"Your fruit is my work." (Hos 14:9). These words from the Book of Hosea were chosen as the episcopal motto by Msgr. Rafic Nahra, the new auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem of the Latins. HE RAFIC NAHRA Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem of the Latins "It is the experience of my life: God gives his fruits. It is not me who does things, I have to say yes, I have to be faithful, persevering, but it is God who blesses and gives his fruits." The new bishop's consecration ceremony was held Saturday, April 30, in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the site of the Virgin Mary's "yes" to God's saving plan. Br BRUNO VARRIANO, ofm Guardian and Rector of the Basilica of the Annunciation "It is a joy for the Church of Jerusalem and its new bishop. Bishop Rafic Nahra was consecrated here in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. He resides here and has a love for the Blessed Virgin and the place of the Incarnation." Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Holy Land Custos "It is very nice that the ordination took place here in Nazareth, in the place of Mary's 'yes'. In some way the 'yes' of the new bishop is also accompanied by the grace, intercession, and benevolence of the mother of Jesus." The celebration was presided over by H.B. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, in the presence of numerous religious authorities. "Today you too are joined to the mission of Peter and the Apostles," the patriarch said in his homily, "the mission of being a witness to the Risen One, and only one thing will be asked of you before your anointing: do you really love him? HB PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins "His mission will be to continue to serve the Jerusalem Church in Israel, especially in the Galilee, a very composite society where there are so many different realities.... And he, who knows these realities very well, will be able to serve them well." HE THIBAULT VERNY Auxiliary Bishop of Paris "Bishop Rafic Nahra comes from the diocese of Paris, where he was a seminarian and then a young priest. I met him when he was a young priest. My presence here is to bring him the closeness of the diocese of Paris, which rejoices in this episcopal consecration in the service of the Church. The ceremony of consecration is rich in symbols: after the Liturgy of the Word, the Papal Bull of nomination is read to those present and the litany of the saints is sung. The most significant moment is the laying on of hands on the new bishop by all the bishops present, a gesture that is followed by anointing with Sacred Chrism. Throughout the consecratory prayer, the Bible remains above the head of the new bishop, supported by two deacons. Finally, the ordained bishop receives his insignia: the miter, the pastoral staff and the ring. MARIE-ARMELLE BEAULIEU Celebration's Commentator "It's touching! We met when I was eighteen, now I'm a few years older... It's especially touching - I had a knot in my throat as I was commenting on the celebration. Rafic's journey is really beautiful." RIVKA KARPLUS St. James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics "I know him because he was our parish priest and then the Vicar of the Hebrew speaking Catholic community. Together we were also part of the liturgical commetee for translations within the community. I wish him all the God's blessing!" Read More