On Friday, 9 December 2026, Msgr. Iyad Twal, Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan, presided over the Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord at the site of the Baptism (Al-Maghtas), as part of the celebration of the 26th Catholic Pilgrimage Day. The liturgy was attended by a broad ecclesial, popular, and official presence, during the Mass, His Excellency issued a call to live faith as a living journey grounded in a personal encounter with Christ and steadfastness in hope, affirming that Baptism is the beginning of a path that leads to a life filled with hope. Concelebrating the Mass were Archbishop Giovanni Dal Toso, Apostolic Nuncio, along with a number of bishops and priests.

The occasion was marked by the presence of official and diplomatic figures, as well as ecclesial delegations from the Philippines and media representatives from Vatican City. This took place at the invitation of the Patriarchal Vicariate and the Baptism Site Commission, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, as part of ongoing efforts to highlight the Baptism Site of the Lord as a principal pilgrimage destination for faithful around the world.


Even amid heavy rains, the faithful set out on pilgrimage to the site of the Baptism

Msgr. Iyad Twal conveyed the greetings and blessing of His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who apologized for his absence from this annual celebration due to his presence in Vatican City to participate in the Consistory of Cardinals convened by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on for listening to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit in the guidance of the Church.

In his homily, Msgr. Twal emphasized that the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord proclaims the opening of heaven to every person and the call to enter into a relationship of sonship with God. He explained that Baptism marks the beginning of a living journey of faith, based on a personal encounter with Jesus, who is capable of transforming human life. This journey, he noted, requires a heart willing to seek His presence, like that of the Magi and the shepherds, who followed the star despite not knowing the full picture. He added that we are called to draw near to Him with trust, despite our weakness and doubts, since faith does not mean having foreknowledge of all things. He affirmed that God is present even in difficult circumstances and gives signs of His presence through His Word, the sacraments, and through people, inviting the faithful to be attentive to His nearness, for living faith generates an inner peace that God goes before us and gives life its true meaning.

Read more: https://www.lpj.org/en/news/msgr-iyad-twal-marks-the-feast-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord-at

By Miral Atik | lpj.org