Patriarch Twal leads Holy Thursday Chrism Mass in Jerusalem

(April 10, 2009) The head of Latin rite Catholics of the Holy Land celebrated Holy Thursday Chrism Mass in the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, joining his clergy in thanking the Lord for the gift of priesthood and for the privilege of living in the holy places. “On this day, we cannot but give thanks to God for the priests, for religious men and women, and for the people who have consecrated their life for the Holy Places, some even to death,” Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem said during the Mass that bishops celebrate with their priests in commemoration of the institution of the priesthood by Christ at the Last Supper. “Let us acknowledge with joy that the priceless service rendered by the Church to this Land and to its people is due to the prayers and to the humble and faithful work of many ministers of Christ, who, over the centuries, have been working as artisans of civilisation, of love and of service,” the patriarch said. “United in spirit to all the priests of the world and to those who cannot be here with us today, we thank God for the privilege of living in these Holy Places,” he concluded. According to tradition the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is where Jesus was buried after his death and from where he rose again on Easter.