Dear brothers and friends,
the period elapsed since our last letter was rich in graces and commitments. In January we organized a concert in occasion of the Epiphany, as we do every year, and we invited all our Jewish neighbors and brothers, to share with them a moment of joy and fraternity at the Domus Galilaeae. Participation has always been plentiful, but never could we have expected such an enthusiastic response: more than a thousand arrived, and there was not enough place in the auditorium for everyone! Indeed we have seen that it is the Lord who wants to call them so that they may listen to the testimony of how we met him in our life and receive a Word that may revive in them the remembrance and expectation of the Messiah.
The feast on the occasion of the Epiphany in the auditorium crowded with our Jewish neighbors
A few days ago, we had the joy of receiving the second visit by the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who chose to dedicate a long time to us, as he spoke with the formators and the seminarians. He is performing a major work of renovation in the Patriarchate and also needs your prayers, like the rest of the Church of the Holy Land.
The seminarians and formators with Mons. Pizzaballa
In these days, our seminarians have completed the exam session for the first semester of philosophical and theological studies. They are devoting themselves, at the same time, to learning the local languages (especially Arabic), which are essential to serve the Church in the Holy Land. Many of them are already involved in evangelization in various parishes of Galilee, and are sustaining the pastors in the search of the faithful who have left the Church and in the care of those who participate regularly.
Other seminarians are instead completing a mission which, as you know, is fundamental for their formation; they are in several countries of the Middle East: Jordan, Cyprus, Bahrain and Qatar. The seven priests who come from our seminary also continue their service: Leandro and Juan David are serving in Jordan, Matheus is in Palestine at Ramallah, Cristian and Paolo are pastors in Israel (Paolo is also vice-rector of the seminary), Carlos is a missionary in Kuwait, while Davide continues the study of the Licentiate in Theology in Rome. The deacons who were ordained in November are serving in the parishes as they await priestly ordinations that have already been set for June: Giovanni is located in Moab in Jordan, Juan Manuel in Galilee, and Rodi in the Maronite Cathedral of Haifa.
We would like to share with you an excerpt of the letter sent to us by Carlos, the first priest formed in our seminary and sent on a mission to the Arabian Peninsula, so that you may understand more closely the importance of the mission that awaits us. It seems beautiful to retell his direct testimony on the early days of his misión:
The peace of Christ.
I am writing to give you some news of my arrival in Kuwait.
After nearly five months of “Via Crucis” (as my Bishop here told me, Mgr. Camillo Ballin) to obtain a visa, finally, I arrived last Sunday at my new destination of mission. When I arrived, with my little faith, I expected some problems to complete the entry practices in the state, however, since God is always faithful, they did not ask me anything, nor did they check my luggage!
A group of Arab parishioners with two local priests whom I had met in Lebanon was at the exit, waiting for me. They even greeted me with a bouquet of flowers …
Now I’m here in the parish, and I am organizing my things, I was thinking of how to carry out this mission that God entrusts to me. For the moment, the Bishop told me that I will be in charge of Catholics of Arab and Spanish language. However, they have already asked me to occasionally celebrate the mass in English during the week.
Here the Church is allowed to celebrate Sunday Mass beginning on Friday, as it is the day of rest for many, this being a Muslim country. The parish is huge: imagine that on Friday, 14 Masses are celebrated in the parish during the day, at least in 9 different languages. Saturdays we have 8 more (plus two with the communities of the Way), in six different languages and Sunday then there are other 11 masses. The majority of the people, however, comes on Friday or Saturday. The parish is huge! The 35 Catholic Masses are then celebrated not only in many different languages, but also in the different rites (since there are also Christians of the Eastern Catholic Churches).
The population in Kuwait is of 3.5 million people, of whom 65% are immigrants. Certainly there are different cultures and religions. The Catholics are estimated to be 350,000.
As soon as I arrived here in Kuwait, I opened a Gospel at random and the third chapter of Luke came out: “Voice of one crying in the Desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight! Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the steps are winding rights; and the rough ways made smooth. All flesh shall see the salvation of God! “(Vv. 4-6).
This Word has consoled and encouraged me a lot, first of all because it speaks of the desert (and here we are right in the middle of the desert!) And then because I see that so many people are waiting for the salvation of God. I was sent on a mission, similarly to John, to announce this salvation. I ask you to pray for me, that I may always remember that it is not I who has come to save, but simply am one that is called to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Saviour.
Fr. Carlos Ceballos Medina
The exterior and the interior of the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait
Dear friends, as you can see, the harvest in which the Lord has called us to work is truly great! We hope, with God’s help and yours, that we can prepare many new workers, ready to work and to give their life for this vine -so beautiful and yet so difficult- which is the Church of the Holy Land and the Middle East, open at the same time to the needs of the universal mission of the Church. We always remember you in our prayers, especially those of you who are sick and suffering at this time.
Do you not say, ‘Four more months and then the harvest’? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest (Jn 4:35).
We wish you a holy season of Lent, assuring you of our prayers from the Holy Places. The Lord bless you and give you peace.
The formators of the seminary,
Fr. Francesco Giosuè Voltaggio
Fr. Paolo Alfieri
Fr. Germano Lori
Fr. Antonio Martin Carrasco
To contact the Seminary:
Tel: +972 4 6809100
Fax: +972 4 6809111
E-Mail: sem.galilea@gmail.com
Address: Domus Galilaeae, POB 909, Tiberias 14105, ISRAEL
Webpage: www.srmgal.org
To support the Seminary:
Bank: Bank Leumi – Tiberias; Branch: 10-970; Account No. : 0034088/59
Account Name: Neocatechumenal Way – “Redemptoris Mater Seminary”
Swift Code: LUMIILITTLV; IBAN: IL020109700000003408839
Address: Ha-abanim St.1 – 14201 TIBERIAS