Christ the King feast

Christ the King ... tabernacle of the
Flagellation chapel

Yesterday was Christ the King feast. That's centred in our Chapel of the Flagellation and Coronation of Thorns. Here we recall Christ crowned with thorns and mocked as King of the Jews. The soldiers dressed him in a purple robe and bowed to him, giving him a reed as a sceptre. That's as real as it gets ... it took place here ... just 2 meters from my room.

I had to celebrate the Mass at the Armenian Catholic church as with every Sunday. But in the evening the Custos invited our entire community including our indian sisters, to pray vespers at St. Saviour Church (our custodial church) and then dinner  at the massive refectory there. Over 100 friars with 7 sisters attended. The refectory is so huge it's necessary to use a microphone to bless the food and grace after meals.

Cold quiet streets

I had hoped to spend the afternoon resting after 3 weeks of intensive courses. But the MC sisters called at noon asking me to bring them visit the Jewish Quarter. We visited the Cardo and several archeological sites and then I had to rush off to do my Sunday shopping in the New City before going to the Custody meeting mentioned above. My legs were like jelly as I was exhausted. Several other students also had to quickly do their shopping ... buying stationary for class; toiletries; food; even winter clothes. It's the only day we're free to buy these things as school takes up all our time for the next 6 days.

Saturday was the jewish memorial of the death of Sarah, wife of Abraham. She's buried in Hebron and thousands of jews converged to her grave. However it's an arab neighbourhood and several arabs including a baby were attacked by the visiting israeli crowd.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/over-a-dozen-palestinians-said-injured-by-israelis-in-hebron-over-weekend/?fbclid=IwAR0hnWR4l1uB9XaxHurq2dIUkdvwGMAQXfkZJwonUpbz5wrU8i4gKS7S3eU