The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth displays several images of the Virgin Mary around its courtyard. They express the devotion and affection of various peoples and cultures for the Mother of Jesus. On March 13, a new mosaic of Our Lady of Iraq was blessed by Mgr. Alberto Ortega, apostolic nuncio to Jordan and Iraq. HE Mgr ALBERTO ORTEGA MARTIN Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan and Iraq “It is wonderful to bless this Virgin of Iraq so that she may be present here in the Holy Land in Nazareth. A madonna from Iraq, a country that is very close and also part of the Holy Land, where it all began. It is an opportunity to put under the protection of the Virgin Mary all the Iraqi Christians who have experienced difficult times but who, thanks be to God, are passing a great test. We are asking for peace in this country for the whole Iraqi people.” The ceremony took place at the end of the meeting of the Assembly of the Ordinaries of the Holy Land. In addition to them, a special and moving presence was that of a group of Iraqi pilgrims who emigrated to the Netherlands. HAYTHAM AMRAWI Iraqi Travel Guide - Netherlands “Today I felt a great joy because we participated in this blessing. It was a coincidence because we were passing through. There are not as many things that give meaning to our lives as our great Mother, the Virgin Mary.” "Queen of Peace" - is one of the titles used to invoke the Virgin Mary by many pilgrims. Now, with the new mosaic, they will have an additional presence to ask for her intercession. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of Holy Land “From here, Nazareth, the place where the son of God became flesh, we ask Mary to lay down her maternal mantle, she who is the mother of the son of God, but also the mother of the Church, we ask her to lay down her mantle on the Christians of Iraq.” Read More