In 1964, Pope Paul VI visited the Holy Land. In his desire to support the Palestinian people, Bethlehem University was established in 1973 as a joint venture between the Vatican and the De La Salle (Christian) Brothers. From humble beginnings with just three Brothers, a small group of Palestinian educators, and 112 students, Bethlehem University became the first registered university in Palestine. 21,614 men and women have graduated from Bethlehem University since its founding, and today it remains the only Catholic University in the Holy Land.
Bethlehem University provides modern and effective learning resources to enable all staff and students to pursue their academic activities in accordance with its vision, mission, and values. The University intentionally fosters interfaith knowledge and exploration, giving students inter-faith competency and building their capacity to respect all life. Twenty-nine percent of students study Nursing and Health Sciences, 19% Business Administration, and 17% The Arts (Arabic Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Religious Studies).
Stirring Solidarity into Action
In the ongoing journey toward justice and peace, we gather with a promise—a promise rooted in both universal human values and the enduring Christian tradition.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
6:00-8:30 pm
Please join us for a special afternoon event, celebrating the history, impact, and importance of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land. This small regional reception is an opportunity to gather with neighbors and like-minded individuals who share a passion for justice through education.
October 11, 2025
3:00 pm
Over 3,000 students are making the hard journey to be in a Bethlehem University classroom today. When you invest in a student’s education, you’re telling them, you believe in them.
Will you invest in BU students with tuition assistance? It’s our most critical need today.
Please join the Shepherd’s Circle for convenient and secure monthly giving that provides students with support to fund their education that will last a lifetime. Help us reach our goal of 100 people donating $1 dollar a day for Bethlehem University. That’s an extra $36,500 a year! Together we are powerful.
September 17, 2025
Blessings by Bishop Marcuzzo of Jerusalem Rain Down Coach George Felton was honored in Bethlehem today (September 17, 2025) as the basketball court named in his honor was blessed. George is a true friend to Bethlehem University and is a board member of Bethlehem University Foundation USA. He dedicates countless hours to advocating on behalf of…
September 11, 2025
Offers Solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land Msgr. Peter Vaccari, President of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association–Pontifical Mission, together with a distinguished delegation, visited Bethlehem University as part of a pastoral visit in solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land. The delegation included Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, Vice President of…
September 11, 2025
First Training in Palestine Hosted by Bethlehem University Bethlehem University proudly hosted the first American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support Training Center Faculty Course in Palestine, marking a great milestone in clinical education and life support training. Held at the BU’s Clinical Simulation Center, the two-day course brought together 11 participants from different institutions. For…
September 11, 2025
BU Marks the Beginning of the Academic Year The University’s Chapel of the Divine Child was filled with the Holy Spirit as BU celebrated the start of the new academic year September 11, 2025. Bethlehem University’s community came together to ask for God’s blessing and to seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.…
August 4, 2025
Uplifitng Social Justice and Multiculturalism Munther Emad’s educational journey began with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bethlehem University (1996). Born in Gaza, his academic work afforded him with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of social dynamics, which he immediately applied as a Research Program Coordinator at the Women’s Affairs Centre in Gaza.…
July 16, 2025
Strengthening a Strategic Partnership BU was honored to welcome a delegation from Bethlehem Municipality, led by Mr. Maher Canawati, Mayor of Bethlehem. The a high-level meeting explored avenues of strategic cooperation. The visit was hosted by Brother Dr. Hernán Santos, FSC, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, and attended by Dr. Robert Tabash, Chair of the…
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“You can perform miracles by touching the hearts of those entrusted to your care”
Lord Jesus,
You, who in diversity are one
and look lovingly at every person,
help us to recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters,
called to live, pray, work, and dream together.
We live in a world full of beauty,
but also wounded by deep divisions.
Sometimes, religions, instead of uniting us,
become a cause of confrontation.
Give us your Spirit to purify our hearts,
so that we may recognize what unites us
and, from there, learn again how to listen
and collaborate without destroying.
May the concrete examples of peace,
justice and fraternity in religions
inspire us to believe that it is possible to live
and work together, beyond our differences.
May religions not be used as weapons or walls,
but rather lived as bridges and prophecy:
making the dream of the common good credible,
accompanying life, sustaining hope
and being the yeast of unity in a fragmented world.
Amen.