Autumn is coming

Spent most of yesterday at Terra Santa College doing some work. It was good to get some fresh air away from the Old City. Was told that there was a fight at Stephen's Gate after the afternoon Muslim prayers when the crowds were going out of the mosque. Vendors selling sweets had their wares thrown into the air.

Though I've always known it, it did struck me that Muslim schools close on Sundays. It reminded of the day when we heard Pope John Paul II died. All the muslim schools in the Old City closed in respect, and even some shops closed. It was touching to see how much the muslims respected the pope.

Yesterday was also the Feast of Mary's birth. Traditionally the Franciscans go to St Anne's Church (Bethesda Pool or Sheeps' Pool with the 5 porticoes where Jesus healed the paralytic - see John's Gospel) where tradition says Mary was born to Anne and Joachim, to celebrate a solemn Mass. The French ambassador was present at the Mass, as the church belongs to the French government - a gift from the Turkish overlords a century back.

Meanwhile groups after groups of Italians and Spaniards are flooding the Old City in pilgrimage - as well as Russain Orthodox who no longer require a visa to enter Israel. It's very crowded - adding to the Ramadan crush.

Everyone has noticed how the weather changed - it's chilly in the nights and mornings now. Autumn is falling on us quickly and some say this winter will be extra cold. But the days remain very hot and humid.

Padre Pio's feast will soon be round the corner. Here's a thought from him: "In meditation, it is the soul that speaks to God. In reading, it is God who speaks to the soul."