The Benedictine church of Tabgha saw a multitude of pilgrims arrive on Saturday 9 November. Despite the difficulties of war and the uncertainty of the future, the Christians of Galilee are the sign of a prophetic presence. Enduring in the trial, manifesting the ultimate meaning of that value that St Benedict made a pillar of his rule: ‘stability’. The monks promise never to abandon the place where the Lord has called them to dwell, a sign of their rootedness in Christ and the Church. In the same way, the Christians of the Holy Land are faithful to their vocation as living members of the Mystical Body, within a difficult context, the one in which they were born, which is however the same one in which Jesus was also born and lived. The land where the Word of life became flesh and was offered as broken bread on the altar of the world. NADER KARRAM Nazareth For me this is a special place because we grew up here. My eldest son was baptised in this church. This is all a special place, especially in these very difficult days, with all that is happening. It is very important to make it understood that we are here, we are rooted in the territory and we have not run away. It is very important that we are here. SHADI DWEIRY Nazareth My name is Shadi Dweiry from Nazareth. My father's Khalil. He is the builder who built this church. 43 years ago. In 1979. From that time until today, we have come here every year. To celebrate this mass. And the tradition is that just as my father brought us here, now we bring our children. It is a joy to be here, we love this place. The atmosphere here is beautiful. We were baptised in this church. And we baptised our children here. KATTY DWEIRY It is truly a challenge to be here in this time. But I think the only real need we have is faith in God. That is why we are happy to be able to celebrate this mass. We come here every year, and we will be here again next year. HE NIKODEMUS SCHNABEL, osb Abbot of the Dormition in Jerusalem Especially to Christians, I would like to say very clearly and also with some sadness, I have this impression: the Jewish world is showing deep solidarity with its Jewish brothers and sisters who live here. The Muslim world is showing deep solidarity with its Muslim brothers and sisters here. To be honest, from my point of view. The Christian world, which is the largest and most extensive of these worlds, could do a little more. I would like there to be more sense of solidarity and more courage, even in coming on pilgrimage here. I have to say it: come, please. The pilgrimage can be made, the circumstances may be uncomfortable, but the flights are there, and you can get here. KALIL DWEIRY Tabgha Church Architect I feel this place as my home. I built this church in 1979. It took me three years, but then I stayed here for another 43, 44 years. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes tells of a God who takes man's poverty and transforms it into an inexhaustible principle of sharing. Jesus revolutionises the logic of domination and that of overpowering. He listens to the hunger for life that devours people and responds by offering all of himself in the Eucharist, which is the highest and most fulfilled sign of love. Today, the Christians of the Holy Land need to see the love and solidarity of their brothers in Christ. They need to see that Christians are not afraid to come to the holy places. HE NIKODEMUS SCHNABEL, osb Abbot of the Dormition in Jerusalem Perhaps we feel weak these days. Without anyone to help us. But look at the situation the Gospel describes. 5000 hungry people, without resources. And Jesus finds the solution in a child who has only five loaves and two fish. To which he says, come on, let's share. This for me is the sign of love. This child has no power but that of love. Often such political thinking, these worldly powers with their weapons, do not even see the real power, the power of God and his love, in which we trust. The power of gift and forgiveness. I am sure, it is my certainty and my hope, Jesus is with us now, attentive to our hunger and our thirst for peace.