The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple was celebrated on Saturday, February 2, at the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem. The Custos, Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presided over the Eucharist.
The Union of Religious of the Holy Land (URTS), invited all congregations to thank God for the gift of the Consecrated Life. Many sisters answered to the invitation. A number of Religious also went to Nazareth to join in that celebration there, but despite this, the church was full.
In his homily, the Custos meditated on the roles of Simeon and Anna, as well as those of Mary and Joseph. Simeon and Anna, whose patient expectation was finally rewarded at the end of their lives by contemplating Jesus: "a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel" (Lk 2:32).
The expectation and availability of the Holy Spirit, "which is uncomfortable: it subverts, makes one move forward, renews," holiness in the midst of an apparently mundane world, yet which must be a testimony of the power in Him who works for the things of His Father. These were the main topics of the Custos' reflection.
At the end of the celebration, which included many languages, and which reflected the different religious commitments in the region, the assembly moved to the parish hall for refreshments. The sisters also here witnessed to another aspect of the consecrated life: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity" (cf. Psalm 133).
The Union of Religious of the Holy Land (URTS), invited all congregations to thank God for the gift of the Consecrated Life. Many sisters answered to the invitation. A number of Religious also went to Nazareth to join in that celebration there, but despite this, the church was full.
In his homily, the Custos meditated on the roles of Simeon and Anna, as well as those of Mary and Joseph. Simeon and Anna, whose patient expectation was finally rewarded at the end of their lives by contemplating Jesus: "a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel" (Lk 2:32).
The expectation and availability of the Holy Spirit, "which is uncomfortable: it subverts, makes one move forward, renews," holiness in the midst of an apparently mundane world, yet which must be a testimony of the power in Him who works for the things of His Father. These were the main topics of the Custos' reflection.
At the end of the celebration, which included many languages, and which reflected the different religious commitments in the region, the assembly moved to the parish hall for refreshments. The sisters also here witnessed to another aspect of the consecrated life: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity" (cf. Psalm 133).