On the evening of Thursday, June 1, 2023, Dame Grand Cross Amal Catherine Shomali of the Canada-Montreal Lieutenancy was honored with the Silver Palm of Jerusalem for her unwavering devotion and service to the Church of the Holy Land. The prestigious award was presented to Dame Amal by His Excellency Msgr. Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Bishop Emeritus, representing His Beatitude Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Also in attendance were distinguished guests, including His Excellency Msgr. William Shomali, the Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine; Fr. Bernard Poggi, Rector of the Seminary; Fr. Iyad Twal, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University; Knight Grand Cross Joseph Shomali, Dame Amal’s husband and President of the Bissonnette Foundation for the Holy Land. Dame Amal’s family, residing in Beit Sahour, and the seminarians were also present on this joyous occasion.
On the evening of Thursday 01/06/2023, during the Vespers prayer at the Seminary – Beit Jala, the Knight of the Holy Sepulcher, Amal Catherine Shomali from Montreal-Canada, received the silver Palm of Jerusalem in appreciation of her love and service to the Church of the Holy Land.
His Eminence Bishop Giacinto Paulus Marcuzzo, Bishop Emeritus, presented the Silver Palm to Mrs. Amal on behalf of His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Also present were Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine, Father Bernard Boggi, President of the Seminary, Father Iyad Twal, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, and her husband, Knight of the Holy Sepulcher Joseph Shomali, President of the Bisonity Foundation for the Holy Land, as well as the family of Mrs. Amal who lives in Beit Sahour and the seminary students.
