Pics: Jossy Pinto
News by Fr Jaya OFM
Daijiworld Media Network—Israel (RD/CN)

Jerusalem, Dec 14: The Indian community in Israel, made a spectacular demonstration of their faith, religiosity, and culture of piety in the ‘Christmas PadaYatra - 2011: a Walking Pilgrimage’ held on Sunday December 11.

The Pada Yatra began from the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher which houses the Calvary and the tomb of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, Israel and concluded at the Cave of Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Monsignor Fuoad Twal, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, blessed and flagged off the Pada Yatra.
Over 600 young Indians, men and women, and couples with their little children scaled the prominent and one of the most ancient pilgrim roads of Christendom. 

The  high way  from Jerusalem to Bethlehem  was  glittering  with  colours of ‘desi’ wear  flags of the Holy Land, Vatican, India,  and  numerous placards with various  slogans like ‘Ave Maria’ and ‘Glory to God in the Highest’.  The melodious  sounds of Konkani carols  and prayers of ‘Naman Morie Kurpen Bhorlele’ and the  joyful  shouts of ‘Merry Christmas’  attracted the  attention of  the curious  Israelis and Palestinians  who  came to  the street and watch this  Indian Christmas  spectacular.

Santa Claus greeted everyone who passed on the road.   Their energetic dance and gentle greetings attracted and amused numerous Jewish and Arab kids as well.  The Pilgrimage concluded with the Holy Mass in Konkani at the Franciscan Church of St Catherina in the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem. 

Indian Chaplaincy, led by its dynamic Chaplain Fr Jai OFM, which functions under the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, organizes this ‘Pada Yatra’ every year, on the third week of Advent, for the faithful, as a fitting preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ.  It is in the spirit of the reliving and recalling the triple walks at the Birth of the Messiah: walk of the Holy Family, Journey of the Three Wise-Men from the East and the walk of the Simple- Shepherds. 

By their active participation in the liturgical and pious activities, this community has become a visible a witnessing community in the holy land. Monsignor Twal praised the Indian Chaplaincy for its creative spiritual and pastoral activities for its community. He said that by their simple faith and devotion let them renew the faith of the local Christians and pilgrims.