News from the Vicariate

Watch with your children our movie about Nativity. It is in Hebrew and was published on our YouTube channel.

On December 19–20, 2025 families from our communities gathered in Tiberias for a special Weekend of Families, celebrating faith, unity, and the 70th anniversary of the Vicariate of St. James. It was a time of prayer, learning, and joy, strengthening the bonds that unite us as one family in Christ.

Last Friday (November 14th) more than one hundred people gathered in the parish hall of Notre Dame of the Champs in Paris for a meeting with fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James.

The monthly Newsletter of St. James Vicariate is available in five languages (English, German, Italian, French and Polish). It contains the news from the communities and connects the local, hebrew-speaking Church with all the Catholics of the world. In unity we are strong. Please, subscribe in order to stay in touch with us.

On November 1st the Feast of the Communities (Yom HaKehilot) took place in Jerusalem. The holy Mass was celebrated in the Auditorium of Notre dame of Jerusalem, meanwhile the picnic lunch was served by the students of the Collège des Frères (La Salle New Gate Jerusalem).

On the night of October 29, 2025, the streets of Tel Aviv glowed with movement, rhythm, and light as 42 participants from the St. James Vicariate joined the Night Run Tel Aviv among tens of thousands of runners.

The new Liturgical Calendar for the year 2025/26 is available. The digital version (pdf) may be found on our webpage. The printed edition may be purchased through the priests responsible for the communities.

"Today we are not only celebrating the release of the hostages but also the resurrection of hope": this is how Father Piotr Zelazko, Patriarchal Vicar of the Vicariate of St. James for Hebrew-speaking Catholics, commented to L’Agenzia S.I.R. (Servizio Informazione Religiosa) on the release of the 20 Israeli hostages, still alive, held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The annual retreat for priests of the Vicariate of St. James took place at the Monastery of Montserrat. All priests participated in the spiritual exercises from September 28 to October 3, 2025.

After yesterday's terrorist attack in Jerusalem, fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James spoke to the Italian News Agensy S.I.R. (Servizio Informazione Religiosa).

4–6 сентября в гостевом доме «Бейт Ноа» у Галилейского моря прошел уик-энд, посвященный молитве, дружбе и вере.

Starting yesterday, a new video series titled Faith at a Glance is now available on our YouTube channel. Every Tuesday, a short video in Hebrew will be released, offering a clear and concise explanation of a topic related to the Catholic faith.

A Special Opportunity to Support and Celebrate: The Pilgrimage to Rome was an extraordinary event for St. James Vicariate, marking a meaningful step in our journey toward the Year of Jubilee. All participants received specially designed commemorative gadgets connected to this sacred celebration. Now, we are pleased to offer these exclusive products to everyone through our website. The quantity is limited, and all proceeds will go directly to support the charity initiatives of the Vicariate.

From August 11th to 19th, 2025, a group of pilgrims from St. James Vicariate embarked on a spiritually enriching journey to Rome, the heart of the Catholic Church. The pilgrimage was not only a time of prayer and reflection but also a profound encounter with the living Church, its history, and its present mission under Pope Leo XIV.

In the heart of Jerusalem, where faith and history intertwine, the life of Sr. Regine Canetti, NDS, stood as a quiet beacon of reconciliation, memory, and hope. A Holocaust survivor, a convert, and a devoted Sister of Sion, Sr. Regine’s journey from tragedy to testimony left a lasting imprint on the Church and the people of the Holy Land. Her passing at the age of 104 marks the end of an era, but her legacy continues to inspire.

We are deeply grateful to share that a ceasefire has been declared, bringing a much-needed moment of peace to our region. This is a time to give thanks—for the safety of our communities, for the power of prayer, and for the unwavering support we have received from friends near and far.

Today (23.06.25) marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of Bishop Jean-Baptiste Gourion, a revered figure in the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community in Israel. His legacy continues to inspire and guide the faithful.

On Friday (30.05.25) the members of the Pastoral Council celebrated the Jubilee. The meeting took place in Tiberias.

This year's liturgical Solemnity of St. James, Apostle, Bishop of Jerusalem, Main Patron of the Vicariate was celebrated in the monastery of Deir Rafat, on Saturday (03.05).

We present the homily of fr. Piotr Zelazko, Patriarchal Vicar, on the Solemnity of St. James Apostle, Bishop of Jerusalem, Main Patron of the Vicariate that he preached on Saturday (03.05) in Deir Rafat.