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| The Eiffel Tower alight as part of the Festival |
I didn't go to see it last night as I was utterly exhausted. Despite my dreadful asthma that makes me blackout several times a day, and the scorching heat (forecast describes it as "hot as hell" today - 34 degrees), I have already ran 4 km up and done the hill twice because people wanted this and that but they don't consider my health.
The new Custos will soon make his official entry into Jerusalem and the principle churches under his custody. It's a medieval (Crusader) tradition which is still kept today ... when the crusader patriarch/bishop arrives to claim his juridical See and the churches under his care. Since 1342 the Franciscan Custos held the title of Patriarch of Jerusalem ex officio until 1847. Hence the prestige and honor are still maintained and the new Custos must make a solemn entry into the Old City from Jaffa Gate with the heads of all the christian denominations, religions and govt. ministries in attendance there. He will then be led into St. Savior's Monastery where he will officially claim his residence (should be the Last Supper Room but since the Ottoman's kicked us out in the 16th century, our residence is now St. Savior Monastery in New Gate). This will take place on Monday June 6th.
On June 7th he will make a solemn entry into the Holy Sepulcher to claim his authority over the latin rite areas and times. On June 8th he enters the Last Supper Room solemnly as its guardian. On June 9th he enters the Nativity Basilica in Bethlehem, then June 11th he enters Jaffa - once the crusader and christian port that led to Jerusalem. Finally on June 18th the Custos will enter the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
All the friars should be accompanying the Custos to all the sites ... but some of us have heavy workloads that demand our presence.
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