Religious sisters care for young orphans at the ‘Crèche’ in Bethlehem

At an orphanage in Bethlehem called the “Crèche,” a group of religious sisters is providing an oasis of charity to young children who have no parents of their own to play with or care for them.

“In Bethlehem, Christmas comes once a year, but here we celebrate the living Jesus every day,” Sister Laudy Fares, who has served at the orphanage for the past two decades, told Vatican News in a Dec. 28 report. 

Sr. Laudy is one of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul who operates the Orphanage of the Holy Family, which cares for abandoned or orphaned children under 6 years old. About 70 people total serve at the orphanage, including the sisters, teachers, doctors, and volunteers.

The sisters rely strongly on God’s providence to run the orphanage, which is financially supported almost entirely through private donations, according to Father Karim Maroun, provincial superior of the Vincentians. He said Israelis, Palestinian families, and Christian pilgrims all provide support. 

The sisters currently care for 45 children who are permanent residents of the orphanage, and they run a day-care service for an additional 35 children, according to Vatican News. Fr. Maroun told the outlet that many of the children have been born into “extreme family situations,” with many being surrendered by young single mothers who were experiencing dangerous home lives. The sisters take in the newborns, “raise them, and love them,” he said.

Journalist Giordano Contu, who visited the orphanage and wrote the Dec. 28 Vatican News article, reported that it is a lively place, animated by young, active children and the sisters who play with, teach, and raise them. 

Sr. Laudy told the outlet that through this ministry, the sisters love Jesus. 

“We welcome Christ into our arms, because these children have been rejected by society,” she said. “Here they find affection, open arms, and love.”

Still, Fr. Maroun acknowledged, the sisters’ care for the children can’t fulfill the longing children have for a mother and a father.

Sr. Laudy explained that the children can only remain at the Crèche until they are 6 years old. After this, the children enter the Palestinian state system, according to Vatican News. 

She added that it’s painful every time a child must leave. 

“Afterwards, we do not know what their path will be, what future awaits them,” Sr. Laudy said. “That is why our presence here, in Bethlehem, is so important: to take care of them every day, for as long as we can.”