A group of French pilgrims from Rouen in Normandy, France, attended Holy Mass with Sacred Heart of Jesus Church parishioners in Tla’ Al Ali, Amman, on Sunday, November 10. At  the outset of the Holy Mass, parish priest Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader welcomed the group of pilgrims, then parishioner Njud Handal delivered an address in French on behalf of the parishioners in which she welcomed the group of pilgrims, wished them a blessed pilgrimage and a safe return home.

During the Holy Mass, prayers and hymns were lifted up with the participation of Fr. Wajdi Twal, Fr. Ya’qoub and Deacon Jubran Salameh in both Arabic and French.

In his Sunday homily, Father Bader spoke about the widow who came and put in two very small copper coins worth less than a penny, stating that God blesses humans’ offerings no  matter how  small their value is, and urged continued dedication to serve the Church because God sees and blesses those who make donations quoting Blessed Hardini, "God sees me."

Fr. Bader also urged the parishioners and the pilgrims to pray for the grace of peace in the Holy Land, in Lebanon, and in the countries of the region. He also welcomed them in the Holy Land of  Baptism, which was once blessed by Lord Jesus Christ through his baptism and his repeated visits.

Prior to the end of the Holy Mass, Fr. Jackie-Marie Lhermitte delivered an address in French during which he thanked Fr. Bader for giving the group of French pilgrims the opportunity to attend  the Sunday Mass with the parishioners, as it was a wonderful opportunity to pray and get acquainted with the ecclesiastical life in Jordan.

Stressing that in France they pray for Jordan and its hospitable people, he stressed the importance of continuing to organize Christian pilgrimage trips between Jordan and France, and welcomed the parishioners in the event of  visiting France. Later, the French pilgrims and the parishioners sang Marian hymns joyfully.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tla’ Al-‘Ali, Amman, welcomes all visitors who come to the Land of Baptism--as it is always referred to as “Montmartre de Jordanie”—and  receives the visiting pilgrims with affection owing to the heartfelt welcoming and affection that Jordan enjoys for everyone who sets foot on the pure soil of Jordan.