1948: Important changes are taking place in the Middle East. After the partition of Palestine and the first Arab-Israeli war, Jerusalem, the Holy City, was divided into two parts: one Arab and one Israeli. The most important of the consequences affecting the Custody of the Holy Land was to be the closure of the most prestigious school in the whole of the Middle East the Terra Sancta College of Jerusalem, where Jews, Christians and Muslims studied together in harmony and reciprocal respect.
The Franciscans, confident in Providence, confronted this difficulty and, aware as well of the importance of a good education as a pastoral action for the local Christian communities, immediately opened a new centre for studies in Amman in 1948 and, a year later, another Terra Sancta College in the Old City of Jerusalem.
At the end of May 2008, the Terra Sancta College of Amman solemnly celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation, in the presence of the Custos and numerous Franciscans, many important figures in Jordan together with Prince Hassan, some ministers of the Government and former pupils of the College.
10th October 2008: As a conclusion to this celebration and just one month after the inauguration of the new course, the new chapel of the College was blessed. Alongside the existing one, which is much bigger and reserved for major events and with the wide participation of pupils and worshippers, the new chapel has a more limited capacity, seating a maximum of 50 people, so that it also offers a suitable place for teaching Christianity. The pupils of the various courses will thus be able to study their Christian faith in greater depth at special times, led by the Director of the College.
The chapel, built by the architect Ghanam MAHER, is decorated by the stained glass windows from the firm of Domus Dei, of Albano Laziale (Rome), made by Analise Calì.
The chapel was blessed during the Eucharist presided by Father Rashid Mistrih, Director of the College of Amman; the concelebrants included Fr. Artemio Vitores, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, and Mons. Michael F. Crotty, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Amman.
The Custodial Vicar, who gave the sermon in Italian, translated into Arabic by Fr. Bernardo, Deputy Director of the College, recalled the celebration of the Synod of Bishops which is taking place in this period and has as its theme the Holy Scripture in the life of the Christian and of the Church, highlighting the need to transmit and make the Word of God loved. The Terra Sancta College has a special duty towards its pupils in this field, because by knowing the Gospel, one knows Christ. Faith in Christ must be attested with life, so that the whole of the surrounding community can be built up on the love that Christians must show, and everybody can transmit the “peace and good” wished for by St. Francis.
After the blessing of the chapel, at the end of Holy Mass, the Director of the College, Fr. Rashid Mistrih, thanked all those present and in particular those who had contributed to the success of the project, inviting everyone to continue the celebration with a joyous and fraternal meal.
Fr. Artemio Vitores ofm
The Franciscans, confident in Providence, confronted this difficulty and, aware as well of the importance of a good education as a pastoral action for the local Christian communities, immediately opened a new centre for studies in Amman in 1948 and, a year later, another Terra Sancta College in the Old City of Jerusalem.
At the end of May 2008, the Terra Sancta College of Amman solemnly celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation, in the presence of the Custos and numerous Franciscans, many important figures in Jordan together with Prince Hassan, some ministers of the Government and former pupils of the College.
10th October 2008: As a conclusion to this celebration and just one month after the inauguration of the new course, the new chapel of the College was blessed. Alongside the existing one, which is much bigger and reserved for major events and with the wide participation of pupils and worshippers, the new chapel has a more limited capacity, seating a maximum of 50 people, so that it also offers a suitable place for teaching Christianity. The pupils of the various courses will thus be able to study their Christian faith in greater depth at special times, led by the Director of the College.
The chapel, built by the architect Ghanam MAHER, is decorated by the stained glass windows from the firm of Domus Dei, of Albano Laziale (Rome), made by Analise Calì.
The chapel was blessed during the Eucharist presided by Father Rashid Mistrih, Director of the College of Amman; the concelebrants included Fr. Artemio Vitores, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, and Mons. Michael F. Crotty, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Amman.
The Custodial Vicar, who gave the sermon in Italian, translated into Arabic by Fr. Bernardo, Deputy Director of the College, recalled the celebration of the Synod of Bishops which is taking place in this period and has as its theme the Holy Scripture in the life of the Christian and of the Church, highlighting the need to transmit and make the Word of God loved. The Terra Sancta College has a special duty towards its pupils in this field, because by knowing the Gospel, one knows Christ. Faith in Christ must be attested with life, so that the whole of the surrounding community can be built up on the love that Christians must show, and everybody can transmit the “peace and good” wished for by St. Francis.
After the blessing of the chapel, at the end of Holy Mass, the Director of the College, Fr. Rashid Mistrih, thanked all those present and in particular those who had contributed to the success of the project, inviting everyone to continue the celebration with a joyous and fraternal meal.
Fr. Artemio Vitores ofm