On Sunday, October 6th, 2024, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the inauguration ceremony for the newly renovated floor of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology at the Seminary of Beit Jala, and marking the beginning of the new academic year.
At the invitation of Fr. Bernard Bougie, the rector of the seminary, the ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Msgr. William Shomali, General Vicar, Msgr. Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo , and Msgr. Youssef Matta Archbishop of Acre, Haifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee for Greek Melkite Catholics. The event was also attended by several Patriarchate priests, Mr. Hani Hayek, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Issa Kassis, Mayor of Beit Jala, and many faithful, including a number of employees of the Latin Patriarchate, the staff of the Seminary, and all those who contributed to the renovation of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology floor.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Vespers, led by Cardinal Pierbattista in the chapel of the Institute, followed by the opening program in the theater, featuring performances from the parish choir and the Seminary students.
In his welcoming remarks, Fr. Bernard expressed gratitude for the reopening of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology after extensive renovations, under the title “Stay with us, Lord,” a reference to Jesus' encounter with the two disciples of Emmaus. He highlighted that this project signifies the ongoing mission of the institute, founded in 1847 to provide priestly formation for local students, aiming to prepare future shepherds and priests in the spirit of the Good Shepherd.
Next, Fr. Dr. Iyad Twal, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology, addressed the audience, stating that the ceremony, despite the challenging circumstances in the country, conveys a message of hope and offers a bright future for the faithful of the Holy Land. He affirmed, “We remain steadfast in faith, placing our trust in the youth of our Church to dedicate themselves to serving the people of God, so that the local clergy can be the light and salt in this land.” He invited the audience to continuously lift their prayers for new vocations to rise in the Holy Land.
In his speech, Card. Pierbattista expressed deep appreciation for all who contributed to this project and the renovation of the building, ensuring that the Latin Patriarchate continues to offer essential formation for both priests and laity. He mentioned the new program initiated two years ago, which focuses on providing spiritual formation for the laity. He underscored that philosophy and theology enable us to live out our faith and maintain a faithful perspective, especially amid the challenges we face in our current history and in our Holy Land.
