During the liturgical year, the Friars Minor of the Custody honor two saints of the Custody in a special way. The first is obviously St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Order, whose feast is on October. The second is St. Anthony of Padua, the other great Franciscan figure, who was born a few years after the death of St. Francis.
In the Holy Land, St. Anthony is not only celebrated because he belonged to the Order of Friars Minor. Since the early twentieth century, he has officially been the patron saint of the Custody. This is an opportunity for the Franciscans in Jerusalem to celebrate the one who watches over them with pomp and circumstance.
On Friday evening, vespers were presided over by the Custos brought many friars together. With lavish ornaments, a processional cross offered to the Custody by Louis XIV, striking chandeliers and majestic organ music: the Custody knows how to how to prepare feasts when it comes to honoring God.
In his homily, the Custos recalled the heroic life of St. Anthony, his departure from the Augustinian order up until his death in Padua and the many miracles he performed in his lifetime. On this occasion, Fr. Pizzaballa reminded everyone of the Christian mission to advance on the path to holiness.
At the end of this solemn service and after Fr. Marlon Mendez renewed his religious profession, everyone venerated the relic of the saint and they received “St. Anthony’s bread” from the hands of the Custos.
The friars of the Custody were numerous and some came from far away. After the feast’s solemnities, they knew that it was an opportunity to listen to the Custos and to Fr. Frederic Manns who came back to the chapter of the Order to make a fascinating summary about the order. There was news about the vitality of the order, information about new directions and challenges. Fr. Manns spoke about the highlights of the chapter that gathered for a month. The Custody was also present at the general chapter since the Order continues to consider the Custody’s mission project as the Order’s most important project despite all of the work that needs to be done in other regions of the world.
The next day, the friars were joined by many parishioners for the celebration of the solemn mass. On this occasion, as per tradition, the consuls general of the “Latin” nations (France, Italy, Spain and Belgium) were present. Also present were representatives of the Latin Patriarchate (Mons. Bathish, Vicar General Emeritus) and some Orthodox communities.
In his homily, commenting on Mark’s Gospel (“go into the world and preach the Good News to all creation”), the Custos called all of the faithful to St. Anthony’s example, to be true missionaries and to bring the Gospel message to every man, like the Franciscan saint who brought it to many countries.
Fr. Pizzaballa also reminded everyone present that faith in Christ is supposed to give us the certainty that neither death, nor suffering, nor persecution would prevail, and that the Lord has defeated all of that once and for all on the cross. This is a clear sign of hope for the Christian communities in the East, who are being persecuted like never before.
At the end of the mass, the congregation, along with the Friars Minor, renewed the prayer of consecration of the Custody of St. Anthony.
This was a beautiful opportunity of thanksgiving for this year that is coming to an end.
Nicolas Kimmel
In the Holy Land, St. Anthony is not only celebrated because he belonged to the Order of Friars Minor. Since the early twentieth century, he has officially been the patron saint of the Custody. This is an opportunity for the Franciscans in Jerusalem to celebrate the one who watches over them with pomp and circumstance.
On Friday evening, vespers were presided over by the Custos brought many friars together. With lavish ornaments, a processional cross offered to the Custody by Louis XIV, striking chandeliers and majestic organ music: the Custody knows how to how to prepare feasts when it comes to honoring God.
In his homily, the Custos recalled the heroic life of St. Anthony, his departure from the Augustinian order up until his death in Padua and the many miracles he performed in his lifetime. On this occasion, Fr. Pizzaballa reminded everyone of the Christian mission to advance on the path to holiness.
At the end of this solemn service and after Fr. Marlon Mendez renewed his religious profession, everyone venerated the relic of the saint and they received “St. Anthony’s bread” from the hands of the Custos.
The friars of the Custody were numerous and some came from far away. After the feast’s solemnities, they knew that it was an opportunity to listen to the Custos and to Fr. Frederic Manns who came back to the chapter of the Order to make a fascinating summary about the order. There was news about the vitality of the order, information about new directions and challenges. Fr. Manns spoke about the highlights of the chapter that gathered for a month. The Custody was also present at the general chapter since the Order continues to consider the Custody’s mission project as the Order’s most important project despite all of the work that needs to be done in other regions of the world.
The next day, the friars were joined by many parishioners for the celebration of the solemn mass. On this occasion, as per tradition, the consuls general of the “Latin” nations (France, Italy, Spain and Belgium) were present. Also present were representatives of the Latin Patriarchate (Mons. Bathish, Vicar General Emeritus) and some Orthodox communities.
In his homily, commenting on Mark’s Gospel (“go into the world and preach the Good News to all creation”), the Custos called all of the faithful to St. Anthony’s example, to be true missionaries and to bring the Gospel message to every man, like the Franciscan saint who brought it to many countries.
Fr. Pizzaballa also reminded everyone present that faith in Christ is supposed to give us the certainty that neither death, nor suffering, nor persecution would prevail, and that the Lord has defeated all of that once and for all on the cross. This is a clear sign of hope for the Christian communities in the East, who are being persecuted like never before.
At the end of the mass, the congregation, along with the Friars Minor, renewed the prayer of consecration of the Custody of St. Anthony.
This was a beautiful opportunity of thanksgiving for this year that is coming to an end.
Nicolas Kimmel