Jerusalem: The Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew speaking Catholics in Israel marked 70 years of pastoral ministry with a joyful jubilee celebration in Jerusalem, bringing together hundreds of faithful to reflect on its mission of faith, dialogue and service within Israeli society.
The anniversary celebration was held on May 2 at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem and gathered around 350 parishioners, clergy, religious and guests. The Mass for the feast of St James the Apostle was led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who once served as vicar of the Saint James Vicariate between 2005 and 2008.
The Saint James Vicariate is a unique Catholic community in Israel because it serves people mainly in the Hebrew language, the language spoken in everyday life across the country. While deeply connected to Hebrew speaking society, the Vicariate remains fully part of the universal Catholic Church and works to build bridges among different communities.
During the celebration, prayers and thanksgiving were offered for the many priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful who have dedicated themselves to building and strengthening the Vicariate over the past seven decades.
Alongside the Eucharistic celebration, the jubilee also included music, personal testimonies and the premiere of a documentary film produced by the Christian Media Center. The gathering gave many participants an opportunity to remember the history of the community and the challenges it has faced over the years.
In his homily and remarks, Cardinal Pizzaballa spoke about the importance of understanding the people of Israel and helping the wider Church deepen its relationship with them. He said this responsibility is especially important in the present time and stressed that the survival and growth of the Vicariate over the years was not the result of strategy or planning alone, but was rooted in faith in Jesus Christ.
The Cardinal also reflected on the role of the Church as one united body despite cultural and linguistic differences. He reminded the faithful that the mission of the Vicariate is not to create a separate Church but to serve the one Church of Jesus Christ from within Israeli society.
The Saint James Vicariate today brings together Catholics from different backgrounds, including believers of Jewish and non Jewish origin, migrant communities, local Christians and Russian speaking Catholics. Its communities are active in several cities including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv Jaffa, Haifa, Be’er Sheva and Tiberias.
Speaking during the jubilee, Fr Piotr Żelazko, who has served as vicar of Saint James since 2021, described the anniversary as both a gift and a responsibility. He said the mission of the communities is to remain faithful, attentive and courageous while listening to the signs of the times and caring for the next generation.
He also emphasized the importance of continuing to build bridges of faith, dialogue and compassion in a society marked by diversity and complexity.
For many faithful attending the celebration, the jubilee was not only a moment to look back with gratitude, but also a reminder of the continuing mission of the Church to accompany people in their daily lives through faith, understanding and service.