Salvatore Lilli

Some basic information on St. Salvatore Lilli, tortured and killed in Armenia.

Born 19 June 1853 at Cappadocia, Aquila, Italy. Son of Vincenzo and Annunziata Lilli. Joined the Franciscans in 1870, making his vows on 6 August 1871. Studied at the Franciscan seminary in the HolyLand. Ordained in Bethlehem on 6 April 1878. Missionary in Jerusalem for two years. Missionary to Marasco, Armenia in 1880. In addition to preaching the faith he built schools, clinics, and homes for the abandoned, and taught modern hygiene and sanitation in the remote villages. Worked endlessly with the sick during a cholera epidemic in 1891. Missionary to Mujuk-Deresa, Armenia in 1894. In 1895 the area was occupied by Islamic Turks who captured Salvatore and fellow Franciscans Baldji Oghlou Ohannes, David Oghlou David, Dimbalac Oghlou Wartavar, Geremia Oghlou Boghos, Khodianin Oghlou Kadir, Kouradji Oghlou Tzeroum, and Toros Oghlou David. They were tortured and ordered to convert; they refused. Died martyred on 22 November 1895 in Mujuk-Dersi, Armenia (modern Turkey).

St. Salvatore, pray for us.

Prayer day for Iraqi christians

Yesterday was Earthday. The Old City switched off its lights for one hour. Only street lights remained. It was eery to see the huge monuments like the Citadel disappear into the darkness.

The building that we saw burning several nights ago was confirmed as the Petra Hotel - owned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Only the upper half was destroyed. Word is going around that it applied to the govt. to renew it's roof but did not get approved, so by burning it would get pass this bureaucracy. But as you know, and which someone once famously said - this city runs on rumours.

I can hear fighter jets roaring overhead. Must be another attack on Gaza. I just got another load of medicine for the Christians in Gaza. Lots of medicine for schizophrenia. Christians are so traumatised by the fighting and persecution, many have loss their senses. The Missionaries of Charity are trying their best to care for these people, and rely on our help to get the medicine.

On Saturday 24th, the local christians and clergy will gather in the town of Bilin to pray for the christians in  Iraq. There the persecution is even more ferocious, and Iraqi christians living here in Israel are asking for our prayers and help. So the local churches are uniting to spend a day of praying in unity with Iraqi christians. I hope you will also. Spend a moment on Saturday praying for your fellow christians in Iraq, offer a Mass for them, go to the Internet and inform yourself of how bad the situation is, spread the word to other christians, say a rosary, get an intention mentioned during Sunday Mass. In times of such persecution and suffering, we must unite in faith and courage, and like the ancient church mentioned in the Mass readings this week (Acts of the Apostles), we must support and defend each other.

Independence Day

Right now we can see an awful fire burning in the Old City towards Jaffa Gate. We had gone up the terrace to see the lights of the new Hurva synagogue but instead everyone else were on their roofs watching that dreadful fire. It was so huge we could see the fire going up to the roof and burning it down. We are afraid it could be one of our buildings like the Franciscan Bookshop or the Christian Information Centre. I called some friends living up that way and they said it's certainly burning in that direction. Let's pray no one was hurt.

What a terrible way to end Independence Day celebrations. During the day, helicopters and fighter jets flew in formation and families came in hoards to Independence Park to barbeque as is the tradition here. Street concerts and entertainers played their stuff to thousands that flocked from Independence Park all the down to Mamillah Mall and into Jaffa Gate where the fire is burning now. The Israelis are proud of their nation, and anyone who's been here can tell you it's transformed from an Ottoman outback to one of the most modern cities.

My sugar level is coming down and my swollen fingers, hip and feet are almost back to normal. The night thirsts have lessen and my cramps too. But I'm strictly on my veggie, no-carbo diet. I do get tired easily so I try to restrict my work (as if ever!!!).

Firas our helper saved a baby turtle-dove yesterday when it fell from it's nest one floor up. It's fully fledged but still unable to fly, so I'm handfeeding it as well as the other canary chick. The 2nd chick died this morning. I'm trying my best ... but I have no experience in handfeeding chicks. Still learning ... trying to save a fragile life.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day started off last night solemnly. Israelis remember the soldiers who fell while protecting the nation. Special candles with the Israeli flag were lighted.

Tonight begins Independance Day. Just when you think everyone is lightening up to the event after the solemnities of Memorial Day, you read in the papers that ultra-orthodox Jews have started protesting against the celebrations. Burning rubbish and Israeli flags, you might have thought it's the work of Palestinians. But it's the ultra-orthodox Jews who do not recognise the state of Israel. They believe only the messiah can create the Israeli state, not Zionists. So they protest, burn, disrupt traffic, throw stones. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=173500

Helicopters are flying overhead, so there must be some tensions around the Mosque area or Ras el Amud neighbourhood.

Back to canary news - the runt died yesterday evening after having refused to eat for a whole day. Hope the rest will hang on.

Meantime my swollen fingers, hip, knee and feet are back to normal. But I'm having severe cramps in the calves the whole day. Must be some chemical imbalance. Will go to the pharmacy with Fr Loche to see what medicine I should take.

Thanks

Thanks to Doris Seet, David & Brenda Low, the doctor who donated the medicine and water purification pills, the two pilgrims who offered their dynamo torches (sorry I forgot your names). And Angela Lee who brought them all over. Your beneficiaries are very grateful for your kindness.

3rd Sunday of Easter

Independence Day celebrations begin tomorrow but it's preceded by Memorial Day where fallen soldiers are remembered. The siren will sound tonight at 8pm. I better remember that and not panic again.

The baby canaries have hatched - 6 in all. But 3 have been left unfed by the parents. I've started handfeeding them. Not an easy job for such tiny babies. The runt has refused to eat today. It'll probably die.  There's only so much that you can do. It reminds me of some people who, no matter how much you try to help them, they refuse to help themselves.

Today's Gospel reading has to do with Jesus forgiving Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee during breakfast. Fr Loffreda presided at Mass and preached a nice sermon - he being an archaeologist of that area of the Sea of Galilee. One nice observation was - Peter was a fisherman and he caught nothing that night. Then Christ came along and told him to "Feed my sheep" - changing Peter's career from a fisherman to a shepherd! Not easy for someone his age and experience. But fishermen can be shepherds if Christ calls and Christ supports. Ready for a change in your life?

No iPads

The big news all over is: Israel is banning the iPad. People coming into the country with iPads get them confiscated. Govt. has sent out warnings to all visitors not to bring iPads into the country. Probably it interferes with security ...  something to do with wavelengths that clash with that of the IDF.

Meantime my diabetes is still way up. No bread, carbos, fruit, sugar, sweets, cola .... I practically had nothing to eat since dinner the night before - only a cup of black coffee. Now I found some biscuits for diabetics. Hopefully I'll find some bread for diabetics as well. Otherwise my meals will be restricted to salad ... which has given me bad diarrhea today. The swellings have gone down abit but the hip joint still hurts alot. I guess it's something to offer up for all your intentions. Jesu ufam tobie!!!