Patriarch Nona Presides Over the Divine Liturgy at St. Joseph Convent of the Chaldean Daughters of Mary

As part of his pastoral visit to the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Paulus III Nona presided over the Divine Liturgy on the morning of Monday, June 15, 2026, at St. Joseph Convent of the Chaldean Daughters of Mary in Ankawa. Concelebrating with him were His Grace Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, and Bishop Azad Sabri, in the presence of several priests, religious sisters, seminarians, and members of the choir youth group.

The celebration began with a welcoming address delivered by Sister Rahma, Director of the Novitiate House, who expressed the joy of the religious community in receiving His Beatitude at the convent. She wished him wisdom and strength in his new patriarchal ministry and prayed that the Lord would bless his mission of leading the Church and serving the People of God.

Following the proclamation of the Holy Gospel, His Beatitude offered the intention of the Mass for all religious orders and communities of consecrated life, asking the Lord to strengthen their mission and make it fruitful in prayer, witness, and service, and a source of joy and hope for the Church and the world.

In his homily, Patriarch Nona reflected on the meanings of “watchfulness” and “keeping the Word” in the life of the believer, drawing inspiration from the example of St. Joseph the Chaste, patron of the convent, who lived a life of silence filled with faith, obedience, and attentiveness to God’s will. He explained that evangelical watchfulness is not merely an external vigilance, but rather a constant readiness of heart to listen to the voice of the Lord and to discern His presence in the events of daily life.

He further emphasized that keeping the Word of God requires continual self-examination and a heart prepared to face various circumstances and challenges with faith and trust. He added that the Christian mission grows and bears fruit when a person learns to listen before speaking, stating: “For our mission to be fulfilled, it is essential that we listen more than we speak,” because listening to God and to others opens the way to wisdom, spiritual maturity, and fruitful service.

At the conclusion of the celebration, the participants gathered around His Beatitude in a spirit of prayer, fraternity, and joy, reaffirming their commitment to continue the mission of consecrated life and Gospel witness within the Church and society. They entrusted his patriarchal ministry to the care of the Lord and the intercession of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary.