Begun at the beginning of this summer, the renovations of the Custodial infirmary at Saint Saviour’s Monastery in Jerusalem are finished. The blessing of the brand-new quarters took place at the conclusion of Vespers celebrated in the infirmary chapel on Monday, November 3.
The infirmary was installed on the monastery’s third floor 50 years ago. It deserved renovation. But these expenditures, as the Custos Pierbattista Pizzaballa stressed, were made for the comfort of the elderly friars who live there. In fact, all of the rooms were completely redone and adapted for medical care.
The necessity of completely evacuating the infirmary during the work was an upheaval for the elderly friars, who were moved to a lower floor, as well as for the caregivers and the community at Saint Saviour’s. Everyone had to adapt and get their bearings.
But the disruption was also a beautiful experience, the best of which should be conserved, the Custos underlined. It allowed both the elderly friars and the younger ones to live with one another, creating a space for more interaction and listening to one another. "Our elders are our treasure," stressed Brother Pierbattista. "At this time of life, their strength may diminish, but there is a richness of experience, of human and spiritual life, of relationship with the Lord, which should be shared above all with the youngest. Our treasure rests in the experience of all the friars who came before us, in their passion and love of this land." A love that continues to be lived out at this time of life, in this infirmary, "differently, of course—in prayer, in the gift of sacrifice—and we are certain that this is no less valuable than the active life of so many others."
The Custos thanked everyone who worked on the renovation of the infirmary: the architect, the site supervisor, all the workers, the caregivers who demonstrated so much flexibility, the Guardian of St. Saviour’s, Antoni Szlachta "The brothers in the infirmary are part of this community," he reminded everyone.
After the blessing, the twelve brothers, permanently in residence in the infirmary, and Brother Jad, who is in charge of this service, did the honors of visiting throughout the quarters. All the friars reassembled a little later to have dinner together in the ground-floor refectory, enjoying an Arab festive meal offered by the architect and the company that supervised the renovation.
The elderly friars have regained their quarters, but thanks to the elevator that was built last year, those who wish can continue to go to the community refectory and to the common room. As for the younger friars, they are warmly invited not to miss regular visits with their elders for shared moments of fraternal exchange.
MAB
The infirmary was installed on the monastery’s third floor 50 years ago. It deserved renovation. But these expenditures, as the Custos Pierbattista Pizzaballa stressed, were made for the comfort of the elderly friars who live there. In fact, all of the rooms were completely redone and adapted for medical care.
The necessity of completely evacuating the infirmary during the work was an upheaval for the elderly friars, who were moved to a lower floor, as well as for the caregivers and the community at Saint Saviour’s. Everyone had to adapt and get their bearings.
But the disruption was also a beautiful experience, the best of which should be conserved, the Custos underlined. It allowed both the elderly friars and the younger ones to live with one another, creating a space for more interaction and listening to one another. "Our elders are our treasure," stressed Brother Pierbattista. "At this time of life, their strength may diminish, but there is a richness of experience, of human and spiritual life, of relationship with the Lord, which should be shared above all with the youngest. Our treasure rests in the experience of all the friars who came before us, in their passion and love of this land." A love that continues to be lived out at this time of life, in this infirmary, "differently, of course—in prayer, in the gift of sacrifice—and we are certain that this is no less valuable than the active life of so many others."
The Custos thanked everyone who worked on the renovation of the infirmary: the architect, the site supervisor, all the workers, the caregivers who demonstrated so much flexibility, the Guardian of St. Saviour’s, Antoni Szlachta "The brothers in the infirmary are part of this community," he reminded everyone.
After the blessing, the twelve brothers, permanently in residence in the infirmary, and Brother Jad, who is in charge of this service, did the honors of visiting throughout the quarters. All the friars reassembled a little later to have dinner together in the ground-floor refectory, enjoying an Arab festive meal offered by the architect and the company that supervised the renovation.
The elderly friars have regained their quarters, but thanks to the elevator that was built last year, those who wish can continue to go to the community refectory and to the common room. As for the younger friars, they are warmly invited not to miss regular visits with their elders for shared moments of fraternal exchange.
MAB