On the first anniversary of war: The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Amman prays for peace

Marking the first anniversary of the war on Gaza Strip, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tla' Al-'Ali, in cooperation with the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Amman, held a prayer vigil, hymns, and candle-lighting on Sunday, October 6, with the hope of stopping the fire of war and lighting the flames of peace in Palestine and Lebanon, and of the continuation of stability in dear Jordan.

At the outset of the Holy Mass, there was a celebratory procession, led by scouts who raised the flags of Jordan and Palestine. Later,  Fr.  Dr.  Rif'at Bader, parish priest and director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan, celebrated Holy Mass which was  concelebrated by Fr. Fares Siriani, Fr. Wajdi Twal, Deacon Jubran Salameh, and several acolytes in the presence of a large number of people.

In  his homily, Fr. Bader indicated that this Holy Mass is in response to the call made by His Holiness Pope Francis and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista  Pizzaballa, to dedicate October 7 as a day of prayer, fasting, and penance. He said, “After the elapse of a  year marking the fierce war during which much blood was shed with tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded people, we have come to lift up a supplication to the Lord of Peace to silence the sounds of weapons so that human dignity would restore its respect, appreciation, nobility, authenticity and sanctity.”

Father Bader thanked all the exerted  humanitarian efforts that found a way and channels despite the difficulty of aid access, and to everyone who contributed this year to delivering a piece of bread, or conveyed  a message of truthfulness in this conflicting world. He also praised the efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, who reminds the world that the Palestinian cause did not begin on October 7, but rather is a cause that spans 76 years of Palestinian struggle, of longing and of thirst for a life of independence, freedom, dignity and an independent state.

Fr. Bader also praised the efforts exerted by His Royal Highness Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, and the Arab Army that continues day and night to treat the wounded, especially in the field hospitals supervised by the Royal Medical Services, in addition to  the falcons of the Royal Air Force who provide food and medical aid to the people of Gaza on regular bases, as well as to all the free peoples of the world who are terrified by the bloodshed and have come out to demonstrate and speak the truth for the sake of justice.

Fr. Bader also referred to the efforts exerted by His Holiness Pope Francis and his calls throughout the year for bringing about a ceasefire and an easy entry of humanitarian aid. He said that the Pontiff is leading a constant effort to silence the sound of war which is always a defeat, as there is neither a winner nor a loser, since everyone is a loser. He pointed out that Pope Francis, since the war on Gaza, has been calling the priests and nuns of the Church of the Holy Family Church on daily bases to check on the faithful who are residing in the church after they were displaced from their homes due to the bombing and destruction.

Later, Ms. Carol Alamat lifted up prayers on behalf of the attendees saying: “We lift up our prayers on this blessed evening for the most precious Jordan, the country of baptism, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, and Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II, so that God may provide them with strength and wisdom amidst their tireless efforts to bring about  peace, justice and respect for human rights, so that God may preserve Jordan, our dear homeland, and perpetuate the blessing of security and stability, so as to always remain an oasis of peace and affection for all peoples.”

At the end of the Holy Mass, the  believers lit candles, transforming the scene into a mosaic image expressing solidarity and unity of the spirit in prayer to silence the war raging in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, while the choir recited a special hymn for peace. This was followed  by reciting the prayer proposed by His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem, for the Day of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance for Peace.