January 1 in the Jerusalem kehilla

On the eve of January 1, at 23.00, about 40 people gathered in the kehilla in Jerusalem in order to spend an hour in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The prayer combined silent moments and song. The hour was divided into four parts: times for adoration, worship, thanksgiving and intercession. Benedetto and Magali contributed with their musical talents and transformed the evening into a deep prayer experience. Thanks to Father Piotr and Matthias, the chapel was arranged and adorned as befitted the moment. At midnight, Father David gave the solemn benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. After the prayer, those present gathered in the reception room to drink a glass of champagne and to dance… the last guests went home at after 2.00 in the morning.

The following morning, members of the kehilla joined the tens of faithful who came to the solemn mass celebrated in the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. The Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal celebrated the mass and alongside him were his Vicars: Bishop William Shomali, Bishop emeritus Kamal Bathish, Father David and Abbots Charles (Benedictines – Abu Ghosh) and Gregory (Benedictines – Mount Zion). The Patriarch consecrated his homily to the message of the Holy Father for World Peace Day and to the events that took place in the Church over the past year. After mass, the priests present were all invited to lunch with the Patriarch as is the custom each year.

At 18.30, the members of the Jerusalem kehilla gathered for solemn mass in the Saints Simeon and Anne house. The chapel was full and there were a number of children present, giving an added joy to the occasion. Father David consecrated his homily to the importance of the Feast of the Circumcision for our Hebrew speaking communities. On the eighth day, Jesus was circumcised as a son of the Jewish people and in his flesh he carried the sign of the covenant, given to Abraham. The circumcision is the first sign that he would carry in his flesh, a sign of fidelity to God his Father and at the end of his life on earth he would carry other signs in his flesh: the wounds of the nails and the lance, they too signs of fidelity. His flesh is marked with signs of fidelity at the beginning of his life and at its end. We, who are fed with the Bread of Life, are called to be faithful as he is!

After mass, the members of the kehilla gathered in the reception hall for a time together during which they could wish each other well for the beginning of 2012.