alwakaai news - Anjara’s Our Lady of the Mountain Shrine hosted the Annual Catholic Pilgrimage Day in Jordan on Friday, welcoming more than 4,000 pilgrims from across the Kingdom in a celebration that reaffirmed Jordan’s unique position as a global destination for Christian pilgrimage and religious tourism.

The pilgrimage was presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and attended by H.E. Dr. Imad Naim Hijazin, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and Chairman of the Jordan Tourism Board, alongside religious leaders, diplomats, government officials, and members of Catholic communities from across Jordan.

The annual gathering reflects the profound spiritual significance of Jordan as a land of biblical history, faith, and pilgrimage. It also highlights the continuous commitment of the Hashemite leadership to preserving and promoting the Kingdom’s Christian and Islamic holy sites as part of Jordan’s rich religious and cultural heritage.

During the solemn celebration, Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasized the importance of Our Lady of the Mountain Shrine as one of Jordan’s recognized Christian pilgrimage sites, describing it as a place of prayer, spiritual renewal, and encounter. He praised the unwavering support extended to Christian holy sites by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and national institutions dedicated to safeguarding Jordan’s religious heritage.

The Cardinal also highlighted ongoing preparations for the year 2030, which will mark the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The milestone is expected to become one of the most significant Christian commemorations of the century, placing Jordan at the center of global Christian celebrations and pilgrimage activities.

He noted that His Majesty King Abdullah II continues to champion Jordan’s role as a global model of interfaith coexistence, dialogue, and peace, while ensuring the protection and preservation of the Kingdom’s sacred sites for future generations.

Reflecting on the Gospel of the Annunciation, Cardinal Pizzaballa spoke about the Virgin Mary as a symbol of faith, hope, and trust, emphasizing the enduring relevance of her example in a world facing growing challenges and uncertainty.

The celebration commenced with remarks by Fr. Emad Allamat, Secretary General of the Latin Patriarchate in Jordan, who underscored the significance of Our Lady of the Mountain Shrine as one of the Christian pilgrimage sites officially recognized by the Holy See during the Great Jubilee of 2000. The shrine is traditionally associated with the journey of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph through the region, giving it a unique place within Christian pilgrimage traditions worldwide.

Fr. Allamat further noted that Jordan is entering a historic phase of preparation for 2030, when Christians around the world will commemorate 2,000 years since the Baptism of Christ and the beginning of Christianity’s public mission. These celebrations are expected to bring unprecedented international attention to Jordan’s Christian heritage and pilgrimage destinations.

Among those participating in the pilgrimage were Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, Patriarchal Administrator for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church Archimandrite Paul Nazzha, and representatives of Catholic Churches throughout the Kingdom. Upon his arrival, Cardinal Pizzaballa was welcomed by Ajloun Governor Nayef Al-Hdayat, local officials, and community representatives.

The event was also attended by Senator Michel Nazzal, Chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee, as well as the Ambassadors of Hungary, Australia, and Spain, in addition to clergy, religious sisters, and faithful from across Jordan.

Through the vision of the Hashemite leadership and the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, Jordan continues to strengthen its position as a leading global destination for Christian pilgrimage. Extensive initiatives are being undertaken to enhance pilgrimage infrastructure, improve visitor experiences, promote Jordan’s Christian heritage internationally, and host religious delegations, faith leaders, and international media from around the world.

Our Lady of the Mountain Shrine remains one of the cornerstone destinations within Jordan’s Christian pilgrimage trail, attracting thousands of visitors annually and serving as a living testimony to the Kingdom’s enduring role in the history of Christianity.

The celebration concluded with a procession of the icon of Our Lady of the Mountain, sacred hymns performed by the Latin Patriarchate Choir, and the traditional candle-lighting ceremony. The event offered a powerful expression of faith and devotion while reaffirming Jordan’s standing as a land of faith, peace, pilgrimage, and spiritual encounter.