Christmas contrasts as seen by Superior General in Middle East
“One particular scene expresses it clearly. Not far from the Provincial Houses of the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission in Lebanon there is a square where the nativity scene was set up. In front of the nativity scene there was a military tank and on the corners around the square a heavy presence of military vigilance.”
To the Vincentian Family
My brothers and sisters,
May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts now and forever!
Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth!
I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and expressions of solidarity through Christmas cards and e-mails with messages about this holy time. I would like to be able to respond personally to each of the greetings that I have received, but I will make use of this modern means of communication to extend to you in my name and in the name of all the members of the Curia here in Rome, our hopes for a most blessed Christmas and a new year filled with peace, happiness and love for all. I ask especially that the Lord fill all of you with his grace so that you might help to extend that peace, happiness and love among yourselves and most especially with the poor.
Just yesterday, 23 December, I returned from a ten-day visit to the Middle East. I was struck by the contrasts between the hopes for creating an environment of peace with all the decorations, nativity scenes and the like that have been set up in public places by the Christians, and the awareness of the instability in the government of Lebanon as representative of the instability in many of the places where we are called to serve with the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul for the Vincentian family.
One particular scene expresses it clearly. Not far from the Provincial Houses of the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission in Lebanon there is a square where the nativity scene was set up. In front of the nativity scene there was a military tank and on the corners around the square a heavy presence of military vigilance.
In visiting the holy lands I want you all to know that in each of the holy places that we visited a prayer was said for you, for us. I had the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist together with other members of the family at the Lake of Tiberius, where Jesus asked Peter the question three times “Do you love me?†and establishing his primacy as head of the Church. At that time I prayed for each of us who are members of this Church that we might be given the grace to work for a true community of faith, hope and love.
I also celebrated the Eucharist in the place of the Annunciation where Mary said her “Yes†to God and I prayed that we all might continually say “yes†to God, recalling the first fervor with which we gave ourselves to the our Association. The following day I celebrated the Eucharist in the Tomb of Our Lord Jesus Christ and there I prayed that all of us might live deeply that new life, that the resurrection made possible for us all and that we share that life continually among ourselves and with the poor.
The day before I left we celebrated the Eucharist in the occupied territory of Bethlehem, behind the high wall in the church of Bethlehem on the very spot in which “the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us.†I prayed especially that all of us as a Vincentian Family may continually worship God who came into our lives as man in the person of Jesus Christ and to honor him by living the values of the gospel as he has taught us and to do so above all for and with the poor and from their reality that we together might be ever loving builders of peace, offering hope in a world where many live without hope.
Merry Christmas.
Your brother in Saint Vincent,
G. Gregory Gay, C.M.
Superior General
Tags: CM Curia
I was in Israel twice. In 1990 before Iraqi invasion on Kuwait and in 1991 soon after Gulf war. And both visits were very significant in my life. Very special and very unrepeatable. An experience not to forget. A turnpoint in my life. Something finished and something started there. I came to Holy Land with imagines of holy places, New Testament presentations and historical notes. I didn’t come there just for a tour. I came as and immigrant joining tens thousands of my countrymen finding job there (illegally). In few days I learned how much my knonwledge and imagination of Israel differs from what I see and what I hear. Living in Haifa, a port city in western Galilee I didn’t experienced troubled and dangerous life in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. But I experienced Jewish Israelis living in symbiosis with arab Israelis and Palestinians. There weren’t Palestinian Autonomy and separation wall then, but there was Intifada in Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem. I learned, there are Hebrew Catholics in Israel and many Arabs in Galilee are Catholic. We ll, it’s rather obvious truth. Nazareth, Kana of Galilee, Lake Tiberias (Kinneret), Mount Tabor and Springs of Jordan River are in Galilee. Wherever you look or wherever you walk, everything looks holy and historical. I understand and share the experience of Superior General visiting the Holy Land and all these unique places. Either if it is a Basilica of Annunciation, one of the biggest Catholic churches in the world, MOunt of Olives church, Ein Karem sanctuary, Golgota with the Holy Sepulcre, St.Peter’s home in Tabgha at Lake Tiberias shore or Betlehem with Milk Grotto and Basilica of Nativity you feel the Divine presence around You. You are in all the places where God and Man ws born, grew up, delivered His sermons and teachings and you can stand on the same ground where He was put to death and where he risen from the death. Nothing can compete with this experience and nothing can overcome it. This higly religious and spiritual feeling stays in contrast with reality. No matter it was twenty years ago, or it is now. Living the Basilica of Nativity you went to the square where Israeli police station reminded visitors in what country they are.Isreali soldiers with M16 guns and military vehicles everywhere reminded you there was a war there. Before I went to Israel I learned something about Vincentian presence there. The information that Vincentian priests and Daughters of Charity are present sounded exotic and surprising. But it was true. I remember the special moment during Easter 1991. A year when Christian Easter and Jewish Passover holidays were celebrated in the same time. Exactly as it was in the time of Jesus. I and some of my friends went to Jerusalem on Easter Sunday. It wasn’t first visit to the city, but was unique. We turned our steps to Vincentian house in East Jerusalem. The residence was not far away from King David Hotel, important place in Jewish-Arab relations and American Embassy. Not long time before returning to Poland I visited Daughters of Charity house in Haifa. They run a shelter and care center for poor and disabled children there. Technically it wasn’t easy visit. Sisters, mainly Palestinian, spoke arabic, French and Italian, all the languages I wasn’t in good command of. My French was as poor as their English, but it was good enough to pray the Noon Prayer together with the sisters. Lunch afterwards was very special. I already knew hospitality of Daughters of Charity but I didn’t expect they will host me like very special guest. In both places in Jerusalem or in Haifa I could feel very much at home. Being far away from my Community I could spent time in the family. It was very nourishing experience. Something I didn’t imagine that can happen. In that way I know how much happy and built up Superior General could be when visiting the Middle East community just before Christmas. Holy Land is the place like any other. Only visiting it one can understand why it so exclusive. There is a YouTube film presenting the2 Comments
When you are on tour you see what your guide wants you to see. When you travel by yourself you can go where you want, and see what you want to see.
I was shocked when attempting to visit the church at Shepherds’ Field soldiers banned me from entering the road to that place because “it was dangerous”. I also remember an old Arab in traditional gown who was so feared that someone in Israeli car gave him a lift across Betlehem. He calmed down noticing that the driver was European.
We came in, and after introducing myself and my friends we asked if we can pray and receive Holy Communion because of the Easter. We were touched when Father Superior (I do not remember his name) decided to celebrate Holy Mass for our group of three only. It was not an ordinary Mass. Celebrated in English with readings in POlish and homily translated from English into POlish. Just for three tourists who asked for Eucharist. Then I realized that Vincentians are there this one reason. To bring Eucharist and Gospel to those who need it. I remember many other Eucharists in Holy Land, but this one was special and the only one.
of Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Gregory and attended by Daughters of Charity inside the Holy Sepulcre in the Holy Sepulcre Basilica in Jerusalem.
You can see the film here:
I was in Israel twice. In 1990 before Iraqi invasion on Kuwait and in 1991 soon after Gulf war. And both visits were very significant in my life. Very special and very unrepeatable. An experience not to forget. A turnpoint in my life. Something finished and something started there.
I came to Holy Land with imagines of holy places, New Testament presentations and historical notes. I didn’t come there just for a tour. I came as and immigrant joining tens thousands of my countrymen finding job there (illegally). In few days I learned how much my knonwledge and imagination of Israel differs from what I see and what I hear. Living in Haifa, a port city in western Galilee I didn’t experienced troubled and dangerous life in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. But I experienced Jewish Israelis living in symbiosis with arab Israelis and Palestinians. There weren’t Palestinian Autonomy and separation wall then, but there was Intifada in Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem.
I learned, there are Hebrew Catholics in Israel and many Arabs in Galilee are Catholic. We ll, it’s rather obvious truth. Nazareth, Kana of Galilee, Lake Tiberias (Kinneret), Mount Tabor and Springs of Jordan River are in Galilee. Wherever you look or wherever you walk, everything looks holy and historical.
When you are on tour you see what your guide wants you to see. When you travel by yourself you can go where you want, and see what you want to see.
I understand and share the experience of Superior General visiting the Holy Land and all these unique places. Either if it is a Basilica of Annunciation, one of the biggest Catholic churches in the world, MOunt of Olives church, Ein Karem sanctuary, Golgota with the Holy Sepulcre, St.Peter’s home in Tabgha at Lake Tiberias shore or Betlehem with Milk Grotto and Basilica of Nativity you feel the Divine presence around You. You are in all the places where God and Man ws born, grew up, delivered His sermons and teachings and you can stand on the same ground where He was put to death and where he risen from the death. Nothing can compete with this experience and nothing can overcome it.
This higly religious and spiritual feeling stays in contrast with reality. No matter it was twenty years ago, or it is now. Living the Basilica of Nativity you went to the square where Israeli police station reminded visitors in what country they are.Isreali soldiers with M16 guns and military vehicles everywhere reminded you there was a war there.
I was shocked when attempting to visit the church at Shepherds’ Field soldiers banned me from entering the road to that place because “it was dangerous”. I also remember an old Arab in traditional gown who was so feared that someone in Israeli car gave him a lift across Betlehem. He calmed down noticing that the driver was European.
Before I went to Israel I learned something about Vincentian presence there. The information that Vincentian priests and Daughters of Charity are present sounded exotic and surprising. But it was true.
I remember the special moment during Easter 1991. A year when Christian Easter and Jewish Passover holidays were celebrated in the same time. Exactly as it was in the time of Jesus. I and some of my friends went to Jerusalem on Easter Sunday. It wasn’t first visit to the city, but was unique. We turned our steps to Vincentian house in East Jerusalem. The residence was not far away from King David Hotel, important place in Jewish-Arab relations and American Embassy.
We came in, and after introducing myself and my friends we asked if we can pray and receive Holy Communion because of the Easter. We were touched when Father Superior (I do not remember his name) decided to celebrate Holy Mass for our group of three only. It was not an ordinary Mass. Celebrated in English with readings in POlish and homily translated from English into POlish. Just for three tourists who asked for Eucharist. Then I realized that Vincentians are there this one reason. To bring Eucharist and Gospel to those who need it. I remember many other Eucharists in Holy Land, but this one was special and the only one.
Not long time before returning to Poland I visited Daughters of Charity house in Haifa. They run a shelter and care center for poor and disabled children there. Technically it wasn’t easy visit. Sisters, mainly Palestinian, spoke arabic, French and Italian, all the languages I wasn’t in good command of. My French was as poor as their English, but it was good enough to pray the Noon Prayer together with the sisters. Lunch afterwards was very special. I already knew hospitality of Daughters of Charity but I didn’t expect they will host me like very special guest.
In both places in Jerusalem or in Haifa I could feel very much at home. Being far away from my Community I could spent time in the family. It was very nourishing experience. Something I didn’t imagine that can happen.
In that way I know how much happy and built up Superior General could be when visiting the Middle East community just before Christmas. Holy Land is the place like any other. Only visiting it one can understand why it so exclusive.
There is a YouTube film presenting the
of Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Gregory and attended by Daughters of Charity inside the Holy Sepulcre in the Holy Sepulcre Basilica in Jerusalem.
You can see the film here: