Tradition has it that Jesus made his messianic entrance into the Holy City at the sanctuary of Bethphage. However, its position on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives, in the heart of a neighbourhood that has been built up in 20 years, separated from Bethania by the “security fence” has taken it off the circuit of pilgrimages.
Today, as never before, songs ring out in the sanctuary. They are not the occasional ones of Palm Sunday, but those of a living community, made up of Palestinians of all ages who give it life; the inhabitants of the Saint-François residence.
At the end of September, the Custody had the pleasure of giving 68 houses to Christian families. Since then, the Christian families have settled in and can meet every Sunday at 9.30 a.m. for Sunday Mass in the sanctuary, which owns the land where their apartments were built.
On Wednesday 8th December, this new Christian community, in the heart of a Muslim neighbourhood, met to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary with a procession of the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets. Animated by Father Fadi Shallufi, guardian of the sanctuary, assisted by Friar Casimiro Frapporti of the fraternity of Bethphage and by Samir Hodaly, a permanent deacon who lives at the Saint-François residence, the joyful procession, preceded by children, went to the sanctuary to continue with the celebration of the Eucharist.
Along the way, Friar Casimiro and Samir Hodaly generously blessed the places and the inhabitants who joined in the prayer from their balconies.
The sanctuary, where Frair Tadeusz ensures the service of the sacristy, is already too small for the community. But Frair Faddi seems determined: if this were to dissuade anyone from coming to the church, then the church will go to them. In December, he told them, “I will visit the houses one by one to bless them” and in the Holy Land these pastoral visits to the home are greatly loved.
The Custody wishes a good Advent and a happy liturgical year to this Christian community of Bethphage and the friars who preciously guard the sanctuary.
Mab
Today, as never before, songs ring out in the sanctuary. They are not the occasional ones of Palm Sunday, but those of a living community, made up of Palestinians of all ages who give it life; the inhabitants of the Saint-François residence.
At the end of September, the Custody had the pleasure of giving 68 houses to Christian families. Since then, the Christian families have settled in and can meet every Sunday at 9.30 a.m. for Sunday Mass in the sanctuary, which owns the land where their apartments were built.
On Wednesday 8th December, this new Christian community, in the heart of a Muslim neighbourhood, met to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary with a procession of the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets. Animated by Father Fadi Shallufi, guardian of the sanctuary, assisted by Friar Casimiro Frapporti of the fraternity of Bethphage and by Samir Hodaly, a permanent deacon who lives at the Saint-François residence, the joyful procession, preceded by children, went to the sanctuary to continue with the celebration of the Eucharist.
Along the way, Friar Casimiro and Samir Hodaly generously blessed the places and the inhabitants who joined in the prayer from their balconies.
The sanctuary, where Frair Tadeusz ensures the service of the sacristy, is already too small for the community. But Frair Faddi seems determined: if this were to dissuade anyone from coming to the church, then the church will go to them. In December, he told them, “I will visit the houses one by one to bless them” and in the Holy Land these pastoral visits to the home are greatly loved.
The Custody wishes a good Advent and a happy liturgical year to this Christian community of Bethphage and the friars who preciously guard the sanctuary.
Mab