The Youth of Jesus’ Homeland concluded their preparatory meetings in the Holy Family Parish in Ramallah, on Friday, January 11, 2019, for the World Youth Days in Panama that will start on January 22 until February 6, 2019.
The 43 participants met several times in 2018, where Fr. Bashar Fawadleh, youth director for Palestine and the preparatory committee, made sure that they receive the best spiritual and practical preparations before leaving for Panama.
During the two weeks in Panama, the participants will meet Pope Francis and the youth from all over the world and they will have a spiritual retreat and various activities.
The youth of Jesus’ Homeland surely faced some obstacles while preparing, yet, with their efforts and fund from the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, they were able to overcome these obstacles and be ready to meet Pope Francis, according to a statement released January 12, 2019, by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Three participants will be representing the youth of Palestine on the Youth Festival stages; Narmeen Odeh will present her everyday life testimony, and Tamara Qassis and Kamel Matar will reflect on the 1.5 million wooden rosaries, which were handmade of olive wood in Bethlehem, to be given to young people who participate in the WYD in Panama.
