Rhodes has been a bridge between worlds and cultures for centuries. The Franciscan order has also been linked to the island since the beginning of its origins. In 1219, in fact, St. Francis departed from Ancona on his journey to the Holy Land and touched the Aegean islands, as he had to stop in Rhodes.
In this small part of the Custody of the Holy Land, the beating heart of pastoral life on the island, the friars are engaged in assisting those who flee wars and persecutions to Rhodes on their journey to Europe.
Br JOHN LUKE GREGORY, ofm
Vicar General Archdiocese of Rhodes
"The friars have been here for many centuries. And we have asked ourselves, like the friars of the past, how can we help the people? Together with Brother George, a student of theology, who is here to study English and Greek, we discovered the host making machine, which had been used by a certain Brother Ambrose from the United States until the early 90s."
Br JOHN LUKE GREGORY, ofm
Vicar General Archdiocese of Rhodes
"For Holy Thursday we have produced for the first time, right here in Rhodes, the hosts. It has a very important meaning because in this period where everything is closed, poor people and refugees stay with us and so we thought about how to continue to give food and support to these people."
On the island, where there have only been three Coronavirus cases," emphasized Br. Luke, "spirituality is linked to the need to follow a concrete path that is that of service to those in need.
Br JOHN LUKE GREGORY, ofm
Vicar General Archdiocese of Rhodes
"Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, there is less chance of receiving goods with cargo ships, so we have rediscovered our "origins": not only are we producing hosts, we are also following the Custodian's invitation to take a more independent path, we have increased farming in the garden and we are building a henhouse in the monastery of St. Francis, to have fresh eggs and give them to the refugees and poor people we serve."
A border, but also a laboratory of peace. Between dialogue and hospitality, Br. Luke together with the friars of the Custody present on the island offers daily help to the poor and refugees.
Br JOHN LUKE GREGORY, ofm
Vicar General Archdiocese of Rhodes
"The Panis Angelicus, "bread of angels", is very important in the celebrations, such as that of Holy Thursday, because it reminds us of the moment when Jesus distributed the bread, His body, to feed the disciples and all men, yesterday and today."
