Reaction to the pope's visit to the Holyland is mixed. Generally everyone welcomes him but there are some dissenting voices. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710820961&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meanwhile more Palestinian houses are being demolished. That's not a good sign. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8016258.stm
And level 5 has been raised for the mexican flu ... bad sign too. It's amazing how western countries have not learnt from the Asian flu crisis. Govt.s are still relaxed about face-masks and border-crossings .... very unlike the asian countries who have now enforced high alert measures. Well the price to pay is human lives. I hear that a close down would worsen the economic crisis but hey ..... economics is more important than human lives? There'll be not much of an economy when everyone dies. Was man made for the sabbath or the sabbath for man?
Second day into my prednisolone regime. The wheezing has reduced significantly but I still get up at 3am coughing and gasping. Fr Paul Sun the chinese priest some of you sponsored to study here in Israel, comes every other day to do foot reflexology on me - concentrating on the lungs and bronchial acupressure points.
Fr Vincenzo is very busy and only wrote me a couple of lines to say he'll update on the sponsorship of children in Musky soon.
And the canaries - it's boom time. The 4 breeding cages have a total of 16 eggs. Then in the large cage there're 9 eggs in one nest although I put 3 nests in there. 2 females squeeze to brood all the eggs in one nest. It's a funny sight - one sitting on top of another. I tried to remove some eggs to another nest but they refuse to move to the new nest. So anyway if all goes well, we'll have 25 baby canaries for the first batch. The other friars here are already planning what to do to them - the consensus being to sell them or exchange them for canary food.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Independence Day
Today is Independence Day. At midnight last night fireworks lighted the sky of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It's a national holiday today so we expect alot of crowds in the Old City - which can be pretty tense as the Palestinian community sees it as a day of occupation. Police and soldiers everywhere.
And not all Israelis celebrate Independence Day. Orthodox Jews see it as an apostasy - a diviation from the Bible and God's teaching because it is not God's will to have a state without the Messiah. The modern state, according to this view, is based on Zionism which is human effort, not Divine Will. The newspapers report this - eg the call not to pray for the State - but of course the media will try to play it down. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710806422&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And like I said earlier, we have 2 cases of "Mexican" flu which means everyone ought to be careful of crowded places - but I don't believe anyone will take notice of health precautions here in this land. It's a way of life to be defiant here so I think it'll spread like wildfire but never gets reported. Just think of the thousands celebrating Independence Day in the streets, parks, beaches ....... It's a virus' paradise out here!
And not all Israelis celebrate Independence Day. Orthodox Jews see it as an apostasy - a diviation from the Bible and God's teaching because it is not God's will to have a state without the Messiah. The modern state, according to this view, is based on Zionism which is human effort, not Divine Will. The newspapers report this - eg the call not to pray for the State - but of course the media will try to play it down. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710806422&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And like I said earlier, we have 2 cases of "Mexican" flu which means everyone ought to be careful of crowded places - but I don't believe anyone will take notice of health precautions here in this land. It's a way of life to be defiant here so I think it'll spread like wildfire but never gets reported. Just think of the thousands celebrating Independence Day in the streets, parks, beaches ....... It's a virus' paradise out here!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
prednisolone
So I began my prednisolone (got the spelling right this time) course. For the record this is self help, so if there're any docs out there, give me some advice. I'm basing this on my own experience of taking pred for several years.
Started today on 20mg twice a day for two days; wean off to 15mg twice a day for two days, 10mg twice a day for two days and 5mg twice a day for one day; and then one a day for two days.
Started today on 20mg twice a day for two days; wean off to 15mg twice a day for two days, 10mg twice a day for two days and 5mg twice a day for one day; and then one a day for two days.
Remembrance Day
So Israel as reported it's first case of swine flu. I wonder what will happen to those people coming from affected countries who want to join in the Pope's visit to Israel. Will they be barred? And "pig" is offensive to Jews and Muslims, so the Israeli Deputy Health Minister suggested calling it "Mexico Flu". A diplomatic row is now broiling between the 2 countries!
Today is Remembrance Day - Israelis remember those who fell during the war and violence. The siren sounded last night at 8pm and again this morning at 11am. Everyone stopped for a minute's silence. I was in Terra Santa College and when I left for home at 3.45pm I saw many people and cars draped with the israeli flag. There was a handicap lady on a mobile tricycle with an israeli flag tied behind. As I was about to cross the road, I heard a bang and we (several israeli school girls were also at the red lights) turn and saw the tricycle toppled over the lady on the road. We rushed over. Several motorists also stopped to help. We got the tricycle upright and a couple of strong guys carried the lady back on it. She was ok but thank goodness it was a red light otherwise the crazy traffic would have run her over.
Walked the rest of the way home. I'm still ravaged with this aweful asthma, red sore eyes and running nose - not swine flu I hope .... it's more like hay fever. Too much pollen and dust. Don't feel good at all. Am contemplating taking prednesolene. It's my last drastic step to stop this asthma.
Today is Remembrance Day - Israelis remember those who fell during the war and violence. The siren sounded last night at 8pm and again this morning at 11am. Everyone stopped for a minute's silence. I was in Terra Santa College and when I left for home at 3.45pm I saw many people and cars draped with the israeli flag. There was a handicap lady on a mobile tricycle with an israeli flag tied behind. As I was about to cross the road, I heard a bang and we (several israeli school girls were also at the red lights) turn and saw the tricycle toppled over the lady on the road. We rushed over. Several motorists also stopped to help. We got the tricycle upright and a couple of strong guys carried the lady back on it. She was ok but thank goodness it was a red light otherwise the crazy traffic would have run her over.
Walked the rest of the way home. I'm still ravaged with this aweful asthma, red sore eyes and running nose - not swine flu I hope .... it's more like hay fever. Too much pollen and dust. Don't feel good at all. Am contemplating taking prednesolene. It's my last drastic step to stop this asthma.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Swine flu
Swine flu is suspected here in Israel with one man from the Netanya city being quarantined and careully checked to confirm if it is, or not. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710785388&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
I wonder how Israel will cope with this as I doubt people will want to wear masks in the streets - it's this defiant attitude in life here that'll be the downfall of any preventive measure of a public contagion.
My asthma is certainly not good - yesterday was one of the worst I've ever had. And I've got this cramp in my stomach that makes coughing painful. Will see the doc this morning. I think I'll have to use prednesone, much as I dislike to.
The weather is still unstable, with a fiery sun up by 4.30am but a very cold wind still blowing. This will not help the flu situation.
OK, it's back to work again. Must try to finish my paper by this week.
I wonder how Israel will cope with this as I doubt people will want to wear masks in the streets - it's this defiant attitude in life here that'll be the downfall of any preventive measure of a public contagion.
My asthma is certainly not good - yesterday was one of the worst I've ever had. And I've got this cramp in my stomach that makes coughing painful. Will see the doc this morning. I think I'll have to use prednesone, much as I dislike to.
The weather is still unstable, with a fiery sun up by 4.30am but a very cold wind still blowing. This will not help the flu situation.
OK, it's back to work again. Must try to finish my paper by this week.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
3rd Sunday of Easter
Yesterday was another day of strange weather - the sun was up and hot but the wind was freezing cold, like between 17-20 degrees. Many people are coming down with flu and cold as a result. And it's very draining - it makes everyone so tired and listless. I tried to do some reading and writing in the morning (after the 40 minute cleaning of the 5 bird cages; which by the way there're 13 eggs among the canaries now) but was so tired I slept after lunch for half an hour. Got up and went off to the Holy Sepulchre at 3pm, but decided to stay on and help in the sacristy. The inauguration of the new Curia building (that's the central admin. building of the friars here in the Holyland) was at 6.30pm so I went there at 5.45pm with Alessandro, an italian lay volunteer. He's leaving in June.
The new curia building is very beautiful. It's simple in design, but clean and linear, with stone and wood as its charateristic material. It's also bright, with lots of skylights in order to save on electricity and lots of solar panels as well.
After that there was a barbeque in the terrace of the new curia building. It was simple but great food, with about some 100 friars from around the Holyland gathered - so the company was great. But the colc wind was blowing and I was getting sick so I left for home early.
Then this morning at 4am I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. It was relatively quiet but definitely cold.
Well thus passes the 3rd weekend of Easter. The readings are still recalling the resurrection experience of the apostles and how they responded to it. What does Christ's resurrection mean to you? Please don't turn to those fast talking preachers for answers - man, you won't get any more wrong!
Right now I'm listening to Joseph Prince on the internet - and the garbage he churns out ... oh please learn so theology and church history and biblical languages. It's incredible how many people actually believe his mistakes. Take this one which he's speaking right now - he says Matthew is symbolised by the lion, Mark by the bull, Luke by the man and John by the eagle. Anyone who knows church history and liturgical symbolism knows how wrong he is. And he's been bashing the church about walking in the wilderness of ritualism and manmade laws for 1000 years until God sent Martin Luther to bring the victim laity to the promised land of grace and salvation.
The new curia building is very beautiful. It's simple in design, but clean and linear, with stone and wood as its charateristic material. It's also bright, with lots of skylights in order to save on electricity and lots of solar panels as well.
After that there was a barbeque in the terrace of the new curia building. It was simple but great food, with about some 100 friars from around the Holyland gathered - so the company was great. But the colc wind was blowing and I was getting sick so I left for home early.
Then this morning at 4am I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. It was relatively quiet but definitely cold.
Well thus passes the 3rd weekend of Easter. The readings are still recalling the resurrection experience of the apostles and how they responded to it. What does Christ's resurrection mean to you? Please don't turn to those fast talking preachers for answers - man, you won't get any more wrong!
Right now I'm listening to Joseph Prince on the internet - and the garbage he churns out ... oh please learn so theology and church history and biblical languages. It's incredible how many people actually believe his mistakes. Take this one which he's speaking right now - he says Matthew is symbolised by the lion, Mark by the bull, Luke by the man and John by the eagle. Anyone who knows church history and liturgical symbolism knows how wrong he is. And he's been bashing the church about walking in the wilderness of ritualism and manmade laws for 1000 years until God sent Martin Luther to bring the victim laity to the promised land of grace and salvation.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Little old lady
The weather changed very suddenly last night. The temperature fell to 14 degrees and the sky is a dreadful yellow with dust so thick you can't even see the Mt. of Olives from our terrace. My right eye is swollen 4 days straight because of the dust. And everyone feels so lethargic, several are even ill.
And because of the terrible dust level in the air, I've been hit 4 nights straight with asthma at 1am or thereabouts. Absolutely no sleep. So you can imagine my exhaustion on this 4th day.
It's Friday - I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass at 4pm, so I couldn't join the Way of the Cross. I passed by the 8th Station and saw, as I usually do when I pass by that way, the shop that sells "frozen" food. I've been meaning to write this for a long time. I say "frozen" because in the night all the stuff is kept in the deep freeze. But during the day, it's laid out without chilling/refrigeration on the streetside - it thaws for the next 9 hours, and if it's not bought, it goes back to the deep freeze for the night and taken out again the next day .... cycle. Each time I pass there, I look at the sausages, schnitzels, chicken drumsticks and I say "Boy, the germs are having a party". The shopkeeper always looks back - he doesn't understand what I say, thank goodness!
Anyway at the Holy Sepulchre I met my former superior Fr Carlo who's now stationed in Palermo and is bringing a group on a pilgrimage. Then I also met Fr Ladislaw the superior of the Holy Sepulchre back in 1992. He could recognise me and called out my name, even after 15 years of not seeing each other. He looks good and healthy. I'm happy for him. Also at the Holy Sepulchre I met the little old lady - I really mean "little, like she's shrunk down to 3 feet, no joke. And she's legally blind. I've seen her around at the Holy Sepulchre and sometimes found her a seat if she's left to stand when huge crowds come to our church.
Today she got to speak to me. She was carrying a plastic bag of little souvenirs: holy cards and book marks and such. She's selling them to the friars in the Holy Sepulchre in the hope of making a little money to survive and to see the doctor for her eyes. But the friars don't have the time to sell the stuff to people who come to the Sepulchre - they're overworked as they are. So she asked me if I could help her sell her stuff. Could I say no? Anyway some of you have offered money for the poor in the Holyland - I'll give her US$300 from it so she can see the doc next week, ok?
And because of the terrible dust level in the air, I've been hit 4 nights straight with asthma at 1am or thereabouts. Absolutely no sleep. So you can imagine my exhaustion on this 4th day.
It's Friday - I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass at 4pm, so I couldn't join the Way of the Cross. I passed by the 8th Station and saw, as I usually do when I pass by that way, the shop that sells "frozen" food. I've been meaning to write this for a long time. I say "frozen" because in the night all the stuff is kept in the deep freeze. But during the day, it's laid out without chilling/refrigeration on the streetside - it thaws for the next 9 hours, and if it's not bought, it goes back to the deep freeze for the night and taken out again the next day .... cycle. Each time I pass there, I look at the sausages, schnitzels, chicken drumsticks and I say "Boy, the germs are having a party". The shopkeeper always looks back - he doesn't understand what I say, thank goodness!
Anyway at the Holy Sepulchre I met my former superior Fr Carlo who's now stationed in Palermo and is bringing a group on a pilgrimage. Then I also met Fr Ladislaw the superior of the Holy Sepulchre back in 1992. He could recognise me and called out my name, even after 15 years of not seeing each other. He looks good and healthy. I'm happy for him. Also at the Holy Sepulchre I met the little old lady - I really mean "little, like she's shrunk down to 3 feet, no joke. And she's legally blind. I've seen her around at the Holy Sepulchre and sometimes found her a seat if she's left to stand when huge crowds come to our church.
Today she got to speak to me. She was carrying a plastic bag of little souvenirs: holy cards and book marks and such. She's selling them to the friars in the Holy Sepulchre in the hope of making a little money to survive and to see the doctor for her eyes. But the friars don't have the time to sell the stuff to people who come to the Sepulchre - they're overworked as they are. So she asked me if I could help her sell her stuff. Could I say no? Anyway some of you have offered money for the poor in the Holyland - I'll give her US$300 from it so she can see the doc next week, ok?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
New Sponsorship: Abdel Masih
Abdel Masih RUMANI SAYYED
DoB: 27 January 2009
Benefactors: Benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: The father of Abdel Masih was originally from Der Abu Hinnis, in Upper Egypt. The family moved to Cairo in the hope of finding a better economic situation. It was a delusion. Rumani, the father married young, and makes a living as a street vendor. He does not have a proper house. Like many others, he comes to the Franciscans for some help, since their own churches offer little. One must understand the great number of poor people living in Cairo. Mary, the mother of Abdel Masih, is a pleasant girl. She was no more than 20 yrs old when she was pregnant. She is still breastfeeding the baby, but she produces little milk hence baby Abdel Masih suffers from intestinal problems. The baby now needs special powdered milk that his parents cannot afford.
DoB: 27 January 2009
Benefactors: Benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: The father of Abdel Masih was originally from Der Abu Hinnis, in Upper Egypt. The family moved to Cairo in the hope of finding a better economic situation. It was a delusion. Rumani, the father married young, and makes a living as a street vendor. He does not have a proper house. Like many others, he comes to the Franciscans for some help, since their own churches offer little. One must understand the great number of poor people living in Cairo. Mary, the mother of Abdel Masih, is a pleasant girl. She was no more than 20 yrs old when she was pregnant. She is still breastfeeding the baby, but she produces little milk hence baby Abdel Masih suffers from intestinal problems. The baby now needs special powdered milk that his parents cannot afford.
Siloam protest
The ancient hill south of the present Old City is archaeologically known to be the site of Jerusalem in the time of King David and includes many new discoveries including the Siloam Pool where the blind man was cured. However the Israeli authority's move to demolish many arab homes in order to build an archaeological park there has drawn protests from the arab inhabitants. There was a strike several weeks back as part of the protest. Tensions in the Old City no doubt is embroiled in this as well.
I'm sure excavations there will bring to light many many interesting discoveries; but we must never forget that there are arab families living on top of it. Where will they go when they are evicted? If their houses were illegally built, then at least the municipality should consider giving them alternative housing. Human lives cost more than stones. I'm just wondering aloud if the Jerusalem municipality would do the same in West Jerusalem? http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710752849&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
I'm sure excavations there will bring to light many many interesting discoveries; but we must never forget that there are arab families living on top of it. Where will they go when they are evicted? If their houses were illegally built, then at least the municipality should consider giving them alternative housing. Human lives cost more than stones. I'm just wondering aloud if the Jerusalem municipality would do the same in West Jerusalem? http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710752849&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Holocaust Day
Yesterday was Holocaust Day. The sirens sounded for a minute's silence. Some people wore black. It was a day of remembrance of the victims of the Nazi holocaust during the II World War. But remembering the past should also produce positive action that no more discrimination and persecution of any other race or religion should ever occur again. The past must not be manipulated.
We're experiencing a terrible dust storm for the past few days. The sky is foggy with minute sand particles and it irritates the eyes. Mine are all red from rubbing the itch. And the weather is awefully hot and dry. Many people have fallen sick as a result.
For the past 2 days I've been knocked out from exhaustion - worked during the day but by 5pm I'm so braindead I fall asleep and missed dinner 2 days in a row. No more energy left. Could it be the medicine's side effects?
The breeding canaries now feel secure being housed inside the school corridor at night without the cats attacking it. 3 pairs have now laid eggs. The red factors have 4; the 1st pair of rollers have 4 and last night the 2nd pair of rollers laid 2 but she threw one out.
The streets appear normal at our place, but you can tell the few christians living in this muslim quarter are nervous, just like the rest of the religious. Can the pope's visit help to quell the violence in our neighbourhood? http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710753010&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
We're experiencing a terrible dust storm for the past few days. The sky is foggy with minute sand particles and it irritates the eyes. Mine are all red from rubbing the itch. And the weather is awefully hot and dry. Many people have fallen sick as a result.
For the past 2 days I've been knocked out from exhaustion - worked during the day but by 5pm I'm so braindead I fall asleep and missed dinner 2 days in a row. No more energy left. Could it be the medicine's side effects?
The breeding canaries now feel secure being housed inside the school corridor at night without the cats attacking it. 3 pairs have now laid eggs. The red factors have 4; the 1st pair of rollers have 4 and last night the 2nd pair of rollers laid 2 but she threw one out.
The streets appear normal at our place, but you can tell the few christians living in this muslim quarter are nervous, just like the rest of the religious. Can the pope's visit help to quell the violence in our neighbourhood? http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710753010&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Monday, April 20, 2009
Chinese dinner
The red factors (canaries that is - they're red in colour) have started their first clutch of 4 eggs. The house was talking about the need to introduce new genes into our flock otherwise inbreeding would result in too many casualties. So we bought a pair of red factors (that's their proper breed name). They're not young and have been kept as breeders; so that's why they were pretty expert in making a nest and laying 4 eggs within the 1st week. One other pair (rollers - that's their breed name) has just bore 2 eggs this morning. Goes to show that keeping indoors at night away from the cats reduces the stress and they can start breeding now. The other two roller pairs are pretty slow - maybe they're mismatched. We'll have to change the females in a couple of days if they still don't have eggs.
Yesterday was Divine Mercy Sunday. Our sisters belong to that congregation (St Faustina et al with their funny bonnets and long veils). They got the Patriarch to preside at the Mass in the patriarchal co-cathedral (the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre being the main cathedral) and many priests concelebrated. In attendance were many sisters from other congregations and lots of Polish laity. I didn't want to go (the Mass was at 4pm) but wanted to go to the Holy Sepulchre instead. But the dean caught me on his way to the Mass and said I should go as I always help the sisters in the kitchen - washing and cleaning - every night. Still wasn't convinced so I went to the Holy Sepulchre, found it crowded with Orthodox; so changed my mind and went to the co-cathedral instead. The patriarch preached the homily, switching from italian to english - and reminded Christ's promise to Faustina that on this feast He would forgive all sins and remove all temporal punishment if the faithful went to confession - to show his Divine Mercy. Stayed till after the creed then went back to the Holy Sepulchre for the daily procession. Good thing I did as there were only 3 friars in the procession and lots of french diocesan clergy who didn't know the Status Quo rules. We did a good job in the procession - belting out the hymns that was often drowned out by the Orthodox pilgrims chatter. Insufferable. Sr Ann played the organ. I love the procession. The hymns are so beautiful, especially the Gaude Virgo Maria. Magnificent.
The friars then asked me to go up to the refectory for a drink - something I had not done for 3 years when the former superior didn't welcome anyone outside the community from visiting. It was good to be back in the monastery there. Everyone said welcome back - and I really felt back home again. The Holy Sepulchre is always so special to me and I hope I can be sent here one day. Sr Ann came up for a drink also, and she was insisting (as she'd be doing for the past 3 years) that I should request to transfer to the Holy Sepulchre as I enjoy doing service in there.... and I do a great job too!
After that I went home to pick up Fr Massimo our Hebrew / Syriac professor to go out for dinner at the Chinese restaurant. The guys working there have been calling me to say they have not seen or heard from me for almost 8 months. So as a sort of belated birthday dinner, I ordered Hor Fun, diced chicken with cashews and toufu-veggies. And I had spicy and sour soup as well. It was good to eat a warm chinese meal after this long while. And a tranquil meal away from the tensions and violence of the Old City.
Yesterday was Divine Mercy Sunday. Our sisters belong to that congregation (St Faustina et al with their funny bonnets and long veils). They got the Patriarch to preside at the Mass in the patriarchal co-cathedral (the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre being the main cathedral) and many priests concelebrated. In attendance were many sisters from other congregations and lots of Polish laity. I didn't want to go (the Mass was at 4pm) but wanted to go to the Holy Sepulchre instead. But the dean caught me on his way to the Mass and said I should go as I always help the sisters in the kitchen - washing and cleaning - every night. Still wasn't convinced so I went to the Holy Sepulchre, found it crowded with Orthodox; so changed my mind and went to the co-cathedral instead. The patriarch preached the homily, switching from italian to english - and reminded Christ's promise to Faustina that on this feast He would forgive all sins and remove all temporal punishment if the faithful went to confession - to show his Divine Mercy. Stayed till after the creed then went back to the Holy Sepulchre for the daily procession. Good thing I did as there were only 3 friars in the procession and lots of french diocesan clergy who didn't know the Status Quo rules. We did a good job in the procession - belting out the hymns that was often drowned out by the Orthodox pilgrims chatter. Insufferable. Sr Ann played the organ. I love the procession. The hymns are so beautiful, especially the Gaude Virgo Maria. Magnificent.
The friars then asked me to go up to the refectory for a drink - something I had not done for 3 years when the former superior didn't welcome anyone outside the community from visiting. It was good to be back in the monastery there. Everyone said welcome back - and I really felt back home again. The Holy Sepulchre is always so special to me and I hope I can be sent here one day. Sr Ann came up for a drink also, and she was insisting (as she'd be doing for the past 3 years) that I should request to transfer to the Holy Sepulchre as I enjoy doing service in there.... and I do a great job too!
After that I went home to pick up Fr Massimo our Hebrew / Syriac professor to go out for dinner at the Chinese restaurant. The guys working there have been calling me to say they have not seen or heard from me for almost 8 months. So as a sort of belated birthday dinner, I ordered Hor Fun, diced chicken with cashews and toufu-veggies. And I had spicy and sour soup as well. It was good to eat a warm chinese meal after this long while. And a tranquil meal away from the tensions and violence of the Old City.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Terrorist attempt
Yesterday a terrible terrorist attempt was made in front on our monastery. At about 5pm a muslim terrorist came passed our monastery on his way to the 3rd Station crossroads where Jews were going to the Wailing Wall to pray. As he came pass our monastery, Fr Lino, our septuagenarian professor emeritus was coming home. He got pushed to the ground and his hand was cut by the knife the guy was carrying. The guy then went on to Ecce Homo and struck 2 Indian pilgrims before rushing on to the 3rd Station where soldiers over-powered him. It was lucky that Fr Lino was not seriously hurt. But we were all shocked by this event.
The enormous bells (Orthodox) of the Holy Sepulchre are all ringing right now as I write - signaling the Resurrection (It's Easter Vigil for the Orthodox today). The Sacred Fire that "appears" in the Empty Tomb is carried out by the Orthodox Patriarchs (Greek, Armenian, Coptic and Syriac) to the faithful who literally fight for it. But despite this Easter rejoicing, the fact is that we're still living in hatred and fear; in persecution and terrorism. We believe the death and resurrection of Christ has overcomed all this evil, but it takes time for it to unfold.
Yesterday the Holy Sepulchre bells belonging to the Greek Orthodox were tolling the death knell (Good Friday) ... even into the night. Very foreboding because the neighbours' damn cat killed our 2nd canary last night - this time it's little jughead. The cat grabbed its leg through the net and ate it. Poor little jughead died bleeding. And it's the 2nd time the cat(s) has done this. The night before, the cats jumped on one of the breeding cages and threw it down on the floor, smashing the feeding troughs and the nest with 2 eggs in it. All the other birds were scared and refused to eat the whole day. I had to keep them inside the school last night; but that's when the cat(s) got little jughead, who was in the large cage in the courtyard. Last week the cat(s) got one of our yellow males. Same thing - had a leg missing. Everyone here has agreed something drastic has to be done with the cat(s) - there're actually 3 of them.
The enormous bells (Orthodox) of the Holy Sepulchre are all ringing right now as I write - signaling the Resurrection (It's Easter Vigil for the Orthodox today). The Sacred Fire that "appears" in the Empty Tomb is carried out by the Orthodox Patriarchs (Greek, Armenian, Coptic and Syriac) to the faithful who literally fight for it. But despite this Easter rejoicing, the fact is that we're still living in hatred and fear; in persecution and terrorism. We believe the death and resurrection of Christ has overcomed all this evil, but it takes time for it to unfold.
Yesterday the Holy Sepulchre bells belonging to the Greek Orthodox were tolling the death knell (Good Friday) ... even into the night. Very foreboding because the neighbours' damn cat killed our 2nd canary last night - this time it's little jughead. The cat grabbed its leg through the net and ate it. Poor little jughead died bleeding. And it's the 2nd time the cat(s) has done this. The night before, the cats jumped on one of the breeding cages and threw it down on the floor, smashing the feeding troughs and the nest with 2 eggs in it. All the other birds were scared and refused to eat the whole day. I had to keep them inside the school last night; but that's when the cat(s) got little jughead, who was in the large cage in the courtyard. Last week the cat(s) got one of our yellow males. Same thing - had a leg missing. Everyone here has agreed something drastic has to be done with the cat(s) - there're actually 3 of them.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Collecting eggs
So it was a very tense day here in the Old City. The jewish Passover ended last night and it's Simchat Torah today. Unfortunately the call for jews to enter the Dome of the Rock (where the ancient Temple used to stand) today to pray has raised alarm among the muslims who began to protest. Police everywhere, soldiers too. Terrible tense. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710704144&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And today is also Maundy Thursday for the Orthodox. They're packing the Old City - those little old ladies with their foldable chairs. To prevent another annual fight among the various Orthodox communities and their processions, police are also out in full force in the Holy Sepulchre. It looks terrible, riot police with guns and shields inside a church. I wanna get a photo of it!
And I haven't quite slept off my exhaustion. I'm a zombie shuffling between the library and my room and the courtyard of the canaries. This morning Majed our watchman and Jadallah brought me to our hidden garden - it's a piece of property behind our monastery that's always locked up. It's really big, almost an entire block of open space surrounded by a greek orthodox church on the east and houses on all other sides. And .... Majed has decided to keep chickens in there. There're about 8 of them and about a dozen chicks. This morning we went to collect eggs - 6 in all, pretty small but considering what little the hens get to eat, it's a miracle. I'll boil 3 for the canaries to eat tomorrow and maybe I just might fry one for myself later ( or rather early in the morning like 3am, that's the only time i get to use the students' kitchen in the school).
Meantime the zombie is getting back to what zombie's do... which is whatever that's done in true blue braindead fashion.
And today is also Maundy Thursday for the Orthodox. They're packing the Old City - those little old ladies with their foldable chairs. To prevent another annual fight among the various Orthodox communities and their processions, police are also out in full force in the Holy Sepulchre. It looks terrible, riot police with guns and shields inside a church. I wanna get a photo of it!
And I haven't quite slept off my exhaustion. I'm a zombie shuffling between the library and my room and the courtyard of the canaries. This morning Majed our watchman and Jadallah brought me to our hidden garden - it's a piece of property behind our monastery that's always locked up. It's really big, almost an entire block of open space surrounded by a greek orthodox church on the east and houses on all other sides. And .... Majed has decided to keep chickens in there. There're about 8 of them and about a dozen chicks. This morning we went to collect eggs - 6 in all, pretty small but considering what little the hens get to eat, it's a miracle. I'll boil 3 for the canaries to eat tomorrow and maybe I just might fry one for myself later ( or rather early in the morning like 3am, that's the only time i get to use the students' kitchen in the school).
Meantime the zombie is getting back to what zombie's do... which is whatever that's done in true blue braindead fashion.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Go Susan go!
Just when I'm crawling out of my sluggish hibernation from that incredible tiredness (Fr Giorgio caught me in the library and said I still haven't slept enough), I went through the BBC news and caught this article on Susan Boyle http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7999727.stm .... visited the Youtube posting and WOW!!! Like man! WOW!!!
And I thought Paul Potts was a whammer ... here is the country girl Susan Boyle!!! Watch it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Like most of the comments posted say - don't judge a book by its cover! She is fantastic! Go for it, girl! You could see Piers had a lump in his throat, and Amanda was going to cry. It said it all - everyone was a hypocrite who prejudged her before she sang.
But even greater that Susan was that priceless smile of Simon - you didn't even see him smile at the Paul Potts audition till the end, but here you see him raise his eyebrows in the first few seconds, and then that smile throughout the song. He was impressed. Someone finally made nasty Simon smile .... Catch him at 4.04 when Susan catches his eyes and he breaks out in a grin. For that few seconds you could see her eyes saying "You didn't think I can do it, did you?"
Susan is amazing! She proves that each and everyone of you has something great hidden and all it takes is a lucky break. You are better than you think you are. God created you for greater things. So go for it, people! Susan is proof of it!
And I thought Paul Potts was a whammer ... here is the country girl Susan Boyle!!! Watch it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Like most of the comments posted say - don't judge a book by its cover! She is fantastic! Go for it, girl! You could see Piers had a lump in his throat, and Amanda was going to cry. It said it all - everyone was a hypocrite who prejudged her before she sang.
But even greater that Susan was that priceless smile of Simon - you didn't even see him smile at the Paul Potts audition till the end, but here you see him raise his eyebrows in the first few seconds, and then that smile throughout the song. He was impressed. Someone finally made nasty Simon smile .... Catch him at 4.04 when Susan catches his eyes and he breaks out in a grin. For that few seconds you could see her eyes saying "You didn't think I can do it, did you?"
Susan is amazing! She proves that each and everyone of you has something great hidden and all it takes is a lucky break. You are better than you think you are. God created you for greater things. So go for it, people! Susan is proof of it!
Important!
Just a note to all of you who intend to send by mail your donations to the various projects here in the Holyland - DON'T !
Here in our part of Jerusalem, mail theft is very common. Only last month one such case occurred here inside our monastery. Mail not only go missing but sometimes we find them opened with contents partly or totally missing.
So please don't send anything important through the mail. Thanks.
Here in our part of Jerusalem, mail theft is very common. Only last month one such case occurred here inside our monastery. Mail not only go missing but sometimes we find them opened with contents partly or totally missing.
So please don't send anything important through the mail. Thanks.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Thanks
Thanks for all your greetings, cards, gifts and well-wishes. I received everything and appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers.
Also on behalf of the various communities, I wish to thank all those who contributed for the various intentions:
1. Sponsorship of children in Musky (Cairo) = US$1,300
2. Gaza = US$2,986
3. Holyland = US$1,343
4. Projects = US$2,302
5. Sponsorship of chinese clergy studying in Jerusalem = US$1,000
Also on behalf of the various communities, I wish to thank all those who contributed for the various intentions:
1. Sponsorship of children in Musky (Cairo) = US$1,300
2. Gaza = US$2,986
3. Holyland = US$1,343
4. Projects = US$2,302
5. Sponsorship of chinese clergy studying in Jerusalem = US$1,000
Bye Thiago
Well, I should have rested yesterday .... but things continued to overtake. Got a morning call from Sr. Regina (an African missionary sister of Calvary - spanish congregation) that I had to pick up an Easter gift in the morning. I managed to push it off till the afternoon. Fell asleep for only 15 minutes and then at 4pm had to go to the Holy Sepulchre to return some liturgy books I borrowed; (I was so tired and walking like a zombie, Mahmoud the cameraman came up to wish me happy easter and asked if I was ok as I looked very ill and lost/confused) then went down to Sr Regina's convent - the first time I've been inside. It's beautiful, clean and bright. They had baked me a cake ... very nice of them. Well what preceded this was Maundy Thursday, when we finished praying in the Garden of Gethsemani, I saw from among the 15,000 people some of the sisters. The walk up the Kidron valley to their convent is almost 2 km up a steep hill, so I offered them a ride in our bus. They were very thankful for that ... hence the cake! Oh and they asked me to stay and rest awhile and have a cup of tea and traditional arab Easter cookies baked like a crown of thorns and the sponge (filled with vinegar, but in this case filled with dates). I must look like a wreck because everyone can see I'm sleepless and tired. Earlier Arafat another cameraman caught up with me at the 9th Station and asked if I was sick because I looked really bad.
Before I went to the Holy Sepulchre, I had to rush off to Bethlehem to say goodbye to my best friend Thiago, at 2pm. Our janitor Jadallah who nearly cut off his left hand yesterday in an accident, insisted on coming back to work, and he drove me to Bethlehem with one hand. He's a workaholic. Anyway I managed to meet Thiago in Nativity Square in front of the Basilica of the Nativity. We had a quick moment to say goodbye. He is really my best friend - he looks out for me and instinctively knows what I want for my filming (Thiago was my cameraman and editor). But above all he knows how to make me laugh. Thiago has a problem with his right shoulder (his filming shoulder) that caused inflamation and pain. He needs to go back to Brasil for medical care, but also eventually to marry Adileine; and he is not likely to be posted back here in Israel. But he'll be so happy back in Brasil. But the crew will miss him. I guess having to lose Thiago had also taken a toll on me. I'll never get another collaborator who can read my mind like him; and a friend who cares for my real needs, and not impose his/her own on me. He kept telling me to stay healthy and that I have to go to Brasil for his wedding.
And before that at 1.30pm some Italian friends stopped by and I was in the parlour chatting with them - have to help arrange their wedding here in Jerusalem. And before that was lunch. And before lunch I was catching the canaries with our cook Khalil to put them into 4 breeding cages. It took 3 hours to clean the cages, prepare the nesting material, food etc.. before catching them which is the toughest part. By the way the turtledove that managed to build its nest on the drainpipe has laid a second clutch of eggs. The first batch hatched and the two baby turtledoves have flown away.
So yesterday I had no rest at all, much as I wanted to. let's see if I'm lucky today.
Before I went to the Holy Sepulchre, I had to rush off to Bethlehem to say goodbye to my best friend Thiago, at 2pm. Our janitor Jadallah who nearly cut off his left hand yesterday in an accident, insisted on coming back to work, and he drove me to Bethlehem with one hand. He's a workaholic. Anyway I managed to meet Thiago in Nativity Square in front of the Basilica of the Nativity. We had a quick moment to say goodbye. He is really my best friend - he looks out for me and instinctively knows what I want for my filming (Thiago was my cameraman and editor). But above all he knows how to make me laugh. Thiago has a problem with his right shoulder (his filming shoulder) that caused inflamation and pain. He needs to go back to Brasil for medical care, but also eventually to marry Adileine; and he is not likely to be posted back here in Israel. But he'll be so happy back in Brasil. But the crew will miss him. I guess having to lose Thiago had also taken a toll on me. I'll never get another collaborator who can read my mind like him; and a friend who cares for my real needs, and not impose his/her own on me. He kept telling me to stay healthy and that I have to go to Brasil for his wedding.
And before that at 1.30pm some Italian friends stopped by and I was in the parlour chatting with them - have to help arrange their wedding here in Jerusalem. And before that was lunch. And before lunch I was catching the canaries with our cook Khalil to put them into 4 breeding cages. It took 3 hours to clean the cages, prepare the nesting material, food etc.. before catching them which is the toughest part. By the way the turtledove that managed to build its nest on the drainpipe has laid a second clutch of eggs. The first batch hatched and the two baby turtledoves have flown away.
So yesterday I had no rest at all, much as I wanted to. let's see if I'm lucky today.
Easter octave
So we're into the Easter octave. I'm absolutely exhausted. We've spent many midnights at the Holy Sepulchre praying, followed by early morning Mass. Every moment when I tried to rest, someone comes knocking at the door. They come to ask if they can help me - which of course is the opposite of what they're doing by knocking at my door and waking me up. If they really wanted to help, they would let me rest as I was to the point of fainting from exhaustion. Well I don't doubt their good intentions, but believe me it was a week of horrors: I literally jump up with fear as the telephone rings or the door suddenly knocks (nobody does things quietly nowadays).
Yesterday I brought the sisters of Mother Theresa to the Negev desert. We saw the huge krater called Maktesh Ramon which is close to the border with Egypt. The strange rock formations and colours were quite a sight. Then we went to see the ruins of the Nabatean city of Avdat and its ancient Byzantine churches. We also visited the ancient ruins of the Canaanite city Arad and its sanctuary to Yahweh and Asherah. Then we had a picnic lunch at the Ben Gurion University in the desert that faces Ein Avdat - an awesome valley among the desert mountains. All in all it was a great day outdoors, lots of sun and breeze.
On the way home, we stopped at the gas station of Bet Guvrin (ancient Eleutheropolis) with it's magnificent Roman ruins. In the field nearby was a stunning carpet of red anemones. Crowds had stopped to take photos. It was an amazing sight.
But I'm so exhausted and I need to sleep really bad. Will give you a run down of Holy Week services once I recover from this exhaustion.
Yesterday I brought the sisters of Mother Theresa to the Negev desert. We saw the huge krater called Maktesh Ramon which is close to the border with Egypt. The strange rock formations and colours were quite a sight. Then we went to see the ruins of the Nabatean city of Avdat and its ancient Byzantine churches. We also visited the ancient ruins of the Canaanite city Arad and its sanctuary to Yahweh and Asherah. Then we had a picnic lunch at the Ben Gurion University in the desert that faces Ein Avdat - an awesome valley among the desert mountains. All in all it was a great day outdoors, lots of sun and breeze.
On the way home, we stopped at the gas station of Bet Guvrin (ancient Eleutheropolis) with it's magnificent Roman ruins. In the field nearby was a stunning carpet of red anemones. Crowds had stopped to take photos. It was an amazing sight.
But I'm so exhausted and I need to sleep really bad. Will give you a run down of Holy Week services once I recover from this exhaustion.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Guardian of the Tomb
Today is Good Friday. We gathered at Mt. Calvary to sing the Passion. It was very very crowded. We had to wait for the doors of the Basilica to be opened and then the friars filed in followed by the canons and the Patriarch; then by hundreds of christians.
The Passion began on time but the sacristans (all 3) were so busy running between Mt. Calvary and the sacristy getting things that no one was available to guard the Tomb of Christ. The Blessed Sacrament was placed inside the tomb yesterday after the Mass of the Last Supper and no one is allowed to enter it. So it had to be guarded from the throng that gathered to try and enter it. Well I was then told to be the guardian of the Tomb as everyone else was up on Mt Calvary. I was down near the Tomb to keep crowd-control at that time.
It took a while for it to soak in - the guardian of the Tomb .... the empty Tomb..... recorded in all 4 Gospels.... the very place where Jesus was buried and rose again after 3 days. It was an awe-full experience: it was terribly humbling. There I was standing at the entrance of the Tomb - watching over it on behalf of the entire Catholic Church while the Passion of St John was sung up on Mt Calvary. It was frightening. I could not but help think of my unworthiness to be guarding the Tomb, yet I also thought of God's mysterious ways in choosing me on Good Friday to do this. Our Franciscan friar who was in charge of maintaining the Status Quo in the Holyland places passed by the Tomb and asked if I was the guardian of the tomb and I said yes. It was a frightening answer... knowing that no one else in the entire world at that moment could say the same thing.
There was a small crowd praying in silence before the Tomb, some on their knees. While I stood there for almost 2 hours, I thought of all of you and prayed for everyone as I served as the guardian of the Tomb of Christ on Good Friday 2009.
The Passion began on time but the sacristans (all 3) were so busy running between Mt. Calvary and the sacristy getting things that no one was available to guard the Tomb of Christ. The Blessed Sacrament was placed inside the tomb yesterday after the Mass of the Last Supper and no one is allowed to enter it. So it had to be guarded from the throng that gathered to try and enter it. Well I was then told to be the guardian of the Tomb as everyone else was up on Mt Calvary. I was down near the Tomb to keep crowd-control at that time.
It took a while for it to soak in - the guardian of the Tomb .... the empty Tomb..... recorded in all 4 Gospels.... the very place where Jesus was buried and rose again after 3 days. It was an awe-full experience: it was terribly humbling. There I was standing at the entrance of the Tomb - watching over it on behalf of the entire Catholic Church while the Passion of St John was sung up on Mt Calvary. It was frightening. I could not but help think of my unworthiness to be guarding the Tomb, yet I also thought of God's mysterious ways in choosing me on Good Friday to do this. Our Franciscan friar who was in charge of maintaining the Status Quo in the Holyland places passed by the Tomb and asked if I was the guardian of the tomb and I said yes. It was a frightening answer... knowing that no one else in the entire world at that moment could say the same thing.
There was a small crowd praying in silence before the Tomb, some on their knees. While I stood there for almost 2 hours, I thought of all of you and prayed for everyone as I served as the guardian of the Tomb of Christ on Good Friday 2009.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday
A very intense Holy Week so far - lots of prayers, processions and other services. Am running around every few hours to the Holy Sepulchre to join in. Am also remembering you all in my prayers there.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Birthday.
So word got out that yesterday was my birthday. I was out with a group in Bethlehem were we had lunch. My friend Khadir came to the restaurent to visit and he was drawing me aside all the time from the group. Then suddenly the lights went off and the cook brought in a birthday cake. It was a great surprise. Thanks to Wahib, Tawfik and gang who arranged it.
Then at dinner, the group brought won ton noodles from HK - something I miss very much! It was really fun. They also got 2 bottles of Salesian Cremisan wine which we couldn't (actually they because I don't drink alcohol) finish so i shared it with a group of germans nearby.
And apparently word was getting around because during the solemn procession inside the Holy Sepulchre in the afternoon (with lots of friars and the Patriarch in attendance) - some of the guys were whispering or making hand signals to say happy birthday; as did different groups of nuns living in the Old City. You see, it's a small place and news gets around really quick.
Am back home for 2 hours to change my habit (dirtied with wax because of the candles used during the procession) and all the students and professors here were wishing me a happy birthday. Apparently someone mentioned it during lunch and they checked the schematismus to confirm it. I got severla phone calls from them as well. And of course the muslims in the street also learnt of it and were sending wishes.
And thanks to all you guys who sent greetings through the internet. Sorry I can't answer each and every one. But am assuring you of my prayers here in the holy City.
So all in all, it was a nice surprise. But I think what's more important is the Holy Week celebration - despite the suffering and death of Christ, it was a birthday of sorts - a birth into eternal life. Now that's what's truly worth celebrating!
Then at dinner, the group brought won ton noodles from HK - something I miss very much! It was really fun. They also got 2 bottles of Salesian Cremisan wine which we couldn't (actually they because I don't drink alcohol) finish so i shared it with a group of germans nearby.
And apparently word was getting around because during the solemn procession inside the Holy Sepulchre in the afternoon (with lots of friars and the Patriarch in attendance) - some of the guys were whispering or making hand signals to say happy birthday; as did different groups of nuns living in the Old City. You see, it's a small place and news gets around really quick.
Am back home for 2 hours to change my habit (dirtied with wax because of the candles used during the procession) and all the students and professors here were wishing me a happy birthday. Apparently someone mentioned it during lunch and they checked the schematismus to confirm it. I got severla phone calls from them as well. And of course the muslims in the street also learnt of it and were sending wishes.
And thanks to all you guys who sent greetings through the internet. Sorry I can't answer each and every one. But am assuring you of my prayers here in the holy City.
So all in all, it was a nice surprise. But I think what's more important is the Holy Week celebration - despite the suffering and death of Christ, it was a birthday of sorts - a birth into eternal life. Now that's what's truly worth celebrating!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Preparing for Holy Week
Last Friday of Lent. How quickly time flies. Holy Week is upon us. Hope you spent this Lent meaningfully.
The Jewish Passover coincides with our Good Friday this year. It actually begins on the evening (sunset) of April 8th and goes on for 8 days ending on April 16th. Something for us especially here to reflect on this Jewish background when we celebrate the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday.
My shoulder still hurts very much and causing many sleepless nights. Compound that with the terrible cold in the nights, and you have the perfect ingredients for Holy Week here in Jerusalem. I wonder how the Christians in Gaza will be celebrating Easter. I know for sure the children in Musky, Cairo will have a full, warm meal at least for Easter Sunday as Fr Vincenzo and his community will do a big cook-out for the poor living around the monastery.
Try and join in your parish liturgy this Holy Week. Pay attention to the readings and see the symbols and gestures that try to bring out the indescribable message of suffering, death and resurrection of Christ.
The Jewish Passover coincides with our Good Friday this year. It actually begins on the evening (sunset) of April 8th and goes on for 8 days ending on April 16th. Something for us especially here to reflect on this Jewish background when we celebrate the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday.
My shoulder still hurts very much and causing many sleepless nights. Compound that with the terrible cold in the nights, and you have the perfect ingredients for Holy Week here in Jerusalem. I wonder how the Christians in Gaza will be celebrating Easter. I know for sure the children in Musky, Cairo will have a full, warm meal at least for Easter Sunday as Fr Vincenzo and his community will do a big cook-out for the poor living around the monastery.
Try and join in your parish liturgy this Holy Week. Pay attention to the readings and see the symbols and gestures that try to bring out the indescribable message of suffering, death and resurrection of Christ.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April's Fool
So yesterday was April Fool's Day. I was the first victim. It was very cold and at 6am when I was in the sacristy preparing for Mass, Jobi our indian 2nd yr. student came up and said it's so cold it snowed last night, and told me go out to see. Stupidly I went out to see nothing. He had a great laugh. But that isn't as bad as when Jean Paul told Pavel our polish student that a polish bishop was waiting for him down in the courtyard. Pavel waited there for 3 hours only to realise he was tricked.
Yesterday was also the pilgrimage Mass at our Chapel of the Condemnation. Local christians, religious and friars gathered in the tiny chapel - originally built in the 7th century - to sing Vespers, celebrate Mass and sing the Passion of John's Gospel. It was a crowded affair.
Holy Week will soon start and we have to register if we want to concelebrate Mass at the Holy Sepulchre. The tiny space restricts concelebrants to a limited number.
The number of American tourists have risen these few weeks - you see them everywhere in the streets of the Old City. The Pope's visit in May is being arranged with massive activities for the altar platforms in the Kidron Valley and on the Mt. of Precipice (Nazareth where Luke says the people wanted to push Jesus off) and Bethlehem's Nativity Square in front of the Basilica. Maybe you want to come and join in the papal visit?
Yesterday was also the pilgrimage Mass at our Chapel of the Condemnation. Local christians, religious and friars gathered in the tiny chapel - originally built in the 7th century - to sing Vespers, celebrate Mass and sing the Passion of John's Gospel. It was a crowded affair.
Holy Week will soon start and we have to register if we want to concelebrate Mass at the Holy Sepulchre. The tiny space restricts concelebrants to a limited number.
The number of American tourists have risen these few weeks - you see them everywhere in the streets of the Old City. The Pope's visit in May is being arranged with massive activities for the altar platforms in the Kidron Valley and on the Mt. of Precipice (Nazareth where Luke says the people wanted to push Jesus off) and Bethlehem's Nativity Square in front of the Basilica. Maybe you want to come and join in the papal visit?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Weather
Have been very busy the last 2 days - hence no updates. So much to be done before the Holy Week services - note I didn't say holiday because it isn't. Liturgical services will take place in the traditional places and traditional times - meaning several time at midnight. It will be exhausting and the experience is unique - to celebrate Holy Week where it all took place 2000 years ago.
The weather is still freezing in the nights and mornings. I wonder why this strange weather now that should be Spring - an ominuous sign perhaps as we have a new government sworn in today?
Well back to studies now. Nothing worse than a shwarma in this crazy weather.
The weather is still freezing in the nights and mornings. I wonder why this strange weather now that should be Spring - an ominuous sign perhaps as we have a new government sworn in today?
Well back to studies now. Nothing worse than a shwarma in this crazy weather.
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