An Unfolding Story

This is a true story of a man who hopes to become a priest.

this is the story of ma life. my real name is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx from uganda east africa. am da 5th born out of 9 children 2 girls and 7 boys. am now 26. ma father died in 2000 when i was just 12..am now living with ma mum and other siblings bt our first born died in 2014 and our elder sister is married with 4 kids. my family is a very poor one. ma father died when i was in primary 5. he left behind a loan which ma mum a real peasant couldnt pay and hence half of our land was sold. consequently ma two brothers whom i was studying with dropped from school in primary 5. by God's providence i managed to finish ma primary level and got ma cousin sister as ma benefactor and took me to secondary level..

as i entered ma final year of secondary school (O'LEVEL) ma sisiter lost her job. i studied for da whole ur on da mercy of God and in the end i owed da school about 400000 shs almost 200 dollars back in 2006. i passed in first grade bt i couldnt get ma results due to tha debt. so i had to spend da whole of 2007 at home as i had no results. at that time i had developed da desire of becoming a priest bt unfortunately da claretian missionaries at our parish couldnt help me. so now it looked as if ma dream had crushed for in uganda if one is to be a priest he must have finished high school (A'level). 

then in 2008 there was a crisis for translators at our parish as we have indian priests. so da only person at that close to them was me and so they asked me to help them and willingly i started translating. thats when i drew da attention of many esp ma grand mothers brother. he decided to send me to college to train as a primary teacher which i never liked bt i had no option. so i went and qualified with a credit in 2009..bt i had ma 2 siblings still struggling with school ma br and sister. i started teaching in 2010. da money i made i paid fees for ma siblings and cleared some debts.dont forget that in uganda primary teachers are da worst paid among all civil servants. bt ma dream of being a priest still was on fire. thats when o came to learn of da jesuits and here they are known as men who are highly learned intelligent and professional. 

so in 2012 decided to go back to high school bt remember i had to pay fees for ma br sr niece and nephew with still uncleared debts. it was a risk bt i asked God for a miracle. i decided to study and teach at da sme time. da two schools are near to each other. so i fused da timetable of da two schools such that when am studying i dont have lessons to teach. so i would put on ma uniform go to da secondary school study then after da lesson remove ma uniform and go to da primay to teach. it was tedius bt God helped me. so i got in touch with Jesuits in uganda and told to study very hard. so i put in a lot of effort even though i was a TEACHER and STUDENT..

after two years i finished just last year. now this year our results were released and i was among the firts BEST THREE CANDIDATES in da whole country.. u cant believe it bt God made a miracle for me.. so i went back to da Jesuits bt they decided that considering da nature of ma results i should first join university..i agreed and now am going to study LAW on government sponsorship..

ma brother after his O'LEVEL had to stay at home as i studied. i have now sent him to college to also become a teacher.. ma sister now is in senior 3 ma nephew senior 1 and ma niece primary 4. all ma brothers are jobless and am da one taking care of da family. its a big cross bt God has made it so light. no one can believe that with such a background i could be da best in da country yet i studied froma remote school with no electricity, good water, shabby structures and no library..thats all i can tell u. the lord has been favourable to me. though i still have da cross to carry ma dream of being a jesuit lives on. after 5yrs of LAW i hope i will join though i will be 31 by that time. thanks for reading. MAY GOD BLESS U. FOR THER GREATER GLORY OF GOD...AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM

The Low-Key Days after the Visit.

The Pope has come and gone, but his effect is still lingering in Jordan. The Jordan Times has run articles every day this week after his visit and the King has been very appreciative of all the work that was done to make Jordan shine. The kingdom is rightly proud of itself.

I will be at mass tomorrow to hear the impressions of parishioners who attended the mass. I think they will have good reports of their time at the stadium. I expect there will be a bit of a lull because so much enthusiasm went into greeting him.

The hard work begins now that Pope Francis has left. He inspired us and now we have to carry the torch bearing the flames he lit.

Our province benefactors left for the U.S. today. It was good to have them around. They had a full visit in the Holy Lands of Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. May God bless them for their support.

We had a nice lunch with an archbishop today. He often comes over for a meal and restful conversation. We can tell he enjoys it and can relax in our presence.

Two nights ago, I walked at night to Jebel Hussein’s shopping district. As I hastened along, I noticed that there is no place in Amman quite like this area. One can tell it was built with a certain direction in mind, but it never materialized in the way they planned. First of all, in a country that is mostly desert, there are no wide open spaces.

Jebel Hussein is the garment district and it has lots of indoor malls that seem to struggle. I noticed there are a few modern or chain restaurants (Popeyes, Snax) but mostly it is a sole proprietor market area. It reminds me of office buildings of the 30’s and 40’s in the U.S.

The small Maxim mall has enough people in them to sustain business activity and the food court essentially has street vendor items (flavored corn cobs, falafel). The district is unique because these are simply the average Jordanian families who are spending their time shopping for household essentials. It is actually quite fascinating and nice to experience.

Some of the smaller malls, though, have an air of desperation to them. For instance, when I ascended to the third floor of one mall, which contained a food court containing two stored, both vendors yelled out to me to come in and eat. I had already eaten so I was not in a state of hunger. When I turned to go down the escalator, I heard, “Please come in. You are welcome.” I felt bad because their visibility and foot traffic is so low. I don’t know how they sustain themselves, even though there are more than enough people living in the neighborhood. I also realized that many of these people live and work in this neighborhood and probably seldom get to the more Westernized areas of the city. There are hidden gems in these places though and some newer stores on the cusp of becoming modern.

As I walked, I was intrigued because I saw a fountain in the middle of the roadway. I’ve walked and driven by this road for two year and this is the first time I saw the fountains. There were actually two. The other Jesuit in the house was always unaware of it.

I sat down to gaze at the fountain because there were park benches. Many people came to sit and chat with friends and just to hang out in the warm night air. The fountains were not incredibly attractive, but it is nice to have them operative. They provide balance to the hectic street life that dominates the area. I very much enjoyed watching how people really connected with one another at these places. For such a crowded area, it was clear that most of these people knew each other and were happy to spend time in leisure with them. Their familiarity with others made the city seem much better connected than other modern cities.

Speaking of connections, I went to a coffee shop on Jebel Weibdeh today, just to get out of the house because I have been tethered to it all week. Every time I go, I run into at least five people who know me. I laugh when the security guards come in from outdoors just to shake my hand. I occasionally buy them a pastry.

As I was doing some work at my computer, I pleasantly listened to a French singer being played on the audio system. Actually, the songs were in French, but I don’t know that she is French, but with a name like Elizabeth Boulet, I presume she is French, but she could be American. I’ll have to google her because I liked her voice and her music. The manager was very happy to stop the music to verify that he said her name correctly.

Speaking of singers, we are in our final week of preparations for the Messiah concert. Bill Culverhouse, our conductor, is a dynamo. Last night, we worked with precision on the dynamics, balance, and blend of certain choral arrangements. It was a strenuous workout and it was our first time rehearsing in the Greek Catholic cathedral. As I am a high sensate, listening to my neighbor is essential for stability. I was dissatisfied with our first seating arrangement and then when the lineup was shifted, everything seemed to fit just right.

We rehearse again tomorrow night and I suspect it will be another dynamic workout. I hope many people come to this event because it is historic for Jordan. It is the first time Handel’s Messiah is being performed as a complete work in the kingdom. It also had an oud  to accompany us and we will sing a few choral pieces with Arabic lyrics. It promises to be an outstanding show.

Pope builds bridges of peace in the Holy Land

Thomas Reese  |  May. 27, 2014NCR Today   Francis in the Holy Land

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-builds-bridges-peace-holy-land
For NCR coverage of the pope’s visit, see Francis in the Holy Land

The visit of Pope Francis to the Holy Land was a smashing success as he showed the world that religion can be a force for peace and reconciliation rather than a cause of division and conflict. The scheduled events went smoothly and his unscheduled actions caught the imagination of the world.

One highlight of the visit was the meeting of Pope Francis with Patriarch Bartholomew in the Holy Sepulcher. Both men like and respect each other and in their friendship witnessed to the respect and cooperation that should mark ecumenical relations.

At the prayer service, both men prayed for progress toward unity and for better understanding among Christians. The site symbolized how much Catholics and Orthodox hold in common as disciples of the risen Lord. "Let us put aside the misgivings we have inherited from the past," said the pope, "and open our hearts to the working of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love (cf. Rom 5:5) and of truth (cf. Jn 16:13), in order to hasten together towards that blessed day when our full communion will be restored."

Building bridges was also the theme of his meeting with Muslin leaders in Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. He complemented King Abdallah II for his work promoting mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims. Nor did the pope pass up the opportunity to commend Jordan for welcoming refugees within its borders, and he called on the international community to help Jordan in caring for them.

The pope met with Christian and Muslim refugees, listened to their stories, shared a meal with some of them, and told them that violence is not the path to peace and that they should not give up hope. He prayed "that reason and restraint will prevail and that, with the help of the international community, Syria will discover the path of peace." He also harshly condemned those who profit from selling arms to those in the conflict.

The pope also met with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem at the Dome of the Rock, a holy site for Muslims. Here he referred to Abraham, whom Muslims, Jews, and Christians all see as "a father in faith and a great example to be imitated." He pleaded with all communities who look to Abraham, "may we respect and love one another as brothers and sisters!  May we learn to understand the sufferings of others!  May no one abuse the name of God through violence!  May we work together for justice and peace!"

The papal visit was also a pastoral visit to the Christians of the Holy Land who have been besieged by both Muslim and Jewish extremists. He celebrated three Masses, first in Jordan, then in Bethlehem, and finally in the Cenacle, the place revered as the location of the Last Supper. As a shrinking minority in the Middle East, the Christians need all the encouragement and hope that the pope can bring.

Since the Cenacle is built on what is believed to be King David's tomb, the Mass there proved controversial with Orthodox Jews. Rumors that Israel was going to cede sovereignty over the site to the Vatican were used to fan opposition to the pope's visit. Both the Vatican and the Israeli government denied these rumors. The Vatican said that all it was asking for is regular access to the Cenacle for a couple of hours in the morning for worship services.

In a place where religion and politics are an explosive mix, it is a miracle that the pope's visit went so well. Even before he landed, Israelis were upset that he went to Palestine before going to Israel. The Vatican finessed this by noting that pope did not want to enter Israel on the Sabbath, a day of rest for Jews. Thus he gave the Palestinians what they wanted without overly offending the Israelis.

The visit was filled with such symbolic gestures. The pope flew from Bethlehem to Tel Aviv airport rather than directly to Jerusalem to make clear that the Vatican does not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. But the Israelis got a big win when the Vatican agreed to the pope's laying a wreath at the tomb of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism. The Israeli government insisted on this gesture, which the Palestinians did not like at all.

Pope Francis' words at the Memorial of Yad Vashem were especially moving. They read like a Hebrew psalm and spoke of the "boundless tragedy of the Holocaust."

Hear, Lord, and have mercy!
We have sinned against you. You reign for ever (cf. Bar 3:1-2).
Remember us in your mercy.
Grant us the grace to be ashamed of what we men have done,
to be ashamed of this massive idolatry,
of having despised and destroyed our own flesh
which you formed from the earth,
to which you gave life with your own breath of life.
Never again, Lord, never again!

Jews were also touched by the reverence with which the pope greeted survivors of the Shoah, kissing their hands.

But it was when the pope went off script that he caught people attention. In Palestine, he had the car stop so that he could silently pray at the Israeli wall separating Palestine from Israel. Pictures of him resting his head against the wall provided an iconic image that was broadcast around the world. Here a picture was worth a thousand words as he silently prayed. This upset Israelis, with one rabbi sarcastically asking when was he going to tear down the wall around the Vatican. But since the pope said nothing, it was difficult for the criticism to gain traction.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by taking the pope to a memorial to the victims of terrorism, where the pope prayed in the same way he had at the wall. But when the prime minister defended the wall at a photo op with the pope, Francis kept silent until the media left the room. He was not going to get into a futile debate on the pro's and con's of the wall.

Finally, the pope made history by inviting Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican to pray for peace, and they both agreed. Cynics pointed out that the Israeli president is a symbolic position with little power and that Peres will be going out of office soon.

On the other hand, no other world leader has been able to get Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the same room recently. In the Middle East, symbolic gestures and incremental steps are important. And who knows what conversations can occur behind closed doors in the Vatican.

Building bridges is not easy in the Middle East, but with patience and perseverance the popes since Vatican II have reached out in dialogue to Muslims and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis, when many thought it was a hopeless task. Perhaps the papacy's bridges to these communities can provide a mutual path toward peace that goes through Rome. We can hope. 

Recap of the Pope's Visit to Jordan

It was an incredible day. After weeks of preparations and the excitement leading up to the Papal visit, Pope Francis did not disappoint.

The organization surrounding the event was quite solid. After sending parishioners to the stadium because the assigned buses never showed up, the Jesuits priests and scholastics headed to the Vicariate’s offices to be transported by comfort buses. We greeted the many Cardinals, Archbishops, Patriarchs, and other dignitaries who were on their way to the Royal Palace for a meeting with King Abdullah, the Royal family, and Pope Francis. Cardinals O’Brien and McCarrick were especially pleasant men with whom to speak. The local clergy was out in full force.

Jesuits, their benefactors, and friends of the Society came for a special Holy Land pilgrimage on this historic occasion.

Travel to the stadium was quick and easy and we could tell we were approaching the stadium because of the high volume of police and military officials to guide our safety. Also, noise levels began to rise as the Christian faithful streamed to Amman’s International Stadium where around 40,000 people were expected to worship at Mass.

Sports City was cleaned up nicely with flags and banners welcoming the Pope. Vatican and Jordanian flags were waved by zealous supporters. Organization around entry was smooth and orderly and there was hardly a wait at all to enter the stadium.

It was fun. It felt like a major sporting event as people were happy as they ran up to greet one another. Balloons, including pink and blue rosary bead ensembles, dotted the stadium’s playing field. Smiles were everywhere. The months of waiting was over and the day was one for celebration. Photographs were taken of every scene that occurred. I must have posed for 500 photos myself.

Once we priests received our stoles and chasubles, we mingled with parishioners and other faithful Catholics. It was a grand celebration as we shared our astonishment of how close we would be able to get to the Pope. We also shared our lack of surprise that there were insufficient numbers of portable toilets.

Local church choirs sang popular Jordanian Catholic songs and Abouna Bashir Bader animated the congregations with inspirational words to greet the Bishop of Rome.

It felt like a grand carnival. Everywhere I walked, people wanted to pose with me with the backdrop of the sanctuary behind us. I saw our First Communion candidates. There were 1,400 children receiving their first communion at the mass.

The Jumbotron kept us apprised of the Papal Motorcade’s status. As he approached the stadium, a helicopter swarmed above us. We focused our eyes on the widescreen as he stepped out of the limousine and stepped into his popemobile.  Men in black protected the popemobile as it entered the stadium. The blue and pink Rosary balloons were released. Ten doves were set free as a symbol of peace for the region. All eyes were transfixed on this gentle man as he smiled and waved to his fellow Catholics. He enjoyed himself.

The priests lined up to greet the Pope. We saw him turn from around the corner and the orderly jostling to be in the front row soon broke apart as priests rushed up to touch him, but the well-trained Italian security guards kept us at bay. We then assembled onto the sanctuary platform and waited for the papal procession.

Mass was said in Italian and Arabic. The translated homily was read by Bishop Maroun Lahham. The homily focused upon the ways we have to work for peace as a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s presence among us. Practicing peace is difficult work. The pope was graceful and gentle.

I was seated to the left hand of the Pope where I expected the canopy to shield me from the baking sun. It didn’t, but we were given sombrero hats to protect us. I sat very near to the Jesuit Federico Lombardi on the side where Cardinal Piolin sat.

When it was time to distribute communion, we were led by umbrella-carrying volunteers who would bring us to the faithful. As I finished distributing communion, I moved to another area where I fed four hundred children their first communion. It was quite a special time.

As the mass was ending, Patriarch Fuad Twal thanked Pope Francis for his generosity in coming to the Holy Lands and for encouraging the Christian faithful. After the two greeted, the recessional began and a swarm of Jordanian priests broke out of their seats to receive blessings from the man.

After the mass, people left quickly, but those who were in the stands came down into the fields. They were fortunate enough to touch and be blessed by Pope Francis as he exited the stadium on his popemobile.

We then returned to the Jesuit Center where we had a party for friends and benefactors. I could hardly fall asleep though I was fatigued. What a great day.

To see photos of Pope Francis’ visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, click on the link below:

1. Pics of the Stadium before Mass

2. Pics of Greeting the People

3. Pics of “Here he comes. In the name of the Father…”

4. Pics of Opening Prayers at Mass

5. Pics of Readings and Prayers

6. Pics of Prayers before the Eucharist

7. Pics of Closing Prayers

8. Pics of &Recessional

English Translation of Pope Francis' Homily at Amman International Stadium

May 24, 2014

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus promise the disciples: “I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete, to be with you forever” (Jn 14:16). The first Paraclete is Jesus himself; the other is the Holy Spirit.

We are not far from where the Holy Spirit descended with power on Jesus of Nazareth after his baptism by John in the River Jordan (cf. Mt 3:16). Today’s Gospel, and this place to which, by God’s grace, I have come as a pilgrim, invite us to meditate on the Holy Spirit and on all that he has brought about in Christ and in us. In a word, we can say that the Holy Spirit carries out three actions – he prepares, he anoints and he sends.

At the baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus to prepare him for his mission of salvation, the mission of one who is a Servant, humble and meek, ready to share and give himself completely. Yet the Holy Spirit, present from the beginning of salvation history, had already been at work in Jesus from the moment of his conception in the virginal womb of Mary of Nazareth, by bringing about the wondrous event of the Incarnation: “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, will overshadow you – the Angel said to Mary – and you will give birth to a son who will be named Jesus” (cf. Lk 1:35). The Holy Spirit had then acted in Simeon and Anna on the day of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple (cf. Lk 2:22). Both were awaiting the Messiah, and both were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Simeon and Anna, upon seeing the child, knew immediately that he was the one long awaited by the people. They gave prophetic expression to the joy of encountering the Redeemer and, in a certain sense, served as a preparation for the encounter between the Messiah and the people.

These various works of the Holy Spirit are part of a harmonious action, a sole divine plan of love. The mission of the Holy Spirit, in fact, is to beget harmony – he is himself harmony – and to create peace in different situations and between different people. Diversity of ideas and persons should not trigger rejection or prove an obstacle, for variety always enriches. So today, with fervent hearts, we invoke the Holy Spirit and ask him to prepare the path to peace and unity.

The Holy Spirit also anoints. He anointed Jesus inwardly and he anoints his disciples, so that they can have the mind of Christ and thus be disposed to live lives of peace and communion. Through the anointing of the Spirit, our human nature is sealed with the holiness of Jesus Christ and we are enabled to love our brothers and sisters with the same love which God has for us. We ought, therefore, to show concrete signs of humility, fraternity, forgiveness and reconciliation. These signs are the prerequisite of a true, stable and lasting peace. Let us ask the Father to anoint us so that we may fully become his children, ever more conformed to Christ, and may learn to see one another as brothers and sisters. Thus, by putting aside our grievances and divisions, we can show fraternal love for one another. This is what Jesus asks of us in the Gospel: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete, to be with you for ever” (Jn 14:15-16).

Lastly, the Holy Spirit sends. Jesus is the one who is sent forth, filled with the Spirit of the Father. Anointed by the same Spirit, we also are sent as messengers and witnesses of peace.

Peace is not something which can be bought; it is a gift to be sought patiently and to be “crafted” through the actions, great and small, of our everyday lives. The way of peace is strengthened if we realize that we are all of the same stock and members of the one human family; if we never forget that we have the same heavenly Father and are all his children, made in his image and likeness.

It is in this spirit that I embrace all of you: the Patriarch, my brother bishops and priests, the consecrated men and women, the lay faithful, and the many children who today make their First Holy Communion, together with their families. I also embrace with affection the many Christian refugees from Palestine, Syria and Iraq: please bring my greeting to your families and communities, and assure them of my closeness.

Dear friends! The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the Jordan and thus inaugurated his work of redemption to free the world from sin and death. Let us ask the Spirit to prepare our hearts to encounter our brothers and sisters, so that we may overcome our differences rooted in political thinking, language, culture and religion. Let us ask him to anoint our whole being with the oil of his mercy, which heals the injuries caused by mistakes, misunderstandings and disputes. And let us ask him to send us forth, in humility and meekness, along the demanding but enriching path of seeking peace.”

Patriarchs of the East

‘Patriarchs of the East’ meet as sign of unity on eve of Pope visit

by Rula Samain | May 24, 2014 | 13:54 Updated: May 25, 2014 | 00:53

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Christian church leaders representing churches in the east meet in Amman Friday evening (Photo by Rula Samain)

Amman – A “historic gathering” of the Patriarchs of the East took place Friday evening as a “sign of unity” among different churches, ahead of Pope Francis’ arrival in the region, participants said. 

They stressed that the assembly was “a testimony that the Pontiff brings unity and peace wherever he treads”.

Latin Patriarch of the Holy Land and Jordan Fouad Twal said this “unique, first-of-its-kind gathering, is to commemorate the meeting of Pope Paul VI and Bishop of Rome, and the Patriarch of Constantinople Athanasius, after almost 1,000 years of division”.

Since then, Patriarch Twal said, the will for unity has intensified and extended to include Muslims as well.

The conference was held at the Latin Church Hall in Sweifieh in the capital.

Patriarch Twal said the Pontiff has a message to all during his speech at the papal mass on Saturday.

“We should listen carefully to comprehend the message of peace and love His Holiness is sending, and prepare an action plan for decision makers to follow.”

Also attending the press conference were Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and Cardinal of the Catholic Church Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi, Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church Gregorios Lahham, Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Ishaq, Armenian Catholic Church Patriarch Narsis XIX, Syria Catholic Church Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans Louis Raphael I Sako and Vatican Ambassador Giorgio Lingua.

Patriarch Lahham told The Jordan Times that the building of the churches at the Baptism Site is not a sign of division or disarray.

“Church building does, and will not separate us [Christians]; we are united in the love of Christ.”

He added that the Christian church is there for all — who should be united in love that would eventually lead to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Patriarch Ishaq said that Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land has reflected on church unity.

“Our gathering here [the Patriarchs of the East] is a sign that the Catholic Church works for the benefit of humanity.”

He added that he does not only represent the Coptic Catholics, but all Egyptians.

Patriarch Raphael I told journalists that the Holy See’s visit is a chance to reflect on one’s own actions and points of view.

 “I call for all the countries that face struggle and division to reflect on and evaluate their actions in order to start change.”

“We do not need flashy words to live in unity; we need action that is inspired by love,” he said

Speech of Pope Francis at the Royal Palace in Amman

The following is a translation of Pope Francis’ remarks at a ceremony held upon his arrival in Jordan on Saturday:

Your Majesties, Your Excellencies,

Dear Brother Bishops, Dear Friends,

I thank God for granting me this opportunity to visit the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the footsteps of my predecessors Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. 

I am grateful to His Majesty King Abdullah II for his warm words of welcome, as I recall with pleasure our recent meeting in the Vatican. I also greet the members of the Royal family, the government and the people of Jordan, this land so rich in history and with such great religious significance for Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Jordan has offered a generous welcome to great numbers of Palestinian and Iraqi refugees, as well as to other refugees from troubled areas, particularly neighboring Syria, ravaged by a conflict which has lasted all too long. 

Such generosity merits the appreciation and support of the international community. The Catholic Church, to the extent of its abilities, has sought to provide assistance to refugees and those in need, especially through Caritas Jordan.

While acknowledging with deep regret the continuing grave tensions in the Middle East, I thank the authorities of the Kingdom for all that they are doing and I encourage them to persevere in their efforts to seek lasting peace for the entire region. 

This great goal urgently requires that a peaceful solution be found to the crisis in Syria, as well as a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I take this opportunity to reiterate my profound respect and esteem for the Muslim community and my appreciation for the leadership of His Majesty the King in promoting a better understanding of the virtues taught by Islam and a climate of serene coexistence between the faithful of the different religions. 

I am grateful that Jordan has supported a number of important initiatives aimed at advancing inter-religious dialogue and understanding between Jews, Christians and Muslims. I think in particular of the Amman Message and the support given within the United Nations organisation to the annual celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week.

I would also like to offer an affectionate greeting to the Christian communities present in this country since apostolic times, contributing to the common good of the society of which they are fully a part. 

Although Christians today are numerically a minority, theirs is a significant and valued presence in the fields of education and health care, thanks to their schools and hospitals. 

They are able to profess their faith peaceably, in a climate of respect for religious freedom. 

Religious freedom is in fact a fundamental human right and I cannot fail to express my hope that it will be upheld throughout the Middle East and the entire world. 

The right to religious freedom “includes on the individual and collective levels the freedom to follow one’s conscience in religious matters and, at the same time, freedom of worship… [it also includes] the freedom to choose the religion which one judges to be true and to manifest one’s beliefs in public” (Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, 26). 

Christians consider themselves, and indeed are, full citizens, and as such they seek, together with their Muslim fellow citizens, to make their own particular contribution to the society in which they live.

Finally, I cordially invoke peace and prosperity upon the Kingdom of Jordan and its people. I pray that my visit will help to advance and strengthen good and cordial relations between Christians and Muslims.

I thank you for your courteous welcome.  May the Almighty and Merciful God grant happiness and long life to Your Majesties, and may he bless Jordan abundantly. Salaam!

The Day Before...

The day before the Pope's visit was pleasant and full. Day began with daily mass followed by the fuller Sunday mass on a Friday. Then I heard several confessions, which always make me glad I'm a priest, because I get to hear of the suffering of many people. This sacrament is where a priest can be most helpful to a person who seeks God. The memories of grace endure.

After mass, I set up for the parish picnic, which has designed (1.) to help parishioners enjoy each other's company and to lessen anxieties about the Pope's visit, and (2.) to let people know where we are located in case they have to catch one of the buses to the stadium.

It was an unexpected source of grace for me. I was able to dance, sing, sit with and listen to many parishioners. It was just an easy day of being with parishioners, though I'm exhausted from cooking, setup, clean-up, and organizing the event. We even were able to talk some theology and about prayer experiences. Many people were able to contribute to the conversations. My hearts just warmed to the fact that these good people were connecting in profound ways. It was a very nice day.

Just as I was able to start the cleanup, it was time to attend a concert. Two of my parishioners and two parishioners' children who will receive First Communion tomorrow performed in the concert. I was very proud of each of them. They were beaming with pride as they sang their hearts out. I'm touched that many parishioners want to come to my concert in two weeks, Handel's Messiah with three songs in Arabic.

When we engage in life, our hearts expand. Though I'm exhausted from my work, it was an easy, pleasurable day. Now, it is time for my prayers, and most of my prayers will go towards the Bishop of Rome who visits us tomorrow.

A Pastor Reflects on the Pope's Visit

As pastor of the largest Roman Catholic parish in the Kingdom of Jordan, I reflect upon the significance of the visit of Pope Francis to the Holy Lands. Whether it is due to poor marketing or lack of national historical consciousness, Jordan is often overlooked by pilgrims and tourists who set their sights solely upon Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Galilee. As one who has lived in the Kingdom for the past two years, I have discovered that Jordan is the holy land of the Old Testament while also bearing witness to many New Testament events. Jordan is far more than the desert sands of Lawrence of Arabia.

The English-language parish has no special building, but its religious services are offered in Latin-Rite parish churches convenient to the areas of the city in which English-speaking Catholics live and work. The host pastors of these churches provide facilities for the services, but the English-Language Pastor is responsible for the conduct of worship and all other aspects of parish life for those native-born and immigrant Roman Catholics who choose to participate in the parish.

            The composition of the large English-speaking community is racially diverse, culturally rich, and extremely complex. Many parishioners are native Jordanians or from parts of the Middle East who choose to worship in this community. Many are ambassadors and visiting dignitaries, embassy workers and professors, business owners and government officials; others are housemaids, clerks, and restaurant and factory workers. A large number are Filipino, and a growing number of immigrants are not. The needs are as diverse as every person’s situation, but all seek to find something good in their church and in worshiping with a rich and beautiful tradition.

The English-speaking community is one that is growing. While Arab Christians are thought to be diminishing in number, the influx of new Catholics maintains steady growth and most of these immigrants are English-speaking. These new immigrants to the kingdom are reshaping the local mission of the church; therefore the parish is placed in a situation where it needs to explore new ways of responding to these continued challenges. The increased influx of Africans and Indians poses pastoral opportunities, and the church can be helpful in connecting these populations to adequate pastoral, social, legal, or cultural resources. Furthermore, the American presence is increasing substantially as Jordan is considered a family-friendly venue for embassy work.

A very major concern for is finding creative ways to reach out to the many immigrants who are often unable to come to Mass because of their employers’ restrictions. Many English-speaking immigrants reside in areas outside of Amman, like Irbid, Zarqa, Madaba, and the Dead Sea. More than 40,000 immigrants reside in the kingdom and only 1,500 are able to attend weekly worship services. Every person has the right to pray, but often the freedom to worship publicly is restricted, mostly by individual employers. The spiritual dimension of each Christian needs to be developed.

The questions around immigrant issues remain complex and at some point the church needs to discern new ways of providing religious support for these Catholics. The diversity of nationalities, class and educational levels, socialization abilities, employment and legal matters are extreme and new models need to be evaluated. Resources are available and we have to use them in different ways.

Integrating the mindset of our Arabic-speaking hosts with the immigrant church will bring about a celebration of common faith. Together, we are one church, even though we may speak different languages and hold different customs and traditions. We want to build upon a foundation of shared Christian values, such as dignity, hospitality, and love of one another – fellow Christians valued equally as an essential part of our local church to which we belong.

Hoped For Effects of the Pope’s Visit

The visit of Pope Francis carries a celebrity status to it. There is no doubt that the Pope has had an enormous effect upon the religious imagination of the faithful and the public. His visit creates great enthusiasm for Christian, Muslim, and non-believers alike. He brings a kind of “spectacle Catholicism,” where everyone wants to be able to claim they had their special moment with the Pope.

As pastor, I see the silent contentment of a few who are very pleased that the Pope is making this special visit because they know that he brings the words of Jesus Christ to them. I also see those who clamor for special privileges and rights to have access to the Pope and the Royal Court. Parents tell me their children are now ready for First Communion even though they have not attended any classes or have been home-schooled all year long. Others tell me it is time to have their child baptized at the Jordan River because relatives are flying in from far away places for this special moment. I certainly understand the desire for that once-in-a-lifetime moment, but I would also like to use these events as educational opportunities that teach more about the faith. I want to preserve the church’s integrity and help people realize the sacred event that is happening regardless of the Pope’s visit.

            I do not fault the people because I know of their need of a savior. For many, life is difficult in a tribal, patriarchal society that both protects and represses individuals. Christians are a minority, but not an oppressed one, even though the legal system of property transference mitigates against them. Christians are free to worship, but the wider cultural constraints shackle them. Their practice of faith is to sit obediently in church, pray their beads, practice devotionals, and make sure they get back to church the following Sunday. Development of one’s prayer life or one’s sense of participation in church simply does not happen except for a few remarkable individuals. The people seek for a greater understanding because the homilies they hear do not address the challenging situations of their daily life. The faithful seek a voice they can trust.

            What are the possible consequences of the Pope’s visit? He can begin the process of bringing unity between the Eastern and Roman churches. His visit is on the occasion of Pope Paul VI’s meeting with Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem fifty years ago. He will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in an effort to reconcile and heal. In my recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey, one of the Hagia Sophia guides claim that the Orthodox church has still not forgiven the Roman church for withholding military support of Constantinople against the Ottoman Turks. The majestic, most powerful Christian city in the world fell to the hands of Islamic invaders while Rome’s involvement would have tipped the balance in favor of Christianity.

            The average person does not know the theological differences between the Orthodox and the Latin churches. They know the Orthodox use an imprecise lunar (Julian) calendar and have stricter fasts during Lent. They know Latin Catholics cannot receive holy Eucharist in their church, but the Orthodox may receive at the Latin Table of the Lord. It seems to everyone that unity can be achieved if it were not for the question of the loss of authority, prestige, and honor.

            A second goal is to promote peace in Syria and the Middle East, which includes the troublesome conflict between Israel and Palestine. The proxy war being waged in Syria among extremists has displaced nearly four million refugees. Diplomats are stymied that the peace process hits far too many obstacles thereby damaging any hope for statesman-like progress. A new world order can only come about when the people and their leaders choose to practice peace, which comes about through a conversion of hearts. Presently, these hearts are hardened and only a wise leader who can lead others to trust in their God can turns these hearts of stones to ones of flesh.

            As a consequence to the above-stated goal, dialogue with other faiths may be jumpstarted. Within Jordan, Christians coexist with Muslims and King Abdullah has visited the Pope in Rome three times. Mutual respect between the leaders helps create a tolerant, accepting climate. The Islamic community sees the Pope as a kindly man, a man they can trust. His words and actions inspire them and they speak of him with great affection. Interfaith dialogue and cooperation means nothing unless Muslims and Christians can eat meals with one another, to socialize and to learn about each other’s family lives. The most sensible way to approach this shared enrichment is to respond to the needs of the poor, to promote the common good, and to work for peace.

            A more challenging endeavor is to create a safe environment for Christians within Israel and Jerusalem. In the lead-up to the Pope’s visit, Jewish extremists have desecrated Christian holy sites and there is real fear that Israel will become a Jewish state, thereby forcing Christians to become second- or third-class inhabitants. Muslim Palestinians are often in the news because of the continuous hostile conflict, but very few people hear of the silent plight of the diminishing Christian community.

            The church hopes that Pope Francis will encourage Christians to rightly claim their Christian identity and to forge a joyful life in a land that is rightfully theirs to share with others. Baghdad, Iraq has seen a mass migration of their Christians to the northern lands of the Kurds or they have repatriated to other safer countries. The Copts in Egypt face destruction of property and livelihood during a time of great instability. Syrian Christians have fled to Lebanon. The church is in great danger of becoming an underground church because the larger world remains hostile to their presence.

The immigrant community that feeds the infrastructure of the Middle East are domestic maids, construction workers, restaurant staff, gardeners, and trash collectors. Pope Francis wants to speak to them words of hope and concern for he shows solidarity with the crucified peoples of the world. They await his words of hope, freedom, and joy and they want to live the values he outlines for the world, but it remains a world of danger.

This Pope has star power and many know that he points them to the mind and heart of God. He is not the Savior. He is not the Christ. He is not God. He is, however, an extraordinary leader who can point both the people and their leaders in the right direction. He can establish a relationship that endures so that he can lead a people who live in darkness to a place of new light and hope. In the end, he will endear himself to us and will give us a glimpse of joy – that God has not forgotten all God’s people (Muslim, Jew, or Christian), and that God wants a better world for us. So, we bask that the divine is smiling favorably upon us.