More than 5,000 Catholics of various rites made a pilgrimage yesterday to the Church of the Baptism of Jesus in Jordan, consecrated last year at what is believed to be the site of the Lord’s Baptism.
Representatives of the Melkite Greek, Maronite, Chaldean, Syriac, and Armenian Catholic Churches were present at the Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Iyad Twal of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Diplomats from ten nations were also present.
“We extend a sincere invitation to pilgrims from all over the world,” Bishop Twal said. “Come to the Holy Land, come to the Jordan River, come to this holy place, visit this church, and be blessed by the waters of the Jordan.”