Friday

Bedouin women
hawking veggies
at El Wad street

Friday passed with no violence but the atmosphere was very tense in the Muslim Quarter and all over East Jerusalem. Military presence was heavy. Even 2 police were despatched to guard our Way of the Cross at 4pm today. In the morning there was a marked drop in tourists and locals walking down the street. But in the afternoon crowds of muslims came to pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque, Catholics made the Way of the Cross and Jews began to gather towards the Wailing Wall. For 3 hours El Wad street, shared by all 3 religions, was packed and police were at every angle ... then it was all over and the street was silent again. Only the soldiers remained.

Bedouin women continue to sell veggies along El Wad street although occasionally soldiers chase them away. They sit on both sides and the middle of the street and thus impede the soldiers from running when chasing suspects. And in case of a riot or stampede, these women will be trampled. However its their livelihood to sell the few shekels of veggies each day otherwise their families will have no food. Most of their menfolk work in the fields to plant the veggies and their wives bring them into the city for sale.

Wild chamomile

My heart is still very weak and I tire easily. Today I had to work in our university library and then i had to walk to school to return the exam results. It's 2 kms away uphill and I was very tired when I reached it. I had to make 2 stops along the way in the park. At the Park there were huge masses of wild chamomille. Imagine having to pay US$3 for a pack of chamomile to boil tea when here you can pick the flowers, dry them and make tea ... all free of charge. On the way home I stopped at the Salesian chapel and joined the Ethiopic Catholics make the Way of the Cross. They sing very well. It was beautiful.

Tomorrow I have class but also work in the library. I'll have to juggle the hours ... this is one of the main causes of my ill health: I have some many things happening at the same time and need run from one to another and back. It's physically and psychologically exhausting. Unfortunately there are people who think I have nothing to do everyday ... just waiting by the computer, drinking coffee and chitchatting. Get real people. You won't want to share one hour of my life.

Violence at Damascus Gate

Sunny day for picnic in the park

Yesterday at about 4pm an arab woman about 50 yrs old was shot dead at Damascus Gate for apparently trying to stab police. Her son was wrongly shot and killed by police a year before ... being mistaken for a terrorist. And we guess the mother's grief was too much to bear so she went toward the police with a pair of scissors. People in the streets are saying it was a suicide attempt. It's not the first time. 2 years back when the stabbings began, many young girls were shot dead for carrying knives and threatening police and soldiers though never actually stabbing them. They were trying to escape from forced marriages or abusive husbands and so decided to end their lives this way.

Well because of this, our Quarter was locked down. City Gates were closed. No one could go in or out for over an hour. It's a price we who live in this area have to pay for the acts of individuals. We in the Old City want to live in peace, to live normal lives. But everytime someone from outside comes in to cause trouble, we are the ones who pay the price.

Arabs confront Israeli police

The weather is warm and sunny and many people were picnicking at Damascus Gate Park ... and you won't know that just 50 meters down there was violence. Today police tried to clear Damascus Gate of hawkers and a confrontation ensued with the local arabs. I was walking to M. Teresa's convent for adoration and confessions when I saw it. I decided to quickly get away as I don't want to be caught up in the middle of a fight.

The tension between the 2 peoples have been running undercurrent for some time and perhaps now it's erupting. An israeli talk show host spelled out the reasons for this tension. I'm not sure if a majority of israelis would share this view ... but you watch it and make up your mind.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.774663

Solemnity of the Flagellation / Crowning of Thorms

Today is the commemoration of the Flagellation and Crowning of Thorns; the friars will make a pilgrimage to our Chapel of the Flagellation/Crowing of Thorns to sing solemn Vespers and celebrate solemn Mass. This is part of an ancient tradition here in the Holyland where every Wednesday of Lent the friars make a pilgrimage to a sanctuary that commemorates the Passion of Christ. First Wednesday is at Dominus Flevit chapel, 2nd at Getsemani, 3rd at the Flagellation and 4th at the Condemnation chapel. We don't expect a large crowd because the Chapel is really small and most people will have to sit in the courtyard.

Chapel of the Capuchin Monastery

The previous evening I was invited for dinner at the Capuchin Monastery. I've never been there before and had some trouble finding the place. Luckily I met a Notre Dame sister along the road and she pointed the direction to me. It's not really very far ... as I had thought ... about 3 kms from my house. The new superior is a Tamil and we had known each other last year when he first arrived and we worked together for the Indian chaplaincy. The "monastery" is actually a complex of 5 buildings with several patches of gardens. It was acquired over 100 years ago by a Lebanese capuchin friar but the British converted it into a prison during the 1st World War. When the State of Israel was founded, the Israeli govt. converted it into a lunatic asylum. It was only 10 years ago that it was restituted to the Capuchins. They renovated the main building and it's gorgeous ... a pilgrim hostel. The chapel is also very modern in style.

There was quite a crowd for dinner because several other religious were also invited for dinner. It was a farewell to Jose Angel, a capuchin who is being transferred to Puerto Rico. We had a nice time  meal, chatted and then I walked home thereafter at 10pm.

Yesterday there was a country wide demonstration by ultra-orthodox jews against compulsory military draft. It was massive ... and in some cities it got very violent. The ultra-orthodox consider zionists, the State of Israel and the army as its enemies.     http://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-of-ultra-orthodox-take-to-streets-in-mass-anti-draft-protest/
and   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4941933,00.html

Then this morning a soldier made a wrong turn and drove into an arab village. He was stoned and was saved by some other arab villagers. It only shows how tense the atmosphere is between the 2 peoples. No one should take for granted the peaceful atmosphere we seem to experience in the cities. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4942104,00.html

Sinai is on red alert

The report on the renovation of the Holy Sepulchre (actually the Empty Tomb) has finally be published and an abbreviated version with lots of pictures was given to our library. In the section presenting the history of the Empty Tomb, there is a very interesting illustrated chart which I've posted below. For the first time it's been clearly explained and we can now understand the different layers of stone better. It's fantastic.

Blocking highways seem to be the trend these days: ultra-orthodox blocked Highway ! because of the arrest of one of their kind for evading military service, workers blocking the same highway because their contracts are not secure, now we have workers from the Haifa chemical plant blocking the highway because the company is threatened by environmentalists and residents with closure.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4941663,00.html

Israel this morning issued the highest alert possible on the Sinai Peninsular. Absolute no go for anyone during this Easter and Pesach season. However the Salesian Seminary College will go ahead with an excursion there despite Israeli warnings. I think it's too risky and so does every religious here in Jerusalem and Cairo. I just hope it's not a mistake they'll live to regret.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israelis-warned-of-increased-ISIS-threat-abroad-ahead-of-Passover-holiday-485312

Roly Keating CEO
of the British
Library at our
library

Yesterday the CEO of the British Library came to pay us a visit ... with an entourage from the Library as well as directors of the Israeli National Library and the Museum. It was an honor. The British Library is very prestigious and has helped us in the digitalization of our ancient archives. I hope the collaboration will continue further.

Meantime my back is less painful as I managed to sleep 4 hours last night. It was a rest that my aching back needed. The asthma so far is under control. The weather as well is getting warmer. I still do get dizzy spells and nausea but not as often or strong as last week. Perhaps the retreat I made last Saturday was what I needed ... retreat from Jerusalem and work and lots of nasty people who give me problems.

Of planes and pastries

Cathay Pacific landed its first aircraft in Israel today. With flights from 2 companies (El Al and Cathay) now direct from Hong Kong to Israel, we expect more tourists this summer. Asia is where the money lies ... and the tourist industry is not going to let this slip by especially now that tourism from Europe and America has slipped to a very low point.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4940848,00.html

Delicious pastries
from Qadosh

It's Monday again ... and today is especially tough for me because it's my turn to preside at the community Mass. With lessons ending at 6am and Mass at 6.30am I barely have 15 mins to rush to church and prepare the altar and other stuff. And being Monday it's also laundry day so I have to pack the laundry bag at that time before it's transported to our laundry in another part of town. Everything to be done in 15 mins. No wonder my poor heart is taking a beating from all this.

Yesterday I went out to the New City for a walk ... actually to accompany our Indonesian friar to buy a pair of pants. He didn't know where to get one. Along the way we stopped by Qadosh, an established bistro which is famous for it's pastries as well. I just had to go in and take a picture of their famous tarts and biscuits. They're all freshly baked; none of the frozen stuff that most restaurants offer.

Last night I had to rush off to the Chinese Sisters convent as they had some important news for me: their Superior General and her council had met an accident on the highway in Hebei. They had been to another part of the province for the solemn profession of vows by one of their sisters. On the way home the car skidded and fell some 100 m. down the slope. Luckily no one was killed but everyone was injured and are in hospital.

My back is hurting very much today. I think it's because of carrying my heavy backpack everywhere I go. In this strange weather, I must carry an extra jumper because temperatures may fall 10 degrees within minutes; then I must carry all my medicines with me. They don't seem heavy but they actually do.

4th Sunday of Lent

Celebrating the
Sacred Liturgy at
the Armenian
Catholic cathedral

It's the 4th Sunday of Lent. I didn't go to the Vigil at the Holy Sepulchre as I returned home from retreat very tired. I slept for several hours till about 3am when I woke up ... not because of asthma which I have not had since I changed my medicine  ... but because it was cold. One of my heaters had broken down after 4 years of use. And with only one other heater working, the room remains quite chilly during the nights.

Instead I presided the Surp Badarak or armenian liturgy at the 3rd Station of the Cross this morning ... as I have been doing throughout this month. Offered the Mass for all of you there. The armenian families are returning since I started presided because I celebrate the Mass partly in armenian and the laity wanted that.  The other priest who usually celebrates the Mass does it in italian which no one except the 2 nuns understand. Even some of the families bring their children along. It's good to see them coming back to Church. And I have rounded up my students from the Salesians and White Fathers' seminaries to come and help. I've taught them to sing in armenian, and 2 serve as my acolytes and 2 others as lectors. They enjoy it very much.

Our Custody has posted a news online about its housing project and how your Good Friday offering helps in this. Many catholic families too poor to own a house will be given free apartments.  https://cmc-terrasanta.org/en/video/a-house-for-the-christians-of-the-holy-land-12659.html

Israel has turned its clocks to daylight saving. But Palestine isn't. And it's just across the road. 2 time zones just several metres apart. Tourists visit Israel at one time zone but when they enter Bethlehem or Jericho they must switch an hour back because their meals are served at Palestinian time, and so are the Masses.   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.779320

And the Tourist ministry has reported today that chinese tourists have jumped 69% and they are spending also 69% more each day than tourists from any other country. The chinese are keeping the tourist industry afloat.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4940337,00.html

Annunciation Feast Retreat

Fr. Dharma preaching the retreat

I decided to go on my Lenten retreat today, Solemnity of the Annunciation,  as I had missed our community retreat 2 weeks ago due to work. It was a last minute thing but it was a good choice. it took place at our parish of St. Anthony in Jaffa. Fr. Dharma our assistant chaplain to the Indian community preached the retreat. It was simple but good. Something a franciscan friar should do .... not like those super intelligent professors who do mental gymnastics and use fanciful words which no one but themselves understand.

There were about 30 participants mainly filipinos and africans. The high gothic style church  is magnificent, And the man stained glass windows made the church look very elegant. Across the street the Greek Catholic Church hosted the Indian community retreat ... there were thousands. One capuchin preached while 3 others were listening to confessions. The queues stretched all round the church garden. It was fantastic. After that the capuchins had to go to Haifa (120 km) for the afternoon retreat; and tomorrow they go to Tiberias (90 km) and Kiryat Shemona (120 km) near the Lebanese border. They have a lot of work to do.

Stained glass
window of St.
Antony of Padua

Back at St. Anthony's, there was also recitation of the Franciscan Crown - the 7 decade rosary of the 7 joys of Mary -  and the Way of the Cross. After that I went to St. Peter's Church down the road to spend some quiet time. It was on this day over 25 years ago that I was ordained ... and I celebrated Mass alone in the Crusader chapel ... lots of quiet time to reflect.

After that i went out to be with my jewish friends selling their wares at the church plaza. I helped Bar sell nuts and it was a great success today. Next stall was Rudy my great buddy and next to him was Meir's stall ... his son Ben always calls me "ahi" in hebrew meaning "my brother". That's usually a term used by jews for fellow jews. Well actually Rudy also calls me that ... as also the security guys in front of my house in Jerusalem. They consider me one of them. No wonder some of the arabs hate me. There's one arab man near the Austrian hospice who always calls me "jewish dog" whenever I pass by. I know one day one of the arabs will stab me because of my friendship with jews. But I have no regrets nor am I intimidated. I am a friend of everyone.

At St. Peter's there was one of our students taking a 4 day break from school. Being the Sabbath, there was no cook in the monastery so we both went down to the Town center to buy some food ... it was already 3.30pm. We had a nice chat ... not as student and professor but as confreres. It was nice to be away from the academic atmosphere in Jerusalem.