The Catholic churches in the Kingdom will mark Christian and national pilgrimage day at the Baptism Site of Lord Jesus Christ on the Jordan River, to celebrate the birth of the Lord, on Friday January 16, an annual tradition held since 2000.

Latin Patriarch of the Holy City, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus Fouad Twal will celebrate Mass at the Church of Jesus Christ Baptism on the east bank of the Jordan River. Latin and Catholic bishops, as well as a number of the faithful will participate in the Mass.

Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, Fr. Rif’at Bader stated that this year’s celebration and pilgrimage coincide with the 15th anniversary of the start of pilgrimage to this site in modern time, where it started in the Great Jubilee of 2000. He added that it also takes place a few months after Pope Francis’ visit to the Site, where he held a special prayer and touched the waters of the river. He was accompanied at the time by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah.

This is also the first year that follows announcing the canonization of Pope John Paul II who visited the Baptism Site during his visit to the Holy Land in 2000. Furthermore, Pope Paul VI was beatified last year which is a step leading to his canonization. He himself also stood by the River Jordan during his visit in 1964. These events will undoubtedly lead to the increase in the number of visitors and pilgrims to this unique historical and religious site, particularly for the members of the Catholic Church in the world.

Fr. Bader lauded the unstinting efforts exerted by the Royal Commission of the Baptismal Site, headed by HRH Prince Ghazi Ibn Mohammad, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Tourism Promotion Authority of Jordan. He also praised the security departments as well as the role played by scout teams and joint Church committees that supervise organizing this annual celebration.

Fr. Bader continued that the Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am at the church, where Patriarch Twal will sprinkle the faithful with holy water from the River Jordan, as has always been the case in the celebrations marking the Baptism Site of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will deliver a homily which explains the significance of pilgrimage day at the Baptism Site and invite the world peoples to visit the Site.

Fr. Bader also called for the participation of parishes and churches from all regions in this anniversary as has been the case every year. He said that the Catholic Center for Studies and Media will provide texts in both Arabic and English to participating media people and journalists. He also urged the participants to abide by the directives of security men and scout teams, noting that the participants are advised to use public transport of their churches and parishes rather than use private cars.