During the Spring 2026 semester, the Spiritual Formation Center of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the graduation of more than 350 participants from its formation programs in Zababdeh, Ramallah, Beit Jala, and Jerusalem, reaffirming its mission of accompanying the faithful in deepening their knowledge of the Catholic faith and strengthening their Christian witness.
The graduation ceremonies took place throughout May and June under the patronage of Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar General, and Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, in the presence of priests, religious sisters, graduates, and their families.
Each celebration began with a welcoming address by Mrs. Asal Salibi, Director of the Spiritual Formation Center, who thanked the participants for their commitment and expressed her gratitude to the priests whose dedication and accompaniment continue to sustain the Center's educational mission.
In their addresses, Bishops Shomali and Marcuzzo highlighted the importance of ongoing formation for the laity, emphasizing that a deeper understanding of the faith enables Christians to live their vocation with greater awareness and become authentic witnesses of Christ within their families, parishes, and society.
For his part, Fr. Bernard Poggi, Rector of the Latin Patriarchate Seminary, stressed that these formation programs are an essential part of the Church's pastoral mission, encouraging participants to continue their spiritual and theological journey so that faith may become a lived reality rather than simply theoretical knowledge.
Representatives of the graduates also shared testimonies of gratitude, describing how the courses enriched both their spiritual lives and their understanding of the Church, helping them to live their faith more consciously and confidently.
Throughout the Spring semester, participants completed a variety of courses covering biblical, theological, liturgical, and historical topics, including The Church of Jerusalem Through the Ages, The Sacraments and Sacramentals, Jesus Christ: True God and True Man, The Old Testament, and The Meaning of the Liturgical Celebration in the Church. Each course consisted of 18 hours of instruction.
Graduation ceremonies were held in Zababdeh, where nearly 120 participants completed two formation courses; in Ramallah, where approximately 60 participants graduated after completing three courses; and in Beit Jala and Jerusalem, where around 170 participants received certificates after completing programs offered both at the Seminary and at Notre Dame Jerusalem Center.
In addition to its academic formation, the Center also concluded an Iconography Workshop in April, led by Consecrated Sister Maria Ruiz, with twenty participants divided into two groups. The workshop concluded with the blessing of the icons written by the participants, highlighting the Center's commitment to integrating spiritual formation with the artistic heritage of the Church.
Through these initiatives, the Spiritual Formation Center continues to foster the formation of lay faithful throughout the Holy Land, equipping them with a deeper knowledge of their faith and encouraging them to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church despite the many challenges facing the region.
