— Holy Land Councillor News
Holy Land Liturgies: Our Lady Queen of Palestine 2026
October 25, 2026
At Deir Rafat, the Patriarch of Jerusalem invited the faithful to recognize God’s visitation within community and life.
Dear Members,
Each year the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem gathers at Deir Rafat, at the feet of the Virgin Mary, for the Solemnity of Our Lady Queen of Palestine. This year’s homily from Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrived alongside a tense season in the Holy Land, and its invitation brings the tangible mission of recognizing the Lord who comes to visit us in the people around us.
The Patriarch opened with a moment of solidarity for the nine Christians killed at a funeral in the Kerak region of Jordan, and for the families across Palestine whom the current situation has kept from joining the feast. Reading the Gospel of the Visitation, he dwells on Elizabeth’s question at Mary’s arrival, a wonder that goes beyond family bonds, and on what it means to see a home visit, a kind word, and an act of charity as places where God is already at work. His closing prayer asks Mary to console those who mourn, sustain those living in isolation and fear, and help the lonely find community again.
“In a land marked by fear and division, a community that knows how to welcome others and draw near to them becomes a sign of God’s presence among His people.”
The homily closes with a practical challenge for the faithful in the Holy Land, which we can bring to our own parishes: to reach the members who have drifted away, the grieving who find themselves alone, and the young people with difficult questions who are looking for someone willing to listen. We recommend you read the full homily below, along with photos from the solemnity at Deir Rafat.
