The events of the Jubilee Year are continuing in Bethlehem as well and the pupils of the Terra Santa College set off, with songs and prayers, for the Shepherds’ Field.
Pupils from the sixth to the eleventh grade (aged 11 to 16), accompanied by their teachers and the head teacher of the school, Fra George Haddad, walked together through the streets of Bethlehem in the direction of the Shepherds’ Field, where they then celebrated a Mass in the Croatian chapel, which was inaugurated only a few weeks ago.
In the warmth of the spring sun of Bethlehem, the pupils set off from the school courtyard for Beit Sahour, the shepherds’ house. Guided by the megaphone with songs and the recital of dozens of rosaries, they went through the streets of Bethlehem, greeted by passers-by or shopkeepers who prayed together with them from the thresholds of their stores. In addition to the pupils and teachers, there were also some parents, emphasizing the meaning of walking all together during the Jubilee Year. After the Mass, they enjoyed a moment of rest in the shade of the olive trees, and then the group set off again back to school.
“This walk from the school to here helps the youngsters rediscover once again the gift of being children of the Holy Land and being inhabitants of Bethlehem. We want to help them rediscover again this beauty, why so many people from outside want to be here while they, in their daily lives, at times forget this privilege.”
With these words, Fra George wanted to explain the meaning of this morning, which is not only an event of the Jubilee Year, but also a sign of hope for all the young people he meets daily during his ministry at the Terra Santa College.
“Experiencing mercy, experiencing hope, experiencing charity among us. Jesus told us: Love your neighbours. To experience love, first of all we have to experience it ourselves, in our families, then in our environment, such as school or society.”
This is how Fra George continued in his homily, trying to leave to the young boys and girls present a message of hope, so that they are not overcome by dejection, but every day can rediscover the strength and the beauty of the Holy Land, looking with hope to the future.
Francesco Guaraldi
