Thursday, 19 December 2014. Over four hundred people accepted the invitation from Fra Mario Hadchity, parish priest of Jericho. Municipal and state authorities, representatives of different religious denominations, faculties, charities and other dignitaries: no one wanted to miss this festive occasion that was not only for the Christian community, but for all the residents of this Palestinian city of 30,000 inhabitants.
After over four years of construction and other work, the Terra Santa School of Jericho opened its doors at the end of August and has already enrolled over 500 pupils (boys and girls) of whom only 36 are Christian. Encouraged by their success I Bethlehem, the Franciscans decided to reinvest in this thousand-year-old city through a vast educational project. Fra Feras, pastor of the Jerusalem parish: “This school is a real Christian presence and a sign of their desire to remain in Jericho.”
It is true that the Christian community comprises only a handful of families (500 people at most). Fra Mario doesn’t hide that “before arriving, I was a little uneasy. Jericho is isolated in the desert. It is no exaggeration to say that the Christian community was almost abandoned. I asked myself what I would be able to start working.” The friary, the church, or perhaps the school, that had been empty for three years, without sanitary facilities—there was so much to do. But Fra Mario set to work and started by cleaning and putting things in order: “Order, discipline and hospitality are part of the spirit of Saint Francis. What carries me from day to day is the confidence shown by the entire Custody, and particularly that of my brother custos. He believed in me and my ability, and so I discovered what I could do! I asked for support and I received it.”
Thanks to his dynamic, sociable personality, since his arrival in May 2012 Fra Mario quickly became part of the local scene. “Christians needed to feel that they were represented,” he explains. Of course, he would like to see the number of the faithful increase, but he lives out his mission in the midst of a primarily Muslim city fully. Smiling, he shares, “I was welcomed everywhere and by everyone. Just to show you, I heard that I was being referred to as ‘Sheikh Mario’”. (In Middle Eastern culture, “sheikh” is an honorific reserved for the leaders of mosques.) This might raise a smile, but it is, in fact, a powerful sign of respect and inter-religious dialogue.
The official opening of the school in Jericho was the event of the day, if not the month! Fra Mario, as any good host, welcomed and was attentive to the guests throughout the evening. Concert, parades, fireworks, a reception, flower garlands in the colors of Palestine and the Catholic Church, traditional garments and ribbons—nothing was missing from the event, not even cameras from Palestinian television! Speech followed speech and words of thanks rained down on everyone who was involved in bringing this wonderful project to fruition.
Finally, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa, closed the joyous and rich ceremony. Cutting to the chase, he proclaimed, “This school is a dream become reality, not only for the Franciscans, but for all the residents of Jericho.” Roni, a Christian from Bethlehem who had come to encourage the Jericho community and thank the Franciscans, noted, “The Franciscans have completed an enormous project. Their schools are examples for all of us, no matter what religion. We are proud to have such beautiful and successful schools in Palestine.” He was not alone in coming from elsewhere to join the celebration. Friars from Acre, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem had all come to share the “inexpressible” joy of Fra Mario.
There are still many challenges facing Terra Santa School in Jericho, but as the Christmas songs echoed in the cool, dark night, the young people gave themselves to dreams of a brilliant future. As for future pilgrims—they are welcome! Everyone says that the Custody’s garden is an oasis in the middle of the desert… a word to the wise!
Emilie Rey
After over four years of construction and other work, the Terra Santa School of Jericho opened its doors at the end of August and has already enrolled over 500 pupils (boys and girls) of whom only 36 are Christian. Encouraged by their success I Bethlehem, the Franciscans decided to reinvest in this thousand-year-old city through a vast educational project. Fra Feras, pastor of the Jerusalem parish: “This school is a real Christian presence and a sign of their desire to remain in Jericho.”
It is true that the Christian community comprises only a handful of families (500 people at most). Fra Mario doesn’t hide that “before arriving, I was a little uneasy. Jericho is isolated in the desert. It is no exaggeration to say that the Christian community was almost abandoned. I asked myself what I would be able to start working.” The friary, the church, or perhaps the school, that had been empty for three years, without sanitary facilities—there was so much to do. But Fra Mario set to work and started by cleaning and putting things in order: “Order, discipline and hospitality are part of the spirit of Saint Francis. What carries me from day to day is the confidence shown by the entire Custody, and particularly that of my brother custos. He believed in me and my ability, and so I discovered what I could do! I asked for support and I received it.”
Thanks to his dynamic, sociable personality, since his arrival in May 2012 Fra Mario quickly became part of the local scene. “Christians needed to feel that they were represented,” he explains. Of course, he would like to see the number of the faithful increase, but he lives out his mission in the midst of a primarily Muslim city fully. Smiling, he shares, “I was welcomed everywhere and by everyone. Just to show you, I heard that I was being referred to as ‘Sheikh Mario’”. (In Middle Eastern culture, “sheikh” is an honorific reserved for the leaders of mosques.) This might raise a smile, but it is, in fact, a powerful sign of respect and inter-religious dialogue.
The official opening of the school in Jericho was the event of the day, if not the month! Fra Mario, as any good host, welcomed and was attentive to the guests throughout the evening. Concert, parades, fireworks, a reception, flower garlands in the colors of Palestine and the Catholic Church, traditional garments and ribbons—nothing was missing from the event, not even cameras from Palestinian television! Speech followed speech and words of thanks rained down on everyone who was involved in bringing this wonderful project to fruition.
Finally, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa, closed the joyous and rich ceremony. Cutting to the chase, he proclaimed, “This school is a dream become reality, not only for the Franciscans, but for all the residents of Jericho.” Roni, a Christian from Bethlehem who had come to encourage the Jericho community and thank the Franciscans, noted, “The Franciscans have completed an enormous project. Their schools are examples for all of us, no matter what religion. We are proud to have such beautiful and successful schools in Palestine.” He was not alone in coming from elsewhere to join the celebration. Friars from Acre, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem had all come to share the “inexpressible” joy of Fra Mario.
There are still many challenges facing Terra Santa School in Jericho, but as the Christmas songs echoed in the cool, dark night, the young people gave themselves to dreams of a brilliant future. As for future pilgrims—they are welcome! Everyone says that the Custody’s garden is an oasis in the middle of the desert… a word to the wise!
Emilie Rey