“Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way ?” Two disciples of Jesus meet a man on the road that leads from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They do not recognize this stranger who explains the Scriptures to them until, when they invite him to stay because evening has fallen, he breaks the bread and blesses it.
Cleopas and his travelling companion have met the Risen One, they walked with Him and their hearts burned in their breasts.
Emmaus is not very far from Jerusalem but today it is hard to take the same road as the two disciples. Pilgrims seldom go to the small town, which is in Palestinian territory, beyond the checkpoints.
The Christian presence here is reduced to only one family, some sisters and two Franciscans. On this Easter Monday though, these places are once again bustling with people. The friars of the Custody set off early from Jerusalem to reach the church where Father Custos, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presided at the celebration of the Mass, which commemorated the apparition of Jesus Risen. With them there were the Christians of the Jerusalem parish, entire families with lots of children.
After Mass, the Custos distributed bread to the faithful who filed past him at the altar. Then, just as the clouds opened up to let the strong noon sun shine, lunch was offered by Brother Franciszek Wiater, Guardian of the Convent of Emmaus: it was time to gather around the table together, with families and friends, before going back to prayers with the recital of Vespers.
“Regina Coeli laetare, alleluia”, sings the choir, this is the greeting for Emmaus, together with the thanks of the Custos for brother Franciszek, for the testimony of those who remain and keep the announcement of the resurrection alive in these places full of memories, but where living as Christians continues to be a challenge.
The notes overlap with the applause of the faithful and everyone sets off to return to Jerusalem.
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Marco Gavasso
Cleopas and his travelling companion have met the Risen One, they walked with Him and their hearts burned in their breasts.
Emmaus is not very far from Jerusalem but today it is hard to take the same road as the two disciples. Pilgrims seldom go to the small town, which is in Palestinian territory, beyond the checkpoints.
The Christian presence here is reduced to only one family, some sisters and two Franciscans. On this Easter Monday though, these places are once again bustling with people. The friars of the Custody set off early from Jerusalem to reach the church where Father Custos, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presided at the celebration of the Mass, which commemorated the apparition of Jesus Risen. With them there were the Christians of the Jerusalem parish, entire families with lots of children.
After Mass, the Custos distributed bread to the faithful who filed past him at the altar. Then, just as the clouds opened up to let the strong noon sun shine, lunch was offered by Brother Franciszek Wiater, Guardian of the Convent of Emmaus: it was time to gather around the table together, with families and friends, before going back to prayers with the recital of Vespers.
“Regina Coeli laetare, alleluia”, sings the choir, this is the greeting for Emmaus, together with the thanks of the Custos for brother Franciszek, for the testimony of those who remain and keep the announcement of the resurrection alive in these places full of memories, but where living as Christians continues to be a challenge.
The notes overlap with the applause of the faithful and everyone sets off to return to Jerusalem.
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Marco Gavasso