As families in the Holy Land prepare for the new school year amidst great trials, Latin patriarchate seeks Catholics' prayers, aid
DETROIT — As Catholic school students in Michigan and around the world prepare to return to school, Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger reminds the faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit that Christians overseas, especially in the Holy Land, face many hardships.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who visited Detroit in December 2025, in a recent article encouraged Catholics worldwide to remember their brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, especially as children return to school amid extraordinary vulnerabilities.
Through its Back to School initiative, the patriarchate is inviting Catholics around the world to help support these children and their families by covering vital educational costs and helping to provide a stable environment to learn, grow and thrive.
"During his visit to the Archdiocese of Detroit last December, Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, shared with us not only the suffering endured by Christians in the Holy Land, but also their unwavering faith in God and their remarkable resilience amid years of war and violence," Archbishop Weisenburger said in an Aug. 24 statement. "During that visit, the Cardinal was presented with a spiritual bouquet of more than 3,300 prayers and intentions offered by Catholics and students from 16 schools and 53 parishes across the Archdiocese of Detroit, a gift from our local Church in spiritual support of the Christian community in the Holy Land.
"As students and teachers across the Archdiocese begin a new academic year, I ask the faithful of Southeastern Michigan to once again pray for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, especially the students and families who are also beginning a new school year amid profound hardship," the archbishop continued. "The following article from the Latin Patriarchate offers powerful insight into the challenges currently facing Christians in the Holy Land, while reminding us that even amid suffering, hope endures."
Read "Hope Demands Action: The Christian Presence is at Risk in its Birthplace," from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
