Thousands Gather at Jordan River with Patriarch to Mark Baptism of Jesus

At the initiative of the commission, Christian churches of various denominations have each been allocated land to construct religious buildings at a short distance from the river. The Latin church is located a couple of kilometers from the identified site of the baptism of Jesus and has its own access to the Jordan River.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives at the Latin church baptism site on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, for the annual celebration of the feast of the baptism of Jesus with the local community. To his right is Dr. Imad Hijazin, secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. On his left is Monsignor Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, apostolic nuncio to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Monsignor Jamal Daibes, patriarchal vicar in Jordan (until Saturday, Jan. 13, when he was appointed as the new bishop of Djibouti). Credit: Marinella Bandini

Speaking to the press before the Mass, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, reiterated the call “for an immediate cease-fire and end of resorting to weapons, killing, displacement, and demolition of homes” in Gaza. He expressed gratitude to the royal family in Jordan, the government, and the armed forces “that continuously provide humanitarian aid.” He also expressed gratitude to the Jordanian Hospital and the Hashemite Charitable Organization for their support and assistance, as it was through these institutions that the Christians of Holy Family Parish in northern Gaza received humanitarian aid on Christmas Eve.

Dr. Imad Hijazin, secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, also spoke, emphasizing the strategic importance of the site for Jordanian tourism. Hijazin had just returned from a visit to the Vatican, where a Jordanian delegation met with officials from various dicasteries, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state. The purpose was to boost Christian pilgrimages in Jordan, particularly at this site, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site since 2015. The patriarch also joined in this appeal. “Jordan is holy land. I reiterate my invitation to pilgrims from all parts of the world to visit Jordan,” he said.

Before presiding at the Mass, Pizzaballa, collected water from the Jordan River in a vessel. The water was blessed during the Mass and then sprinkled on the faithful as an act of renewal of their baptismal vows on the occasion of the feast.

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The celebrants pray the Our Father during the Mass of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the Mass. Concelebrating with him were Monsignor Jamal Daibes, patriarchal vicar in Jordan; Monsignor Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, apostolic nuncio to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and several bishops and priests. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Concelebrating the Mass were Monsignor Jamal Daibes, patriarchal vicar in Jordan (who was the following day appointed as the new bishop of Djibouti), and Monsignor Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, apostolic nuncio to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, along with several bishops and priests. 

In his homily, Daibes spoke about the holiness of the place, which was sanctified by Jesus Christ’s baptism: “God chose this place to complete the history of salvation for humanity, so we hold this place dear to our hearts. Let our belonging to the land of baptism be a message of peace and love to the whole world, following the example of Jesus Christ,” he said.

The celebration took place in the large Latin church dedicated to the baptism of Jesus, just a few meters from the east bank of the Jordan.

Construction of the church began 15 years ago, with the laying of the foundation stone blessed by Pope Benedict XVI when he came as a pilgrim to the Holy Land. The hope is to complete the construction by 2025, the jubilee year of the universal Church and the 25th anniversary of this pilgrimage of Catholic faithful to the Jordan River. 

The back of the Latin church dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus, a few meters from the Jordan River in the locality known as “Bethany beyond the Jordan.” Construction of the church began 15 years ago, with the laying of the foundation stone blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, when he came as a pilgrim to the Holy Land. Credit: Marinella Bandini

The Latin church can accommodate thousands of worshippers, both indoors and outdoors. On either side of the church, two monasteries have been built, reserved for two monastic communities — one male and one female — belonging to the Congregation of the Incarnate Word. Each monastery is equipped to host small groups of pilgrims in retreat. Near the church, a pilgrim hospitality center with various facilities is also planned.