If water is a sign of blessing in this country, then the blessings of the Feast of the Ascension were in full measure, pressed down, shaken together and, above all, overflowing! (Luke 6:38) There was a threatening sky over the Mount of Olives on Wednesday afternoon, as the Franciscans awaited the Custodial Vicar, Father Artemio Vitores, who traditionally presides over the Solemn Entry to the Chapel of the Ascension for First Vespers.
After them, all the Churches that are bound by the status quo will also hold their processions and Solemn Entries because this year the Julian and Gregorian calendars are the same. Since morning, each of the Churches has been erecting its tent or tents on the property surrounding the chapel. These tents serve as sacristy, chapel and reception areas for the pilgrims who will come during the feast day.
While the communities were waiting for their first Office to begin, the city of Jerusalem was drenched by torrential rains at around 2:30 p.m. Thunder and lightning, pouring rain. This kind of weather is very unusual on the 16th of May. Far from dampening their spirits, the storm surprisingly added to the festive spirit among the few people who were present, allowing friendly conversation. It may rain at this time of year, but storms are much rarer, and in any case none of the Churches had ever seen such an inundation on this feast day.
After Vespers was sung, by the Franciscans inside the building itself, the rain stopped. The friars came together again for Compline and then for the Office of Readings at 11:00 p.m., joined by a few of the faithful. After this Office, Masses were celebrated in the aedicule, one after the other, all night long. As they do every year, the Nazareth Mujeidel parish, led by Brother Jack Karam ofm, filled two busses to come for a Mass celebrated at 2:00 a.m. While waiting, they filled the area around the Mosque of the Ascension with joyful singing. The daytime Mass was concelebrated at 5:30 a.m. by a dozen priests, with Father Artemio as the principal concelebrant, before a small congregation of the faithful. The Jerusalem parish Mass took place at 7:30 a.m.; for the rest of the day the use of the aedicule then fell to the numerous Orthodox faithful who had come.
The unseasonable weather will long be remembered. In the city, it caused flooding, pipe ruptures and accidents. The State of Israel had to cancel the festivities on Ammunition Hill on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. At the Sultan’s Pool, across from Jaffa Gate, bleachers that had been put up for the occasion collapsed, along with those who already occupied them. Unfortunately, several people were injured.
The feast of the Ascension opens the time of waiting for the Paraclete on Pentecost. For that feast, the Franciscan community will celebrate a solemn Mass at 10:00 a.m., with the Custos as principal concelebrant, at Saint Saviour’s Church. Vespers will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. in the Cenacle on Mount Zion.
MAB
After them, all the Churches that are bound by the status quo will also hold their processions and Solemn Entries because this year the Julian and Gregorian calendars are the same. Since morning, each of the Churches has been erecting its tent or tents on the property surrounding the chapel. These tents serve as sacristy, chapel and reception areas for the pilgrims who will come during the feast day.
While the communities were waiting for their first Office to begin, the city of Jerusalem was drenched by torrential rains at around 2:30 p.m. Thunder and lightning, pouring rain. This kind of weather is very unusual on the 16th of May. Far from dampening their spirits, the storm surprisingly added to the festive spirit among the few people who were present, allowing friendly conversation. It may rain at this time of year, but storms are much rarer, and in any case none of the Churches had ever seen such an inundation on this feast day.
After Vespers was sung, by the Franciscans inside the building itself, the rain stopped. The friars came together again for Compline and then for the Office of Readings at 11:00 p.m., joined by a few of the faithful. After this Office, Masses were celebrated in the aedicule, one after the other, all night long. As they do every year, the Nazareth Mujeidel parish, led by Brother Jack Karam ofm, filled two busses to come for a Mass celebrated at 2:00 a.m. While waiting, they filled the area around the Mosque of the Ascension with joyful singing. The daytime Mass was concelebrated at 5:30 a.m. by a dozen priests, with Father Artemio as the principal concelebrant, before a small congregation of the faithful. The Jerusalem parish Mass took place at 7:30 a.m.; for the rest of the day the use of the aedicule then fell to the numerous Orthodox faithful who had come.
The unseasonable weather will long be remembered. In the city, it caused flooding, pipe ruptures and accidents. The State of Israel had to cancel the festivities on Ammunition Hill on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. At the Sultan’s Pool, across from Jaffa Gate, bleachers that had been put up for the occasion collapsed, along with those who already occupied them. Unfortunately, several people were injured.
The feast of the Ascension opens the time of waiting for the Paraclete on Pentecost. For that feast, the Franciscan community will celebrate a solemn Mass at 10:00 a.m., with the Custos as principal concelebrant, at Saint Saviour’s Church. Vespers will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. in the Cenacle on Mount Zion.
MAB