“How should Christians live in the midst of the conflict currently afflicting the Holy Land?” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem) launched the above question in his pastoral letter to the Christian people of the Holy Land, on April 27, 2026, entitled: “They returned to Jerusalem with great joy: A proposal for living the vocation of the Church in the Holy Land.”
Members of the Teresian Association in Jordan, rooted deeply in the loving presence of the Risen Christ, have a clear and firm conviction on how to live their vocation in this troubled Holy Land. With the alarming sound of sirens followed by missiles flying overhead, still the mantra is: “Continuaremos la Obra.” God’s loving assurance of presence and support in times of fear, doubt and uncertainty empowers us to continue our mission of spreading God’s love and mercy, particularly to migrants in Jordan. The Lord of hope and encouragement is a constant companion in our uphill, downhill journey: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, …for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” (Isaiah 41:10).
In the month of April, several migrants of Jordan found hope, peace and security while carrying out their day-to-day life, “thanks to the life sustaining activities offered by the TA” (Rhea Solitario Fernando, member of the Friends of Poveda).
♦ Good Friday is a special day for migrants who delighted in the promise of Divine Mercy from the Lord of love and pardon. A workshop –facilitated by Amabel Sibug– on the topic of Divine Mercy, awakened in their heart and mind the trust in the mercy of the Lord who is constantly waiting to offer his loving embrace and pardon.
The Passion of Christ touched the hearts of mothers who were present in reflecting the pain of the Sorrowing Mother while watching her Son’s sufferings and death. They relate to Mary’s suffering as they themselves experience insurmountable pain being away from their families and loved ones.
♦ Family Catechism is a special course for parents of migrants as they prepare their children to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist (First Communion). The special feature of this course is that both parents (who did not attend catechism before) and children attend the sessions together.
♦ Easter Season in Jordan is mostly celebrated with preparing catechumens to receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confession and Confirmation. This year two adult Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs), after receiving Religious Education from Elisa Estrada were baptized at Bethany in the Jordan, the very site where the Lord Jesus was baptized.
The task of spreading the Good News of faith, hope and love continues, overcoming the uncertainties of the times in the Holy Land, leaning on, and trusting firmly in the everlasting love of the Risen Lord. And the formula? Trust and believe in the Gospel: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these…” (John 14:12).
TA Members in Amman, Jordan.
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