This month “Young People’s Day” took place in Shefa Amr, not far from Nazareth. The young Catholic Christians of the Latin rite from Israel and Palestine met, as usual, for a day of prayer and sharing.
On arrival in the parish of Shefa Amr, Sister Marianne, a Carmelite, offered an impassioned catechesis on St. Thérèse. The Saint’s life was presented to the young people through the projection of photos and fragments of her writings.
“I feel that love is looking for me,” wrote Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Sister Marianne then proposed this thought to the youngsters: “It is Love that comes to look for us and not the other way round, but when God’s love calls us, he waits for our answer.” And lastly, “Let’s pray to St. Thérèse so that she can help us to open our hearts to Jesus and to respond to this love that is looking for us.”
The catechesis was followed by a time of music and dancing. The youth were then divided into groups, each one led by a sister or a friar. In the groups, the leaders suggested the young people reflect on some questions of faith, such as Christian testimony in the midst of others. They shared their experiences with simplicity. Testimony is important in the Holy Land, a place characterized by the multiplicity of faiths and continuous confrontation with the other.
In the afternoon, the relics of St. Thérèse – on pilgrimage through the Holy Land for some weeks now – were welcomed at the Latin parish by the whole community of Shefa Amr and entered the Church, accompanied by the Scouts’ musical band. This was followed by a moment of thanks, in the presence of an Orthodox priest and the parish priest of the Latin Church, Bassam il Der.
At 4 p.m., before the concluding Mass, the choir of Nazareth, “il Hayyah il Jadida” contributed to the festive atmosphere by performing on-stagep in the courtyard of the parish recreation center. It was a truly exceptional performance.
The Mass brought this day to an end with thanks and praise, during which time the youth had entrusted their prayers to St. Thérèse.
Paola Brambilla
On arrival in the parish of Shefa Amr, Sister Marianne, a Carmelite, offered an impassioned catechesis on St. Thérèse. The Saint’s life was presented to the young people through the projection of photos and fragments of her writings.
“I feel that love is looking for me,” wrote Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Sister Marianne then proposed this thought to the youngsters: “It is Love that comes to look for us and not the other way round, but when God’s love calls us, he waits for our answer.” And lastly, “Let’s pray to St. Thérèse so that she can help us to open our hearts to Jesus and to respond to this love that is looking for us.”
The catechesis was followed by a time of music and dancing. The youth were then divided into groups, each one led by a sister or a friar. In the groups, the leaders suggested the young people reflect on some questions of faith, such as Christian testimony in the midst of others. They shared their experiences with simplicity. Testimony is important in the Holy Land, a place characterized by the multiplicity of faiths and continuous confrontation with the other.
In the afternoon, the relics of St. Thérèse – on pilgrimage through the Holy Land for some weeks now – were welcomed at the Latin parish by the whole community of Shefa Amr and entered the Church, accompanied by the Scouts’ musical band. This was followed by a moment of thanks, in the presence of an Orthodox priest and the parish priest of the Latin Church, Bassam il Der.
At 4 p.m., before the concluding Mass, the choir of Nazareth, “il Hayyah il Jadida” contributed to the festive atmosphere by performing on-stagep in the courtyard of the parish recreation center. It was a truly exceptional performance.
The Mass brought this day to an end with thanks and praise, during which time the youth had entrusted their prayers to St. Thérèse.
Paola Brambilla