Hebrew speaking children on the Via Dolorosa

On Saturday, February 23, 2013, about 25 children from the migrant Filipino and African communities that meet in the Saint Anthony Jaffa parish prayed the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem in Hebrew.

Father Apolinary ofm, responsible for the Hebrew speaking Catholic kehilla in Jaffa, guided the 25 Filipino and African children on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. The children were accompanied by their parents, members of the parish of Saint Anthony in Jaffa. At each station, Father Apolinary explained the station and its special meaning in the life of the children and their families. After his explanation, the children read together a final prayer and the group moved on to the next station.

The group, organized by Ms. Gloria, a catechist at Saint Anthony in Jaffa, gathered and began its pilgrimage at the Franciscan monastery of the Flagellation, the first station of the Way of the Cross. Here they received an explanation about the model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus and about the important places linked to the last week in the life of Jesus. It was here that the children asked their many questions, which showed how necessary are the religion classes. It was here too that an Israeli guide from Haifa drew close and said: “I thought I was drunk. A Franciscan who is explaining and praying with Filipino and African children in Hebrew. This is a great surprise for me”.

The faithful passed through the crowded streets in prayer despite the many groups from different nations, Indians, religious Jews going to the Western Wall… The parents did their best to keep everyone together and not lose anyone in the packed market place. The chaos and the crowds were like those at the time of Jesus, who were little interested in what was happening to Jesus and likewise they paid little attention to us.

When we reached the Holy Sepulcher, we prayed the last five stations. Thereafter, mass was celebrated in the Crusader chapel in English, presided by Father Daniel Mose OFM. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the prayer of the Way of the Cross are part of the best preparation to enter into the Pascal mysteries: the suffering, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

It should be emphasized that this group of Filipino and African children began preparation for first Communion two weeks ago with Father Apolinary. This is the fruit of the collaboration between Father David Neuhaus sj, Patriarchal Vicar for the Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew speaking Catholics and Father Ramzi Sidawi ofm, parish priest in Saint Anthony in Jaffa. In Saint Anthony many migrant communities find their parish home. The children of these migrants, born in Israel, are integrated in Israeli schools and thus speak Hebrew. They need catechism in Hebrew too.