Friday, February 7, 2014


Dedication of  a new church in the heart of Jerusalem

chiesa dei cappuccini di gerusalemme
Capuchin church of gGerusalemme - Sunday, February 2, 2014 Msgr. Shomali chaired the evocative liturgy of consecration of the church of the Capuchin Friars of the community of Jerusalem. More than 150 participants . 
You do not often see a consecration of a new church. It happened on Sunday , the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, in the heart of the Jewish part of Jerusalem. The auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem presided in the house of the friars Cappiccini , one of the most beautiful liturgies proposed by the Catholic church. The ritual , in fact, provides for the altar and the new building for worship, the stages that usually mark the path of the faithful sacramental : the sprinkling of water, anointing with oil , incense, the white tablecloth , the light .
The richness and depth of the words of the liturgy are themselves a marvelous catechesis , as pointed out by Msgr. Shomali homily : " There will be many to call upon the Lord , to listen and be fed by His Word. There will be many to praise and sing the praise of the Lord, many here will draw strength for their journey . Today's liturgy expresses this salvation given by the sacraments in the prayer of dedication . " (Please read the homily in full).DSC03040
At the end of Mass, many participants were able to admire the details of the beautiful new church , among them a beautiful icon of the crucifix . Brothers priests, sisters, and many friends who attend Sunday Mass here have finally shared a wonderful lunch in the atmosphere of warm friendship typical of the Capuchin friars . We have the opportunity to ask some questions in between Stefano Dubini .
DSC030401 ) The presence of the Capuchin friars in Jerusalem, in the history , development that has had, and what is your job today ?02022014-DSC02878.jpg
The presence of the Capuchins in Jerusalem is very recent. In 1930, the Lebanese Capuchins related to the Capuchins of Lyon bought the land , which was planted with olive trees . Almost immediately the English Protectorate away cappuccinos and what should have been the convent became instead a military prison . Upon arrival of the Hebrews in 1948 , expelled the British , the building was converted into a psychiatric hospital until the mid-90s , when the government of Israel has returned to the monks the full possession of the property. On 28 September 2010, there was the inauguration of the house , which is now in the celebration of the Church with the title " I am the light of the world" receives its final seal .02022014-DSC02921.jpg
2 ) What are the characteristics and purpose of this new home?
It is a Spirituality Center in Jerusalem, the place of biblical formation of Capuchin friars from all over the world at the same time open to people who wish to live an experience of prayer and Bible study , in an atmosphere of sharing and brotherhood where it is manifested historically the Paschal Mystery. Being able to touch the traces and signs of the history of Jesus and the early Church, is a gift that we want to be accessible to an increasingly large number of people.
3 ) What has 02022014-DSC03024.jpgbeen the heart of the party on Sunday?02022014-DSC02973.jpg
The celebration of the dedication of the Church, the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, on the one hand defines the constitution of the House in the Church of Jerusalem, and the other reminds us that the church , place of the meeting and prayer, is an external sign the Christian community, living Church, true spiritual temple where he lives and operates the Spirit of the Lord, as said the Bishop in his homily .
For those interessanto to visit the new church here is the address : Franciscan Capuchin Monastery , 16 Disraeli Street - Talbiye , 9,222,218 Jerusalem - Israel ( Tel : +972 2 6516906 framcap@netvision.net.il )
Article and photos by Andres Bergamini02022014-DSC02985.jpg

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