For the first time since the war began, the faithful of Holy Family Parish in Gaza gathered on Sunday in silence — no bombs, no sirens, only prayer.
Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, an Argentine-born missionary and parish priest of the Holy Family Church, called on his faithful to “forgive all those who have failed and ask forgiveness for our own shortcomings,” as he led a Mass filled with hope and thanksgiving.
“The long-awaited day has come to begin the implementation of the peace process,” he said. “May God, in His goodness, grant the Holy Land the grace to live in peace, justice, and reconciliation.”
Fr. Romanelli welcomed the news of the release of 20 Israeli hostages and the return of those who died in captivity, alongside the liberation of Palestinian prisoners — signs, he said, that “the long path toward reconciliation has begun.”
This Sunday marked the first day without bombing, a moment of relief for the hundreds who sought refuge in the parish compound and for those now slowly returning to their damaged homes. “This ceasefire, God willing, will become the end of this atrocious war,” he said, expressing gratitude for the endurance and faith of the Christian community.
During Mass, the congregation prayed for the 57 Christians killed during the war — many of them while sheltering in the Catholic and neighboring Orthodox church compounds. Each name was remembered in prayerful silence and reflection.
Fr. Romanelli highlighted the generosity of the community. Among them, Fr. Yusuf Asad, an Egyptian priest from the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), who has served heroically throughout the crisis. He also expressed special thanks to Fr. Carlos Ferrero, provincial superior for the Middle East, the Sisters of the Rosary, the Missionaries of Charity, the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, as well as the parish staff, children, youth, and volunteers.
Read more: https://www.churchinneed.org/first-sunday-of-peace-in-gaza-christians-pray-for-forgiveness-and-rebuilding/
By Maria Lozano | churchinneed
