Every year, Saint Anthony, protector of the Custody of the Holy Land, is commemorated in an ecumenical spirit at Saint Saviour’s Church in Jerusalem.
Indeed, on the occasion of the holiday commemorating the Franciscan saint, the friars of the Custody traditionally invite the leading figures of the communities with whom they share the guardianship of the Church of the Resurrection - that is, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - to share with them the joy of commemorating their patron saint, beginning with Mass and continuing through to the holiday meal.
Venerating Saint Anthony of Padua is very widespread in the Latin Church of the Middle East. The saint is often entrusted with the protection of a child for a year as an expression of thanks for blessings received through his intercession.
Thus, during the celebration of the Eucharist, Father Gabriel welcomes families wishing to dedicate one of their children to God by entrusting the saint with intercession for the child.
This year, with Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate Mgr. Antonio Franco present, Friar Artemio Vitores, custodial vicar, led the celebration while Friar Ibrahim Faltas delivered the homily in Arabic.
Friars from Oriental churches listened with particular attentiveness as the universal prayer was said in about ten different languages, including - of course - Arabic, Greek, and Armenian.
About 100 Franciscan friars were there, and there were numerous priests who had come to participate in the celebrations. The church was full, and when the celebration was over, the faithful were glad to come together for refreshments in the Curia’s new hall.
Mab
Indeed, on the occasion of the holiday commemorating the Franciscan saint, the friars of the Custody traditionally invite the leading figures of the communities with whom they share the guardianship of the Church of the Resurrection - that is, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - to share with them the joy of commemorating their patron saint, beginning with Mass and continuing through to the holiday meal.
Venerating Saint Anthony of Padua is very widespread in the Latin Church of the Middle East. The saint is often entrusted with the protection of a child for a year as an expression of thanks for blessings received through his intercession.
Thus, during the celebration of the Eucharist, Father Gabriel welcomes families wishing to dedicate one of their children to God by entrusting the saint with intercession for the child.
This year, with Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate Mgr. Antonio Franco present, Friar Artemio Vitores, custodial vicar, led the celebration while Friar Ibrahim Faltas delivered the homily in Arabic.
Friars from Oriental churches listened with particular attentiveness as the universal prayer was said in about ten different languages, including - of course - Arabic, Greek, and Armenian.
About 100 Franciscan friars were there, and there were numerous priests who had come to participate in the celebrations. The church was full, and when the celebration was over, the faithful were glad to come together for refreshments in the Curia’s new hall.
Mab