Friday, February 6, it is 4:30 pm and the Basilica of the Annunciation is preparing to welcome the Cardinal HE Monsignor Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. The pilgrims enjoy a few moments in the sanctuary before it closes its gates to the public. Not every day Nazareth receives a Roman prelate.
Appointed to this position in September 2013, by Pope Francis, Monsignor Lorenzo Baldisseri received the lofty mission to “dust off” the Synod of Bishops (nearly fifty years after its creation) and to restore its full meaning, namely the perpetuation of the spirit of collegiality and the discussion of the major issues for the Church. His first major project is the organization of the Synodal Assembly on the family which will take place from 4 to 25 October 2015, on the topic: "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world." In order to do this, it was organized on 6 and 7 February a preparation Congress for the abovementioned synod in Nazareth.
Father Custos Pierbattista Pizzaballa went to the scene to welcome the Roman prelate during his solemn entrance into the basilica. Nuns, friars, priests and laymen had lined up on both sides of the red carpet of Persian motifs that was rolled out in the forecourt. The cameras and projectors appeared fast. At 5:00 pm the Cardinal’s car stopped in the street of the Annunciation. The distinguished guest was welcomed by Amjad father, parish priest, and then received by: Father Custos, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Bishop Maroun Lahham, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Bishop William Shomali, Bishop Kamal-Hanna Bathish, Bishop Emeritus Elias Chacour, Archbishop El Hage. He entered at the pace of the applause and the bells, and then the choir sang a Te Deum.
According to Protocol, the custodian and rector of the Basilica Fr Bruno Varriano has to welcome Monsignor Baldisseri at the Basilica’s threshold. Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri sprinkled the crowd with holy water and the procession went afterwards to the Grotto of the Annunciation. From the Byzantine presbytery and amidst the Patriarch and the Custos, the Cardinal watched the incensing of the high altar, as well as the religious and laymen who followed the ceremony from the surrounding balustrade of the sanctuary. The ceremony was coming to its end but Father Amjad invited the faithful to pray a part of the Rosary which joined the children of the Terra Santa Franciscan school and the local parish at one of the side chapels.
This solemn entrance represents the “kick off” of three days rich in events: the inauguration of the Casa Nova of Nazareth, the symposium on the family, and the ordination of three Franciscan friars.
Nizar Halloun
Appointed to this position in September 2013, by Pope Francis, Monsignor Lorenzo Baldisseri received the lofty mission to “dust off” the Synod of Bishops (nearly fifty years after its creation) and to restore its full meaning, namely the perpetuation of the spirit of collegiality and the discussion of the major issues for the Church. His first major project is the organization of the Synodal Assembly on the family which will take place from 4 to 25 October 2015, on the topic: "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world." In order to do this, it was organized on 6 and 7 February a preparation Congress for the abovementioned synod in Nazareth.
Father Custos Pierbattista Pizzaballa went to the scene to welcome the Roman prelate during his solemn entrance into the basilica. Nuns, friars, priests and laymen had lined up on both sides of the red carpet of Persian motifs that was rolled out in the forecourt. The cameras and projectors appeared fast. At 5:00 pm the Cardinal’s car stopped in the street of the Annunciation. The distinguished guest was welcomed by Amjad father, parish priest, and then received by: Father Custos, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Bishop Maroun Lahham, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Bishop William Shomali, Bishop Kamal-Hanna Bathish, Bishop Emeritus Elias Chacour, Archbishop El Hage. He entered at the pace of the applause and the bells, and then the choir sang a Te Deum.
According to Protocol, the custodian and rector of the Basilica Fr Bruno Varriano has to welcome Monsignor Baldisseri at the Basilica’s threshold. Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri sprinkled the crowd with holy water and the procession went afterwards to the Grotto of the Annunciation. From the Byzantine presbytery and amidst the Patriarch and the Custos, the Cardinal watched the incensing of the high altar, as well as the religious and laymen who followed the ceremony from the surrounding balustrade of the sanctuary. The ceremony was coming to its end but Father Amjad invited the faithful to pray a part of the Rosary which joined the children of the Terra Santa Franciscan school and the local parish at one of the side chapels.
This solemn entrance represents the “kick off” of three days rich in events: the inauguration of the Casa Nova of Nazareth, the symposium on the family, and the ordination of three Franciscan friars.
Nizar Halloun