Date: 4.10.2004
Source: Custody of the Holy Land

At 10:30 the Holy Mass was celebrated in the church of the Most Holy Savior presided by, as is tradition, the Prior of the Dominicans, Father Jean Michel Poffet, O.P., who is the director of the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem.  The Custos (Guardian) and the Vicar of the Holy Land concelebrated, as well as friars that came from other friaries.  Olavio Lopez and Javier Pizarro from Colombia, guests at our monastery, participated in the celebration.  Also present were Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini of Guatemala, as well as the Bishop of Antigua of the Caribbean Islands, who were on pilgrimage.  Many priests, male and female religious, and local christians also participated at the solemn and fraternal celebration.  The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, was also present at the celebration.  The consuls of Jerusalem also were in attendance.
In the homily, given in French (LINK), Father Jean Michel wanted to highlight the central importance of the Cross in the life of the Saint of Assisi.  The starting point of the sermon was taken from the final part of the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians.  Saint Paul and Saint Francis were enamored and fascinated by the Cross.  The Cross is the place and the throne where violence becomes mercy and pardon for the whole world.
When the solemn celebration of Mass finished, lunch was held in the refectory of Saint Savior’s, at which religious and civil authorities were present.  The feast concluded with a Gregorian Chant dialogical song between St. Francis and St. Dominic.
The day of October 4th, which was oriented entirely to the celebration of Saint Francis of Assisi, had another solemn moment in the evening with Sung Vespers, presided by Father Artemio Vitores, O.F.M., Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land.  Also present were Benedictine Monks from the Abbey of the Dormition, accompanied by their Abbot, Father Benedikt Lindemann, O.S.B.  After Solemn Vespers the friars, together with the Benedictines, gathered in the refectory.  For the occ! asion Father Pierbattista, O.F.M., Custos of the Holy Land, presented the Benedictine Monks with a painting of the Abbey of Norcia, Saint Benedict’s native town..

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