The General Secretariat of the Christian Youth in Palestine - ‘Youth of the Homeland of Jesus’, has commemorated the Feast of Christ the King with a Holy Mass of thanksgiving on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its mission and its continued service to the Church.

On 22 November, 2024 His Beatitude, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, presided over the Holy Mass at St. Catherine's Church in Bethlehem. Over the decades, the ‘Youth of the Homeland of Jesus’ have carried a profound message, namely to form a generation of young people committed to Christian values, firmly rooted in their homeland and open to dialogue and reconciliation.

Br. George Haddad, ofm Custody of the Holy Land Today, says: "On the Feast of Christ the King, we admired a very beautiful mosaic during our celebration. We, of the General Secretariat of the ‘Youth of the Homeland of Jesus’, send a message of hope and love to all our young people. This is our land, our country and our homeland, where the Lord Jesus Christ was born, lived, rose again and brought the message of salvation to the whole world."

Helen Khashram, First General Secretary of Christian Youth in Palestine Christian Youth, has contributed profoundly to shaping our personalities since our school days. "We have learnt to take responsibility and to live as Christians in our society. Strengthening young people in their Church and their faith is the support and certainty they need to face the challenges of life. The Eucharistic celebration was a special and significant moment, with the official assumption of office by the new members of the General Secretariat of the ‘Youth of the Homeland of Jesus’." During the Holy Mass, Ms. Faten Saeed was appointed General Secretary to lead the Christian youth mission in Palestine, together with the spiritual leader, Fr. Louis Salman.

Faten Saeed, General Secretary of the “Youth of the Homeland of Jesus” says: "I have been a child of the Christian Youth since the age of six. I grew up nourished by the word of God, with the knowledge that we are all called to be witnesses of truth and light in our lives. Today, as General Secretary in Palestine, I carry in my heart the responsibility to continue our mission together, a mission that strengthens our role of forming a conscious generation, leaders in faith and thought, capable of facing the challenges of our time. This will be possible by spreading the spirit of the Gospel in their lives, together with spiritual work and volunteerism. Together we proclaim that Christ is our hope, the Church is our home and service is our path to holiness."

His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem of the Latins, says: "Difficult situations are not reduced to immigration. The real difficulty lies in being true Christians, facing the trials before us, knowing that Jesus carried the cross. Despite torments, hardships and challenges in our daily lives, we are called to fill our lives with hope, never giving in to despair. "

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, says: "We have a special vocation and a unique mission to stay here and work, with the certainty that a better future awaits us. We need a sustaining spirit, the ability to look forward with hope and confidence in life. We expect you young people to bring this attitude into our lives and into our community. Do not be discouraged, look to the future and be strong witnesses of hope here in Palestine."