On Saturday 1st March, two new Deacons, friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, were ordained in the basilica of Sant’Antonio al Laterano in Rome.
Friar Haitam Yalda, 34 years old, is an Iraqi of the Syrian-Catholic rite: he made his first profession in the Order of the Friars Minor of the Custody of the Holy Land in 2001 and his solemn profession in 2006. In 2007, on completing his theological studies at the Pontificial Antonianum University in Rome, he was invited to the parish of Aleppo, in the Convent of St. Francis.
Friar Bahjat Karakach is 31 years old and a Syrian of the Armenian-Catholic rite. He made his first profession in 2003 and his solemn profession in 2007, the year he completes his theological studies at the Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, in Naples; he is now continuing his studies in Rome to take a degree in Theological Anthropology.
The ordination of the deacons took place in a climate of joyous Franciscan fraternity, thanks to the presence of many brothers and sisters from Naples (St. Clare) and Frascati, where the two candidates completed their formation. Fellow seminarians from the provinces of Rome, Naples and Salerno, together with a choir (thirty lay people from Frascati) animated the liturgy.
The celebration of the Eucharist was presided by His Excellency Mons. Gianfranco Girotti, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary. Friar David Jaegar, Delegate of the Custody for Italy and Friar Giovanni Battistelli, General Commissioner of Naples, concelebrated together with all the brothers of the Roman Delegation and many others from the communities of formation of the two deacons being ordained and many priests from the Oriental communities in Rome.
The celebration was attended by the Archbishop of the Syrian Catholics in Rome, His Excellency Mons. Michael Al Jamil, and the Deputy Rector of the Armenian College of Rome, Father Tomas Garabedian.
At the end of the celebration, Friar David Jaeger transmitted the greetings of the Custosa of the Holy Land and expressed gratitude on behalf of the ordaining Bishop. He then invited the new deacons to lead the assembly in singing Our Father in Arabic, uniting the assembly in prayer for the release of the Archbishop of Mosul, who has recently been kidnapped.
All those present warmly expressed their congratulations and good wishes to Friar Haitam and to Friar Bahjat during the reception at the International College of Sant’Antonio.
On Sunday 2nd March, at 5.00 p.m., Friar David Jaeger, accompanied by Friar Bahjat went to the Armenian College, and were received by His Beatitude the Catholic Armenian Patriarch, who took this happy opportunity to express his closeness and esteem for the Mission of the Custody of the Holy Land.
Friar Haitam Yalda, 34 years old, is an Iraqi of the Syrian-Catholic rite: he made his first profession in the Order of the Friars Minor of the Custody of the Holy Land in 2001 and his solemn profession in 2006. In 2007, on completing his theological studies at the Pontificial Antonianum University in Rome, he was invited to the parish of Aleppo, in the Convent of St. Francis.
Friar Bahjat Karakach is 31 years old and a Syrian of the Armenian-Catholic rite. He made his first profession in 2003 and his solemn profession in 2007, the year he completes his theological studies at the Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, in Naples; he is now continuing his studies in Rome to take a degree in Theological Anthropology.
The ordination of the deacons took place in a climate of joyous Franciscan fraternity, thanks to the presence of many brothers and sisters from Naples (St. Clare) and Frascati, where the two candidates completed their formation. Fellow seminarians from the provinces of Rome, Naples and Salerno, together with a choir (thirty lay people from Frascati) animated the liturgy.
The celebration of the Eucharist was presided by His Excellency Mons. Gianfranco Girotti, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary. Friar David Jaegar, Delegate of the Custody for Italy and Friar Giovanni Battistelli, General Commissioner of Naples, concelebrated together with all the brothers of the Roman Delegation and many others from the communities of formation of the two deacons being ordained and many priests from the Oriental communities in Rome.
The celebration was attended by the Archbishop of the Syrian Catholics in Rome, His Excellency Mons. Michael Al Jamil, and the Deputy Rector of the Armenian College of Rome, Father Tomas Garabedian.
At the end of the celebration, Friar David Jaeger transmitted the greetings of the Custosa of the Holy Land and expressed gratitude on behalf of the ordaining Bishop. He then invited the new deacons to lead the assembly in singing Our Father in Arabic, uniting the assembly in prayer for the release of the Archbishop of Mosul, who has recently been kidnapped.
All those present warmly expressed their congratulations and good wishes to Friar Haitam and to Friar Bahjat during the reception at the International College of Sant’Antonio.
On Sunday 2nd March, at 5.00 p.m., Friar David Jaeger, accompanied by Friar Bahjat went to the Armenian College, and were received by His Beatitude the Catholic Armenian Patriarch, who took this happy opportunity to express his closeness and esteem for the Mission of the Custody of the Holy Land.