June 13, 2002

Sixth graders awaiting their confirmation in Zababdeh’s Latin Church.

A busy day. Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived this morning for one of his several annual visits. This morning is his most important one - first was worship, a feast day in Zababdeh, Ascension Thursday. Celebrated forty days after Easter, it marks the day that Christ ascended to heaven (Acts 1). Since Western churches in Jerusalem are on Western time and West Bank churches are on Eastern time, the Patriarch was free to come up and worship in Zababdeh.

Patriarch Sabbah preaches the homily at Mass on the feast of the Ascension.

One confirmand coming forward to be anointed by Patriarch Sabbah.

We also celebrated the confirmation of the Latin community's sixth graders - they took part in the leadership of the service, from reading Scripture to singing anthems and hymns. As the Patriarch completed his homily, the students came up one by one, each accompanied by an adult. The Patriarch anointed them with oil in the sign of the cross on their foreheads.

Two girls celebrate their older siblings’ graduation.

As the Mass ended, everyone headed downstairs for the next celebration of the day (we pack them in around here), high school graduation. For the kids who made it this year, it's quite a testament to their perseverance. Most of the ones from Jenin missed two months of school. One of them who lives on the other side of Jenin snuck through the hills every day, hiring special taxis on his own dime, in order to finish up. Today was every bit a reminder of the hardships, though - the Israeli army is in Tubas today, where they've instituted a curfew. None of the teachers could come. What a day for a party.

One of our graduating seniors who lives in Jenin, and so missed much of school this year - yet persevered.

As with most ceremonies here, there were speeches from community leaders in addition to folklore dances and songs from kids. The students also gave speeches, including a beautiful one in English: a great testament to the school, the teachers, and the community. As the seniors came forward to receive their diplomas, one of the teachers read a poem she had written for each one based on the meaning of his or her name. It was well-received with plenty of applause and laughter - we sure wish we could understand more Arabic. As the party closed, several older women gave the traditional congratulatory ululating. It was quite moving.

Patriarch Sabbah and Fr. Aktham congratulate on of this year’s graduating class.

Congratulations, our young friends, congratulations. We also said a sad farewell to one of our students who is moving back to Romania. We'll miss him dearly, but there's little to tether young, bright people to this place if they can escape. We wish there was more cause for hope...