Jerusalem: More than 300 young Catholics from Hebrew and Arabic speaking communities gathered in the Holy Land for an annual youth festival focused on faith, hope and unity despite the divisions and suffering affecting the region.
Organised by the St James Vicariate, a community of Hebrew speaking Catholics belonging to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the festival brought together young people from different parishes across the Holy Land for prayer, workshops and fellowship.
The gathering offered an opportunity for young Catholics to strengthen their bonds and experience their shared identity as members of one Church, despite their different languages and backgrounds.
Father Piotr Żelazko, Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew speaking Catholics in Israel, said young people in the region carry deep emotional wounds caused by war, conflict and personal suffering.
Having lived in Israel for almost 20 years, the priest said he also felt the effects of the tensions and difficulties affecting society, describing the country as his home.
He explained that young people face loneliness, fear and the emotional consequences of ongoing conflict. Although they often show resilience and innocence, their painful experiences can have a lasting impact on their lives.
Father Żelazko stressed the importance of helping young people overcome these difficulties and preserve their desire for reconciliation and fraternity.
He also recalled a message from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who had warned young people that not everyone would support their efforts to build unity.
The priest emphasised that Christian unity must remain central to the faith, regardless of differences among communities.
He said Catholics must recognise that their shared faith in Jesus Christ brings them together and that genuine Christian faith cannot exist without this unity.
The youth festival began as a spontaneous initiative and was later interrupted because of the conflict. Organisers eventually decided to resume it despite the difficult circumstances.
Father Żelazko recalled that preparations for last year's festival continued during the war with Iran. A ceasefire followed, allowing the gathering to take place. He described the development as an unexpected source of hope and encouragement.
One of the festival's most distinctive features is the participation of both Hebrew and Arabic speaking Catholics. Father Żelazko said the gathering may be one of the few occasions when the two communities come together to pray in their respective languages at the same time.
The programme included communal prayer, workshops and a shared meal, bringing together more than 300 participants in a celebration of faith and fellowship.
Looking ahead, Father Żelazko expressed hope that the festival would continue every year without interruption. He also hopes it will eventually welcome young Catholics from other countries, allowing the gathering to develop into a more international event.
For the young participants, the festival provided an opportunity to strengthen their Christian identity and experience unity in a region where conflict and division continue to affect everyday life.