Formation in the Church of our origins

ÜRGÜP, Turkey : 48 brothers from the region including Turkey, Greece, Romania, Lebanon and Jerusalem answered the invitation of Br Oriano Granella, Cuistos of Turkey and met in Ürgüp in Cappadocia for a week of ongoing formation entitled “The Church of the origins”. It was also an opportunity to reflect on possible ways of collaboration in the future and to render more accessible the scriptural, historical and archaeological treasures of the region.

The Brothers came from Greece, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Romania and Turkey while Br Peter Rodgers, General Definitor for ASMEN, was also present. The themes presented included: The Hebrew-Christian Church of the diaspora (F.Manns OFM, Jerusalem), Liturgy as actualisation of salvation history for me (O. Granella), The ancient biblical places of Turkey (H. Laylek OFMCap), The history of the Franciscans as custodians of the Holy Land (P. Pizzaballa OFM, Custos of the Holy Land). The talks were completed by guided pilgrimages to some significant places of the primitive Church and the opportunity was given to concelebrate mass in the church of St Paul in Tarsus. The reaction of the participants was unanimously positive: It was an experience of joy, fraternity, reflection, formation and prayer. The hospitality offered by the brothers of the Custody of the Holy Land was marvellous. It was agreed that it would be good to hold such meetings once a year and the next one would be held in Beirut (Lebanon) in July 2013. It was also suggested to study the possibility of collaboration in initial formation programmes and in some pastoral projects.