Epiphany is celebrated for two days in Bethlehem. In accordance with tradition, the parish community goes out to meet the Custos who exchanges holiday greetings with them. During the reception, the Custos, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, replied to the community leader’s speech, “Let us not experience this Solemn Entry merely because it is written as part of the status quo. Let us live it as one of the rare occasions on which we can publicly show that the Christians of the Holy Land are here and, even if they are few in number, they intend to stay in this country to bear witness to their faith in Christ. We Franciscans will continue to help you to do this.”
The motorcade then formed, escorted by the Israeli police, and proceeded to the Monastery of Saint Elijah, the age-old demarcation line of the Bethlehem-Beit Jala-Beit Sahour area, where it was met by a delegation of residents from each of the three towns. From there, the motorcade, with the Custos’ car bringing up the rear and escorted by Israeli police on horseback, continued to Bethlehem, passing through the ancient gate that is today set into the “security fence”. This is the road to Rachel’s Tomb, which has become an Israeli enclave in the town. Nevertheless, it is here that, still in accordance with tradition, another delegation of Christians from the sector await the Custos and greet him, led by the parish priest of Bethlehem, Father Amjad Sabbara ofm. At the exit from Rachel’s Tomb, more Christians are waiting to join the procession or simply to greet its passage. It isn’t raining, but a strong, cold wind cools the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Upon the Custos’ arrival at Nativity Square, he was greeted by the mayor of Bethlehem, Doctor Victor Batarseh, the district governor, Palestinian military authorities and the Franciscan friars of Bethlehem, who were joined by the Jerusalem friars. The Custos entered through the small door of the Basilica of the Nativity, where he greeted the representatives of other Christian denominations and then continued the Cloister of Saint Jerome. There, he was vested with the symbols of his prelature, the bishop’s ring and the pectoral cross, and he sprinkled the crowd with holy water before entering the Church of Saint Catherine in procession to the sound of the Te Deum.
The Christians in the motorcade entered the church in turn. They came to receive the Custos’ blessing, but also so that their presence would express their gratitude: “Without the Franciscans there wouldn’t be any more Christians here.”
After a meal in their convent, the Franciscans returned to celebrate the First Vespers of the feast day, during which they proceed to the Grotto of the Nativity because this feast continues Christmas, recalling the Wise Kings who came to recognize the Baby Jesus. All the hymns and antiphons recalled that the Christ, master of the universe, king of the Jews, is also king of the nations. The friars returned to the basilica for the Office of Readings, but without the Custos, who took advantage of this afternoon in Bethlehem to visit local communities. At midnight, the parish priest, Father Amjad, celebrated Mass in the Grotto of the Nativity. Epiphany is still Christmas.
MAB
The motorcade then formed, escorted by the Israeli police, and proceeded to the Monastery of Saint Elijah, the age-old demarcation line of the Bethlehem-Beit Jala-Beit Sahour area, where it was met by a delegation of residents from each of the three towns. From there, the motorcade, with the Custos’ car bringing up the rear and escorted by Israeli police on horseback, continued to Bethlehem, passing through the ancient gate that is today set into the “security fence”. This is the road to Rachel’s Tomb, which has become an Israeli enclave in the town. Nevertheless, it is here that, still in accordance with tradition, another delegation of Christians from the sector await the Custos and greet him, led by the parish priest of Bethlehem, Father Amjad Sabbara ofm. At the exit from Rachel’s Tomb, more Christians are waiting to join the procession or simply to greet its passage. It isn’t raining, but a strong, cold wind cools the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Upon the Custos’ arrival at Nativity Square, he was greeted by the mayor of Bethlehem, Doctor Victor Batarseh, the district governor, Palestinian military authorities and the Franciscan friars of Bethlehem, who were joined by the Jerusalem friars. The Custos entered through the small door of the Basilica of the Nativity, where he greeted the representatives of other Christian denominations and then continued the Cloister of Saint Jerome. There, he was vested with the symbols of his prelature, the bishop’s ring and the pectoral cross, and he sprinkled the crowd with holy water before entering the Church of Saint Catherine in procession to the sound of the Te Deum.
The Christians in the motorcade entered the church in turn. They came to receive the Custos’ blessing, but also so that their presence would express their gratitude: “Without the Franciscans there wouldn’t be any more Christians here.”
After a meal in their convent, the Franciscans returned to celebrate the First Vespers of the feast day, during which they proceed to the Grotto of the Nativity because this feast continues Christmas, recalling the Wise Kings who came to recognize the Baby Jesus. All the hymns and antiphons recalled that the Christ, master of the universe, king of the Jews, is also king of the nations. The friars returned to the basilica for the Office of Readings, but without the Custos, who took advantage of this afternoon in Bethlehem to visit local communities. At midnight, the parish priest, Father Amjad, celebrated Mass in the Grotto of the Nativity. Epiphany is still Christmas.
MAB