“May Our Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace,
accept the prayers from and for Gaza.” Sister Mary of Nazareth’s prayer - which was published on the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s website - communicated a tone distress.
The nun is a member of the Congregation of the Incarnate Word, a Argentinian religious family which is in charge of the pastoral care programme for the Holy Family parish.
Two priests, some nuns, some consecrated lay people who keep the church (which reminds people here of Jesus, Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt), the school and a small oratory open.
The letter, dated 15 November 2012, describes the experience of Christians living in the Gaza Strip as this terrible war rages on. 2500 of the Strip’s million and a half inhabitants are Christians of various denominations.
“Since Saturday - Sister Mary of Nazareth said in her letter – we have been living in an atmosphere of tension which has worsened since Wednesday afternoon. Attacks and retaliations have been going on practically non stop. All activities have been interrupted. People are scared…Christians here in Gaza usually ask us if we are scared and invite us to go and stay in their homes. But this time it is they who have asked us if we would give them shelter in church if this situation continues. One of them told priests and nuns: “Please do not leave. If you go, who will stay here with us?”
In the letter, the nun explains that “the parish is in a sensitive area, but thankfully we are al right. Our homes are located in the parish and school complex, which is one of the safest places around. The reason it is safe is that everyone knows about this place. It is a place where there is no space for violence of any kind, a place where people are educated about peace and the effort it takes to build it.”
“We are waiting to see what will happen in the next few hours - she added-. Our aim is to show our solidarity to as many people as possible, to civilians who are innocent and yet have to suffer the consequences of the conflict, especially Christians. Our mission is to be close to them, particularly now, to offer words of comfort and hope. We also want to help them get close to God, by teaching them forgiveness and the value of the suffering experienced alongside Christ.”
The nun prayed that “the Prince of Peace would instil love of justice, peace and reconciliation in everyone. May He console the suffering and heal their wounds … when the violence has passed. And may He bring just peace to the Israelis and Palestinians.” “What seems impossible to man - Sister Mary of Nazareth concluded - is not impossible for God. May he touch the hearts of all so that one day - soon we hope - all people of the Holy Land will be able to live together in a fraternal bond. Which is what God wants.”