Aid to the Church in Need — 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.
“War destroys everything,” he said, “but we have also witnessed solidarity and generosity, even in the most adverse conditions.”
Fr. Romanelli also thanked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and expressed appreciation for the prayers and support of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.
He emphasized the importance of continuing to pray and work so this peace may take root for the whole region: “Let us hope that it will truly be a just and lasting peace for all the inhabitants of the Holy Land.”
Fr. Romanelli concluded by inviting benefactors and friends of Gaza to take part in the spiritual and material reconstruction of the region. Aid to the Church in Need reaffirmed its closeness to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and will continue to provide emergency aid to Christian families in Gaza and the West Bank.
– Maria Lozano
Photo Credit: Holy Family Church, Gaza
