As the town of Bethlehem is decked out in Christmas colors, the Custody of the Holy Land celebrated the entrance into the Advent season for two days.
On Saturday morning the Latin community of Jerusalem joined the communities of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour to accompany the Custos of the Holy Land, Fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa on his solemn entry in the other holy city of Judea.
Waiting on Manger Square were the civic and police authorities of Bethlehem, as well as many Franciscan friars, come from the various friaries of the region, local faithful and many pupils from the town’s two Holy Land schools – one for boys and one for girls. Pilgrims and numerous tourists enjoyed the show as the Scouts proudly paraded the colors of the Holy See, the Custody, and their country, Palestine.
However, in spite of the folkloric aspects of the entry, it is indeed an act of faith that sets the tone of this ancient celebration. As the Custos recalled in an interview granted to the Franciscan Media Center: “Solemnity and tradition are important here. Our roots are also our future, and it is necessary to preserve our identity. These ancient celebrations, however, do not commemorate the past, but remind the world that we are present.”
In fact, the solemnity is taking place under the sign of novelty and change. After July’s triennial chapter, the Bethlehem fraternity received a new guardian, Fra Ricardo Bustos, as well as a new parish priest, Fra Nerwan Nasser Al-Bann, assisted by a new vicar, Fra Badie Elias, and Fra Louai, who will be ordained to the diaconate on December 15th. A new, enthusiastic parish team, as the Custos said, expressing his desire that they bring a renewal to the Bethlehem parish, so important to the entire town.
Fra Nerwan, who welcomed in the name of the parish everyone who accompanied the Custos on his entry, thanked the Custos warmly for the attention he has always given the town of Bethlehem, wishing that both the town and the Custos remain attentive to the new needs that are becoming evident. In his words of thanks, the Custos spoke of the Custody’s desire “to receive a new light”.
This light, symbol of Christ and of the beginning of Advent, found him kneeling before the manger of the crèche in the Grotto of the Nativity for Vespers of the feast.
The Franciscan friars remained in Bethlehem until after the Office of Readings, with Fra Ricardo Bustos presiding. Still in Bethlehem, the Custos celebrated the First Sunday of this preparation for Christmas in the presence of the parish community who present in large numbers.
At the end of the Mass, after greeting the Custos, many parishioners went to Manger Square where the Christmas market opened. A festive spirit settles on the City of David. We announce that Christ is coming.
On Saturday morning the Latin community of Jerusalem joined the communities of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour to accompany the Custos of the Holy Land, Fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa on his solemn entry in the other holy city of Judea.
Waiting on Manger Square were the civic and police authorities of Bethlehem, as well as many Franciscan friars, come from the various friaries of the region, local faithful and many pupils from the town’s two Holy Land schools – one for boys and one for girls. Pilgrims and numerous tourists enjoyed the show as the Scouts proudly paraded the colors of the Holy See, the Custody, and their country, Palestine.
However, in spite of the folkloric aspects of the entry, it is indeed an act of faith that sets the tone of this ancient celebration. As the Custos recalled in an interview granted to the Franciscan Media Center: “Solemnity and tradition are important here. Our roots are also our future, and it is necessary to preserve our identity. These ancient celebrations, however, do not commemorate the past, but remind the world that we are present.”
In fact, the solemnity is taking place under the sign of novelty and change. After July’s triennial chapter, the Bethlehem fraternity received a new guardian, Fra Ricardo Bustos, as well as a new parish priest, Fra Nerwan Nasser Al-Bann, assisted by a new vicar, Fra Badie Elias, and Fra Louai, who will be ordained to the diaconate on December 15th. A new, enthusiastic parish team, as the Custos said, expressing his desire that they bring a renewal to the Bethlehem parish, so important to the entire town.
Fra Nerwan, who welcomed in the name of the parish everyone who accompanied the Custos on his entry, thanked the Custos warmly for the attention he has always given the town of Bethlehem, wishing that both the town and the Custos remain attentive to the new needs that are becoming evident. In his words of thanks, the Custos spoke of the Custody’s desire “to receive a new light”.
This light, symbol of Christ and of the beginning of Advent, found him kneeling before the manger of the crèche in the Grotto of the Nativity for Vespers of the feast.
The Franciscan friars remained in Bethlehem until after the Office of Readings, with Fra Ricardo Bustos presiding. Still in Bethlehem, the Custos celebrated the First Sunday of this preparation for Christmas in the presence of the parish community who present in large numbers.
At the end of the Mass, after greeting the Custos, many parishioners went to Manger Square where the Christmas market opened. A festive spirit settles on the City of David. We announce that Christ is coming.