The great joy of the community of Qaraqosh for the arrival of the Pope

This morning Pope Francis will go to Qaraqosh, in northern Iraq, within the Governorate of Nineveh, where he will meet the Christian community in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The testimony of Sister Patrizia Cannizzaro, the only Italian nun in the country, who lives with the local Franciscan missionary nuns. “This people has suffered so much. It is truly an immense joy to be able to have the Holy Father with us for a while ".

Marina Tomarro - Vatican City A meeting expected and dreamed of for a long time, without ever losing hope even when it seemed almost impossible that it could happen. Today that hope becomes reality. It is with this spirit of great joy that the community of Qaraqosh is preparing to welcome the arrival of Pope Francis. The Pope will meet her in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, restored last year, after it was vandalized, desecrated and burned by the militias of the self-styled Islamic State in August 2014. Part of the demolished bell tower, the decapitated statues, the burned church, the furniture, the registers and the sacred books burned at the stake in the courtyard and the choir used as a shooting range. Today a new statue of the Madonna has been erected on the restored bell tower, the soot-blackened walls and marble columns have been cleaned, and an image of about two meters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception has been placed on the altar.

A great expectation full of hope "We have prepared ourselves for this much desired meeting - explains Sister Patrizia Cannizzano of the Community of Franciscan Missionary Sisters - by gathering families every day and doing catechesis with them, to help them understand the message that the Pope comes to bring to this land so tormented, but much loved by God. The little ones also prepared songs and dances to celebrate his arrival. For these people the presence of the Pope is very important, because it is a redemption from the many sufferings and persecutions suffered precisely because of the faith, and his presence can strengthen, reconcile and restore that hope to a people that several times had to leave everything and leave. . I wish every family in Qaraqosh to experience this great joy. These people really love the Pontiff very much and have done everything to welcome him in the best possible way ”.

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A faith that goes beyond difficulties The community of Franciscan nuns is perfectly integrated into the daily life of this place, and is a sure point of reference for many families who live in social and economic situations that are not always easy. "We are a small reality of nuns who live in the midst of this community" - says Sister Patrizia. "These people have suffered deeply because of IS, they have lost everything, not just their homes", she explains, "what is striking their profound faith in God is theirs, knowing how to get up despite the harsh trials they have had to face. Our presence does not want to be only of consolation, but of welcome and support from every point of view, both on a moral, spiritual and also economic level ”. Often the worst consequences were paid by the weakest, such as children who have been denied a peaceful childhood too many times. “We have a school - continues the nun - where we welcome over one hundred and fifty children. We guarantee them a protected environment, education and at least one hot meal a day, in order to support their families as well.

And then we help women learn small jobs, such as sewing classes held by one of our sisters, to encourage them to have some peace of mind. Everyone here loves us very much… they reciprocate us as they can. For example, we have never bought bread, families give it to us, and through that gift it is a way to tell us that they feel we are a living part of their community ”.

VATICAN NEWS ~ ITALY : THE HOLY SEE PRESS : (Translated 03/07/2021) per: https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2021-03/papa-iarq-viaggio-apostolico-quaraqosh.html