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.