Retreat day preparing for Christmas

On Saturday, November 29, the kehillot of Jerusalem and Jaffa met for a day of retreat during the time of the Great Advent, as is the tradition each year, in order to prepare for Christmas, which is approaching. The morning hours were devoted to Lectio divina of the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Father Rafic, responsible for the Jerusalem kehilla, commented on the parable in its Biblical context. After that there were 45 minutes of silence and prayer so that each one could come back to the parable and meditate on it. Then the participants broke up into small groups to discuss together the Word of God.

In the afternoon there was a long lunch break in order to share the food that each one had brought as well as the lentil soup prepared by the Sister of Sion. Later In the afternoon, Father Antoine Levi spoke on Edith Stein and the meaning of her life and witness for our Hebrew speaking Catholic communities. The day ended with the celebration of the Sunday mass by Father Michel Remaud for those who could stay until the end.

Thanks be to God for this beautiful day that we were privileged to have in preparation for Christmas.