Share Story
AMMAN — The Catholic Church in Jordan on Friday commemorated the annual pilgrimage to the Mar Elias Shrine in Ajloun, one of the Kingdom’s key Christian pilgrimage sites.
The celebration featured a solemn Mass led by Patriarchal Vicar Bishop Iyad Tawal, with the participation of clergy and parishioners from various churches across the governorate. Among the attending priests were Father Salam Haddad from Wadi Al Hadaneh, Father Johnny Bahbah from Ajloun and Father Yousef Francis from Anjara.
Prior to the Mass, Director of the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media Father Rifat Bader delivered a welcoming address on behalf of local clergy. He also highlighted the spiritual and historical significance of the shrine located in the Listib area, believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Elijah.
“This year marks 25 years of Christian pilgrimage to this sacred site,” Father Bader said, recalling the various events organised by the Church over the past quarter century. He also paid tribute to Father Manuel Bader, who was celebrating the diamond jubilee of his priestly ordination. Ordained in 1965, Father Bader celebrated his first Mass in the area 60 years ago.
Father Bader offered prayers for the souls of the three Christians killed during Thursday’s bombing of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, as well as for the injured, particularly parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. He also prayed for the victims of the terrorist attack on the Mar Elias Church in Damascus.
Father Bader also called on the faithful to pray for all those working for peace, especially “the King of Peace, the man of peace, and the peacemaker, His Majesty King Abdullah,” as well as HRH Crown Prince Hussein. He added: “May the Lord grant us the spirit of the Prophet Elijah so that we do not fall into despair or surrender to the illusion that evil will prevail, especially in these times filled with war and violence. Let us always remain pilgrims of hope.”
The Bishop expressed pride in belonging to the Holy Land, the land that witnessed the history of salvation, calling it both a blessing and a responsibility. He emphasised that being from this sacred land carries a unique spiritual mission, unlike anywhere else in the world.
Bishop Tawal also outlined key lessons from the life of the Prophet Elijah that are relevant today: courage and truthfulness, faith in divine providence, the power of prayer, awareness of God’s presence in daily life, humility and perseverance, and unwavering hope in eternal life.
Father Salam Haddad, pastor of Mar Elias Church in Wahadneh, thanked Bishop Tawal for presiding over the celebration and extended gratitude to all institutions that helped make the pilgrimage a success. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Ajloun Governorate, security agencies, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Jordan Tourism Board, and local church committees, including the choirs of Saint Paul in Ajloun and Mar Elias in Wahadneh, altar servers and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Scouts and Guides group from Tla’ Al Ali.
Father Manuel Bader also delivered remarks, expressing his pride in being a native of the Mar Elias area and the first priest ordained there 60 years ago. He thanked the Latin Patriarchate, the Latin Vicariate, and all who extended congratulations on the occasion of his diamond jubilee.
