The 18^th of July 2011

Very dear friends,

In this letter we ask, by increasing importance, for money, commitment and prayer.

Let’s describe the whole situation, first.

18 Luglio 2011

Carissimi amici,

In quest’appello chiediamo, in crescendo d’importanza, denaro, impegno e preghiera.

Méditations sur les événements actuels en Syrie

Nous, les Jésuites en Syrie, sommes bouleversés par les événements récents qui ont lieu dans ce pays qui nous est cher. Nous nous sommes rencontrés pour prier ensemble, pour intercéder en sa faveur, et pour méditer sur ce qui s’y passe. Ce texte est le fruit de notre prière, nous désirons le partager avec vous :

تأمّلات في ما يجري اليوم في سوريا

نحن الرهبان اليسوعيّين في سوريا، حرَّكتنا الأحداث الأخيرة التي تجري في بلدنا الحبيب، فالتقينا للصلاة والتضرّع من أجله، والتأمّل في ما يجري في أحواله، فكان هذا النص ثمرة صلاتنا التي أحْبَبْنا أن نُشارككم إيّاها:

Television highlighted the decision of John Paul II to take off his shoes before stepping into the Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. He wearily crossed the nave whose vaults are still held up by the columns of the Cathedral of John the Baptist. Then, in silence, he collected his thoughts in prayer, near the memorial where the relics of the Precursor are kept. Only the small papal entourage entered the mosque.

È stato il mezzo televiso quello che ha permesso di valorizzare appieno la decisione di Giovanni Paolo II di togliersi le scarpe per visitare la Grande Moschea degli Omayyadi a Damasco. Traversata faticosamente la navata, le cui volte sono ancora sostenute dalle colonne dell’antica Cattedrale di Giovanni Battista, il Papa si è finalmente potuto raccogliere in silenzio, in preghiera, presso il memoriale in cui si conservano le reliquie del Precursore.