On May 30, 2025—Feast of the Visitation and conclusion of the Marian Month—the Parish of Zababdeh, dedicated to Our Lady of the Visitation, joyfully welcomed His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, for a solemn celebration of the Holy Mass. The Patriarch’s visit was also marked by a profound honoring of Saint Marie-Alphonsine Ghattas, meaningful encounters with parish groups.
Consecration of Chapel at the Convent of the Rosary Sisters
The visit began with a solemn and deeply moving rite at the Convent of the Rosary Sisters, where His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the consecration of a newly dedicated chapel in honor of Saint Marie-Alphonsine Ghattas, foundress of the congregation. Having lived and served in this very convent, the saint left a profound legacy of faith, humility, and unwavering fidelity to the Gospel.
Pastoral Encounter and Eucharistic Celebration
Following the consecration, His Beatitude met with representatives of the parish council, youth groups, and the scout movement. He listened attentively to their needs, offering spiritual advice and support for their pastoral life and their role in the local community. His Beatitude underscored the importance of synodality in the life of the Church, and the need to foster a spirit of active participation, listening with the heart, and service.
The day concluded with the celebration of the Holy Mass in the parish church, concelebrated by Fr. Elias Tabban, parish priest of Zababdeh, and a number of concelebrating clergy. Also present were Mother Sophie Hattar, Superior General of the Rosary Sisters, along with parishioners and faithful from the wider region. In his homily, the Patriarch offered a deeply spiritual reflection on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model for Christian life: “Today, amid challenges and uncertainties, we are called to imitate the Virgin Mary, who lived her faith with silent trust, walking in full obedience to God’s will. Let us be, like her, witnesses of hope in a world longing for peace.” This exhortation invited the faithful to renew their Christian commitment, drawing inspiration from Mary’s virtues of obedience, humility, and confidence in divine providence.
This exhortation invited the faithful to renew their Christian commitment, drawing inspiration from Mary’s virtues of obedience, humility, and confidence in divine providence.
Marian Procession: A Public Witness of Faith
The day concluded with the traditional Marian procession, marking the close of the Month of Mary. The faithful processed reverently through the streets of Zababdeh, accompanying the statue of Our Lady with hymns and prayers. The event expressed the community’s enduring love for the Blessed Virgin and their desire to walk under her maternal protection.
A Visit Rooted in Grace and Communion
This special visit of His Beatitude was a moment of grace for the faithful of Zababdeh, deepening the bonds of communion between the Patriarch and his people. It brought spiritual consolation and renewed hope, encouraging all to persevere in their mission with joy, simplicity, and faith—following in the footsteps of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Marie-Alphonsine, in the heart of the Church and under the loving gaze of God.
