Several Israeli military commanders visited the Franciscans with their Christmas wishes.
In the Holy Land, it often happens that the feast days of different religious communities coincide. So it is that in these very days the Jews celebrate the feast of Hanukka, the “feast of lights”, and the Christians are preparing for Christmas. It was, therefore, the ideal occasion for an exchange of good wishes between the Israeli military commanders in charge of the Transjordan region and the Franciscans of the Holy Land. The Custos, Brother Pierbattista Pizzaballa, accompanied by the Vicar, Brother Artemio Vitores, Brother Ibrahim Faltas, director of relations with the Israeli authorities, and several other friars, welcomed Joseph Mislik, general military coordinator for the Transjordan region, Aviv Figel, in charge of the Bethlehem zone, and other military authorities in the reception hall of Saint Saviour’s Monastery.
The meeting was far from officious. Friendship and good humor struck the dominant note of this exchange that lasted almost 45 minutes. Above all, it was a question of peace, particularly in Bethlehem. Not by way of grandiose speeches, but by together seeking out concrete gestures. It is almost Christmas Eve, and the Franciscans asked the soldiers to do their utmost so that pilgrims and local Christians alike can come to Bethlehem to worship the Prince of Peace in an atmosphere of tranquility and joy. The Israeli military authorities said that they have granted thousands of permits to Bethlehem residents so that from December 21st to January 21st they can visit their family members in Jerusalem and outside the Bethlehem sector. A similar number of permits have been granted to Christians of other zones, as well as to Israeli Christians, so that they can enter Bethlehem.
To the Franciscans these are “reasons for hope”: little gestures of peace that help create a Christmas atmosphere. The angels at Bethlehem announced peace as a gift of the Lord, and the Lord always awakens in the hearts of men of good will awareness of the necessity to build bridges of understanding and love. This is what the Franciscans have been doing for 800 years in this Land that is Holy because God chose it.
Brother Artemio Vitores ofm
In the Holy Land, it often happens that the feast days of different religious communities coincide. So it is that in these very days the Jews celebrate the feast of Hanukka, the “feast of lights”, and the Christians are preparing for Christmas. It was, therefore, the ideal occasion for an exchange of good wishes between the Israeli military commanders in charge of the Transjordan region and the Franciscans of the Holy Land. The Custos, Brother Pierbattista Pizzaballa, accompanied by the Vicar, Brother Artemio Vitores, Brother Ibrahim Faltas, director of relations with the Israeli authorities, and several other friars, welcomed Joseph Mislik, general military coordinator for the Transjordan region, Aviv Figel, in charge of the Bethlehem zone, and other military authorities in the reception hall of Saint Saviour’s Monastery.
The meeting was far from officious. Friendship and good humor struck the dominant note of this exchange that lasted almost 45 minutes. Above all, it was a question of peace, particularly in Bethlehem. Not by way of grandiose speeches, but by together seeking out concrete gestures. It is almost Christmas Eve, and the Franciscans asked the soldiers to do their utmost so that pilgrims and local Christians alike can come to Bethlehem to worship the Prince of Peace in an atmosphere of tranquility and joy. The Israeli military authorities said that they have granted thousands of permits to Bethlehem residents so that from December 21st to January 21st they can visit their family members in Jerusalem and outside the Bethlehem sector. A similar number of permits have been granted to Christians of other zones, as well as to Israeli Christians, so that they can enter Bethlehem.
To the Franciscans these are “reasons for hope”: little gestures of peace that help create a Christmas atmosphere. The angels at Bethlehem announced peace as a gift of the Lord, and the Lord always awakens in the hearts of men of good will awareness of the necessity to build bridges of understanding and love. This is what the Franciscans have been doing for 800 years in this Land that is Holy because God chose it.
Brother Artemio Vitores ofm