Amman: Catholics from across Jordan gathered on Friday at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, also known as Al Maghtas, for their annual pilgrimage to celebrate Holy Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The celebration was held on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, near the site traditionally believed to be where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
The Mass took place at the Church of the Baptism of the Lord, which was inaugurated in January 2025. One year later, the church welcomed more than 5,000 faithful who came together to mark the beginning of Christ’s public ministry through prayer and reflection.
Diplomats from ten countries attended the celebration along with representatives of the Melkite Greek, Maronite, Chaldean, Syriac, and Armenian Catholic Churches. The Mass was presided over by Bishop Iyad Twal, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, with Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, the Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan, concelebrating.
One of the most meaningful moments of the liturgy came when the faithful were sprinkled with holy water drawn from the Jordan River before the Mass. For many pilgrims who had travelled from different parts of the country, this gesture carried deep spiritual significance.
Before the Mass, Bishop Twal addressed the media, describing the baptism site as a place rich in holiness and human warmth. He also conveyed greetings from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who was unable to attend because he was in Rome for the Consistory.
Referring to the situation in the region, Bishop Twal shared reflections from Cardinal Pizzaballa’s recent visit to Gaza. He said the Cardinal sensed a strong desire among the people for a new beginning and expressed hope that the coming year would bring a lasting, just, and comprehensive peace. These intentions, he said, were offered in prayer from the baptism site for Jerusalem, for Palestine, for Gaza, and for the entire Holy Land.
Bishop Twal also expressed hope that pilgrims would return to the Holy Land in large numbers this year. He invited people from around the world to visit the Jordan River, pray at the baptism site, and receive blessings from its waters.
The pilgrimage was organized in collaboration with the Baptism Site Administration, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Jordan Tourism Board.