Christmas in October

Wall of Jerusalem

Christmas in October is not another marketing attempt to reduce Christmas to shopping. Today we traveled through the Israeli security barrier wall (above) from Jerusalem so we could enter the majority Christian city of Bethlehem.

Cave of St. Jerome

We celebrated Mass in the cave of St. Jerome (right) who decided to take up residence next to the place where Jesus was born. As we were preparing to celebrate Mass, a group of pilgrims from Mexico asked if they could join us. It was a couple who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by their children. It was a joy to have them pray with us.

We dedicated the Mass to expectant mothers and parents of young children.

We also prayed for peace. Bethlehem is being strangled by the "security barrier" that surrounds it. The people who live in town are mostly Christians but they cannot leave Bethlehem to work in the rest of the country because they cannot get permission to pass through the fence.  Most of the young people are leaving for other countries so that they can work and feed their families.

It is predicted that there will be no Christians left in the town where Jesus was born by the year 2020.

St. Jerome and Jesus

Chapel at St. Jerome

Fundamentalist Muslims who are financially backed by Saudi Arabia are buying the property of the Christian families.  In the last two years a large mosque was built across Manger Square from the Church of the Nativity. While we were inside Church praying, loud speakers aimed at the Church were blasting the chants and prayers of the Imam.

The Holy Land is a place most in need of our prayers for peace and it challenges us to seek peace in our own communities so that our own divisions do not destroy us.


Peace and Goodness,

FD