Feast

Statue and relic of 
St. Francis

 It's the feast of St. Francis today. Yesterday evening's vespers included the Transitus ceremony in which the death of Francis was remembered. I guess it was crowded in church. I didn't join in as I was feeling ill. My hands and feet are less swollen but I'm constantly breathless with chest pains. It's not been good these past days as I've been struggling with this deteriorating health issue. It's been very difficult. And the ongoing house renovations aren't helping.

Anyway for the feast of St. Francis, the statue and relic are brought out for veneration. A huge temporary altar is set up next to the lectern for this purpose. It's rather nice.

Meantime tonight begins the jewish Yom Kippur ... a day of penance. The whole country comes to a standstill. But violence continues with shootings and assaults by both sides of the conflict. Open daylight shootings took place in Nablus where taxis and buses are targeted. It's dangerous travelling there. Thank goodness I'm too sick to travel.

Well school has finally started and the routine of studies has resumed. The libraries are busy again. I don't know how much I can do now that I'm ill. I just don't want a heart attack in the middle of work. Or off work for that matter. Everyone is telling me to relax and don't stress. Easier said than done.