We celebrated Mass in the manger at the Church of the Nativity. The area is very small. It looks like it was a nook in the original cave and quite close (a couple of metres) to the silver star that marks the spot where Jesus is said to have been born.
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| The star that marks the spot where Jesus is said to have been born |
There were eight of us and we filled the cave. As you can imagine it's quite special to celebrate Mass there - even if you feel a bit like an exhibit as literally hundreds of pilgrims and tourists file past, some taking photos. I now know what an animal in a zoo feels like!
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| John, a Franciscan friar from California, keeping an eye on me! |
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| Gerard, an Irishman, who arranged the Mass |
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| The altar - three kings offering their gifts |
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| The priests: Joe (US), Richard (Westminister, but in Geneva), Gerard, John, Eric (US) |
A couple of days earlier, I went over to Bethlehem University to celebrate Mass. Br Peter Bray (once the principal at Francis Douglas) is the head of the university. We've been promised an invitation to dinner before the programme finishes.
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| The chapel of the university is dedicated to the Holy Innocents |
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| The courtyard of the university - thanks to Eric for these photos |
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