Stigmata of St. Francis

Today is the Feast of the Stigmatization of St. Francis of Assisi. That happened almost 800 years ago when St Francis received the 5 wounds of Christ on his hands, feet and side. This morning we celebrated the Mass rather solemnly but no singing except for the final hymn "Salve Sancte Pater" to St. Francis. We were few - 8 in all - but we sang well.

At 5.30pm several of our novices will make their temporary profession of vows in Bethlehem. Many from our community will be going for the Mass. But because the last Friday of Ramadan begins at sunset today, they think they cannot reach back in Jerusalem in time for dinner so they'll have dinner in our Bethlehem monastery. My prediction is the streets in the Old City will be so packed they won't be able to squeeze their way back. Worse .... they might get attacked by the mob. Well let's hope for the best. Me? I'm locking myself in my room. Not taking any chances after these 2 weeks' of very bad experiences with the muslims. Will read my books instead.