A special day for the Geez Rite Community

The second of December 2023 was a very special day for 13 children from the Geez Rite community of Jerusalem. At a Eucharist celebrated by their chaplain Abba Ghebriel Zerezghi, and in the presence of many of their family members and friends, they received Jesus for the first time in the Eucharist and also received the Sacrament of Confirmation as is customary in the Geez Rite.

The children had been prepared over many months by their catechist Mr. Girmay Hailu to understand the meaning of the two sacraments that they were would be receiving. Among the concelebrants was Fr. Matthew Coutinho, sdb – the Patriarchal Vicar for Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Israel. He congratulated the children; thanked those who had prepared them; and, called for courage in all those present, especially during these troubled times in the Holy Land. He noted that we must move ahead with hope to face life and its challenges, strengthened by our faith in the Eucharist and confirmed in our Christian vocation.

The entire liturgy, which lasted about 2 and a half hours, was well-prepared with appropriate singing and responses. Soon after the eucharist and the mandatory picture-taking, there was a fellowship meal for many invitees prepared by the families of the children.