On Friday, June 19, 2026, the Grotto of Our Lady of the Mount in Anjara hosted the Annual Pilgrimage Day for the Catholic Churches in Jordan. His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, celebrated the solemn Mass at one of the Kingdom’s most prominent religious sites, which is dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary. This grotto constitutes an annual destination for pilgrimage and prayer, which brings together the faithful from various parts of Jordan.

Upon his arrival at the grotto, Cardinal Pizzaballa was welcomed by Ajloun Governor Nayef Al-Hdayat, heads of departments in the governorate, and representatives of official and local institutions, before marking the religious celebration. The Holy Mass was also attended by Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan Archbishop Giovanni Dal Toso; Patriarchal Administrator for the Melkite Greek  Catholic Church Archimandrite Paul Nzeha; as well as  heads and representatives of the Catholic Churches.

In attendance were Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin, Chairman of the Tourism promotional Authority in the Upper House of Parliament Michel Nazzal, in addition to the ambassadors of Hungary, Australia, and Spain, as well as a number of priests, religious sisters, and the faithful from various Catholic Churches.

At the outset of the solemn Mass, Fr. Imad Alamat, Secretary General of the Latin Patriarchate, welcomed Cardinal Pizzaballa, the official and ecclesiastical guests, and the faithful who came from different governorates. He stressed that the grotto is one of the officially recognized Christian pilgrimage sites and a beacon of prayer and hope. He also praised the support given to Christian pilgrimage in Jordan, and called on parishes and Church institutions to intensify visits to the Kingdom’s holy sites in preparation for the celebrations in 2030 marking the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa noted that the celebration takes place at one of Jordan’s holy sites that are recognized by the Church. Referring to it as a special place for worship and pastoral care, he highlighted the attention the site has recently received from the Royal Hashemite Court, with direct support from His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Ibn Muhammad, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in addition to the efforts exerted by several faithful from various parts of Jordan.

He also reflected on the ongoing preparations marking the Jubilee of the Baptism of Lord Christ in 2030, which will commemorate the 2,000^th anniversary of the event that had taken at the Baptism Site on the eastern bank of the sacred Jordan River. Stressing that this site represents a place of faith and spirituality for Christians in Jordan and throughout the world, he added that His Majesty King Abdullah II is personally giving special attention to this unique site--through the Jordan 2030 Initiative—and continued that the Catholic Church in the Kingdom will continue to play  its role in promoting the message that originated from the Holy Land of Jordan, as a land of faith and a meeting place of history and civilizations.

Patriarch Pizzaballa also reflected on the Gospel of the Annunciation, noting that the events relevant to Virgin Mary conveys two fundamental messages, namely trust in God's power and acceptance of periods of waiting. He added that this event reminds humanity that despite scientific and technological progress attained, people remain in need of hope and trust when facing major challenges such as illnesses, wars, and concern about the future. He also pointed out that given the circumstances which the world today encounters, the Church is called upon to enhance hope, as well as work for the good of humanity and society.

The pilgrimage day concluded with an address of thanks delivered by Fr. Yousef Francis, rector of the Grotto of Our Lady of the Mount in Anjara, during which he expressed his appreciation to Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Church representatives, and all the attendees. He also conveyed gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II for bestowing on him the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree marking the  80th Independence Day celebrations. He also thanked His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Ibn Muhammad for his special care for the grotto and the House of Hope for orphans. Furthermore, he praised the role of the institutions and organizations that contribute to the care of this site and underlined the importance of preserving Jordan’s status as a land of encounter and dialogue as well as a model of common living.

The celebration concluded with a procession of the icon of Mary, Our Lady of the Mount, associated with hymns performed by the choir of the Latin Patriarchate. Candles were lit at the grotto, that welcomes worshippers for more than 80 years and has been officially recognized since 2000 as an important center for Christian pilgrimage in Jordan.