On Friday, November 2nd, after having celebrated All Saints the day before, the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land mark the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, each fraternity in its own monastery. In Jerusalem, after the Mass in which Brother Ibrahim Faltas, pastor, was the primary concelebrant, the friars were joined by numerous parishioners and set out in profession for the cemeteries on Mount Zion.
There are three Latin cemeteries there . Quite near the Zion Gate, but outside the walls, is the cemetery for the friars of the Custody who die in Jerusalem. This year no friars passed away in Jerusalem, but the visit and prayers are for all the friars who are buried there. Some of the Franciscans stood close to the graves of their dearest brothers.
In the two neighboring cemeteries, both belonging to the parish, numerous family members were already present, laying flowers on the graves, praying, awaiting the blessing that is given to each by two priests and a deacon who circulate among the tombs while the friars alternate hymns in Latin and in Arabic.
In one of these cemeteries is the grave of Oskar Schindler, the German industrialist who saved over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. On a fresh piece of paper, a somber Danke, “thank you” in German, next to a small bouquet of flowers, a few holy pictures and many stones left there by Jews to mark their visit and as part of “the duty to remember” show that he is not forgotten.
At the request of some of the Arab Christian families, several friars join them for prayer. Families will continue to arrive all during this Friday and the coming days to honor their dead while awaiting the Resurrection.
MAB
There are three Latin cemeteries there . Quite near the Zion Gate, but outside the walls, is the cemetery for the friars of the Custody who die in Jerusalem. This year no friars passed away in Jerusalem, but the visit and prayers are for all the friars who are buried there. Some of the Franciscans stood close to the graves of their dearest brothers.
In the two neighboring cemeteries, both belonging to the parish, numerous family members were already present, laying flowers on the graves, praying, awaiting the blessing that is given to each by two priests and a deacon who circulate among the tombs while the friars alternate hymns in Latin and in Arabic.
In one of these cemeteries is the grave of Oskar Schindler, the German industrialist who saved over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. On a fresh piece of paper, a somber Danke, “thank you” in German, next to a small bouquet of flowers, a few holy pictures and many stones left there by Jews to mark their visit and as part of “the duty to remember” show that he is not forgotten.
At the request of some of the Arab Christian families, several friars join them for prayer. Families will continue to arrive all during this Friday and the coming days to honor their dead while awaiting the Resurrection.
MAB