Annales ordinis equestris sancti sepulcHri hierosolymitani 2015 The Order's support for refugees from the Middle East Bartolo Longo, an example for all members of the Order “Our Lady, Daughter and Queen of the Holy Land, pray for us” vatican city 2016 Annales ordinis equestris sancti sepulcHri hierosolymitani 2015 00120 vatican City Director Ivan Rebernik Co-Director and Editor-in-chief François Vayne Editor and coordinator of publications Elena Dini With the collaboration of the authors cited in each article, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Lieutenants of the corresponding Lieutenancies Translators Lucy Courlet de Vregille, Chelo Feral, Ségolène Jaillet, Christine Keinath, Annarita and Gianni Mondini, Angela Lane Layout Fortunato Romani Editrice Italiani nel Mondo srl - Roma [email protected] Photographic documentation Archives of the Grand Magisterium, Archives of L’Osservatore Romano, Archives of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archives of the corresponding Lieutenancies, Caritas MENA, Cristian Gennari, Carla Morselli and other collaborators indicated in the picture captions Cover photos The icon presented here of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine, Patroness of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, can be venerated in one of the rooms of Palazzo della Rovere, the Grand Magisterium’s headquarters in Rome. It was hand-painted by the nuns of the monastery of Bet Gemal in Israel. The picture of this icon is available, upon request, from the Communications Office of the Grand Magisterium ([email protected]), especially in order to spread the image with the prayer that is on the back. Published by Grand Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem 00120 Vatican City Tel. +39 06 69892901 Fax +39 06 69892930 E-mail: [email protected] Copyright © OESSH EDITORIAL “Education is the most powerful weapon” ur publication Annales 2015 lays out in four long chapters certain events from the previous year which are important to each of us. Among its diverse characteristics, the Equestrian Order of the OHoly Sepulchre is above all a pontifical institution, and it is upon this identity that we base our engagement to closely follow all which concerns the life of the universal Church. This is why this edition of our publication revisits essential events like the Synod on the Family; the Order which constitutes of more than 28,000 members in the world, has lay members as the grand majority, who for the most part are married and are parents. On the following pages, we also remember the Jubilee of Mercy, opened on December 8, 2015, for which a very precious spiritual book was put together by the Communications Service of the Grand Magisterium, in order to help us allow the presence of Christ grow in us during this jubilee year. Another important chapter in Annales 2015 concerns more specifically the life of the Grand Magisterium. In these pages is presented the summary of themes addressed by the members of the Grand Magisterium and by the Lieutenants during their meetings. A good part of their news is already widely known thanks to our Newsletter which is published each trimester. Some people may ask why come back to the same messages twice. Here is the reply: one of the objectives of our annual publication is to gather into just one document all the important information, thus forming a precious historical source to consult, to share and to archive for the interest of future members of our Order which never ceases to develop, especially in Asia. Education projects enable The third chapter of the review is entirely devoted to news of the Holy young people of different faiths Land, where there are projects which are financially supported by the to grow together, learning to Order, by demand of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. We prioritise respect differences and to discover the richness in this. our actions to support this Latin diocese which extends from Jordan to Cyprus, even whilst the Holy See asks us to broaden our work in favour of all the inhabitants of biblical territories, in line with the Congregation for Eastern Churches. The mission confided to us by the Pope is to work in service of the “culture of encounter”, particularly through works in education which enable young people of diverse beliefs to grow together in learning to respect their differences and so discerning a richness therein. “Education is the most powerful weapon”, willingly admits the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Grand Prior of the Order. In this pastoral framework, universal fraternity is our principal objective, in faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In conclusion, the final chapter of Annales 2015 allows us to see the extraordinary vitality of the Order across five continents, by giving voice to the Lieutenancies, that is to say to the groups of Knights and Dames present in some forty countries. The testimonies that we publish show an even more intense participation of our members in the life of the local Church and in union with the bishops, of which a large number are part of the Order. Dear readers, I wish that you may find in Annales 2015 things to give thanks and to intercede for, may the communication we offer you become a path to communion and an inspiration for our relationship with God in prayer, the only force capable of transforming darkness into light. Ivan Rebernik Chancellor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Annales 2015 - 1 contentscontents THE ORDER IN UNION WITH THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH 4 Jubilee of Mercy 20 “The Holy Land is fruitful and bears fruits of holiness!” 8 Living the Jubilee of Mercy in the Holy Land Interreligious Dialogue: the Way to Discerning God’s Work in Each 25 9 Peace Family Reality 12 The real experience of a “Church Family” 26 Interview with Rabbino David Rosen 14 Christians of the Middle East in Pope Francis’ heart and prayers 17 Blessed Bartolo Longo is a model for all the members of the Order Interview with Msgr. Tommaso Caputo 19 For a “Spirituality of the Resurrection” PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND MAGISTERIUM 31 A historic letter from Pope Francis to 40 Responding to the needs of the local the Grand Master community in the Holy Land 33 Letter from the Grand Master on 43 The three continental meetings of welcoming refugees in Europe the Lieutenants of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre 34 The two meetings of the Grand Magisterium in 2015 47 The Grand Master’s visits 38 The Holy Land Commission of the Grand Magisterium 48 Our Lady of Palestine, a celebration that unites all members of the Order 50 Appointments THE ORDER AND THE HOLY LAND 52 Twelve months in the Holy Land 61 A Pontifical Foundation for promoting formation and culture 62 Precious “drops of peace” in the Holy Land 57 At the very heart of the Church’s mission: the culture of dialogue Interview with Archbishop 65 The Maronites in Giuseppe Lazzarotto the Holy Land 59 “We are very sensitive towards the Jewish people, towards their history and culture” The Hebrew speaking Catholic Community in the Holy Land THE LIFE OF THE LIEUTENANCIES All members from five continents, men and women, turn their gaze to Jerusalem. THE ORDER IN UNION WITH THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH Jubilee of Mercy A New Future Offered to Mankind Traditionally, every 25 years the Pope proclaims a holy year. The next one was scheduled for 2025… However, during the “24 Hours for the Lord” penitential celebration on Friday March 13, 2015, the Pope surprised us all: on the occasion of the second anniversary of his papacy, he announced an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. Opened on December 8, this event will go until November 20, 2016, the Feast of Christ the King. OSSERVATORE ROMANO OSSERVATORE 4 - Annales 2015 Pope Francis’ Prayer for the Jubilee of Mercy Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH made Peter weep after his betrayal, THE ORDER IN UNION WITH and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!” You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. he Jubilee celebrates the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, as the TYear of Faith (2012-2013) marked the 50th anniversary of its opening. From Pope Benedict XVI to Pope Francis, the Catholic Church speaks with one voice to proclaim the Gospel in a new language, as ROMANO OSSERVATORE initiated by the Council Fathers and prompted by the Holy Spirit a half century ago.