Feast of St. Teresa of Avila

Lunch with the indian sisters

Suffice to say the weekend was one endless string of work lasting 72 hours ... and its not quite finished yet. The highlight was Sunday when the Indian sisters officially established their new convent here in Jerusalem (behind our house). Their provincial and one councillor arrived for the occasion ... and their other community in Nazareth also came to join in. We had a special Mass at 11am to welcome them and then a "grand" lunch (rice and stroganoff) that followed. The 3 new sisters of this new community come from Hyderabad (that's where they make the best briyani rice so I hope they'll make some for me) but speak english and some italian so that's helpful. This afternoon I have to bring them to visit the Archbishop.

And this morning the 8th centenary celebrations of the franciscan presence in the Holy Land was inaugurated. The Minister General came from Rome for the occasion. The 3 day celebration will include a series of talks and exhibitions ... and it's just the start of a year long worldwide celebration. The Holy Land is always known as the Pearl of the Missions for the franciscans. More about this tomorrow.

We had a rude shock this morning when ISIS in Sinai fired 2 missiles into southern Israel. It's the usual time when the weather gets cold that wars begin ... it's more bearable than under the relentless summer sun.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/middle-east/israeli-palestinian-relations/idf-two-rockets-launched-from-sinai-into-israel-31739

There were disturbances up on the Mt. of Olives last night. Arab youths were throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli police. One guy burnt his hands while throwing a Molotov cocktail and the Israeli Police treated him before arresting him. Humanitarian act.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/east-jerusalem-man-arrested-for-attempted-molotov-cocktail-attack/

Mass at Pater Noster
Carmelite Monastery

Well today is also the feast of St. Teresa of Avila. There was a solemn celebration at the Carmelite Monastery of Pater Noster on the Mt. of Olives. It's all french speaking so most of the dominican friars and White Fathers were in attendance. The franciscans are italian speaking but we do have a few french and canadian friars with us. However our 800th anniversary inauguration also took place at the same time so none of them could go to the Carmelite Monastery for the Mass.