On June 14, the Church of Jerusalem experienced great joy with the priestly ordination of three new presbyters, celebrated on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The ceremony took place at the Domus Galilaeae International Center, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a place dear to the Neocatechumenal Way and a symbol of a renewed call to evangelization.
The three candidates — John Oscar Nuñez, originally from the Philippines; Giacomo Pagliariccia, from Italy; and Lucas Solbach, from France — were ordained priests through the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer of His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
He was joined in concelebration by Msgr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for Galilee; Msgr. William Shomali, General Vicar; and the emeritus bishops Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo and Ilario Antoniazzi, along with numerous priests, religious, and formators from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Galilee, where the new priests received their formation.
The celebration was joyfully attended by the Neocatechumenal communities in which the vocations of the new priests were born, some faithful from the parishes where they had already been serving as deacons, and, most especially, their families — who were providentially able to arrive shortly before the current emergency situation intensified due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
In his homily, the Patriarch spoke with strength and sensitivity about the deep meaning of Christian “witness,” which in the early centuries of the Church meant not only setting a good example, but often offering one's very life. In today’s world — and particularly in the Middle East — marked by complexity and uncertainty, the Patriarch said, this word regains its original weight. “The priestly ministry,” he said, “is not yours — it does not belong to you. It is a continuation of the very ministry of Christ. You are called to be His face, His hands, His feet, and His heart in the life of the Church.”
The celebration unfolded in an atmosphere of deep paschal joy, but also of reverence and prayer for peace, especially in the Holy Land. From this small flock gathered on the hills of Galilee rose an intense prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord, who, even in times of trial, does not cease to raise up new shepherds after His own heart.
