On Feb 25th, we attended a joint interfaith prayer outside Jaffa Gate in the Old City at 18.00 o’clock in the evening. We arrived in the place with a few people but the people were keeping coming as we continue our prayer. Members of the three religions, the so called Abrahamic religion – Muslim, Jewish and Christian – come together to pray for peace side by side.

We started the prayer separately and concluded together at the end. This joint prayer not only calls us to our awareness of the need for the unity among Muslim, Jews and Christian to pray for peace in Jerusalem. It also is a witness to other people who are passing by that we are all together, whether you are a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim or any other believer, you can bring peace. The peace that “begins with me”, from within our very self. As our congregation lives this charism of love, understanding and dialogue, we hope and pray that we will be able to deepen our love and understanding as we continue to search and respond to God’s call for us.

We were trying to take every little chance to walk in the city. At any occasions we have activities outside the community. We wanted to learn more about Jerusalem, to enjoy and to make the most out of it. So, we had our ice cream before we joined the prayer gathering and had our Falafel, a typical street food in Jerusalem, after the prayer. We really enjoyed our day.

Maria NDS novice
Congregational Novitiate Ein Karem, Jerusalem