Welcome to the blog post highlighting the upcoming ‘Jordan: Dawn of Christianity’ exhibition in the Vatican, where Father Rifat Badar, a Jordanian priest associated with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, sheds light on the nation’s role in offering hope to refugees and invites pilgrims to rediscover the roots of Christianity in Jordan, especially in anticipation of the nation’s 2030 Jubilee.
Written by the talented Deborah Castellano Lubov, this blog post delves into the biblically-rich Holy Land nation of Jordan as it prepares for a significant Jubilee in 2030, marking 2000 years since the Baptism of Jesus. Jordan presents a beacon of hope and faith to pilgrims and the vulnerable, as highlighted by Fr. Rifat Bader, a Roman Catholic priest in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Fr. Rifat, who also leads the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan, shares insights in an interview with Vatican News. He reflects on his time in Rome for the Jubilee of Communications, the upcoming exhibition in the Vatican, and the significance of religious pilgrimage to the roots of Christianity in Jordan and the Holy Land.
During his visit to Rome, Fr. Rifat participated in the Jubilee of Communications, celebrating with colleagues from 138 countries. He had the privilege of attending Mass with His Holiness and engaging in discussions about the role of communications in serving the Church.
Fr. Rifat also had a special moment with Pope Francis, presenting a photo of the newly inaugurated church at the Baptism site in Jordan. The image carried a quote from the Pope’s letter to Christians in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of being “sprouts of hope” in sacred lands.
Fr. Rifat’s role at the inauguration of the church at the Jordan River held immense significance, marking the birthplace of Christianity where Jesus was baptized. The church’s completion after 15 years of waiting signifies the start of preparations for the Great Jubilee of Jordan in 2030.
As Jordan looks forward to celebrating 2000 years since the baptism of Jesus, Fr. Rifat emphasizes the nation’s commitment to offering hope, especially to refugees. Jordan’s welcoming spirit has provided solace to vulnerable individuals from various conflict-ridden regions, embodying a true story of hope.
Join us in rediscovering the roots of Christianity in Jordan and embracing the message of hope that resonates throughout the nation. Stay tuned for the ‘Jordan: Dawn of Christianity’ exhibition at the Vatican’s Palazzo della Cancelleria, a testament to Jordan’s rich religious heritage and its enduring legacy of faith and hospitality.
Welcome to the churches of the holy land of Jordan, where we strive to create hope for our people and students in the schools. Our pastoral schools are open to all, especially catering to those who cannot afford the fees of richer commercial schools.
We spread hope through Caritas Jordan, providing aid through various charitable committees, parishes, and churches. This year, we anticipate many stories of hope emerging from Jordan, truly a land of hope.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
We were inspired by the Holy Father’s suggestion to consider a universal date for Easter. This holds significant meaning for us in the Middle East, where we have a diverse range of denominations and churches.
The Pope’s proposal was met with great joy and hope. We eagerly await our brothers and sisters in the sister Churches to join us in this journey towards full unity, starting with the celebration of Easter together.
