At the Mount of Olives, place where Jesus prayed, several people from different nationalities gathered for a harvest of a special flavor.
The participants, with different faces, languages, roles and motivations, form a diversified collage. The traditional olive harvest began on Saturday, October 21, at one of the most sacred places in the Holy Land: the Gethsemane garden, on the Mount of Olives.
Here is where Jesus used to pray with His disciples, where He sweated blood before he was captured.
ROBERT PIPER
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Occupied Palestinian Territories
"It is a great privilege. It is my second time here and it is really special to be able to be out in such an extraordinary garden rich in spiritual and political history and to be in the shadow of the old town and the holy mountain.”
CSABA RADA
Ambassador of Hungary in Ramallah
"Hungary is a Christian country with Christian origins. We want to contribute to such an event here, in the Holy Land, and see a holy place. The Gethsemane Garden is an important part of our common heritage.”
Fr. DIEGO DALLA GASSA, ofm
Director of the Hermitage - Gethsemane
"This year, we have a very simple slogan, which is perceived by everyone: Everyone is looking for connection, for a password. Our password is to live in communion with the place.”
RUI ALBERTO BACEIRA
Ambassador of Portugal in Palestine
"I believe this teamwork expresses the way humanity should work: together we (can) get to the top."
Therefore, walking amongst the olive trees, it is not strange to see a diplomat working alongside a nun or a volunteer next to a couple of siblings.
This is the third consecutive year that the Franciscans open the doors of the Sanctuary of Gethsemane to anyone who is interested in giving a hand and we hope that this becomes a regular appointment that will inspire them to live, perhaps, an unforgettable experience.
Fr. DIEGO DALLA GASSA, ofm
Director of the Hermitage - Gethsemane
"It is possible that here, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus and His disciples also had their own olive harvest, therefore it is also important for us to be in communion with this place to be able to gather and harvest the fruits of eternal life."
The participants, with different faces, languages, roles and motivations, form a diversified collage. The traditional olive harvest began on Saturday, October 21, at one of the most sacred places in the Holy Land: the Gethsemane garden, on the Mount of Olives.
Here is where Jesus used to pray with His disciples, where He sweated blood before he was captured.
ROBERT PIPER
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Occupied Palestinian Territories
"It is a great privilege. It is my second time here and it is really special to be able to be out in such an extraordinary garden rich in spiritual and political history and to be in the shadow of the old town and the holy mountain.”
CSABA RADA
Ambassador of Hungary in Ramallah
"Hungary is a Christian country with Christian origins. We want to contribute to such an event here, in the Holy Land, and see a holy place. The Gethsemane Garden is an important part of our common heritage.”
Fr. DIEGO DALLA GASSA, ofm
Director of the Hermitage - Gethsemane
"This year, we have a very simple slogan, which is perceived by everyone: Everyone is looking for connection, for a password. Our password is to live in communion with the place.”
RUI ALBERTO BACEIRA
Ambassador of Portugal in Palestine
"I believe this teamwork expresses the way humanity should work: together we (can) get to the top."
Therefore, walking amongst the olive trees, it is not strange to see a diplomat working alongside a nun or a volunteer next to a couple of siblings.
This is the third consecutive year that the Franciscans open the doors of the Sanctuary of Gethsemane to anyone who is interested in giving a hand and we hope that this becomes a regular appointment that will inspire them to live, perhaps, an unforgettable experience.
Fr. DIEGO DALLA GASSA, ofm
Director of the Hermitage - Gethsemane
"It is possible that here, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus and His disciples also had their own olive harvest, therefore it is also important for us to be in communion with this place to be able to gather and harvest the fruits of eternal life."