Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost - feast of the wheat harvest, feast of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. What a fantastic day here in Jerusalem where it all happened! Thousands of people streamed through the windowless Upper Room throughout the day. At 4pm the Custos, who was confirmed for another 3 yrs of office yesterday, came in procession with hundreds of local christians, religious and friars. Vespers was sung and the decree of confirmation was announced by the Visitator General. The Custos wore the mitre and ring and officially took possession of the Last Supper Room - his official title is Superior of Mt. Zion (Last Supper Room) and the Holy Sepulchre. It was very impressive and touching - especially when you realise the friars were kicked out of the Last Supper Room 400 years ago by the muslim powers and till today it is occupied by the State of Israel even though the friars still possess the title deeds. It is on such a day as this that the Custos makes his official entry to show that he is still the rightful owner of the Last Supper Room.

Later in the evening there was a cookout at St. Saviour's monastery - barbecue and salads. It was good to meet up with many other guys whom I've not met for a long time. I didn't eat much, but chatted alot (the chicken wasn't well barbecued).