3rd Sunday of Lent

It's 1.50am. Just got back from Vigils at the Holy Sepulchre. There were more friars but less people tonight. But we managed to sing through the psalms and canticles. And also an impressive procession around the Tomb of Christ. Some of my students were present. Good to see younger people joining in the prayers.

The Custos presided at the Vigils and also at the Mass following it. Because this week it's the Greeks' turn to solemnly celebrate Lent in the Holy Sepulchre, the Custos had to celebrate Mass inside our Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament instead of Mt. Calvary. Most of the priests present went to concelebrate with him. But I went to the Crusaders' Chapel and celebrated Mass alone. There in the 12th century hall that is now a chapel, I remembered all of you - family, friends, students, benefactors, living and deceased - when I celebrated Mass. It took some time remembering everyone, but I was alone so I could spend that time.

I'll do some work now as I don't feel sleepy. But it'll hit me like a tonne of bricks later in the day.

Meantime reports everywhere that a religious war will start if the violence in the mosque continues. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1154437.html 
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170331
The muslims claim that Israeli police entering the mosque is desecrating a holy place. Well, what do they say when muslims covertly come to Mass and receive communion, then spit it out and take photos of it? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8553493.stm