Patriarch Fouad Twal celebrated Mass in the German town of Brakel marking the Feast of Saint Anna, mother of Virgin Mary on Sunday, August 5. The Mass was concelebrated by several bishops and priests including Fr. Mauel Bader and Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader.

Patriarch Twal thanked Baden Bourne Diocese for inviting him to celebrate Mass this year. He also referred to the prevailing fruitful cooperation between the German diocese and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, especially since Father Manuel Bader, the priest of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, has been serving in this diocese for over 40 years.

Patriarch Twal noted that the Churches of the East and the West appreciate Saint Jane since she is the patron of families particularly the mothers who expect to deliver babies. He quoted Pope Francis on grandparents saying: "The future of a nation lies in the youth who have the potential for progress. It also lies in the elderly who transmit history to us, who transmit doctrine, who transmit the faith and give it to us as an inheritance…Grandparents is a treasure, but the wisdom our grandparents have is something we must welcome as an inheritance.” He also referred to the issue of refugees noting that it is a humanitarian issue rather than a security one.

Before and after the Mass, a traditional annual tour was held from the Church of St. Michael to the grotto of St. Jane, with the participation of the scouts, the mayor, and a number of bishops from various churches.