90th birthday of Father Jacques Fontaine

Father Jacques Fontaine, a Dominican monk and one of the early pioneers of the Hebrew speaking Catholic community, lives today in an old people's home in Abu Dis. In 1960, he was one of the founders of Isaiah House in Jerusalem, a Dominican center for Jewish studies. For many years he was a source of inspiration for the members of the Hebrew speaking Catholic community.

The project of his life however was the BST (Bible sur Terrain) – the Bible on the face of the land. Father Jacques became well known for his combination of being an enthusiastic guide to the Land of Israel and an exegete of the Bible. The encounter between the geography of the Land of Israel and the text of the Scriptures was cultivated by him over many years and many are his disciples.

On July 13, in the Abu Ghosh monastery, relatives who came from France, representatives of the Dominican brothers, a group of priests from Paris who continue to lead the BST today, some representatives of the Hebrew speaking Catholic communities and friends of Father Jacques, gathered together. Father Charles, abbot of the monastery, celebrated the mass. In his homily, he called on the Dominicans to renew "Isaiah House" and its contribution to the understanding of the mystery of Israel.

After the prayer, the congregation went down into the crypt, below the church and there Father Jacques spoke of his project. At the age of 90, with a clear head and a strong voice, he still radiates the enthusiasm and love for the Word of God always revealed afresh in this land.

Happy birthday Father Jacques! May you live to 120!

To read more about Father Jacques and the BST here