Tuesday, October 13: The Custos of the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, welcomed to the Holy Sepulcher the new French Consul General for Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, Mr. Frédéric Desagneaux.
Of the four Latin Nations that are called protectors of the Holy Places, France is the only one to have kept the privilege of having its representative for Jerusalem receive liturgical honors, although the celebration has been simplified considerably.
The procession of Franciscans, preceded by the Kawas, left its general quarter, Saint Savior’s, in order to meet the Consul General at Jaffa Gate. From there, the procession went through the shuk and accompanied the consul as far as the Basilica of the Resurrection where, after greeting the superiors of the Greek and Armenian communities at the door of the building, the Consul General was welcomed by the Custos in front of the empty tomb. The Gospel of the Resurrection according to St. Mark was read, and then the Custos said a few words to the Consul General.
This solemn entry cannot miss surprising people, especially the French who are very sensitive to the issue of the separation between Church and State. As the Custos reminded his listeners, coming to the place where Christ died and rose again is also to acknowledge the importance this place has had for Western Christian culture.
Among other things, the Latin Nations were a useful recourse when the Church’s presence was threatened in the land where its faith was born. In receiving the representatives of States, the Church wants to say thank you and to celebrate in its own way, which is in prayer, this past and present support.
At the end of the ceremony, Friar Stéphane Milovitch, the Custody secretary, who is French, was guide to his Excellency and those accompanying him for a quick visit to the basilica.
After the commemorative photographs taken in the courtyard, the majority of the assembly went to St. Anne’s by way of the Via Dolorosa; St. Anne’s is a French national domain that has been entrusted to the care of the Missionary Fathers of Africa (White Fathers). There, the Consul General was again welcomed with a prayer of thanksgiving before everyone gathered for refreshments.
Mab
Of the four Latin Nations that are called protectors of the Holy Places, France is the only one to have kept the privilege of having its representative for Jerusalem receive liturgical honors, although the celebration has been simplified considerably.
The procession of Franciscans, preceded by the Kawas, left its general quarter, Saint Savior’s, in order to meet the Consul General at Jaffa Gate. From there, the procession went through the shuk and accompanied the consul as far as the Basilica of the Resurrection where, after greeting the superiors of the Greek and Armenian communities at the door of the building, the Consul General was welcomed by the Custos in front of the empty tomb. The Gospel of the Resurrection according to St. Mark was read, and then the Custos said a few words to the Consul General.
This solemn entry cannot miss surprising people, especially the French who are very sensitive to the issue of the separation between Church and State. As the Custos reminded his listeners, coming to the place where Christ died and rose again is also to acknowledge the importance this place has had for Western Christian culture.
Among other things, the Latin Nations were a useful recourse when the Church’s presence was threatened in the land where its faith was born. In receiving the representatives of States, the Church wants to say thank you and to celebrate in its own way, which is in prayer, this past and present support.
At the end of the ceremony, Friar Stéphane Milovitch, the Custody secretary, who is French, was guide to his Excellency and those accompanying him for a quick visit to the basilica.
After the commemorative photographs taken in the courtyard, the majority of the assembly went to St. Anne’s by way of the Via Dolorosa; St. Anne’s is a French national domain that has been entrusted to the care of the Missionary Fathers of Africa (White Fathers). There, the Consul General was again welcomed with a prayer of thanksgiving before everyone gathered for refreshments.
Mab