SW News: The Middle East will be specially entrusted to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth on June 27, said Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizaballa in a letter to Catholic bishops.

The top prelate hinted that the consecration will take place in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth during Holy Mass attended by all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land.

In his letter to brother bishops, Patriarch Pizaballa said a specially painted icon of the Holy Family containing relics from the Basilica of the Annunciation will be blessed. The sacred image is a representation of the icon of the Holy Family that rests above the altar of St Joseph’s Church in Nazareth, where according to tradition stood the 'Carpenter's house'.

After its blessing, the sacred icon will embark on a pilgrimage to all nations of the East, starting with Lebanon and it will arrive in Rome towards the end of the Year dedicated to St Joseph on December 8. From Rome, the sacred image will be taken back to the Holy Land.

On June 27, Ordinaries across the Middle East will celebrate an annual Mass for peace. “It has been decided that a Mass should be celebrated in each one of the countries belonging to the Council of the Catholic Patriarchs in the Middle East, and thus all the patriarchs and bishops are invited to participate in this intense prayer, and to be in a profound Communion of prayer together during this blessed day,” the top prelate said in his letter to bishops.

The idea to have a Peace Day for the East emerged from the justice and peace commission of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs in the Middle East on the 130th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s social encyclical 'Rerum Novarum'. Pope Francis is expected to impart his apostolic blessing for the day of peace in Rome.