In an atmosphere of deep joy and prayer, the fraternity of the Custody of the Holy Land and the parish of Saint Francis of Assisi in Aleppo, Syria, celebrated the first religious profession of Fr. Fahed Piotr Jamal in the Order of Friars Minor. A moment of celebration shared with his family, and the entire Franciscan community, lived right on the liturgical memorial day of Saint Monica, an icon of perseverance in faith. Also present to celebrate this moment were Fr. Fahed's children, as he had previously experienced the marital vocation. Later, once widowed, Fr. Fahed received the Lord's call, and welcomed it with open arms, testifying to the fact that a vocation can arrive at any moment, the main thing is to be ready to welcome it and to give one's life to God.

At the center of the celebration was the Gospel call to vigilance: not a fearful waiting, but the ability to live the present with an awake heart, recognizing life as a gift entrusted by God. "True vigilance is fidelity", was recalled during the homily by Fr. Francesco Ielpo, Custos of the Holy Land. It is not a matter of waiting for extraordinary events, but of following the figure of the faithful servant who takes care of the house and distributes food at the proper time. Franciscan holiness, in fact, is not measured by exceptional gestures, but by fidelity to the small everyday things lived with love.

With the profession of the vows of obedience, poverty, without anything of his own, and chastity, according to the Rule of Saint Francis, Fr. Fahed handed his life over into the hands of the Lord. The evangelical counsels do not deprive one of autonomy, but make it authentic: they teach how to live as sons, brothers, and servants of the Gospel.

Recalling the teaching of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians, "God is faithful", the homily emphasized how every vocation is above all a response to God's initiative. It is the Lord's fidelity, and not human strength alone, that guarantees perseverance on the journey.

The community of the Custody gathers around Fr. Fahed with prayer, so that he may be a joyful and vigilant minor brother, capable of becoming a credible witness of the Gospel in the service of God, of his brothers, and of a land that continues to await hope and peace.