Lots of happenings the last 24 hours. Well for one - Fr Vincenzo contacted me from Egypt. It was good to hear from him. We banter alot and its always in good fun. He was my superior 15 years ago here at the Flagellation Monastery, and sort-of superior again 2 years back when I was staying at Terra Santa College (a brand new friary in the New City). I say "sort-of" because I actually stayed at the Flagellation but frequently I would also move over to Terra Santa. I like it there because there is a huge garden and the food is good! Fr Vincenzo last month was transferred to Musky in Cairo to be in charge of the Oriental institute. We had a good chat and I was very happy.
Yesterday I got a table! Well it's an unused table from the parlour but it works for me! Matthew Olickal helped carry it upstairs to my room. He's my classmate for the doctoral programme and is from India - smart guy this one! Also Matteo Muneri helped (2nd yr. student for the Master's degree; he's from the Assisi province where St. Francis came from) and Fr Giovanni Loche who's professor of archaeology and head librarian. They're all fun guys and much younger than I am (I'm the oldest student). We cleaned up a corner of my room (which is already a big deal!) and Loche said no wonder I have asthma - the room is so dusty! Jean Paul never quite made it to help me as he slept through the last two days. Anyway he promised today at 11am to come to help do the luggage corner of the room.
Cecelia and Daniel Cavero also contacted me through Skype, so it was good to "talk" to them from Spain.
Osvalda our librarian is having a cataract operation today so we prayed for her during Mass. Sr. Geronima said this morning that I'm feeding too much food to the canaries and they'll grow too fat and die - hmmmm I wonder why it never happens to "penguins".
Tomorrow is All Saints day. That means solemn Mass (all sung) and a small feast for lunch. Hope we don't become like the canaries.
Oh by the way, if anyone wants to do a good deed - get me some music CDs (instrumental with nature sounds). Here in the Old City, with no garden, just surrounded by stone buildings, traffic and incessant chatter from tourist groups, it's nice to create a fantasy world with nature sounds and soft music. You know me - I need a garden to survive. A group is coming up for Christmas so they can bring the CDs along. You can give it to Katie. Thanks in advance!
It's really getting chilly in the evenings and mornings. My feet are awefully cold. So I thought I'd better get a rug to reduce the cold from the floor. Right now I'm placing towels on the floor but I figured I'll need them to dry myself after showering, so that's not a good idea. Have to wash them today otherwise I'll be using bedsheets to dry myself instead!!!! Hmmm but like the kettle, bed, shelves, cupboard, table ... the rug will have to wait its turn. Aaahh if only Fr Vincenzo will take me into his friary in Musky - I'm sure I'll get everything there! (said in irony and a sardonic smile).
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
YouTube - Cavalleria rusticana
YouTube - Cavalleria rusticana
This is the most beautiful piece of music ever composed - and its not just my opinion. Just close your eyes and listen to it - one YouTube comment was "music that heals the soul"; another "If music could symbolise heaven, then this is paradise". Let it speak to you; challenge you; tug at your heart; heal you; whatever. Then you will understand what I mean. Like I once said to you guys: when I die I want this intermezzo to be played at my funeral - its the least you can do for me!
This is the most beautiful piece of music ever composed - and its not just my opinion. Just close your eyes and listen to it - one YouTube comment was "music that heals the soul"; another "If music could symbolise heaven, then this is paradise". Let it speak to you; challenge you; tug at your heart; heal you; whatever. Then you will understand what I mean. Like I once said to you guys: when I die I want this intermezzo to be played at my funeral - its the least you can do for me!
Winter is here!
Yes winter is really here. The unmistakable sign of that time of the year showed itself today - blackout! In all my years in the Holyland, I've learnt to read the sign of the times for winter. The inevitable electric shortage is the surest sign of winter! This morning as I was taking a shower (4.30am) the lights went out! Thinking that the bulb blew, I peeked out of the window to find the entire neighbourhood in darkness. Winter has come! You see, The Old City of Jerusalem is like a piece of cheese: it's full of holes! Underneath its pavement is nothing but huge cisterns to collect water, cisterns that were dug some 2,000 year ago (some more recent eg the Byzantine and Arab periods). The electric cables are attached below the pavements but above these cisterns. In winter when it rains, the electric cables get short-circuited and blackouts occur almost every other day. Well nowadays its alot better. I remember 15 years ago when we were issued candles during winter - the examination period, and we had to study by candle light. Those who could afford would buy battery-powered fluorescent lamps. Today our monastery has its own emergency generator, so the lights come on within 2 minutes of a blackout.
Another sure sign of winter - aching bones! Aaahhh the wisdom of old-age! Yesterday my left ankle was extremely painful and my feet were so cold I had to dig out the 12 suitcases to look for socks. The only ones I could find were bright red - so who cares, right? Problem was I forgot to change them or wear shoes over them (you know me, always in sandals) and as I presided over vespers (Evening prayer) in my habit, the other friars began to give me strange looks. I then realised that I had bright red socks on; and it sure looked weird with a habit! Anyway no-one said anything, but I knew what they were thinking, so I tried to cover them by pulling my habit lower, even bending the knees in order to cover them! Armani would have cried at my colour combination!
Mass this morning was a surprise for everyone. They all thought I would sing something in chinese, as they kept pestering me the day before. Instead it was a quiet Mass, everything was recited. It was sort of an anti-climax for them; but I promised them something grand for the Solemnity of All Saints - so watch out, Pavarotti! Oops forgot he died. Will remember him on All Souls.
Yesterday evening was a breakthrough - Sr Pieta actually spoke to me!!!!! As usual I had to clear the refectory table, and Sr. Geronima taught me to say "I am an old man" in polish - of course she couldn't stop laughing. The slavic language is so full of consonants I get saliva spraying out of my mouth everytime I try to pronounce a word. Everytime the sisters try to teach me a polish phrase, I tell them to get the umbrellas out. Anyway Sr Pieta asked what colour vestments I wanted to wear for mass this morning. Breakthrough! This overwhelming sense of success spurs me toward my next challenge - get Sr Pieta to sing in polish! Wish me luck!
Another sure sign of winter - aching bones! Aaahhh the wisdom of old-age! Yesterday my left ankle was extremely painful and my feet were so cold I had to dig out the 12 suitcases to look for socks. The only ones I could find were bright red - so who cares, right? Problem was I forgot to change them or wear shoes over them (you know me, always in sandals) and as I presided over vespers (Evening prayer) in my habit, the other friars began to give me strange looks. I then realised that I had bright red socks on; and it sure looked weird with a habit! Anyway no-one said anything, but I knew what they were thinking, so I tried to cover them by pulling my habit lower, even bending the knees in order to cover them! Armani would have cried at my colour combination!
Mass this morning was a surprise for everyone. They all thought I would sing something in chinese, as they kept pestering me the day before. Instead it was a quiet Mass, everything was recited. It was sort of an anti-climax for them; but I promised them something grand for the Solemnity of All Saints - so watch out, Pavarotti! Oops forgot he died. Will remember him on All Souls.
My meeting with the dean was pretty fruitful - we talked about how to celebrate Fr Allegra's 100th anniversary. He taught at our Jerusalem Studium Biblicum during the years 1955-56 and 1966-67. The older professors here still remember him as they were his students. During dinner last night, they recalled the times when Allegra was in Jerusalem.
Yesterday evening was a breakthrough - Sr Pieta actually spoke to me!!!!! As usual I had to clear the refectory table, and Sr. Geronima taught me to say "I am an old man" in polish - of course she couldn't stop laughing. The slavic language is so full of consonants I get saliva spraying out of my mouth everytime I try to pronounce a word. Everytime the sisters try to teach me a polish phrase, I tell them to get the umbrellas out. Anyway Sr Pieta asked what colour vestments I wanted to wear for mass this morning. Breakthrough! This overwhelming sense of success spurs me toward my next challenge - get Sr Pieta to sing in polish! Wish me luck!
Monday, October 29, 2007
No lessons!
I just found out this morning that there will be no lessons this week because of the compulsory excursion to Galilee for all new students. Because last year's excursion was cancelled, 2nd year students who missed it also have to participate. That makes the school pretty quiet since two thirds of the student body will be on this 5 day excursion. Not that this will affect me much - except that I'll not have philology lessons this Friday; and Mass will be less crowded with student concelebrants. Yippie! That means less pressure for me when I preside at Mass!
I managed to make Sr Pieta smile yesterday evening after dinner. As hebdom, it's also our duty to clear up the refectory table after meals. So after putting all the plates and cups in the sink, and throwing out the rubbish (you can't imagine how much work it is to clear up a dinner table with 40 people eating!), I said "Praise God" in polish to the sisters - Sr Pieta was delighted and smiled. Then she whispered to Sr. Geronima to ask me what "thank you" is in chinese. I said "xie xie" but all she could manage was "shway shway" which in arabic means "Slowly / take your time". We had a good laugh. So that's my good deed for the day - not an easy task I must add.
The dean wants to see me today. He whispered (just before yesterday's Vespers in the chapel) that we must do something for the 100th anniversary of Fr Allegra and the 40th anniversary of the publication of the Chinese Bible. So I'll see him in his office this afternoon. Meanwhile this morning I thought of cleaning my room. But I can't do it alone - moving 12 suitcases and clothes from the floor, and tons and tons of books in every space I can find in my room. I'll get Jean Paul Ogmba to help. He's an african student - very bright and speaks very good french and german. I'll practice some french while cleaning out my room with him. See, I don't waste any opportunity that comes my way! In turn he practices his english.
Some of you have noticed that I'm writing the blogs at very odd hours of the night. Well the fact is simple - the computer clock has gone haywire. I usually write my blog either after breakfast or after lunch. That's when its noisiest in my part of the corridor and I can't rest or study. You see, the Sala Caffe (coffee pantry) is just opposite my room, and after every meal the italians must have their espresso. So they congregate at the Sala Caffe and chat away. Fr Niccacci and myself have rooms directly opposite the Sala Caffe so we try to do things to while away the time till the Sala is empty and quiet again. There's a house rule though, that after 1.30pm the Sala should be quiet. But since lunch finishes at 12.45pm there's a good 45 minutes to spend time updating my blog.
Winter is finally arriving. It's quite cool in the evenings now and I see several friars wearing woollen clothes already. I guess I'll have to search my 12 suitcases to find my winter clothes today. The sky is pretty dark by 5pm and the winter gloom is setting in. Not something I particularly like. It means more friars will flock more frequently to the Sala Caffe for hot drinks to warm themselves at other hours of the day. That reminds me: I need to buy a kettle so I can make tea in my room during winter to keep warm. But you know the local logic by now - I'll probably end up with a bed or something else rather than a kettle!
I managed to make Sr Pieta smile yesterday evening after dinner. As hebdom, it's also our duty to clear up the refectory table after meals. So after putting all the plates and cups in the sink, and throwing out the rubbish (you can't imagine how much work it is to clear up a dinner table with 40 people eating!), I said "Praise God" in polish to the sisters - Sr Pieta was delighted and smiled. Then she whispered to Sr. Geronima to ask me what "thank you" is in chinese. I said "xie xie" but all she could manage was "shway shway" which in arabic means "Slowly / take your time". We had a good laugh. So that's my good deed for the day - not an easy task I must add.
The dean wants to see me today. He whispered (just before yesterday's Vespers in the chapel) that we must do something for the 100th anniversary of Fr Allegra and the 40th anniversary of the publication of the Chinese Bible. So I'll see him in his office this afternoon. Meanwhile this morning I thought of cleaning my room. But I can't do it alone - moving 12 suitcases and clothes from the floor, and tons and tons of books in every space I can find in my room. I'll get Jean Paul Ogmba to help. He's an african student - very bright and speaks very good french and german. I'll practice some french while cleaning out my room with him. See, I don't waste any opportunity that comes my way! In turn he practices his english.
Some of you have noticed that I'm writing the blogs at very odd hours of the night. Well the fact is simple - the computer clock has gone haywire. I usually write my blog either after breakfast or after lunch. That's when its noisiest in my part of the corridor and I can't rest or study. You see, the Sala Caffe (coffee pantry) is just opposite my room, and after every meal the italians must have their espresso. So they congregate at the Sala Caffe and chat away. Fr Niccacci and myself have rooms directly opposite the Sala Caffe so we try to do things to while away the time till the Sala is empty and quiet again. There's a house rule though, that after 1.30pm the Sala should be quiet. But since lunch finishes at 12.45pm there's a good 45 minutes to spend time updating my blog.
Winter is finally arriving. It's quite cool in the evenings now and I see several friars wearing woollen clothes already. I guess I'll have to search my 12 suitcases to find my winter clothes today. The sky is pretty dark by 5pm and the winter gloom is setting in. Not something I particularly like. It means more friars will flock more frequently to the Sala Caffe for hot drinks to warm themselves at other hours of the day. That reminds me: I need to buy a kettle so I can make tea in my room during winter to keep warm. But you know the local logic by now - I'll probably end up with a bed or something else rather than a kettle!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Breakfast at last!
Just to follow up from my last blog - I went down to the kitchen and Sr. Pieta wasn't there!! Instead Sr Geronima, Nadia and Edward (our kitchen helps) were preparing lunch. I wore a tee-shirt with a very large smiley face and the words "My happy hour is spent with God". They loved it; and everyone was asking me to give it to them; and Sr Geronima asked me to give it to Sr Pieta, so maybe she'll learn how to smile.
Since it was way past breakfast, Sr. Geronima had to unlock the fridge to get me some cheese. In our monastery with 45 friars, we have strict rules about the kitchen. No one allowed to enter except the staff and sisters. All refrigerators are locked except for the cold water and fruit. Anyway I had cheese and bread for breakfast. I also took some tomatoes as Nadia was preparing the salad for lunch. Then I fed the canaries a couple of leaves of lettuce. They were very happy and couldn't stop singing. Its nice to have some birds, since I can't have Rex or Regis. I miss them very much. So you guys who go to the Studium for Sunday Mass, make it a point to stop and talk to them for me. Sr Pieta likes dogs too, but Sr. Geronimo likes horses. She's a farm-girl from Poland and says the only birds she ever kept were chickens!
OK now that my stomach isn't troubling me, I'll get to work with studies.
Since it was way past breakfast, Sr. Geronima had to unlock the fridge to get me some cheese. In our monastery with 45 friars, we have strict rules about the kitchen. No one allowed to enter except the staff and sisters. All refrigerators are locked except for the cold water and fruit. Anyway I had cheese and bread for breakfast. I also took some tomatoes as Nadia was preparing the salad for lunch. Then I fed the canaries a couple of leaves of lettuce. They were very happy and couldn't stop singing. Its nice to have some birds, since I can't have Rex or Regis. I miss them very much. So you guys who go to the Studium for Sunday Mass, make it a point to stop and talk to them for me. Sr Pieta likes dogs too, but Sr. Geronimo likes horses. She's a farm-girl from Poland and says the only birds she ever kept were chickens!
OK now that my stomach isn't troubling me, I'll get to work with studies.
I survived my 1st Sunday Mass! The night before I was all nervous. Luckily I got help from Osvalda "La Signorina di Gorizia" (The lady from Gorizia) to check through my italian homily. She's our librarian here for the past 18 years, and I usually can count on her to help me. Don't know where Gorizia is? It's in the north-east of Italy - go check a map on the internet!
Breakfast was non-existant this morning. I got up early (well I always do anyway - 4am!!!) - more accurately I went downstairs to the refectory for breakfast early and found the place empty! Usually Sister Pieta (another funny-hat nun) puts the breakfast stuff out by 6.15am but probably today being Sunday, she slept in. I was hoping to have breakfast quickly so I could go back practicing my homily - but NO BREAKFAST!!!!! Every single piece of bread was gone, the coffee was not boiled, ... I thought of Mother Hubbard's cupboard (Sr. Pieta looks like what I imagine Mother Hubbard to be - thin, small glasses at the tip of her long nose, big glaring eyes and no smile - even the cats are afraid of her!) I think she put the breakfast stuff out at 7am but it was too late as I had to prepare the church for 8am Mass. :( I was thinking of fried eggs, ham and all the other stuff we get back in HK; but of course these things don't exist here in our house. Breakfast is usually a cup of coffee and a piece of bread - maybe with butter, jam or honey from our apiary (nothing to do with apes, Charles!!!).
Well I presided at the Sunday Mass. The oldest professor Fr Ravanelli came up to me in the sacristy and said "We have a good shepherd to lead us at Mass today - make sure you preach!" and punched me on the shoulder. Only 5 students concelebrated, and they were all very supportive and wanted to help in the readings etc... (remember my two cantors ran away!). All the rest of the concelebrants were professors - the superior, the dean of faculty and all the noted scholars of my school. And we had a crowd for Mass as well. Osvalda came, and Arlette (a volunteer from Italy in our Jerusalem monasteries ), Sr. Geronima in her funny-hat (she started giggling in the middle of Mass and I almost started laughing as well!), a man with a big big beard, two koreans and some others. Anyway Fr Ravanelli sat next to me and served as 1st cantor while another doctoral candidate Fr Stefano Cavalli served as 2nd cantor. Mass was a hotch-potch of languages because besides italian, I sang in latin and the final hymn in greek. After Mass the superior Fr Carlo whispered "Was that chinese?" Fr Lino, our emeritus professor of Greek and Latin corrected the last phrase of my homily, saying it was not a quotation from St. Augustine but Luther! Oh well, you win some, you lose some!
After changing the vestments, I came to my room to avoid the after-Mass crowd - the people are invited into our refectory for breakfast. I just needed a breather and calm down. I'll stay at home today and do some reading - but food is occupying my mind. What a terrible distraction!
The Indonesians are here in full force - 500 pilgrims per day! A large group of Indonesian nuns and friars came to make the Way of the Cross early this morning before Mass started. And they made alot of noise. Sr. Pieta was not happy. But even she couldn't scare the Indonesians away.
But hmmmm food, food, glorious food .... I'll probably give in and walk up the Way of the Cross to the 8th Station and buy some buns. They have nice stuff there - buns with poppy seed is one of my favourites; also vanilla buns and apple buns. But I have to be careful because the owner overcharges me if I'm alone. I usually buy when some other arabs are in the shop so the owner wouldn't dare raise the price.
The bells of the Holy Sepulcher are ringing now - it means the Greek Patriarch is on his way there to celebrate Mass. The Old City of Jerusalem is filled with bell-ringing every Sunday - absolutely beautiful; something you'll never hear in HK. But the growling in my stomach is louder! I'll go to the kitchen now and hope Sr. Pieta is not there!!!
Breakfast was non-existant this morning. I got up early (well I always do anyway - 4am!!!) - more accurately I went downstairs to the refectory for breakfast early and found the place empty! Usually Sister Pieta (another funny-hat nun) puts the breakfast stuff out by 6.15am but probably today being Sunday, she slept in. I was hoping to have breakfast quickly so I could go back practicing my homily - but NO BREAKFAST!!!!! Every single piece of bread was gone, the coffee was not boiled, ... I thought of Mother Hubbard's cupboard (Sr. Pieta looks like what I imagine Mother Hubbard to be - thin, small glasses at the tip of her long nose, big glaring eyes and no smile - even the cats are afraid of her!) I think she put the breakfast stuff out at 7am but it was too late as I had to prepare the church for 8am Mass. :( I was thinking of fried eggs, ham and all the other stuff we get back in HK; but of course these things don't exist here in our house. Breakfast is usually a cup of coffee and a piece of bread - maybe with butter, jam or honey from our apiary (nothing to do with apes, Charles!!!).
Well I presided at the Sunday Mass. The oldest professor Fr Ravanelli came up to me in the sacristy and said "We have a good shepherd to lead us at Mass today - make sure you preach!" and punched me on the shoulder. Only 5 students concelebrated, and they were all very supportive and wanted to help in the readings etc... (remember my two cantors ran away!). All the rest of the concelebrants were professors - the superior, the dean of faculty and all the noted scholars of my school. And we had a crowd for Mass as well. Osvalda came, and Arlette (a volunteer from Italy in our Jerusalem monasteries ), Sr. Geronima in her funny-hat (she started giggling in the middle of Mass and I almost started laughing as well!), a man with a big big beard, two koreans and some others. Anyway Fr Ravanelli sat next to me and served as 1st cantor while another doctoral candidate Fr Stefano Cavalli served as 2nd cantor. Mass was a hotch-potch of languages because besides italian, I sang in latin and the final hymn in greek. After Mass the superior Fr Carlo whispered "Was that chinese?" Fr Lino, our emeritus professor of Greek and Latin corrected the last phrase of my homily, saying it was not a quotation from St. Augustine but Luther! Oh well, you win some, you lose some!
After changing the vestments, I came to my room to avoid the after-Mass crowd - the people are invited into our refectory for breakfast. I just needed a breather and calm down. I'll stay at home today and do some reading - but food is occupying my mind. What a terrible distraction!
The Indonesians are here in full force - 500 pilgrims per day! A large group of Indonesian nuns and friars came to make the Way of the Cross early this morning before Mass started. And they made alot of noise. Sr. Pieta was not happy. But even she couldn't scare the Indonesians away.
But hmmmm food, food, glorious food .... I'll probably give in and walk up the Way of the Cross to the 8th Station and buy some buns. They have nice stuff there - buns with poppy seed is one of my favourites; also vanilla buns and apple buns. But I have to be careful because the owner overcharges me if I'm alone. I usually buy when some other arabs are in the shop so the owner wouldn't dare raise the price.
The bells of the Holy Sepulcher are ringing now - it means the Greek Patriarch is on his way there to celebrate Mass. The Old City of Jerusalem is filled with bell-ringing every Sunday - absolutely beautiful; something you'll never hear in HK. But the growling in my stomach is louder! I'll go to the kitchen now and hope Sr. Pieta is not there!!!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Hebdom blues
Got my table yet, you ask? NO! (Isn't that the obvious and logical answer?)
Instead I went out to Bethany (village of Martha, Mary and Lazarus) to look for beds. Strange isn't it? - you probably think of Bethany as the place where Jesus revived Lazarus, or where Martha served Jesus while Mary stayed at his feet; or where Jesus had a meal in Simon the Leper's house and a woman came to anoint his feet; an ideal village that the "penguins" have conjured up during catechism classes. Well, it's a lot more down to earth for us here - Bethany is the place for cheap goods - like vegetables, electrical appliances and furniture. It's hot, dusty and very very poor. But the villagers are very cordial and courteous. It used to take less than 15 minutes to walk over the Mt. of Olives to get to Bethany from Jerusalem; but now with the wall separating Jerusalem cutting right across the Mt. of Olives, it takes over 45 minute by car to get there. As usual Jadallah had to drive me there. I didn't find anything I thought was useful (meaning I didn't have the money - the cheapest bed costs 1,000 shekels or HK$4,000). Besides almost 50% of all the goods here are made in China. So I came home without a bed. Anyone willing to bring me a bed from HK if you're coming my way? :)
Anyway I got back to my room almost at lunchtime. Made a call to my mum; then my sis Catherine called. Spoke also with my niece Charlyn. Then went down to the refectory (that's what a dining room is called in a monastery) for lunch and was gently reminded (very euphemistic) that tonight I begin my turn as the hebdomedarius. Big word? It's nothing to do with dromedaries, ok Britney? It comes from the greek "hebdomada" which means "7" or "a week". I'll be in charge of leading all the prayers for the coming week, bless all the community meals, preside at Masses and preach. We all take turns doing this, and I feel particular pressure because I'm not good preaching in Italian. I get all nervous the night before because all the best bible scholars and professors are present at very prayer, meal and Mass. The "hebdom" ( as he's known for short) has 2 assistants called cantors who help out. However my 1st cantor is going out this week to Nazareth and my 2nd cantor is too scared to help me preach at least once. Remember besides the solemn Sunday Mass, we also have All Saints Day and All Souls Day to preach next week. Now I feel like shrivelling up like an old dry leaf and be blown away by the hot autumn winds. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! No bed, no table and lots of Italian homilies to preach!!!! I'll go to the library now and start preparing tomorrow's sermon. Wish me luck!
Instead I went out to Bethany (village of Martha, Mary and Lazarus) to look for beds. Strange isn't it? - you probably think of Bethany as the place where Jesus revived Lazarus, or where Martha served Jesus while Mary stayed at his feet; or where Jesus had a meal in Simon the Leper's house and a woman came to anoint his feet; an ideal village that the "penguins" have conjured up during catechism classes. Well, it's a lot more down to earth for us here - Bethany is the place for cheap goods - like vegetables, electrical appliances and furniture. It's hot, dusty and very very poor. But the villagers are very cordial and courteous. It used to take less than 15 minutes to walk over the Mt. of Olives to get to Bethany from Jerusalem; but now with the wall separating Jerusalem cutting right across the Mt. of Olives, it takes over 45 minute by car to get there. As usual Jadallah had to drive me there. I didn't find anything I thought was useful (meaning I didn't have the money - the cheapest bed costs 1,000 shekels or HK$4,000). Besides almost 50% of all the goods here are made in China. So I came home without a bed. Anyone willing to bring me a bed from HK if you're coming my way? :)
Anyway I got back to my room almost at lunchtime. Made a call to my mum; then my sis Catherine called. Spoke also with my niece Charlyn. Then went down to the refectory (that's what a dining room is called in a monastery) for lunch and was gently reminded (very euphemistic) that tonight I begin my turn as the hebdomedarius. Big word? It's nothing to do with dromedaries, ok Britney? It comes from the greek "hebdomada" which means "7" or "a week". I'll be in charge of leading all the prayers for the coming week, bless all the community meals, preside at Masses and preach. We all take turns doing this, and I feel particular pressure because I'm not good preaching in Italian. I get all nervous the night before because all the best bible scholars and professors are present at very prayer, meal and Mass. The "hebdom" ( as he's known for short) has 2 assistants called cantors who help out. However my 1st cantor is going out this week to Nazareth and my 2nd cantor is too scared to help me preach at least once. Remember besides the solemn Sunday Mass, we also have All Saints Day and All Souls Day to preach next week. Now I feel like shrivelling up like an old dry leaf and be blown away by the hot autumn winds. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! No bed, no table and lots of Italian homilies to preach!!!! I'll go to the library now and start preparing tomorrow's sermon. Wish me luck!
2008 Pilgrimages
Please contact Katie at Duns Scotus Pilgrimages Ltd. (Tel:28902682 or dspilgrim@biznetvigator.com) for more info.
2007 Date Destination Remarks
Dec. 23rd-Jan.2nd Holyland Christmas in Bethlehem (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lionel
Fully booked.
2008
Feb. 1st-9th Holyland Retreat in the Holyland (English)
Bookings open.
Mar. 13th-25th Holyland Holy Week in the Holyland (Chinese)
Bookings open.
23rd-Apr.1st Greece St. Paul Jubilee year (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Wong K.W. ofm
Bookings open.
April 4th-13th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Bookings open.
30th-May 14th Egypt / Old Testament route (Chinese)
Holyland Spiritual Asst: Fr Fan K.T.
Animator: S. Lee
Bookings open.
May 1st-11th Holyland St Andrew’s Parish (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lo P.W.
Special package : parishioners only
9th-18th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Bookings open.
Jun 1st-12th Holyland St. Mark’s Gospel (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst.: Fr Lam C.M.
Bookings open.
6th-15th Greece St. Paul Jubilee year (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr W. Lo sj
Bookings open.
Jul. 11th-20th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Bookings open.
13th-22nd Holyland St. Mark’s Gospel (Chinese)
For teachers of religion/Bible
Bookings open
29th-Aug.12th Holyland HK Christian Life Community.
Spiritual Asst.: Fr Sean
Animator: S. Lee
Special package: CLC only
Aug. (to be fixed) Malta/Italy St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lionel
Bookings open
8th-17th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (English)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lionel
Bookings open
Sept. -
Oct. 12th-21st Holyland Feast of Tabernacles (Chinese)
Bookings open.
2007 Date Destination Remarks
Dec. 23rd-Jan.2nd Holyland Christmas in Bethlehem (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lionel
Fully booked.
2008
Feb. 1st-9th Holyland Retreat in the Holyland (English)
Bookings open.
Mar. 13th-25th Holyland Holy Week in the Holyland (Chinese)
Bookings open.
23rd-Apr.1st Greece St. Paul Jubilee year (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Wong K.W. ofm
Bookings open.
April 4th-13th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Bookings open.
30th-May 14th Egypt / Old Testament route (Chinese)
Holyland Spiritual Asst: Fr Fan K.T.
Animator: S. Lee
Bookings open.
May 1st-11th Holyland St Andrew’s Parish (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lo P.W.
Special package : parishioners only
9th-18th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Bookings open.
Jun 1st-12th Holyland St. Mark’s Gospel (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst.: Fr Lam C.M.
Bookings open.
6th-15th Greece St. Paul Jubilee year (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr W. Lo sj
Bookings open.
Jul. 11th-20th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Bookings open.
13th-22nd Holyland St. Mark’s Gospel (Chinese)
For teachers of religion/Bible
Bookings open
29th-Aug.12th Holyland HK Christian Life Community.
Spiritual Asst.: Fr Sean
Animator: S. Lee
Special package: CLC only
Aug. (to be fixed) Malta/Italy St. Paul Jubilee Year (Chinese)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lionel
Bookings open
8th-17th Greece St. Paul Jubilee Year (English)
Spiritual Asst: Fr Lionel
Bookings open
Sept. -
Oct. 12th-21st Holyland Feast of Tabernacles (Chinese)
Bookings open.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Oh no it's Friday!
Yes, it's Friday again. Here in the Old City, especially in the Muslim Quarter where I live, it means "Chaos day". The City gates are closed off but the crowds of muslims coming into the Haram es-Shariff (Dome of the Rock) are simply amazing. And the Christian pilgrims???? My gosh, they're in their thousands (literally, joking aside). We friars are saying it's like back to the Jubilee Year 2000 when literally tens of thousands of pilgrims converged onto the Old City. There's simply no room to walk even in the streets. And today being Friday, almost all groups are making the Way of the Cross - which covers the same road that muslims use to enter the Haram. So I'm staying indoors today. Well I did go out this morning after 2 hours of Greek Philology (lost lots of hair from my head - boy, it's so confusing when philology is explained in Italian). Jadallah our faithful handyman drove me to the New City to buy a decent chair. YES! I've got a decent chair to sit on at last!!!!! The shop owner is a Jewish man who speaks only hebrew and french. Well my french can't be that bad because I managed to wrangle a reduction in the price from him! (Thanks to Elizabeth Jeffreson for constantly pushing me to study more french). The final price was 350 shekels (which comes up to about HK$1,400 - expensive? You bet! Now you know why I even bring along faucets and shower-curtains from HK!!!) ) So now for the table ...... hmmmmm
I was thinking of posting some photos on the blog so you can see where I live. But that means taking the photos first - something of a luxury for me since I'm very tight for time. But ok, I'll get to it as soon as possible (local time meaning from now to next year). And of course I'll need Jackie & Gus' expertise in uploading it. Aaaahhhh but first I must look for my camera - it's in one of the 12 suitcases somewhere ....... *sigh* it's going to be a long Friday today ........ maybe I'll just change my mind and go for a walk out in the streets; and add another set of footprints on the 2,000 year old slabs of paving stone.
I was thinking of posting some photos on the blog so you can see where I live. But that means taking the photos first - something of a luxury for me since I'm very tight for time. But ok, I'll get to it as soon as possible (local time meaning from now to next year). And of course I'll need Jackie & Gus' expertise in uploading it. Aaaahhhh but first I must look for my camera - it's in one of the 12 suitcases somewhere ....... *sigh* it's going to be a long Friday today ........ maybe I'll just change my mind and go for a walk out in the streets; and add another set of footprints on the 2,000 year old slabs of paving stone.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Our Lady of Palestine
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Palestine. It's a local feastday, but though the morning Mass at our monastery was solemn, few friars and studients attended. That's because two other events are taking place on the same day - the biweekly excursion which is compulsory for all new students; and the annual pilgrimage of the Franciscans to the Baptismal Site of Christ. On this day, the states of Israel and Jordan observe a ceasefire along the Jordan River so that friars and pilgrims can visit the sanctuary there and celebrate Mass. I couldn't go along because I had to go to the Immigration Dept. again. Things worked out quite smoothly today. Our Lady of Palestine must want me here badly. But that doesn't mean I'll get my visa. I'll have to wait for Nov 14th to find out. Anyway I got home early and helped Sr. Geronima clean the large canary cage (it wasn't cleaned for the past 2 months so you can imagine the state it was in) in our courtyard; then sister suggested cleaning the entire courtyard so we spent the next 2 and a half hours washing and sweeping it. Now my left ankle is terrible swollen, but I had fun nonetheless. I had the chance to spray water at sister!!!!! She belongs to the congregation of Our Lady of Mercy (same as St. Faustina) so she wears a funny headdress and veil. We have lots of laughs making fun at each other's heads. Anyway the 18 canaries are very happy now with a clean cage, lots of grain, veggies and clean water. This afternoon I'll do some studies in the library, clean my room and probably sleep early (meaning 7pm. I skip dinner). Tomorrow I'll go buy a chair; the table should follow logically but over here, it's anyone's guess what'll turn up first!
Nice surprise!
Last evening I had a lovely surprise - from a friar sitting next to me during meals. He's a new student and I don't know him well, so for a couple of weeks we just exchanged greetings and nothing more (The reason being he speaks with a strong southern italian accent that I find difficult to understand). Then yesterday evening he began asking about Fr Allegra. We started talking and soon he revealed that he had access to the archives of Fr Allegra in Acireale (Sicily). In fact he has a copy of an unpublished manuscript of Fr Allegra - a commentary on the 1st letter of St. Peter. Then he showed me a list of all the unpublished manuscripts of Allegra that he has access to. Apparently Fr Allegra had written two voluminous manuscripts on the Life and Work of St. Paul. We both decided then and there to get a copy of these manuscripts, transcribe them and publish them for 2008-2009 the Jubilee year of St. Paul. It will also mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fr Allegra and of course the 40th anniversary of the Chinese Catholic Bible. Pray that this project works out, ok? The friar's name is Massimo, a young man from Calabria (Italy) and is very very devoted to Allegra. He wrote his bacculaureate thesis on Allegra's unpublished manuscript.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Oct. 24th
It's very hot today - and dry. I spent most of my morning at the Immigration Dept. trying to change my visa status. But to no avail. Tomorrow I'll have to go back and wait again. It's about 1km away and uphill - quite a feat for me to get there because of my sprained left foot that still hurts very much. I thought of asking you guys to pray hard that I get the visa; then I thought otherwise since if I don't get the visa, I'll have to return to HK and you guys might just have some strange prayer intentions....... so hmmmmmmmm
Wow I got lots of emails responding to my blog. I'll try and answer everyone but as more time is spent in studies and at Immigration Dept., you'll have to excuse me if I don't.
My room is slowly taking shape - well actually my toilet first. Thanks to Irene I got the broken faucet fixed, then had the new shower curtains up; and finally the shelves. Now it's alot more spacious and dry: I can actually change my clothes in it!! yeeaaaaahhhh! Next thing is to do my bedroom..... but it looks like it'll take another 8 months before anything can be realised. I'll have to get used to opening 12 suitcases to find fresh clothes to wear everyday. Well, not exactly true: I do have some clothes stacked on the floor (for those of you who do not yet know, I have no cupboards in my room....yet) but I think the bugs from the bed have invaded them so I'm not wearing those for the moment! Welcome to my world :(
Well on the :) side, I'm eating the pineapple tarts Melania made. Tastes great!
Wow I got lots of emails responding to my blog. I'll try and answer everyone but as more time is spent in studies and at Immigration Dept., you'll have to excuse me if I don't.
My room is slowly taking shape - well actually my toilet first. Thanks to Irene I got the broken faucet fixed, then had the new shower curtains up; and finally the shelves. Now it's alot more spacious and dry: I can actually change my clothes in it!! yeeaaaaahhhh! Next thing is to do my bedroom..... but it looks like it'll take another 8 months before anything can be realised. I'll have to get used to opening 12 suitcases to find fresh clothes to wear everyday. Well, not exactly true: I do have some clothes stacked on the floor (for those of you who do not yet know, I have no cupboards in my room....yet) but I think the bugs from the bed have invaded them so I'm not wearing those for the moment! Welcome to my world :(
Well on the :) side, I'm eating the pineapple tarts Melania made. Tastes great!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Remembering you in my prayers
Just a note for those who have looked into my calendar. Some of you have given me Mass intentions and these I have allocated the dates and as much as possible the Sanctuary where it will be celebrated. I live in the Flagellation Monastery which has in its compound two sanctuaries: the Chapel of the Flagellation (where Christ was flagellated and had the Crown of Thorns put on his head) and the Condemnation Chapel (2nd Station of the Cross; Christ carries his cross). For more info see http://198.62.75.5/www1/ofm/sbf/SBFarea.html and http://198.62.75.5/www1/jsc/TVCstatn02.html
Every Sunday I try my best to go to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (where Mt Calvary and the Tomb of Christ is preserved) to remember EVERYONE at Mass.
For Nov & Dec 2007, you might find your name on certain days though you never asked me for prayers. I've added them because I want to thank as many of you as possible who have supported me all these years. I cannot remember everyone of you by name, so apologies if you do not find your name during these two months. But it does not mean that I have forgotten you. You can write me if you want as I'm still updating the calendar. But remember every Sunday I still pray for you. Once Jan 2008 begins, I'll be very busy and will limit the names to those who specifically ask for prayers. But for the rest, remembering you at Sunday Mass still stays for all of you.
Every Sunday I try my best to go to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (where Mt Calvary and the Tomb of Christ is preserved) to remember EVERYONE at Mass.
For Nov & Dec 2007, you might find your name on certain days though you never asked me for prayers. I've added them because I want to thank as many of you as possible who have supported me all these years. I cannot remember everyone of you by name, so apologies if you do not find your name during these two months. But it does not mean that I have forgotten you. You can write me if you want as I'm still updating the calendar. But remember every Sunday I still pray for you. Once Jan 2008 begins, I'll be very busy and will limit the names to those who specifically ask for prayers. But for the rest, remembering you at Sunday Mass still stays for all of you.
Bircat Cohanim - Succot 5768
This is the priestly blessing performed at the Wailing Wall on the Feast of Tabernacles, 2007. Our group of 30 pilgrims was present for this unique and touching event.
Monday, October 22, 2007
The 12 hour flight to Israel was exhausting as I couldn't sleep a wink. But things sort of evened out because I managed to get a 1 month visa to stay in Israel, and none of my luggage was opened (the last time I had stuff stolen). Arrived at my home in the Old City, but couldn't unlock the gate as someone stuffed sand into the keyhole. After trying for half an hour, my driver and I gave up - partly out of fear as a crowd of youths were gathering around us. You wouldn't want that to happen in the Old City after midnight, believe me! I also forgot the phone number of the house so I couldn't wake anyone up to unlock the gates. So the driver and I decided I should put up in a hotel till dawn. Only problem was all the hotels were fully booked. Luckily the kind staff at Novotel - Nafez and Amin, whom I know well, helped me contact some 8 other hotels till they finally found a room for me at the far end of Jerusalem New City. It was already 2.30am. Anyway at 6am I called for our faithful handyman Jadallah to fetch me back to the Old City. And so begins another episode of my journey in the Holyland; another set of footprints in the much trodden roads of Jerusalem.
Sunday 21st was traumatic - I had to say goodbye to my two boys Rex and Regis. Rex is tough and he'll be ok alone. But poor Regis is so attached to me. I never had a more obedient dog than Regis - loyal, protective and fun. He'll be adopted into a good home and he'll be loved, I know. It's a little consolation for me, but nothing can replace the joy of having raised him up as a 7 week puppy, caring for him when he was fatally ill, watching him grow into the strong handsome boy that he is today. Regis, don't forget me.
Saturday 20th was an exceptional day as 25 relatives and friends of Fr Allegra came to visit the Studium. 8 of them are immediate relatives - nephews and nieces of Fr Allegra's younger brother. They were visibly touched when they saw the chapel he used to pray in, the workplace where he wrote the commentary on the pslam before he died, his bedroom and his beloved library. Fr Giancarlo, their group leader presided at Mass in the Studium chapel. Then they joined in a lovely lunch in the garden. Unfortunately I don't have any photos with me but you can visit the latest news at the Studium website (http://www.sbofmhk.org/) for lots of photos.
A word from the Allegra family - Grazie di cuore per la vostra disponibilita, per la gentilezza che ci avete riservato, per la semplicita dell'accoglienza. Grazie per aver rispettato e conservato la presenza e il lavoro di nostro zio in questi luoghi. 20-10-2007. Famiglia Allegra.
(Heartfelt thanks for your availability and kindness that you have showed us, for the simple welcome. Thanks for having respected and preserved the presence and work of our uncle in these places.)
A word from the Allegra family - Grazie di cuore per la vostra disponibilita, per la gentilezza che ci avete riservato, per la semplicita dell'accoglienza. Grazie per aver rispettato e conservato la presenza e il lavoro di nostro zio in questi luoghi. 20-10-2007. Famiglia Allegra.
(Heartfelt thanks for your availability and kindness that you have showed us, for the simple welcome. Thanks for having respected and preserved the presence and work of our uncle in these places.)
Friday, October 19, 2007
Hi! It's been 4 weeks since my arrival in Israel. And I've been keeping everyone in my prayers as promised. You can check out the calendar regarding the dates and places that you have asked me to pray for your intentions. Meanwhile school has also started so I'm busy revising my Greek philology with Fr Marcello Buscemi every Friday.
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