On Friday, March 7, 2025, the Friday after Ash Wednesday, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a solemn Mass commemorating the Crowning of Our Lord Jesus Christ with Thorns. The celebration took place at the Basilica of the Ecce Homo Convent, run by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion and the Chemin Neuf Community, in the Old City of Jerusalem, near the First Station of the Via Dolorosa.
Among the concelebrants were Mr. Nicolas Kassianides, Consul General of France in Jerusalem, as well as numerous consecrated men and women from various religious orders in Jerusalem, along with the faithful.
Reflecting on the Gospel passage recounting the Mockery of Jesus by the Soldiers (Mt. 27:27-31), Cardinal Pizzaballa highlighted the stark contrast between the perspectives of the people and that of Jesus in this moment of suffering. He drew attention to the choice made by the crowd—the release of Barabbas, whose name means “son of the father,” instead of Jesus, the true Son of God—emphasizing how Christ’s sacrifice ultimately secured humanity’s redemption from sin.
He then called on the faithful to embrace the posture of Christ, to stand apart from the world’s currents, and to resist the temptation of following the crowd. He noted that we too might feel that we are crowned with thorns in moments of weakness and anger, but we ought to allow this suffering to lead us to the triumph of the resurrection.
Concluding his homily, the Patriarch prayed for reconciliation and peace in the world, particularly in the Holy Land, urging all to use the Lenten season as a time for spiritual renewal. “May we, in the spirit of Lent, meditate on the Passion of Christ, reconnecting our hearts with His heart,” he prayed.
The Ecce Homo Convent holds deep historical and spiritual significance. Many believe that the Roman arch beneath the convent marks the site where Pontius Pilate presented Jesus—wearing the crown of thorns and a purple cloak—to the hostile crowd, proclaiming, “Behold the man” (“Ecce Homo” in Latin) (Jn 19:5). Founded in 1856 by Father Ratisbonne after the discovery of significant archaeological remains, the convent continues its mission of hospitality. Nine consecrated women serve at the guesthouse, welcoming pilgrims to visit the sacred site and participate in biblical courses.
