In just a few days, Bethlehem will witness the Christian solemnities associated with Christmas. A few days before the holiday, the Custos went to the Franciscan Boys’ Home for a preliminary Christmas celebration in a simple, familial atmosphere.
The Franciscan Boys’ Home is a shelter for underprivileged boys run by the Custody (see the 2007 article entitled “At the Franciscan Boys’ Home, It’s Always Christmas.”)
In its second year of existence, it has already reached full capacity. Brother Marwan Di’Des, director of the shelter, says that since the start of the school year, the number of boys spending the day there has reached 30, and that 16 of them are full-time residents. Their ages range from 6 to 18.
They are all there, surrounded by some members of their families who have come to attend Mass on the last day of Advent. The Custos of the Holy Land leads the celebration, accompanied by Brother Peter Vasko of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land, which supports the shelter financially, and Brother Marwan. With his arms resting on the text of the liturgy of the day, he asks, “Where was King David from?” The children are timid and hesitant to answer.
“So? Where was he from?”
That’s when the chorus of children joyfully blurts out, “Bethlehem!”
“And what did he do?” -“He built a home for himself.”
“And then?” -“A church!”
Talk about a Catholic answer! The Custos smiles along with everyone else there.
“He built a house for God, a temple.”
Did God approve?
“Yesssss.”
“Really?”
Silence. One little rascal suspects that he should say “no.”
The children listen as attentively as they can as the Custos explains to them that when the Lord wanted to, He chose an abode for Himself by having Jesus be born thanks to Mary’s “yes,” and that if we too say “yes” to the Lord, Jesus will continue to be born in people’s lives, thanks to us.
The Mass continues, enlivened by the singing of the children. Although the voices in the little choir are not all in perfect harmony with each other, they are unified by their joy and liveliness.
At the end of Mass, everyone has a drink together while waiting for Santa Claus.
He eventually arrives, exuding his charm and carrying lots of gifts. The Custos and Brother Peter give him a hand. The children are flushed with delight at being so pampered.
“A positive atmosphere pervades this place,” says the Custos. Brother Marwan, surrounded by his boys, is jubilant. As director of the Custody’s school and of the shelter in the afternoons and evenings, he feels that his days have gotten longer this year. “I used to put the boys to bed around 8:30 p.m. and within ten minutes they were all asleep. This year, my days aren’t over then because I spend my evenings with George. George is 18 years old. We do not typically accommodate boys of his age. But his best friend came to see me, followed by his parents, and finally, George himself asked me for help. He was being tempted by the nonsense boys his age face. Actually, he was beyond tempted. He needed a structure to keep him from temptation. His best friend came here to live with him during the first week, to help him and support him in his effort to get back on his feet. Today, George is heavily involved in the shelter; he provides a lot of help to the teachers and to the other boys. He’s their big brother. He’s been there for 3 months. He has been successfully detached from the things that were threatening to alienate him. He still needs to become aware of his responsibilities, and to begin focusing on succeeding in his studies. He’s going to take his final high school examinations this year. But I have a lot of hope; he’s a good boy.”
Considering Bethlehem’s numerous needs, the Franciscan Boys’ Home is undoubtedly a drop in the ocean, but it does quench the thirst of the boys there. And that’s what makes it valuable in the eyes of the Custody.
Mab
The Franciscan Boys’ Home is a shelter for underprivileged boys run by the Custody (see the 2007 article entitled “At the Franciscan Boys’ Home, It’s Always Christmas.”)
In its second year of existence, it has already reached full capacity. Brother Marwan Di’Des, director of the shelter, says that since the start of the school year, the number of boys spending the day there has reached 30, and that 16 of them are full-time residents. Their ages range from 6 to 18.
They are all there, surrounded by some members of their families who have come to attend Mass on the last day of Advent. The Custos of the Holy Land leads the celebration, accompanied by Brother Peter Vasko of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land, which supports the shelter financially, and Brother Marwan. With his arms resting on the text of the liturgy of the day, he asks, “Where was King David from?” The children are timid and hesitant to answer.
“So? Where was he from?”
That’s when the chorus of children joyfully blurts out, “Bethlehem!”
“And what did he do?” -“He built a home for himself.”
“And then?” -“A church!”
Talk about a Catholic answer! The Custos smiles along with everyone else there.
“He built a house for God, a temple.”
Did God approve?
“Yesssss.”
“Really?”
Silence. One little rascal suspects that he should say “no.”
The children listen as attentively as they can as the Custos explains to them that when the Lord wanted to, He chose an abode for Himself by having Jesus be born thanks to Mary’s “yes,” and that if we too say “yes” to the Lord, Jesus will continue to be born in people’s lives, thanks to us.
The Mass continues, enlivened by the singing of the children. Although the voices in the little choir are not all in perfect harmony with each other, they are unified by their joy and liveliness.
At the end of Mass, everyone has a drink together while waiting for Santa Claus.
He eventually arrives, exuding his charm and carrying lots of gifts. The Custos and Brother Peter give him a hand. The children are flushed with delight at being so pampered.
“A positive atmosphere pervades this place,” says the Custos. Brother Marwan, surrounded by his boys, is jubilant. As director of the Custody’s school and of the shelter in the afternoons and evenings, he feels that his days have gotten longer this year. “I used to put the boys to bed around 8:30 p.m. and within ten minutes they were all asleep. This year, my days aren’t over then because I spend my evenings with George. George is 18 years old. We do not typically accommodate boys of his age. But his best friend came to see me, followed by his parents, and finally, George himself asked me for help. He was being tempted by the nonsense boys his age face. Actually, he was beyond tempted. He needed a structure to keep him from temptation. His best friend came here to live with him during the first week, to help him and support him in his effort to get back on his feet. Today, George is heavily involved in the shelter; he provides a lot of help to the teachers and to the other boys. He’s their big brother. He’s been there for 3 months. He has been successfully detached from the things that were threatening to alienate him. He still needs to become aware of his responsibilities, and to begin focusing on succeeding in his studies. He’s going to take his final high school examinations this year. But I have a lot of hope; he’s a good boy.”
Considering Bethlehem’s numerous needs, the Franciscan Boys’ Home is undoubtedly a drop in the ocean, but it does quench the thirst of the boys there. And that’s what makes it valuable in the eyes of the Custody.
Mab