The Republic of Chile celebrates its two hundredth anniversary and the Chilean community in Israel and Palestine gathered to mark this occasion in the church of St. Saviour, the seat of the Custody of the Holy Land.
The liturgy was presided by the Custodial vicar, Fr. Artemio Victores and concelebrated by the Chilean Franciscans fathers Fr. Raúl Dinamarca and Fr. Sergio Olmedo, who offers spiritual assistance to the community, and by other priests. Amongst the religious representatives, there stood out the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem with the presence of the Archbishop Aris Shirvanian and Rev. Goossan Aljanian. Diplomatic, civil and military representations from Chile and other Latin American countries, as well as Israel and the National Palestinian Authority were also present. They included the Chilean representative at the Israeli government, Mr. Jorge Ossa (the new ambassador has not been appointed yet),the consul Francisco Carvajal and the representative at the National Palestinian Authority Mr. José Miguel De La Cruz.
During the homily, Fr. Sergio Olmedo, referring to the independence of Chile, underlined that “from that moment onwards a flame of love was formed for the beloved land of Chile, a single identity, a single characteristic DNA which was to form our being Chilean. We are now part of the international community as a free nation, respectful of its traditions, tolerant with all, but above all a nation of faith which is shown in its devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, its patron saint.” . The liturgy celebrated was that of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the patron saint of the Republic of Chile: this devotion was supported by the founding fathers of the state, General José De San Martin and Bernardo O’Higgins, both Franciscan tertiaries. The Custodial vicar, Father Artemio Victores, was inspired by the Marian liturgy, associating the memory of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with the memory of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated today: “In 1808, a fire started in the chapel of the Calvary, where the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows stands. A friar rushed there when the flames were already high, but was able to save the sacred image and himself. I associate Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, whom the fathers of the church saw prefigured in the cloud that was to bring rain to Israel after years of drought during the time of the prophet Elias on Mount Carmel, with this sign of salvation. Just as water is a sign of life, may the protection of Mary continue to ensure life and prosperity for Chile.”
After the Mass, all those present were invited to exchange greetings at refreshments in the Custody, with the renowned Chilean wine and the famous “empanadas”, and where they were joined by the Custody of the Holy Land, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
For some years now, the Chilean and South American Catholics have elected the sanctuary of St. John in the Desert at Ain Karem, of which their spiritual father, Fr. Sergio Olmedo, is the “guardian”, i.e. the superior, as the place where they meet and pray.
“We have been meeting here since 2004,” said Father Sergio, “and with the permission of the Latin Patriarch we have also been able to celebrate confirmations and first communions, as well as Sunday Mass. The faithful are above all diplomats and members of the military with their families, both those who work here and those who come on mission from Chile. I have also had the opportunity to accompany some of them on their pilgrimage to the Holy Land, including the Chiefs of Staff of the army and of the navy: as you know, Chile is a country with deep Catholic roots.”
There are more than ten thousand Chileans resident in Israel and just as many live in the Palestinian territories. There are also more than 400,000 Chilean citizens of Palestinian descent following emigration to South America. There is also a large Jewish community in Chile.
FRC
The liturgy was presided by the Custodial vicar, Fr. Artemio Victores and concelebrated by the Chilean Franciscans fathers Fr. Raúl Dinamarca and Fr. Sergio Olmedo, who offers spiritual assistance to the community, and by other priests. Amongst the religious representatives, there stood out the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem with the presence of the Archbishop Aris Shirvanian and Rev. Goossan Aljanian. Diplomatic, civil and military representations from Chile and other Latin American countries, as well as Israel and the National Palestinian Authority were also present. They included the Chilean representative at the Israeli government, Mr. Jorge Ossa (the new ambassador has not been appointed yet),the consul Francisco Carvajal and the representative at the National Palestinian Authority Mr. José Miguel De La Cruz.
During the homily, Fr. Sergio Olmedo, referring to the independence of Chile, underlined that “from that moment onwards a flame of love was formed for the beloved land of Chile, a single identity, a single characteristic DNA which was to form our being Chilean. We are now part of the international community as a free nation, respectful of its traditions, tolerant with all, but above all a nation of faith which is shown in its devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, its patron saint.” . The liturgy celebrated was that of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the patron saint of the Republic of Chile: this devotion was supported by the founding fathers of the state, General José De San Martin and Bernardo O’Higgins, both Franciscan tertiaries. The Custodial vicar, Father Artemio Victores, was inspired by the Marian liturgy, associating the memory of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with the memory of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated today: “In 1808, a fire started in the chapel of the Calvary, where the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows stands. A friar rushed there when the flames were already high, but was able to save the sacred image and himself. I associate Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, whom the fathers of the church saw prefigured in the cloud that was to bring rain to Israel after years of drought during the time of the prophet Elias on Mount Carmel, with this sign of salvation. Just as water is a sign of life, may the protection of Mary continue to ensure life and prosperity for Chile.”
After the Mass, all those present were invited to exchange greetings at refreshments in the Custody, with the renowned Chilean wine and the famous “empanadas”, and where they were joined by the Custody of the Holy Land, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
For some years now, the Chilean and South American Catholics have elected the sanctuary of St. John in the Desert at Ain Karem, of which their spiritual father, Fr. Sergio Olmedo, is the “guardian”, i.e. the superior, as the place where they meet and pray.
“We have been meeting here since 2004,” said Father Sergio, “and with the permission of the Latin Patriarch we have also been able to celebrate confirmations and first communions, as well as Sunday Mass. The faithful are above all diplomats and members of the military with their families, both those who work here and those who come on mission from Chile. I have also had the opportunity to accompany some of them on their pilgrimage to the Holy Land, including the Chiefs of Staff of the army and of the navy: as you know, Chile is a country with deep Catholic roots.”
There are more than ten thousand Chileans resident in Israel and just as many live in the Palestinian territories. There are also more than 400,000 Chilean citizens of Palestinian descent following emigration to South America. There is also a large Jewish community in Chile.
FRC