El Messiah Kam

We're in Easter! Here the locals wish each other "El Messiah kam" and the response is "Hakom kam" meaning "Christ is risen" - "He's truly risen". It's actually a translation from the traditional and ancient greek greeting "Christos anesti" - "alethos anesti".

It's a great season here in Jerusalem because the resurrection took place here, and we can all see the place - the Empty Tomb in the Holy Sepulchre basilica. Wanna know how I spent my birthday? Picking rubbish in the Basilica at 7am on Easter Sunday. Yup, that's the truth. The Orthodox who celebrated their "Holy Fire" service at Easter Vigil left a mess of rubbish in the basilica ranging from tissues to orange peels, apple cores, bread crumbs, biscuits .... you name it. They have no quelms about eating in church ... even the holiest place in Christianity. Well the mess was so overwhelming Bro Greg and I decided picking up the garbage. After that everyone was laughing at me because that's how I started Easter Sunday and my birthday - picking garbage in the Holy Sepulchre.

I hope you liked the videos of Holy Week. It's all in italian but the images speak for themselves. Most of you who have been to the Holyland would recognise the places.

el Messiah kam!

Easter Sunday

Mass at the Empty Tomb

"He is risen! He is not here!" The Gospel proclamation made at the Empty Tomb this morning echoed the first time it was uttered here in the very same spot 2000 years ago ... "He is risen".

(c)2010 Franciscan Multimedia and Cancao Nova

Holy Saturday

The Triumph of Light over Darkness

In Jerusalem, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is celebrated early in the morning, at daybreak, as recorded by all 4 gospels. Fire and water are blessed and the resurrection is proclaimed on the very spot it took place - in front of the Empty Tomb.

Good Friday

The Way of the Cross

The route Jesus walked carrying the Cross is found in Mt. 27:31-56; Mk 15:16-41; Lk 23:26-56 and Jn 19:16-42. Christians from all over the world come to Jerusalem on Good Friday to continue this journey in faith.

© 2010 Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova.

Holy Hour at Gethsemani

Holy Thursday at the Basilica of the Agony in Gethsemani (Jerusalem), the Franciscans of the Holy Land celebrated the traditional Holy Hour in response to Christ's invitation "Could you not keep watch with me one hour?" (Mt. 26:40).

Holy Thursday: Last Supper Room

Pilgrimage to the Cenaculum (Last Supper Room)

Every Holy Thursday the Franciscans lead a procession to the Last Supper Room where they recall the events that took place there by reading the Gospel accounts: the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, the washing of the disciples' feet and the commandment to love one another.

(c)2010 Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova Holyland

Holy Thursday

Mass of the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is a poignant moment when Jesus showed his love for his disciples by washing their feet, giving his Body and Blood as the Eucharist, and teaching them the great commandment to love one another (Mk 14:22-25; Mt 26:17-35; Lk 22:14-38; Jn 13:1-38). The Mass of the Lord's Supper was celebrated by His Beatitude, Patriarch Fouad Twal in front of the Holy Sepulchre (Tomb of Christ).

(c) Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova Holyland