By Cecile Martin-Houlgatte
On May 9, representatives of different ecclesial movements from Galilee, Haifa and Jerusalem met for a day of fraternity, reflection and hope with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. In the midst of the complex reality that the Holy Land is going through, the meeting offered a privileged space to deepen his recent pastoral letter: an invitation to remain firm in the Christian faith and to be signs of light and hope in times of darkness.
Consecrated and lay members of movements such as the Focolare, Communion and Liberation, Canção Nova, Emmanuel, the Teresian Association and other friends of different ecclesial movements participated. On behalf of Regnum Christi, three consecrated women and one Arab Christian laywoman were present.
The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist, enlivened by the joy and vitality characteristic of the Neocatechumenal Way, which generously hosted this meeting. Later, Cardinal Pizzaballa shared a close moment of dialogue and questions around his pastoral letter, followed by a fraternal lunch among all the participants.
One of the most enriching moments of the day was discovering how, even in the midst of diverse realities and charisms, shared faith unites and strengthens. The meeting concluded with a space for exchange in which each participant was able to share the good received and propose concrete initiatives to live and transmit what was reflected.
Cardinal Pizzaballa’s pastoral letter is a profoundly timely and necessary reading. His words not only illuminate the reality of Christians in the Holy Land, but offer guidance and comfort to believers around the world who wish to live their faith with hope and courage in difficult times.
We especially invite everyone to read this valuable letter and to allow themselves to be challenged by its message: