Gaza parish prays for 'miracle' of peace

Fr Gabriel in selfie with some parishioners

Source: Vatican Media

While Gaza ceasefire talks were taking place in Doha, parishioners in the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, prayed together for an end to the war that has taken so many lives and caused so much hardship and sorrow.

Parish Priest, Fr Gabriel Romanelli said that on Thursday, 15 August, that they managed to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a short procession around the church courtyard.

On that day, heavy bombardments hit the refugee camps of Jabalia and Nuseirat. Fr Gabriel said the sound of bombing could be heard in the church.

In an interview with Vatican Media, Fr Gabriel said the parish is following the peace talks in prayer and with great hope. As negotiations are now expected to continue in Cairo, Fr Gabriel said he hoped that the fruits of the negotiations will see the light of day by next week.

Despite ongoing sorrow, he said it would be good news if there was "a ceasefire and the release of the hostages" as "a first step towards peace."

Reflecting on the beautiful celebration of the Blessed Mother for her Solemnity, Fr Gabriel observed that they were able to celebrate her Assumption "in a magnificent way, despite the pain and fatigue."

Fr Gabriel was separated from his parish for seven months when the war began. He returned to Gaza in May with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The Cardinal asked the refugees sheltering in the parish to pray for Mary and St Michael's intercession for peace. He said it was "wonderful" that the refugees had immediately welcomed this request.

On the feast of the Assumption they began the day by asking for the miracle of peace, Fr Gabriel said. They prayed "In silence for an hour, then with Lauds in Arabic, the Rosary and then the solemn Mass," before "we renewed the consecration of the entire parish of the Gaza Strip to the Holy Family."

Father Romanelli said: "A few years ago, we prepared for the three years before this consecration. The first year was the consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the second to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the third to Saint Joseph."

During the procession in the church courtyard they sang songs dedicated to Our Lady. There was also a meeting of Catholic and Orthodox families and the distribution of some basic necessities, food, and cleaning kits.

Fr Gabriel said: "Everyone was happy and I think Our Lady and her Son were also happy.... We hope that this air of peace, we are feeling, is Our Lady's miracle."