The procession set out from Saint Saviour’s, the Jerusalem seat of the Custody of the Holy Land, led by the Custodial Vicar, Brother Artemio Vitores. The Franciscans joined the community of the faithful at Saint Anne’s. The fifteen Franciscan friars went down Saint Francis Street and up the Via Dolorosa, then through the street of the Lion’s Gate in the heart of the Old City. The noise of the Kawas’ staffs, opening the procession, mixed with the sounds of the city. In the souk (the market), merchants called out to passers-by. You could hear an Arab teacher trying to restore calm in his class. Groups of pilgrims whispered three words, made the sign of the cross and parted for the passage of the procession.
By the time it arrived at Saint Anne’s basilica, where Anne and Joachim, the Virgin Mary’s parents, lived, the crowd had grown considerably. Many believers came to celebrate the Nativity of Mary this September 8th.
Ten languages, maybe more, are spoken here. Added to the Italian of the Franciscans are French, Arabic, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Greek, Hindi, Russian and Latin.
His Excellency Mr. Alain Rémy, Consul General of France, arrives and takes his place in the front to assist at this consular Mass. Seats are taken as the Franciscans enter the sanctuary to incense the icon of the Nativity. Chairs rattle, people greet one another, make introductions, recognize acquaintances.
There is relative silence when the celebration moves from the sanctuary to the choir. Brother Stéphane Milovitch, Custody Secretary, presides. Relative because of the pilgrims who enter and leave all during the celebration which does not seem, by the way, to bother anyone. The faithful are completely taken up in their prayer and their song.
Outside, people wait. Some keep themselves busy. Some converse with their neighbors. Here, an Indian brother finds his compatriots; there, a priest makes explanations to a Dutch group who are surprised that there is "a Mass for the French" and that it will continue for a few minutes.
The friars’ last song has not yet finished resounding in the basilica before everyone is already inside. There is a gathering in the White Fathers’ garden and where we can meet everyone we didn’t see before the Mass. People try to find a language in common, the languages meld…
One moment, you can hear prayer and conversation with one sole voice and can almost forget the divisions that this country experiences. Only one moment.
David Francfort
By the time it arrived at Saint Anne’s basilica, where Anne and Joachim, the Virgin Mary’s parents, lived, the crowd had grown considerably. Many believers came to celebrate the Nativity of Mary this September 8th.
Ten languages, maybe more, are spoken here. Added to the Italian of the Franciscans are French, Arabic, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Greek, Hindi, Russian and Latin.
His Excellency Mr. Alain Rémy, Consul General of France, arrives and takes his place in the front to assist at this consular Mass. Seats are taken as the Franciscans enter the sanctuary to incense the icon of the Nativity. Chairs rattle, people greet one another, make introductions, recognize acquaintances.
There is relative silence when the celebration moves from the sanctuary to the choir. Brother Stéphane Milovitch, Custody Secretary, presides. Relative because of the pilgrims who enter and leave all during the celebration which does not seem, by the way, to bother anyone. The faithful are completely taken up in their prayer and their song.
Outside, people wait. Some keep themselves busy. Some converse with their neighbors. Here, an Indian brother finds his compatriots; there, a priest makes explanations to a Dutch group who are surprised that there is "a Mass for the French" and that it will continue for a few minutes.
The friars’ last song has not yet finished resounding in the basilica before everyone is already inside. There is a gathering in the White Fathers’ garden and where we can meet everyone we didn’t see before the Mass. People try to find a language in common, the languages meld…
One moment, you can hear prayer and conversation with one sole voice and can almost forget the divisions that this country experiences. Only one moment.
David Francfort