Jerusalem, 23 December, 2023 / 7:42 pm (ACI Africa).
Christians in Jerusalem began the weekend before Christmas with an evening of prayer and music.
On Friday, Dec. 22, in the Church of St. Saviour, the Latin parish of Jerusalem, a small crowd of faithful gathered around the patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, for the penitential liturgy and Christmas carols performed by the three choirs of the parish.
“It is a moment of penance, but also of joy,” said the cardinal, introducing the prayer. “Bringing to God our poverty, our sins, is always an experience of joy because it means experiencing forgiveness, mercy, which we all need. Let us also bring to Him all the pain for our land so that He may transform it, according to His will, into good and mercy.”
One of the parish choirs of the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem performing at the prayer vigil in preparation for Christmas, held on Dec. 22 in Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini
The first part of the vigil was dedicated to the listening of the Word.
The nativity scene built by the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land at the entrance of the Church of San Salvatore in Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini
Father Amjad Sabbara, the Latin pastor of Jerusalem, listens to a confession during the vigil in preparation for Christmas, held on Dec. 22 at the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, gives the final blessing at the end of the vigil in preparation for Christmas, held on Dec. 22 at the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini
