Mission World - August, 2009

03.08.2009

Year of St Paul in Jerusalem

Jerusalem (FIDES) - The local Church in Jerusalem organised some celebrations for the Year of St Paul, Saul of Tarsus, the man known as Paul.  Until he was about 30 years old, Saul was an outspoken critic of the new cult of rebel Jews following the teachings of the Rabbi Yeshua, who we know now as Jesus. Paul later became the first evangelist.

An ecumenical Eucharist brought together religious men and women and the students at our Bible Centre. The occasion was important for dialogue, because at every level Jerusalem needs bridges rather than walls.

The Custodians of the Holy Land, organised an exhibition of art on St Paul at our Christian Information Centre. The inauguration of the exhibition was an opportunity to present various aspects of the personality of the Apostle of the Nations, especially Paul's attitude towards women, a theme of great interest for men in the Near East.

Various professors from Bible Centres in Jerusalem were guest speakers at Congresses on St Paul in different parts of the world; articles and books were written to spread the message of the Apostle. Some of us led groups on a cruise to places of St Paul.

In Cyprus, which is part of the diocese of Jerusalem, a pilgrimage to Pafo offered local and international communities an opportunity to recall Paul's stay on that Island. Our women religious went to visit the monastery and tomb of Barnabas situated in the Turkish half of the island, because too often Paul is separated from his companions of mission. Paul, without Barnabas, of Cypriot origin, would never have been able to organise his first missionary journey.

The programme for the official closing of the Year of St Paul had Cardinal Walter Kasper preside over celebrations in Jerusalem. The place of Stephen's martyrdom will remind everyone of the presence of Saul who approved the stoning of the deacon. On June 30 a Holy Mass was celebrated at Maritime Cesarea, where the Apostle remained two years before going on to Rome. Bishops and priests accompanied Cardinal Kasper.

In the evening at Akko-Ptolemaide, where the Apostle stopped after his third journey, a Liturgy of the Word was celebrated in three different places: the Maronite church, the Melkite church and the Latin church. On the waters' edge the Cardinal imparted the Blessing.

I had the good fortune to be present for the ecumenical opening of the Year of St Paul in Tarsus and in Antioch on June 29, 2008. A tiny local community in this difficult land bears witness to faith in the Risen Christ. Not even the church in Tarsus or the cave in Antioch, belong to the Church - the churches are museums. I had the grace of accompanying an international group of students for the closing of the Holy Year in June.

To be able to celebrate the Eucharist, commemorate the death and Resurrection of the Lord and recall the gift of the Spirit, who gives the Church missionary dynamism, is indeed a great gift.

- A contribution from Fr Frédéric Manns OFM, Director emeritus of Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem.