On a day permeated with hope and light, despite the difficult humanitarian conditions imposed by the serious war in Gaza, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a solemn Mass on 26 October at the shrine of Deir Rafat. The celebration, in honour of the feast of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady Queen of Palestine, invoked her intercession. This feast brought with it a message of firmness and supplication. It offered a ray of hope in the face of the painful reality afflicting the Holy Land. Political obstacles and security restrictions prevented many Christians from participating in the Holy Mass, which they awaited as spiritual nourishment for their souls. CARDINAL PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem For a long time now, we have been going through difficult times. The last year, in particular, has been terrible. From Gaza to Nazareth, from the West Bank to Jerusalem, we suffer deeply because of the war. Prayer is important. It may not change politics, but it can transform our hearts. We must keep our hearts free from the pollution of hatred, revenge and violence, and this is the time and the place to do it. Abed Al Masseh Younan Coordination Office of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Every year, the shrine of Deir Rafat takes on a special significance, and its name enriches our Christian presence. This is where our roots lie, and from where we bring a message of hope, invoking the Virgin Mary's protection over this country. The feast of Our Lady of Palestine is a message to the whole world that we are rooted in this country, despite the poor security conditions, and we are here to stay. This year, the shrine of Deir Rafat was animated by an exceptional spirit, filling with the voices of the male and female students of the Christian schools of the Holy Land. Their prayers and dreams united under the protection of the Virgin Mary, sending a powerful message: our Holy Land still holds hope in its children, and their young people's voices will continue to call for peace and freedom, regardless of the great restrictions. LABIB ABU GHARFEH Terra Sancta School – Jerusalem We ask the Virgin Mary to bring peace to the world, not only to Palestine. We also think of the students my age, young people in the sixth grade, who cannot live a normal life. They live amidst wars and destruction, and have lost access to school and education. Many of them have also lost their families, and have been orphaned. I beg the Virgin to intercede for us, so that peace may come to our country, and that she may look upon her children with compassion. RAWAN HAZBOUN Terra Sancta School – Jerusalem Lord, we pray that this request be granted in a special way. That the gates of heaven may open for us and that peace may be realised through the intercession of the Mother of Peace through her Son, the Prince of Peace. In honour of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Palestine, the Christians of the Holy Land gathered here to celebrate Mass. They raised their special prayers to Our Lady, reminding her that she is the daughter of their homeland, Galilee, Nazareth and Jerusalem, praying that she may hasten the rain of divine mercy!