Despite the ongoing challenges in the Holy Land, the Mother Church rejoiced on the eve of the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, on Friday, June 28, 2024, as His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, ordained four new priests from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Galilee for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Roman Savluk, born in Ukraine, Rubén Cabrera Rosique (Spain), Kacper Jurczyk (Poland), and Giovanni Bovi (Italy), chose the verse: “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10) for their consecration as co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord across the Diocese of Jerusalem. And as previously assigned by His Beatitude Card. Pizzaballa, Fr. Roman will serve as a vicar at the parish of Fuheis, Fr. Kacper at the parish of Jubeiha, and Fr. Rubén at Northern Zarqa, which are in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Meanwhile Fr. Giovanni will be at the service of the Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa.

Concelebrated by Msgr. William Shomali, General Vicar, Msgr. Rafic Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, Msgr.  Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, bishop emeritus, His Beatitude Mgr. Musa Al-Hajj, bishop of the Archeparchy of Haifa and the Holy Land for the Maronites, Fr. Piotr Zelasko, Patriarchal Vicar for the Saint James Vicariate, rectors of the houses of Betanya and Jerusalem, as well as several priests. Many came, including the family members and friends of the newly ordained priests, the Seminarians, and many Christian communities of Galilee.

In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa reflected on Apostle Peter’s life and the maturing of his character after the Resurrection, highlighting the sacrificial love found in servanthood: “The only criterion to which you must always refer to is your love for the Lord, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17) “This is the only expectation He placed on Peter to be able to truly feed the flock, today the priest is called to be a witness to the Lord, which means a martyrdom, the giving of your life completely, keeping nothing to yourself”. And while giving spiritual guidance to the new priests, he said: “Have nothing but Christ. Do not allow your projects and work to be the height of your priesthood, hindering the work of God in you”.

During an interview with the media office of the Latin Patriarchate, Father Rubén, recently ordained, expressed, that the love of God experienced in the Sacraments of the Church led him to answer the call of priesthood, he also shared about his seminary years of preparation, saying: "I've come to embrace a profound love for Jesus Christ and His Church, experienced tangibly within my community of the Neo-catechumenal Way, with whom I have lived the journey of faith. My mission now is to proclaim His love to the world”.

At the end of the ordination, all the clergy and faithful congratulated the newly ordained priests, thanking God for their yes and wishing them a journey from which the fragrance of sanctity, love, and unity would emanate.