Austrian Hospice News nr. 6 · Oct. 2010 e DItOrIAL

believers and the cooperation bet- Dear friends and guests ween the monks. A Jewish choir that sings Bach can- of the Austrian Hospice tatas in Muslim surroundings: even if, or maybe especially because such of the Holy Family cooperation is highly unusual, it is important to encourage such efforts. You can buy CD‘s of the concert in the ow could I ever forget you, places. It was here that God assumed Hospice. H Jerusalem?” The question that human form in order to save us. These are all building blocks towards appears in an Old Testament psalm The film “In my Father‘s House a fulfilled life. Let us build the temp- is an invitation to embark on a pil- there are many Mansions” comes le of God on earth and work towards grimage to the holy city. Anyone for- out on DVD in the fall. Even if you building a New Jerusalem! tunate enough to experience the Holy have visited the Church of the Holy Land personally is glad to return to Sepulchre you are in for some surpri- those very places where biblical nar- ses. The film sensitively and insight- ratives were shaped. We feel a spe- fully sheds light on the many facets of cial closeness to the heavens in these the church, the religious quest of the Rektor Markus St. Bugnyar

The Government as Guest

t is a special honor when the heads I of the Austrian government pay a visit to the Hospice. We were delighted to host Chancellor Werner Faymann and Vice-chancellor Dr. Josef Pröll. We consider the visit as a validation of our current activity in Jerusalem which involves greeting and hosting thousands of Austrian pilgrims every year. Situa- ted as we are in the very heart of Jerusalem‘s Old City, our location is anything but safe. Unlike the presence of other countries in the Holy Land, Austria has long enjoyed a tradition of Chancellor Werner Faymann being in the political and religious “eye and author Robert Menasse of the storm”. this factor alone means with Rector Bugnyar on the roof that we are perceived in a different light of the Hospice to other hostels. We are happy that our agenda here is in harmony with Volunteers and those doing their Austria‘s interests and we look forward civil service duty welcome the Vice to the next governmental visit. Chancellor, Prayer in the Holy Sepulchre News Intern Pentecost with the Cardinal

erusalem is a special place when Like many fellow priests, Miloslav J it comes to Pentecost: it was in was denied public office in his chosen this very city that the disciples of Je- field: the Church was split between sus received the gift of the Holy Spi- fidelity tor ome and to state. the fu- rit. Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Archbi- ture of took on a shop emeritus of Prague, was here to job as window cleaner in a variety of celebrate this festival with us. shops. “Some of the sales assistants the Cardinal‘s biography mirrors obviously knew what I really was. the history of the in they often made contact with people the time of Communism: after gra- whom they knew wanted to speak to Cardinal Vlk in duating in 1958 it was initially im- a priest, telling them in which street the Hospice chapel possible for him to enter a seminary and in which shop I was working at to train for the priesthood; ten years a particular time. At first I stood on earlier all such seminaries, with a the streets and didn‘t look too con- single exception in Prague, had been spicuous. Later even that became a After the fall of the Iron Curtain, closed. Miloslav‘s first salaried - po problem. I wondered where I could Cardinal Vlk became Bishop of Bud- sition was as a car mechanic. After go, if there were places where such weis; in 1991 he succeeded Frantisek concluding his military service he encounters wouldn‘t look suspicious tomasek as Archbishop of Prague; studied archival science at the vene- or obvious. My search took me to the in 1994 he was proclaimed Cardinal rable Charles University in Prague district court. the corridors there Priest of the titulus Santa Croce in (founded in 1348). In 1960 he was were always full of people sitting and Jerusalem in rome. His stay in Jeru- finally able to study theology and was waiting. My work didn‘t look suspi- salem completes the history. ordained a priest in 1968. cious at all there”, the Cardinal told In his sermon Cardinal Vlk talked the rector of the Hospice. about the significance of the Holy effecting reconciliation between Spirit in the history of grace. “Christ both sides of the Church (the secret works through the Holy Spirit. When- side, faithful to rome, and the side ever two or three people are gathered that was loyal to the Communist- in His name, He is amongst us. In controlled state) became one of the communal gatherings the presence Cardinal‘s main tasks in his later of the Spirit is felt again and again; career. He chose the middle road: it is the Spirit that brings Christ into behind the scenes he was involved the world and makes us His witnes- in resistance activity and took many ses. In the love we show one another risks while in the public eye he att- the Church is engendered and resi- empted to facilitate cooperation with des. (…) Women in particular have a the Communists. special facility for this life-enhancing love; in doing so they fulfill their priestly role. It is our shared duty to bring Christ into the world and to the people”.

Signing the guestbook The founder‘s News monogram, Presentation with Vienna‘s Commander Intern Frieder Herrmann Minorities in Israel by Matthias Perkonigg

hese trips enable those doing into the Carmel mountains. there we t civil service to gain greater in- visited the Druse village of Usafiya. sight into various aspects of the coun- the Druse are a religious community try in which they are serving which dating back to 1010, again an off- alone might prove difficult. the trip, shoot of Islam. Here we learned about “Israeli Minorities” took us to the their attitude towards reincarnation north of the country. First we visited and about their belief in there being the Ahmadis in Haifa, a break off a limited number of souls, which ma- group from Islam which was esta- kes it impossible to convert to their blished in 1889. According to their religion. A Druse can only be a person estimation, their community has 150 whose parents are Druse. After eating million adherents worldwide, though a traditional lunch we continued on this calculation seems overly optimis- to the Cherkassian village of Kfar tic! In Israel the Ahmadi community Kama. Kaiser-Kasel has around 2000 members, all in fact In the museum there we learned emerging from the same family. how the warrior Cherkassian people hanks to the generous support the trip then took us to the Baha‘i once lived: examples of clothing, mu- t of the Knights and Dames of gardens. the Baha‘i community be- sical instruments and everyday imple- the Order of the Holy Sepulchre lieves in the unity of God. the gar- ments illustrated their life from birth in Vienna, we were able in the pre- dens house their largest shrine and to death. their language consists of ceding months to restore our so-called Haifa is considered the headquarters relatively simple sounds. the traditi- Kaiser-Kasel. Franz Joseph as well of this religious group. Worldwide onal way of life, including knowledge as other Habsburgs made gifts of over 6 million people belong to this of their language, is enjoyed by a mere their vestments, which we are de- community. 4000 Cherkassians in Israel. Most lighted to have lovingly preserved for We traveled a bumpy route deep Cherkassians live in turkey today. posterity, for use during celebration of holy mass in our Hospice chapel.

At the Cherkassians

Impressum: rektor Markus St. Bugnyar, Österreichisches Hospiz zur Heiligen Familie (Austrian Hospice) Via Dolorosa 37 · P.O.B. 19600 91194 Jerusalem · Israel Konto: Bankhaus Schelhammer & Schattera · BLZ 19190 Konto 100150127 Für Spenden zur renovierung des Hauses bitte als „Spende“ deklarieren; für soziale und caritative Zwecke im Land bitte als „Stipendium“ bezeichnen. Vielen Dank! News Intern Middle east Conflict brought Closer

View towards Gaza, Rockets in Sderot by Philipp Nigitsch

Employees doing their Austrian civil service duty with us are offered study trips that enable them to gain deeper insight into the conflict in the region. On this occasion the trip gave them an opportunity constructed student village is ample evidence of this. to meet Israeli citizens living near the Gaza Strip. Finally we reach Gush Katif: an erstwhile settlement which was eva- e set off early in the morning sam rockets, each furnished with a cuated by the Sharon government. Wwestwards towards Kfar Aza number and date. this eventful day furnished us where we visited residential areas, the pioneering spirit of the Kib- with a lasting impression of the dif- kindergartens and security instal- butz movement is still alive and well ficult conditions and attitudes of Je- lations. the village lies 3kms away in Israel today: an independently- wish settlers in Israel. from the Gaza Strip, whose border is monitored by the IDF. On the edge of the settlement a single olive tree growing out of an abandoned for- mer British military vehicle is sym- bolic of a yearning for peace. It was hard for us to imagine how life must be under constant threat of rocket Your contact for and mortar attack. the trip took us further to Sde- reservation requests rot where a father in a playground graphically demonstrated how children are taught to react if they et me use this opportunity to introduce our local Ger- hear the warning siren. they have L man-speaking colleague: Raed Rofa is responsible for a maximum of 15 seconds to run all your reservation requests and for any special wishes you to safety. Public places and private might have. the secret of success lies in making as early a homes all have a bunker to protect request as possible. Groups are advised to plan their trip residents from attack. the town po- Raed Rofa: a Christian at least a year in advance; for trips in the holidays, at easter lice station has a collection of Qas- Palestinian from Bet Hanina and in October, you should put in your request even earlier! In a new old Sheen R ENOVIERUNG Bösendorfer Piano

Sister Bernadette or the sake of truth it must be conceded keeps a F that our Bösendorfer in the salon is no watchful eye longer in the bloom of youth. Highly qualified pianists labor to make Chopin sonatas sound as they should. Recently, thanks in part to the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum In a new old Sheen in Tel Aviv and to our Embassy, we have been able to develop both quantatively and qua- litatively the scope of our cultural activities. We no longer only invite Austrian artists to ny renovation to, or invest- will have to “forgive” us however the Hospice but, given our unique location A ment in the Hospice, must be for putting in new mattresses and at the crossroads of religious and cultural life in keeping with the intentions of installing a new bathroom! The pas- in the Old City, feel beholden also to offer a our founders: we are a guest-house sageway between the salon and the podium to Israeli and Palestinian artists. We for pilgrims and not a five star es- adjacent guestroom is once again hope that in doing so we will be able to bring tablishment. We nevertheless have usable and will serve us well at con- people closer together. Our contribution to to take our guests‘ needs seriously. certs and other events. such encounters might be small, but it is a We have committed ourselves to se- The administrative offices are step in the right direction. veral projects over the coming years located on the ground floor and no After some searching we came up trumps: which we describe below. longer distributed throughout the a Russian born piano-maker agreed to give On the first floor we can offer building. Our guests can enjoy more our Bösendorfer a general overhaul. We can two additional guestrooms and our private space as a result. now pursue our cultural agenda and at the Kaiser apartment, already fitted out Particularly noteworthy are the same time press on with our renovations. A with an air conditioning unit. Franz new public toilets. There is scarcely short breather for our “problem child”. Joseph and all the members of the any doubt that this was a long over- Hapsburg family slept here; you due investment.

“Problem child” Bösendorfer

Suite with a new sheen News IN A NEW OLD SHEEN

In a new sheen: our Viennese Coffee Shop – we are looking forward Our Viennese Coffee Shop to welcoming you

arger and more efficient were painting of Chancellor (Kaiser) Franz pice until 1938 has been newly pain- L the slogans in mind when re- Josef and Archbishop Cardinal Rau- ted and brought to life. It reminds us novating and re-designing our much scher, very quickly became known of the long history of our institution praised Viennese coffee shop. Not for as the Kaiser Room. The service area and of our mission to keep Austrian years have all our guests been able to was newly designed and enlarged; we culture and identity alive. find a much-deserved seat while en- can now employ more staff and add Our culinary repertoire has been joying their refreshment. The back some additional coffee machines to extended: Wiener Schnitzel, a cheese area of our lobby has now been di- the coffee shop. Hopefully our guests board and a dish of the day are vided off and been added to the cof- will receive quicker service as a re- among our many offers. fee shop area. A closable connecting sult. It is highly likely that we are the door creates a separate room which, only Viennese coffee shop in Austrian thanks to the presence of a large oil ownership in the whole of the Orient; thanks to the help of our many volun- Breaking through teers and those doing their obligatory into the lobby civil service with us, we have become a known institution way beyond the city limits. The furnishings as well The service area was as the design should remain typically newly designed and Austrian. The double eagle emblem enlarged; our culinary which graced the façade of the Hos- repertoire was expanded News Architect, rector, contractor, project leader, workers: Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Orthodox

Work on the supporting wall

Reinforcing the External Wall

ince the “fall of the wall” in in this context we strive towards a City of Jerusalem. This kind of joint S 2003, the Jerusalem munici- functional cooperation between va- endeavor, far removed from the po- pality has been demanding that we rious groups: our Israeli architect litical realm, is still the best means make repairs to the northeastern ex- works with a Muslim contractor in by which to achieve harmony and ternal wall that runs alongside our a Christian institution in the Old justice. car-park towards the Via Dolorosa. After yearlong preparations and constant contact with the authori- ties, at the beginning of the year we Digging eats heavily into finally managed to get a permit to time and money build. 500 cubic meters of earth had to be removed before we got to the foundations of the wall. In the long term additional works will be un- dertaken in this area: in the course of the planned general renovation of the main building, a boiler room, utility room and a carpentry work- shop are to be added. All our renovation projects should contribute to making our Hospice a hospitable and comfortable place for the next generation of pilgrims. Even News SyMPOSION

Imperial and Royal soldiers distribute bread to the people of Bethlehem, Holy Mass in the Doctors – Artillery Men – Musicians military hospital, Imperial and Royal soldiers in formation at A Struggle for the Holy Land the requiem for Franz Joseph in the Holy Sepulchre by Johannes Safron

n summer the Hospice organized Peter Lang Publishing House. Her- by KR Rudolfine Steindling who has I a scientific symposium: the first bert Maurer (Vienna) concentrated been supporting the activities of the in 15 years and the second since on the literary ambience at the dusk Hospice for several years. the re-opening of our guest house in of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Dr. A selection of photographs from 1988. Whereas the earlier symposium Ruth Hummel (USA) reported on the Hospice archive and from the looked at nearly all aspects of the pre- interviews she had conducted in the “Scepter and Pilgrim‘s Staff” exhibi- sence and impact of Austria in the Le- Holy Land over a period of almost 25 tion at the Cathedral Museum Vien- vant and above all in the Holy Land, years with witnesses to the events of na offered thematic accompaniment the latest symposium focused on a the time. Georg (Kevork) Hintlian, to the various research perspectives: specific issue which has played an Jerusalem‘s local historian, devoted a group picture of Archduke Hubert important role in Austria‘s enduring his talk to a discussion of outstanding Salvator with Alois Musil and Rector esteem among locals: the expedition Austrian personalities. Dr. Norbert Franz Fellinger belongs to the context of the Austrian Army‘s howitzer Schwake, director of the German war of the Empire‘s “prestige work” in the battalion in the years 1916 to 1918. cemetery in Nazareth, recounted the Orient. In the winter of 1916/17 Aus- We were delighted to have as our fate of some individual soldiers during trian soldiers provided the inhabitants main speaker Dr. Robert Tarek- this period and identified their graves. of Bethlehem with daily provisions. Fischer (Vienna), whose recent work The symposium was made possi- This ‚humanitarian involvement‘ has on the subject was published by the ble through a generous contribution remained a vivid memory for many people still living there. The sight of imperial troops in the Holy Sepulchre plaza and escorting the Latin Patri- arch Camassei on his visit to the Hos- pice illustrate Austria‘s attempt to re- The First Howitzer Battery lieve France of its status as “Christian stand to honor the Latin Patriarch Protector” in the Middle East. on his visit to the Hospice