The third day of the Custody Chapter was lived with intensity and participation. Already in the morning Eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Artemio Vitores, the chapter members were encouraged to meditate on the grandness of the Christian vocation at the service of the Kingdom of God.
In his brief homily the Vicar of the Custody highlighted two themes of the liturgy that can illuminate the sense of our mission in the Holy Land. Above all, according to the teaching of St. Francis, the Friars live in a humble manner with all humans, exercising benevolence also towards non-Christians and persecutors. They can’t forget the primacy of the obedience of God that always takes prevalence over everything else, even to the shedding of one’s own blood for the Lord. Finally, Fr. Artemio remembered with gratitude the dedication and the sacrifices of our old Friars who have served the Custody for many years, and who even now, despite not being able to work anymore, remain, like Tobias, strong in the faith.
The morning session of the Chapter was directed by one of the three elected moderators, Fr. Dobromir Jasztal . The first part was dedicated to the report of the Custody’s Treasurer. The exposition of Fr. Abdel Masih F. Fahim had three parts: the reading of the relation, an explanation of some projects that have been completed in the past triennium, and the presentation of the accounts.
The Apostolic Delegate, Monsignor Antonio Franco, participated in the second part of the morning session. He was very warmly received by the chapter members. The representative of the Holy Father delivered to all present a discourse focused on having a deep sense of pastoral sensibility, vibrant and full of human warmth and cordial friendliness. He exhorted the Friars to live their mission in the Holy Land by giving privilege to certain principal themes. Above all, it is important to always render a better spiritual reception to the pilgrims. Especially in the major sanctuaries, it would be good to ensure a continuous and regular minister of Reconciliation. Besides this, the Apostolic Delegate also exhorted the Friars to harmonize internationality, which is typical of the Custody, with inculturation in the reality of the local Church. The theme of ecclesial communion was strongly emphasized as a value that qualifies and renders convincing the same testimony of faith that we share. Particular attention was given to the urgency to care for both initial and permanent formation. An argument which is always current and in need of perfecting is that of transparency in the managing of economic resources that are given to sustain the Church of the Holy Land. Following the words of the Prelate, a high-spirited and vivacious debate ensued. Various subjects were taken into consideration: Catholic schools, relations between the Muslim world and the Jewish people, permanent formation, and the rapport between the Custody and other ecclesial entities. Monsignor Franco was also cordially present with us for lunch.
In the afternoon the chapter members, after receiving the necessary instructions from Fr. David Jaeger, were divided into four study groups, where they reflected on the pertinent subjects presented, with the scope of writing the first formulation of the chapter proposals.
When the study groups finished their work, the Friars went to pray at the Milk Grotto. Prior to Vespers, Father Michele Piccirillo, with spiritual wisdom and artistic precision, gave the Friars a tour of the new Church of Theotokos (“Mother of God”) which was recently inaugurated. The Friars dedicated the work of this Chapter to the Mother of God, in order to produce gracious works for the life of our Custody and for the increase of faith in the land of the Lord.
In his brief homily the Vicar of the Custody highlighted two themes of the liturgy that can illuminate the sense of our mission in the Holy Land. Above all, according to the teaching of St. Francis, the Friars live in a humble manner with all humans, exercising benevolence also towards non-Christians and persecutors. They can’t forget the primacy of the obedience of God that always takes prevalence over everything else, even to the shedding of one’s own blood for the Lord. Finally, Fr. Artemio remembered with gratitude the dedication and the sacrifices of our old Friars who have served the Custody for many years, and who even now, despite not being able to work anymore, remain, like Tobias, strong in the faith.
The morning session of the Chapter was directed by one of the three elected moderators, Fr. Dobromir Jasztal . The first part was dedicated to the report of the Custody’s Treasurer. The exposition of Fr. Abdel Masih F. Fahim had three parts: the reading of the relation, an explanation of some projects that have been completed in the past triennium, and the presentation of the accounts.
The Apostolic Delegate, Monsignor Antonio Franco, participated in the second part of the morning session. He was very warmly received by the chapter members. The representative of the Holy Father delivered to all present a discourse focused on having a deep sense of pastoral sensibility, vibrant and full of human warmth and cordial friendliness. He exhorted the Friars to live their mission in the Holy Land by giving privilege to certain principal themes. Above all, it is important to always render a better spiritual reception to the pilgrims. Especially in the major sanctuaries, it would be good to ensure a continuous and regular minister of Reconciliation. Besides this, the Apostolic Delegate also exhorted the Friars to harmonize internationality, which is typical of the Custody, with inculturation in the reality of the local Church. The theme of ecclesial communion was strongly emphasized as a value that qualifies and renders convincing the same testimony of faith that we share. Particular attention was given to the urgency to care for both initial and permanent formation. An argument which is always current and in need of perfecting is that of transparency in the managing of economic resources that are given to sustain the Church of the Holy Land. Following the words of the Prelate, a high-spirited and vivacious debate ensued. Various subjects were taken into consideration: Catholic schools, relations between the Muslim world and the Jewish people, permanent formation, and the rapport between the Custody and other ecclesial entities. Monsignor Franco was also cordially present with us for lunch.
In the afternoon the chapter members, after receiving the necessary instructions from Fr. David Jaeger, were divided into four study groups, where they reflected on the pertinent subjects presented, with the scope of writing the first formulation of the chapter proposals.
When the study groups finished their work, the Friars went to pray at the Milk Grotto. Prior to Vespers, Father Michele Piccirillo, with spiritual wisdom and artistic precision, gave the Friars a tour of the new Church of Theotokos (“Mother of God”) which was recently inaugurated. The Friars dedicated the work of this Chapter to the Mother of God, in order to produce gracious works for the life of our Custody and for the increase of faith in the land of the Lord.