While the parish of Saint Saviour’s Church was celebrating with the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land the feast of the Lord’s Presentation in the Temple, other members of the Franciscan family were gathered around the Capuchins, in Talbiyeh, on the edge of Jerusalem for the dedication of their chapel.
The Capuchins form one of three branches of men belonging to the First Order (“Friars minor”) of the Franciscan family as described in the Order of St. Francis approved by the Church. Bishop William Shomali, auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem, presided over this joyful ceremony, animated by many Italian volunteers came to share with the community in this solemn occasion.
The ceremony began with the blessing of the chapel and of the faithful; it was followed by the readings of the day and Bishop Shomali’s homily in which he said: “A chapel, a church – these are not only places where we pray to the Lord. They are places where the Lord speaks to us, every day, because He dwells on earth, he is in our midst. To build and to christen a house of the Lord is to remind ourselves that He wants us to be the Temple of his Spirit. Not only in words and in prayer, but physically and geographically, there in the places where we live.”
With the chant of the Litany of Saints and the refrain: “Oil which consecrates, oil which perfumes, oil which heals wounds and illumines,” the auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem then consecrated the altar. Following the incensing and lighting of the altar, the Eucharist permitted the faithful to render thanks for the sense of intimacy and warmth of this modern chapel. Sharing their joy to see so many congregations and faithful gathered together, the Capuchin Friars invited the assembly to a most enjoyable and plentiful array of refreshments.
Since the opening of their Center of Spirituality, «I am the Light of the World,» which took place in October 2010, the Capuchin Friars had not been able to proceed with the dedication of their Church dedicated to «Jesus, light of the world.» The Center wishes to be a place of welcoming for religous studying at the Biblical Institute or at other courses in Jerusalem, and for groups of persons who are staying in the city order to deepen their spiritual formation.
E.R.
The Capuchins form one of three branches of men belonging to the First Order (“Friars minor”) of the Franciscan family as described in the Order of St. Francis approved by the Church. Bishop William Shomali, auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem, presided over this joyful ceremony, animated by many Italian volunteers came to share with the community in this solemn occasion.
The ceremony began with the blessing of the chapel and of the faithful; it was followed by the readings of the day and Bishop Shomali’s homily in which he said: “A chapel, a church – these are not only places where we pray to the Lord. They are places where the Lord speaks to us, every day, because He dwells on earth, he is in our midst. To build and to christen a house of the Lord is to remind ourselves that He wants us to be the Temple of his Spirit. Not only in words and in prayer, but physically and geographically, there in the places where we live.”
With the chant of the Litany of Saints and the refrain: “Oil which consecrates, oil which perfumes, oil which heals wounds and illumines,” the auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem then consecrated the altar. Following the incensing and lighting of the altar, the Eucharist permitted the faithful to render thanks for the sense of intimacy and warmth of this modern chapel. Sharing their joy to see so many congregations and faithful gathered together, the Capuchin Friars invited the assembly to a most enjoyable and plentiful array of refreshments.
Since the opening of their Center of Spirituality, «I am the Light of the World,» which took place in October 2010, the Capuchin Friars had not been able to proceed with the dedication of their Church dedicated to «Jesus, light of the world.» The Center wishes to be a place of welcoming for religous studying at the Biblical Institute or at other courses in Jerusalem, and for groups of persons who are staying in the city order to deepen their spiritual formation.
E.R.