 2025 website.
Click here to see more photos from the retreat!
