Amid the violence that continues to strike the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, on July 1 ordained ten new Franciscan priests in the Basilica of Gethsemane during the celebration of the feast of the Most Precious Blood of Christ. That same day, ten other Friars Minor received diaconal ordination at the Church of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem, in a day of special significance for the Custody of the Holy Land.
According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the new priests come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Peru, Mexico, Slovakia, India, and Hungary. The celebration was marked by a strong call from the Patriarch to live the priesthood as a ministry of reconciliation in a land marked by suffering and conflict.
“The priesthood is born of the Blood of Christ”
During the homily, Pizzaballa highlighted the coincidence between the priestly ordination, the place of the celebration—Gethsemane—and the liturgical feast of the Most Precious Blood.
“Providence, in its wisdom, has chosen this day and this place for you to remind us that the priesthood is born of the Blood of Christ,” he stated.
The Patriarch explained that the entire history of salvation culminates in the sacrifice of Christ, whose blood “does not cry out for vengeance, but for mercy.” In contrast to the blood of Abel, which demanded justice, “the Blood of Christ cries out for forgiveness,” because God has willed to reconcile humanity through the gift of his Son.
Priests for a land marked by violence
Pizzaballa then addressed especially meaningful words to those beginning their ministry in Jerusalem.
“To you, ordained today in Jerusalem, in this land bathed in blood—both innocent blood and the Blood of Christ—a special vocation is entrusted,” he affirmed.
The Patriarch recalled that the Holy Land “knows too much violence, too much division, and too much bloodshed,” and therefore urged the new priests to become instruments of reconciliation.
“You are called to bear the Blood that reconciles, unites, and forgives,” he exhorted.
He also reminded them that the priest is never the source of grace, but a minister of Christ’s one sacrifice.
“You are not the source; only Christ is the source. But you are called to bring to the people that Blood which gives life,” he noted.
Ten new deacons for the Custody of the Holy Land
The day concluded with the ordination of ten other friars as deacons in the conventual Church of Saint Saviour, seat of the Custody of the Holy Land.
In this second celebration, Pizzaballa reminded the new deacons that the Christian ministry is not free from difficulties, yet it is continually sustained by God’s faithfulness.
“The Lord does not promise them that they will not fall. He promises them something far greater: that they will never be alone,” he stated.
After the ceremony, the new deacons publicly expressed their gratitude to Cardinal Pizzaballa, to the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, as well as to their families, formators, and religious superiors for the accompaniment received during their vocational journey.
“Let us not fear the Blood of Christ”
In the final part of the priestly homily, the Patriarch invited the whole Church to contemplate the Blood of Christ as a source of hope.
“We must not fear the Blood. Rather, let us go to Him. Let us allow ourselves to be washed by Him. Let us allow ourselves to be nourished by Him. Let us allow ourselves to be saved as the Lord has chosen to save us,” he exhorted.
Finally, he asked that the Eucharist be for the new priests, for the faithful, and for Jerusalem “the source of life, the pledge of forgiveness, and the beginning of a renewed life,” so that, even in a land wounded by war, the love of Christ may continue to be stronger than hatred and violence.