Vietnamese agriculture students visit Father Doan

On Sunday July 25^th, Pope Francis instituted the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which the Church will now celebrate on the fourth Sunday of each July.  The Church chose a Sunday close to the July 26^th memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne. 

A Syriac evening in Jerusalem

On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, Father Boulus Dayroyo of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem spent an evening with the Jesuit company. Father Boulus, a native of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, is the descendant of Syrian Orthodox refugees who fled Turkey during the genocide of Armenians and Syrian Orthodox during the First World War in Turkey. He entered monastic life at the age of 12, growing up at the heart of this ancient church community, learning to speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus, sing the liturgy of the Church and imbibe its traditions. The Syrian Orthodox maintain a vibrant presence in both Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Frédéric Masson ordained a Syrian Catholic priest

Frédéric Masson, a married Frenchman, was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Frédéric and his wife Stephanie are close friends of the Jesuit community. Frédéric’s spiritual father has been Father Peter Du Brul, who also served as Frederic’s priest sponsor during the ordination. Frédéric has served as program director at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute, whose director is Father John Paul. Both Fathers Peter and JP attended the ordination as did Father David Neuhaus, the Jesuit superior in the Holy Land.