Follow-up

I was in the library doing some reading when someone came along and gave me fantastic ideas of possible research topics regarding the Book of Wisdom. It was very exciting. I listened, took notes and immediately went back into my room to change and go out. OK so there's no logic here ... but then so's everything else here!

I went off to see Osvalda. She stays at our Franciscan hostel called Casa Nova. When I arrived, she already had two visitors, both from Telepace Jerusalem (It's a Jerusalem offshoot of a television network started in northern Italy). I happened to know them both so we all chatted for a quarter of an hour and left Osvalda to rest.

On the way back, I bought some things from our Christian neighbourhood all-purpose store. Got some handwashing liquid soap (sold in a packet of 3 bottles - one of which broke when I got home: so much for quality control), a bottle of Dettol (to disinfect my room: everyone laughed at the irony) and several menthol sweets (no more honey for me). Total cost - 33 shekels (= HK$66). Now is that expensive or what?

Anyway I took a slow walk downhill back to the Flagellation. On the way I met old Fr Beda a korean friar who's been here for umpteen years. He asked how my studies were - and I said OK, and he said "But it must be difficult to study at your age!" Mind you he's almost twice my age! So I left him to shuffle his way to the Holy Sepulchre where he listens to confessions - which is a good job for him AT HIS AGE; he's losing his memory, and I often chat with him to keep him company when he has no confessions to hear.

Then a little down the road I met Fr Ludovico Reali, the grand old man of pilgrimages himself. I guess he's in his late 80s, but when he was younger he would bring so many groups of pilgrims a year he would lose his voice (well, he lost it - he speaks in a husky whisper now). Every other year we used to buy him a portable loud-speaker from Hong Kong to save his voice. He is legendary. So he saw me coming and said "So you're now here?" I said yes and asked how he was. He laughed and said he's still on his feet (He uses a cane to help him walk now). Then he pulled my beard and laughed "It's getting white! You're not getting younger!" I know, I know - like everyone else is reminding me of it today!

So I think this is God's message for me - I'm not getting younger! Time to start on my thesis otherwise I'll reach retirement age before it's ever finished! But right now I feel so old and tired - maybe it can wait till tomorrow ...........

Feeling better

I'm feeling much better today. There's still some swelling on my forehead and the cough is still as bad, but my eyes are ok now and the fever has gone. Sr. Geronima asked if I was better yesterday afternoon, and when I said "yes" so she thought it was ok then to laugh at my swollen face. Nadia suggested that they cook "Upside down" (rice and chicken that I like very much - it's a local dish) for me today, but Sr Geronima said 'no". I joked that if I don't get "Upside down" for lunch today, I just might not give her communion this morning at Mass. She was cross and said "You shouldn't joke about that" and huffed off. Score "1-0".

Osvalda is out of hospital and back home now. I wanted to go to the hospital (2 and a half km away) to see her but was told this morning after Mass that she's back home resting. That's good news. And I need only walk 1 km uphill to her place. Will do so later today. She's a good friend.

Last day as hebdom! Yes today is Saturday and my turn as hebdom ends after lunch! Tomorrow I'll be free to go to the Holy Sepulchre. This morning's Mass was interesting - Marco presided and we decided to celebrate the Mass of Our Lady on Saturday, instead of St Martin de Porres as we had decided last night. We sang the opening hymn and then for communion, Marco asked me to sing something in Chinese - managed to come up with a quaint Marian hymn I learnt in Beijing, and everyone loved it. So a good ending for my hebdom. week. I think I've opened the flood gates now because the other students are considering singing some hymns in their own languages - mainly polish, spanish, french and african. That'll be nice - it would enhance our community character as international and show the catholicity of the Church.

I'm starting some research at the moment and need some info. on chinese classical literature. Maybe some of you out there can help me? I'll give you the details later.

I read on the online version of the Hong Kong Standard that Hong Kong was 15 degrees yesterday! Wow it's colder than in Jerusalem! The nights here are only 18 degrees or so. My mum just called and asked if I have a heater. Well, that's another item I should be getting - but you know the rest ...............

All Souls Day

It's All Souls Day. We remember with love all those who had gone before us marked with the sign of faith - but then even the wicked have souls. So we should be praying for their souls as well. In fact I think they need our prayers more than those who are already in heaven. Life is short, and sooner or later it'll be our turn to be remembered on All Souls Day. So let's not waste this little precious time that God gives us on this earth. Spend it well, spend it meaningfully, and remember - no regrets.

Am feeling pretty sick today. Last night we had left-over spaghetti, lentil soup etc. but I'm sure it wasn't any of that - unless I'm ending up like the canaries. I think it was some of the honey sweets that I had to clear my throat - I'm allergic to honey products but didn't think a couple of sweets could do this to me. Fever, swollen face, sore throat and very red eyes. Just like the last time the penguins gave me royal jelly. Hmmmmm ... conspiracy theory ......

Anyway I had to preside at Mass this morning at 6.30am but didn't feel well at all. We sang the Requiem eternam but did the rest of Mass as recited, not sung. Later there'll be a procession to the Catholic Cemetary and prayers will be said there. In the evening at 5pm, another Mass (for all Franciscans) will be celebrated at our Franciscan cemetary in the garden of Gethsemani. Our own Mass (2nd Mass) will be at 7.15pm to be sung with vespers. I think I'll have to preside at this 2nd Mass. We're not giving God a holiday today, I tell you!

Changed the water of the bird-bath this morning after breakfast. The canaries love a bath (despite the chill) and were all lined up chirping and singing. It's so nice. I wonder how Rex and Regis are doing. Hope it isn't too cold in HK.

One bit of good news. The rules for the doctoral programme have changed. that means I don't have to go to Rome to study for my 2nd semester! Yeeeeaaaaaah! The Dean had a good talk with me last night after dinner - "I'm talking to you now as dean" he began. That means business. After a long talk (and walk. We walked as we talked. Not a very interesting place to walk, mind you because we have no garden. It was walking up and down our corridor. That's as fun as we can get over here. I passed by my room door about 10 times!) he asked to me to have a cup of chamomille with the emeritus dean and the secretary - waaah big shots. Scared me somewhat. Want to know what we talked about? - hahaha, you'll have to keep guessing! Anyway he did say that the video-conferencing lessons should begin soon so I have to get started setting up the machine.

I received a lovely thank-you email from Gabriella Allegra and the rest of the family. Remember they are the nieces and nephews of Fr. Allegra who came to Hong Kong 2 weeks ago. I'll see if I can post it up on the blog - but it's all in italian. So go study some italian already! Honestly if there's enough of you guys interested, I'll organise a course at our Bible Center.

And regarding my studies, well things are moving slowly ahead. I've found some interesting leads that I can research on and that will keep me busy for quite a while.

Meantime Irene wrote (3 times) to say she finally knows what I'm referring to, when I say "penguins". Obviously there's not enough stimulation on the grey cells during Wednesday evening classes! Wait till I get on the video-conferencing - it'll be merciless! And the nuns did show up in full force for Mass this morning in their official habit - black. I couldn't help thinking of you guys when you showed up for my lessons! Some things never change - they transcend cultural frontiers.

Yesterday I walked up to the Holy Sepulchre to pray but along the way, I met an old franciscan friar who was utterly lost. He wanted to go to the Holy Sepulchre but was heading in the opposite direction. I took him there, prayed and attended the benediction, and he was still around. He said if I could take him to St. Saviour Monastery and so I did. But it meant going home in the dark - it gets very dark by 5pm and the electric shortage in the Christian Quarter didn't help. Had to slowly walk down a whole street of steps in total darkness before reaching the 7th Station of the Cross (Muslim Quarter) where the street lamps were working. I kept telling myself "Walk slowly, don't fall" - my left ankle still hurts - but couldn't get the 7th Station out of my mind - Jesus falls the 2nd time.

OK my eyes are giving up on me. It's very red and I should rest them for a while.

Of cardinals and computers

The Cardinal arrived sometime at 11am and visited the school. I think there was a meeting with the professors and students but I missed it because the bell rang for lunch some 15 minutes earlier than usual. When I got downstairs to the refectory, almost everyone was there already - so the meeting must have taken place just before. Anyway it was embarassing because everyone started saying "Here comes the chinese". Obviously everyone else had met the cardinal except me. And the cardinal said loudly "Where is the chinese?" and the Dean called me to the head of the table to greet the cardinal. Anyway amid all the chatter and laughter, and my embarrassment for being late, I tried to do the traditional thing and kissed the cardinal's ring - over the refectory table, mind you, and almost knocked a bottle of red wine over. Aaaahhh. Then thinking I could hide away in the crowd, I realised that Marco who should have blessed the food, was missing. And everyone was waiting for lunch, and the Dean and Superior were calling loudly "Lionel start the prayers!" and I then realised why everyone was waiting for the chinese to come - they wanted to eat! Well, I couldn't stop thinking of canaries at that moment.

One reason why I was late and missed the meeting was my computer problem. The former superior arranged for a separate telephone line to my room so I can use my Video-Conferencing machine without disturbing the rest of the computers in the house. It takes up alot of space and blocks the Internet traffic in the house. So the superior suggested a separate line. But that means having to pay US$50 a month instead of the usual US$8 that other students pay for sharing the Internet line. Now I'll have to work extra hard to pay that bill. Anyway the line was not working for several weeks and the guy came over to settle the problem. Was over yesterday but could'nt solve the problem, came back today and only after a very long time, he solved it. Well he got the telephone company to solve it - they had wrongly configured my connection. Well I told the guy I'm not paying the company this month because the line was not working at all. And it was the company's fault. But you know the local logic ...........

I didn't go and buy buns at the 8th Station. That's because Fr Niccacci went out and bought some and shared it with us at the Sala Caffe. I had two! Now I feel like a canary! Fr Niccacci lives in the room next to mine and we like to banter (not half as crazy as with Fr Vincenzo because Niccacci is much older and I must keep that respectful distance). I think he'll be my moderator for my thesis. He's an expert in the hebrew language and wisdom literature.

Ok for now. Will go up to the Holy Sepulchre and pray for you now.

Happy Feastday!

It's All Saints Day - Happy Feastday to everyone! It's not just a day when we remember all those who have "gone before us marked with the sign of faith", it's more a day for us - the living. We are all called to be saints - it's our original vocation at the moment of our baptism - not to be saints in doing great works but to be saints in being faithful and persevering to be faithful - faithful in little things like our responsibility in our family, work, ideals, charity etc.... So on this feastday I hope everyone will reflect on this theme "I am called to be a saint by being faithful". And by "faithful" I mean "full of faith".

Marco (my 1st cantor) and I were very nervous last night because we had to prepare for this morning's Mass. My 2nd cantor ran off as usual - didn't see him last evening nor the whole day today. Anyway I managed to convince Marco to preside and preach at Mass this morning. Because it's a feastday, we follow the "orario festivo" (feastday timetable) meaning Mass is celebrated at 8am instead of 6.30am. Marco chose an opening hymn, then decided 30 minutes before Mass that I should sing the responsorial psalm and the "Ave Maria" in chinese during communion. And I had half an hour to practice the readings ..... boy I was so nervous. So was Marco. He gave a wonderful homily quoting from a muslim mystic - raised some eyebrows!!!! Everything went well, thank God! despite one mistake on my part during the responsorial psalm - a not-too-big boo boo when I missed a note.

What made us more nervous were the pilgrim groups that kept coming into the Chapel to take photos - lots of Indonesians and Indians today. Uncontrollable! Now if I had been their guide, it would have been a different story!!!! :)

Oh and today we have a big happening - Cardinal Walter Kaspar is coming to visit us at 11am and have lunch with us. Thank goodness it's Marco who'll bless the food. I'd be too nervous to do it. The cardinal is a famous German theologian.

This afternoon I plan to go to the Holy Sepulchre and pray (I know Fr Vincenzo will find this hard to believe!). And probably buy some buns at the 8th Station of the Cross (Remember this always when you make the Way of the Cross and announce - "8th Station: Fr. Lionel buys buns" instead of "Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem"). I think I deserve a treat today, after all it's a feastday!

Will tell you more about the cardinal's visit after lunch. By the way the penguins didn't show up today for Mass ..... they might have gone the way of the canaries .... oh I know why - their superior Sr Veronica returned from Poland last night. They probably went for an earlier Mass in order to prepare lunch for the cardinal's visit. Now they'll make us become like the canaries: overeat and die! (Well think about it - even if we don't overeat, we'll still die ..... hmmmm but that's a thought for tomorrow - All Souls day.)

Happenings

Lots of happenings the last 24 hours. Well for one - Fr Vincenzo contacted me from Egypt. It was good to hear from him. We banter alot and its always in good fun. He was my superior 15 years ago here at the Flagellation Monastery, and sort-of superior again 2 years back when I was staying at Terra Santa College (a brand new friary in the New City). I say "sort-of" because I actually stayed at the Flagellation but frequently I would also move over to Terra Santa. I like it there because there is a huge garden and the food is good! Fr Vincenzo last month was transferred to Musky in Cairo to be in charge of the Oriental institute. We had a good chat and I was very happy.

Yesterday I got a table! Well it's an unused table from the parlour but it works for me! Matthew Olickal helped carry it upstairs to my room. He's my classmate for the doctoral programme and is from India - smart guy this one! Also Matteo Muneri helped (2nd yr. student for the Master's degree; he's from the Assisi province where St. Francis came from) and Fr Giovanni Loche who's professor of archaeology and head librarian. They're all fun guys and much younger than I am (I'm the oldest student). We cleaned up a corner of my room (which is already a big deal!) and Loche said no wonder I have asthma - the room is so dusty! Jean Paul never quite made it to help me as he slept through the last two days. Anyway he promised today at 11am to come to help do the luggage corner of the room.

Cecelia and Daniel Cavero also contacted me through Skype, so it was good to "talk" to them from Spain.

Osvalda our librarian is having a cataract operation today so we prayed for her during Mass. Sr. Geronima said this morning that I'm feeding too much food to the canaries and they'll grow too fat and die - hmmmm I wonder why it never happens to "penguins".

Tomorrow is All Saints day. That means solemn Mass (all sung) and a small feast for lunch. Hope we don't become like the canaries.

Oh by the way, if anyone wants to do a good deed - get me some music CDs (instrumental with nature sounds). Here in the Old City, with no garden, just surrounded by stone buildings, traffic and incessant chatter from tourist groups, it's nice to create a fantasy world with nature sounds and soft music. You know me - I need a garden to survive. A group is coming up for Christmas so they can bring the CDs along. You can give it to Katie. Thanks in advance!

It's really getting chilly in the evenings and mornings. My feet are awefully cold. So I thought I'd better get a rug to reduce the cold from the floor. Right now I'm placing towels on the floor but I figured I'll need them to dry myself after showering, so that's not a good idea. Have to wash them today otherwise I'll be using bedsheets to dry myself instead!!!! Hmmm but like the kettle, bed, shelves, cupboard, table ... the rug will have to wait its turn. Aaahh if only Fr Vincenzo will take me into his friary in Musky - I'm sure I'll get everything there! (said in irony and a sardonic smile).

YouTube - Cavalleria rusticana

YouTube - Cavalleria rusticana


This is the most beautiful piece of music ever composed - and its not just my opinion. Just close your eyes and listen to it - one YouTube comment was "music that heals the soul"; another "If music could symbolise heaven, then this is paradise". Let it speak to you; challenge you; tug at your heart; heal you; whatever. Then you will understand what I mean. Like I once said to you guys: when I die I want this intermezzo to be played at my funeral - its the least you can do for me!