Firm of voice, poised, serene, speaking rapidly but not precipitously. Each one in turn knelt before the Custos, their hands between his as a sign of obedience, Alberto Joan Pari, Luai Bsharat, Tomasz Franciszek Dubiel, Tony Choucry, and Ulise Zarza pronounced the formula of profession that they had written by hand and then each went in turn to the altar to sign it.
From now on, Alberto Joan Pari, Luai Bsharat, Tomasz Franciszek Dubiel, Tony Choucry, and Ulise Zarza are solemnly professed. Franciscans forever. The moment they received the embrace from the Custos and then from each of the Franciscan friars present, the emotion could be seen clearly on their faces, in the exchange of smiles, the burning eyes.
The celebration took place in the Basilica of All Nations at Gethsemane. “This was the most practical place for receiving both Palestinian friends, coming on a bus from Bethlehem, and the friends from the Qehillah, the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community, as well as a few Jewish friends,” explained Fra Alberto.
Surprise showed on the faces of a few Palestinians. They listen closely, look at each other, yes—they really are saying the psalm in Hebrew. Hebrew is one of the languages of celebration because the five friars making their professions today come from five countries on three continents. Fra Ulise is Argentinian; for the past several years he’s been seen at the altar as assistant master of ceremonies. Fra Alberto is Italian; his beautiful, warm voice enlivens the Franciscan choir at celebrations and, having studied Hebrew, he is one of those who bring the reality of the Custody to the knowledge of Israelis in that language. Fra Tomasz, who is Polish, has a less visible service, placing his technical and computer skills at the service of his brothers. Lebanese Fra Tony and Jordanian Fra Luai serve the parish and youth groups with their joie de vivre and the example of their faith.
The five well represent today’s Custody of the Holy Land, between service in the Holy Places and the community, as well as working on the sidelines in service of all.
The basilica was filled for the solemn profession of the five friars; some of their family and friends were able to travel to be with them. The Custos’ homily (see below) very well expressed the special moment in their religious lives that these young people were experiencing. Already disposed, like Samuel, to listen to the Lord, they have yet to live more profoundly the experience of religious life that reveals that God is not only “among us” but “in us”. The tangible expression of God in us is the love that we have for our brothers, and the tangible expression of the place we leave for God in us is recognized in the most difficult times when, like here at Gethsemane, Jesus lived his agony in his indefatigable trust in his Father. It is the heart, enlarged to the dimensions of love, the Custos concluded. It is the beginning of this love that the young friars demonstrated at the end of the celebration when they greeted their Franciscan brothers and their relatives and friends in the gardens Gethsemane hermitages for a rustic dinner.
With the conclusion of the homily, the entire Custody extends its wishes to the new solemnly professed friars to be worthy of the Love who chose and consecrated them.
From now on, Alberto Joan Pari, Luai Bsharat, Tomasz Franciszek Dubiel, Tony Choucry, and Ulise Zarza are solemnly professed. Franciscans forever. The moment they received the embrace from the Custos and then from each of the Franciscan friars present, the emotion could be seen clearly on their faces, in the exchange of smiles, the burning eyes.
The celebration took place in the Basilica of All Nations at Gethsemane. “This was the most practical place for receiving both Palestinian friends, coming on a bus from Bethlehem, and the friends from the Qehillah, the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community, as well as a few Jewish friends,” explained Fra Alberto.
Surprise showed on the faces of a few Palestinians. They listen closely, look at each other, yes—they really are saying the psalm in Hebrew. Hebrew is one of the languages of celebration because the five friars making their professions today come from five countries on three continents. Fra Ulise is Argentinian; for the past several years he’s been seen at the altar as assistant master of ceremonies. Fra Alberto is Italian; his beautiful, warm voice enlivens the Franciscan choir at celebrations and, having studied Hebrew, he is one of those who bring the reality of the Custody to the knowledge of Israelis in that language. Fra Tomasz, who is Polish, has a less visible service, placing his technical and computer skills at the service of his brothers. Lebanese Fra Tony and Jordanian Fra Luai serve the parish and youth groups with their joie de vivre and the example of their faith.
The five well represent today’s Custody of the Holy Land, between service in the Holy Places and the community, as well as working on the sidelines in service of all.
The basilica was filled for the solemn profession of the five friars; some of their family and friends were able to travel to be with them. The Custos’ homily (see below) very well expressed the special moment in their religious lives that these young people were experiencing. Already disposed, like Samuel, to listen to the Lord, they have yet to live more profoundly the experience of religious life that reveals that God is not only “among us” but “in us”. The tangible expression of God in us is the love that we have for our brothers, and the tangible expression of the place we leave for God in us is recognized in the most difficult times when, like here at Gethsemane, Jesus lived his agony in his indefatigable trust in his Father. It is the heart, enlarged to the dimensions of love, the Custos concluded. It is the beginning of this love that the young friars demonstrated at the end of the celebration when they greeted their Franciscan brothers and their relatives and friends in the gardens Gethsemane hermitages for a rustic dinner.
With the conclusion of the homily, the entire Custody extends its wishes to the new solemnly professed friars to be worthy of the Love who chose and consecrated them.