In the mountains of Jordan, in Anjara, stands the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mount—one of the most venerated Marian sites in the Middle East. According to an ancient Christian tradition, Jesus and the Virgin Mary stopped here during a journey between Jerusalem and the region of the Decapolis. Today, the shrine is a pilgrimage site for thousands of faithful, drawn not only by faith but also by the silent beauty of this land, rich in Biblical memory.

Fr. Yousef Francis, Latin Priest of Anjara, says that Our Lady of the Mount, is one of the five places in Jordan designated by the Vatican as a Christian pilgrimage site. Anjara is also mentioned in the Old Testament. We find it in the Book of Kings.

He adds: Jacob passed through here, and we are near the place where the prophet Elijah was born. The first church in Anjara was founded in 1897. The parish was established in 1933. In 1984, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mountain was created. Since then, it has become an important center of spirituality and a pilgrimage destination for many faithful, both local and international. Today, pilgrims arriving in Anjara find a welcoming place full of faith. They can visit the shrine, participate in parish life, and pray in the Chapel of Calvary, located in the garden. These sites, united by deep devotion, offer an intense spiritual experience in the heart of Jordan.

He continues: The most important thing we have here is the statue of the Virgin, which came from Italy and is more than 200 years old. In 2010, we witnessed a miracle: The Virgin of Anjara wept blood. It was a miracle recognized by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Christian community here numbers about 1,700 people. We have a school and a work of mercy that welcomes orphaned children. The shrine’s feast is held every year on the third Friday of June. This year, due to the conflict, the celebration was presided over by the Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, Mgr Iyad Twal. Many Christians from various parts of the country participated.

It is worth noting that every year, thousands of pilgrims make their way to the tranquil hills of Anjara, in Jordan’s Ajloun region, to visit the revered Shrine of Our Lady of the Mount. This sacred site holds deep spiritual and historical significance, as Christian tradition tells that Jesus, His Blessed Mother, and His disciples once passed through the ancient town and found rest in a cave — the very location where the church now stands. Built in the1950s, the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain is nestled amid Jordan’s lush highlands and houses a cherished statue of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus. Over the decades, it has become a beloved destination for prayer and reflection, particularly for Jordanian Christians seeking  hope, consolation, and the intercession of the Blessed Mother.