On the occasion of the First Sunday of Advent, the Custos, Friar Pierbattista Pizzaballa, made a solemn entry into Bethlehem on Saturday, November 28. This entry is marked by a stop at the Mar Elias Monastery, where the representative of the Franciscans in the Holy Land is greeted by the mayors and a few inhabitants of Bethlehem’s two neighboring towns, Beit Sahour and Beit Jala. Then, following the old route of the patriarchs, the procession does not go through the usual checkpoint, but rather passes through the present-day Israeli enclave that was established around Rachel’s Tomb, thus respecting the status quo.
The Custos was awaited on Manger Square by the parish priest, Friar Samuel Fahim, accompanied by the local civil authorities.
After greeting the Greek Orthodox superior, he entered through the door of humility and then proceeded to the Franciscan cloister; while the Te Deum was being sung, he was welcomed in the church of Saint Catherine by the guardian of the sanctuary, Friar Jerzy Kraj. After the solemn blessing, the many parishioners who had joined the celebration expressed their good wishes to the Custos, who was accompanied by his vicar, Friar Artemio Vitores, the bursar, Friar Dobromir Jaztal, the guardian, the parish priest, and a few friars from the Bethlehem community. This entry is characterized by its very formal nature and at the same time, it is convivial. Even if it responds to the sometimes heavy demands of the status quo, the local population experiences it as a manifestation of the attention given to the people of Bethlehem by the Custody for centuries, and through their presence, the people have the opportunity to thank the Custody officially in the person of the Custos.
The Franciscan friars who had come from Jerusalem then shared a festive lunch, at the end of which they met in the church to sing Vespers, during which they lit the first Advent candle during the ceremony of light. This year, the Franciscans wanted to give this gesture particular meaning and to commemorate with it the 800 years since the foundation of the Order: “We want this light to shine like the sun so as to show us the way to our own sanctification, so that the gift of the Gospel, which is at the origin of our fraternity, might be offered to everyone.” Later in the afternoon, the Franciscans again met in the church for the Office of Readings.
The next day, on Sunday, November 29, the 9 o’clock Sunday Mass brought together a large crowd of parishioners, who celebrated at the same time the entry into a new liturgical year and the feast of the patron saint of the parish that is dedicated to Saint Catherine. At the end of the Mass, over which the Custos presided, the parish priest took the opportunity to thank the two Polish Knights of the Holy Sepulcher who financed the renovation work on the building. This consisted in the repair of the paintings and the renewal of the lighting, which now merges with the architecture. To thank these generous benefactors, the Custos awarded them the Grato animo medal for distinguished benefactors of the Custody. This was applauded by the parish community, which was very happy to see its church shining now with new fire.
Mab
The Custos was awaited on Manger Square by the parish priest, Friar Samuel Fahim, accompanied by the local civil authorities.
After greeting the Greek Orthodox superior, he entered through the door of humility and then proceeded to the Franciscan cloister; while the Te Deum was being sung, he was welcomed in the church of Saint Catherine by the guardian of the sanctuary, Friar Jerzy Kraj. After the solemn blessing, the many parishioners who had joined the celebration expressed their good wishes to the Custos, who was accompanied by his vicar, Friar Artemio Vitores, the bursar, Friar Dobromir Jaztal, the guardian, the parish priest, and a few friars from the Bethlehem community. This entry is characterized by its very formal nature and at the same time, it is convivial. Even if it responds to the sometimes heavy demands of the status quo, the local population experiences it as a manifestation of the attention given to the people of Bethlehem by the Custody for centuries, and through their presence, the people have the opportunity to thank the Custody officially in the person of the Custos.
The Franciscan friars who had come from Jerusalem then shared a festive lunch, at the end of which they met in the church to sing Vespers, during which they lit the first Advent candle during the ceremony of light. This year, the Franciscans wanted to give this gesture particular meaning and to commemorate with it the 800 years since the foundation of the Order: “We want this light to shine like the sun so as to show us the way to our own sanctification, so that the gift of the Gospel, which is at the origin of our fraternity, might be offered to everyone.” Later in the afternoon, the Franciscans again met in the church for the Office of Readings.
The next day, on Sunday, November 29, the 9 o’clock Sunday Mass brought together a large crowd of parishioners, who celebrated at the same time the entry into a new liturgical year and the feast of the patron saint of the parish that is dedicated to Saint Catherine. At the end of the Mass, over which the Custos presided, the parish priest took the opportunity to thank the two Polish Knights of the Holy Sepulcher who financed the renovation work on the building. This consisted in the repair of the paintings and the renewal of the lighting, which now merges with the architecture. To thank these generous benefactors, the Custos awarded them the Grato animo medal for distinguished benefactors of the Custody. This was applauded by the parish community, which was very happy to see its church shining now with new fire.
Mab