Annual retreat of the Vicariate's priests on Mount Tabor


The priests of the Vicariate had few days of prayer that took place in the Franciscan monastery on Mount Tabor, from Tuesday, October 13 until Friday, October 16. Eleven priests spent the days in prayer, fraternity and joint study.

 
 

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For the fourth time since 2006, all the priests working in the Vicariate at the service of the Hebrew speaking Catholic communities in Israel, went off together for four days of prayer. This year they spent these days in the Franciscan monastery on Mount Tabor, a wonderful place, overlooking a breathtaking panorama as well as commemorating Jesus' Transfiguration, when he was clothed in glory before the eyes of three of his disciples. This year the priests were eleven in number, including those responsible for communities, three priests who help out and two new priests who have arrived in the past two months together with the Vicar, Father David.

This year, the animator of the days of prayer was Father Michel Remaud, director of the Christian Institute for the Study of Judaism and Hebrew Literature in Jerusalem and a veteran member of the Jerusalem community. He proposed a specific subject for reflection and prayer: the stories in the Lucan oeuvre (Luke and Acts) that begin in two different places and end in a meeting between the characters. Father Michel explained that this is a central theme in Luke's writing and he gave many examples, like the annunciation to Zachariah, the annunciation to Mary and the meeting that takes place in Zachariah's house when Mary visits Elizabeth. The fascinating lecture each morning led to a riveting and fruitful discussion in the afternoon.

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The daily program included time for community prayer – matins, mass and vespers – as well as individual meditation. Time was found also for conversation among the priests, a rich opportunity to exchange experiences from work in the field and to deepen the ties of friendship among the priests. At the same time, a group of Franciscan friars were holding their own days of prayer and the atmosphere in the monastery was one of prayer, fraternity and closeness created by the shared mission. The superior of the monastery, Father Wojtech, and his brothers did everything to make these days unforgettable and we thank them sincerely.

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