On Sunday, 7 June 2026, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), five seminarians of the Latin Patriarchate Seminary received different minor orders during a Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Excellency Bishop Ilario Antoniazzi, at the Annunciation church in Beit Jala. Salameh Azar, was admitted to the Ministry of Acolyte, while Fayez Ziadat and Fadi Fattal were instituted as Lectors. Meanwhile, Amjad Haddad and Yousef Handel received the clerical habit, marking an important step in their seminary journey.
The celebration also marked the 25th anniversary of priestly ordination of three priests of the Latin Patriarchate: Fr. Samer Madanat, Parish Priest of Jubeiha; Fr. Firas Aridah, Parish Priest of Irbid; and Fr. Shawqi Baterian, Director of Our Lady of Peace Centre in Amman, Jordan. Only Fr. Samer was able to participate in the celebration in Beit Jala.
In his homily, Bishop Ilario Antoniazzi congratulated the jubilarian priests, expressing gratitude for their fidelity to the promises they made before God and the Church twenty-five years ago. He described their priestly journey as “a living sign of God’s faithfulness to the people of this land,” a path marked by challenges, yet sustained by their daily decision to remain rooted in Christ.
Reflecting on the mystery of the Eucharist, Bishop Ilario emphasized that the priest is not only the one who celebrates the Eucharist but is called to become, in his own life, “broken bread” offered for the people entrusted to him. He invited the priests to look back upon their journey and recognize the footprints they have left alongside Christ in this Holy Land, carrying the burdens of their communities and becoming signs of God’s faithful presence.
Addressing the seminarians, the Bishop encouraged them to look to the example of their elder brothers in the priesthood, whose jubilee is a testimony that perseverance in vocation is possible. He reminded them that priestly holiness is not achieved only through extraordinary deeds, but through daily faithfulness in prayer, and renewed commitment each day.
“The Lord does not call perfect men,” he said, “but men who are willing and faithful to Him and to His people.” Through the example of Saint Peter and many saints throughout history, the Church continues to witness that God works through human weakness, and that true strength comes from Him alone.
Since its establishment in 1852, the Latin Patriarchate Seminary in Beit Jala has accompanied generations of young men preparing for priesthood, forming 302 seminarians who have been called to serve the faithful of the Church of Jerusalem. This vocation continues to bear fruit today, as new candidates advance in their journey of discernment and formation for sacred ministry.
