His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, conducted a pastoral visit to Taybeh from June 1st, 2024, until June 3rd, 2024, during which he spent a fruitful time with the parish, by providing spiritual and pastoral guidance to the priests, sisters, and faithful, as well as visiting the various destinations of the village.
In front of the Church of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, Fr. Bashar Fawadleh, the parish priest of Taybeh, accompanied by former Patriarch Michel Sabbah, several priests, members of the municipality, security services, and the parishioners, welcomed H.B. the Cardinal and his delegation. The official reception included prayers, hymns, and activities presented by school students, and the youth. The Taybeh Scouts presented a symbolic gift to His Beatitude, symbolizing the ancient Palestinian Christian presence in Taybeh. And during the welcoming, Card. Pizzaballa, expressed his solidarity with the people of Taybeh in these difficult times, stressing that the darkness of the world cannot extinguish the light of Christ that shines in and among them, and noted that he came to listen to their needs and get to know the nature of their lives up close, as this is his first extended pastoral visit to the parish.
Then, he visited the Patriarchate School and met with the administrative and educational bodies, where he learned about their difficulties and a summary of their most important achievements.
This was followed by a visit to the municipality of Taybeh, where he thanked the town for their extinguished efforts in preserving the town’s heritage and history, in addition to the good services they provide. He also visited the ancient Church of St. George, located on the town's outskirts. His Beatitude also laid the foundation stone for the new parish housing.
He ended the first day of the visit by celebrating the Sacraments of the Church with the parish by administering the Holy Communion and Confirmation to 22 children, both male and female.
In his homily, Card. Pizzaballa expressed that his heart was full of joy due to his presence as a shepherd among the flock. While contemplating the parable of the vine, he addressed the children, saying: “You must strive to preserve your relationship with Jesus Christ by abandoning the things that distance you from the Church to bear good fruit for your community.”
The next day, His Beatitude visited the Rosary Sisters who have been serving the parish since 1908, and presided over Sunday Mass.
In his homily, His Beatitude stressed that a Christian must make decisions for the general good of the community, not for personal interests, he likened it to the family unit: “like the union found in a family that thinks of each other when making any life decision”. He noted that Christ is the center of the Christian: “You also must keep Christ at the center, while making any decision, from the simplest to the most complex”.
Followed by visiting the sick in their homes and Anointing them.
He also visited the Greek Catholic church in Taybeh. He was welcomed by Archimandrite Jacques Abed, followed by a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church, where he was welcomed by Fr. Daoud Khoury. During the visit, Card. Pizzaballa expressed his contentment with the Christian unity found in this small town.
At the end of the day, Cardinal Pizzaballa presided over the graduation ceremony for high school students of the patriarchate and met with pastoral activities, such as the Marian Sisters, the youth, and the choir. He learned about their weekly activities and shared some of his spiritual advice with them.
On the third and final day, Card. Pizzaballa visited the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the Sisters of Bethlehem, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, and the village of Kafr Malik, where the first mission took place. Mr. Najeh Bairat, President of the Village Council, as well as the people of the village, expressed their joy for the Cardinal’s visit to their village and spoke of the good relationship that brings together the people of the towns of Taybeh and Kafr Malik, Christians, and Muslims. He also toured the Cardinal in the old part of the village and the mosque.
Followed by a visit to Caritas Al-Taybeh Medical Center, where he celebrated with them the opening of its new facilities, in the presence of Mr. Antoun Asfar, General Director of Caritas Jerusalem, and Mgr. Ephrem Samaan, the Syriac Catholic Bishop of Jerusalem, the Holy Land, and Jordan. Center Director Nisreen Awad thanked all those present, saying: “The Center aims to strengthen the community and provide health services without posing any financial burden,” His Beatitude noted the importance of Caritas’ work throughout the country.
The Pastoral visit was concluded by the inauguration of the new park in the Beit Afram Elderly house, in honor of the former Patriarch Michel Sabbah, in addition to a visit to Nabd AlHayat Radio. The pastoral visit to Taybeh lasted for three continuous days, where Cardinal Pizzaballa refreshed the parishioners with his care and attention.