800th anniversary

Cardinal Sandri flanked by the
Franciscan Minister General (L)
and the Custos (R)

Our 3 day celebration of the 8th centenary in the Holy Land inaugurated yesterday. Our Minister General from Rome came with his Vicar. Also Cardinal Sandri who is Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches ... the Holy Land falls under his jurisdiction. Yesterday evening he gave the opening speech which was mainly recalling the sacrifices we made these 800 years in keeping the holy sites in christian hands. Many died protecting these places ... even in the past years where our friars have been killed and kidnapped in Syria. It was a happy yet sad recollection of our dangerous situation. The Pope sent a letter which was read to all. He recalled his visit to the Holy Land 2 years ago and how he had an unplanned lunch with us at St. Saviour Monastery and how he enjoyed our presence. A series of conference and a small exhibition of objects from the Crusader period was organised in conjunction with this 3 day celebration. Our oldest illuminated manuscript was also on display ... a gift from John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of Henry IV in the late 1300s. Needless to say I was stressed trying to make sure the manuscript was not damaged by curious hands and humidity. And it is very heavy ... it needs 2 men to carry it. The covers are iron-cast and it's 1 meter tall.

The Franciscan Minister General
flanked by the Custos (L) and the
Vice-Custos (R)

At the conference today were VIPs ... the Greek and Armenian patriarchs, top representatives from the Coptic, Russian, Lutheran and other churches; ambassadors from Italy, France, Spain, Belgium among others; govt. reps from Israel and Palestine. It was an audience to see and be seen with.

Yesterday we had solemn vespers and the Franciscan Minister General officially opened the celebrations. The 3 days of celebration here in Jerusalem is just the start of a 3 year long celebration for the entire Franciscan Order. Well there're a couple of events in the coming months that I'm involved in organising ... exhibitions mainly and 2 conferences in which I have to deliver the closing speech ... so I will be very busy.