The language of music is universal, and facilitates unity.  It is not, in itself, a solution, but at least a starting point.  And this was the case at the Tau Music Center, which was inaugrated in Acre on Thursday, June 16th, in the presence of  the Minister General of the Friars Minor, Friar José Carballo. New classrooms at the Terra Sancta College will used specifically for music education, following the founding of Tau Banda, three years ago, by Friar Quirico Calella, representing the Custody of the Holy Land in Acre.  Here, in the city at which Saint Francis landed, and where the majority of pilgrims, in the Crusader era, began their visits to the Holy Land.  As part of the musical education of the city’s young people – who in less than a month’s time will be in Italy, specifically in Perugia to participate in the International Band Festival – Jews, Moslems and Christians will share the learning experience.  And it is to underline the fact that music is an international language that Father Quirico has chosen to work at the new centre which commenced its activities with the blessing of the Custos of the Holy Land and the Minister General of the Order.For Father Carballo, this presence in Acre has particular significance. Friar JOSÉ CARBALLO ofmMinister General of the Order of Friars MinorHere in Acre I feel very moved, because it was here that Saint Francis arrived in 1219, and I am the second of his successors to have had the honour of coming here. This is also another opportunity to meet again with my confrères in the Holy Land.   In fact the Minister General came here following three days with the Custos, a year after his last visit.  Father Carballo had met with members of the Discretorium, and joined a chapter of the friars in Judea and Galilee.  With his fellow friars, he dealt, in accordance with the broad outlines of the Order, with the themes of contemplation and fraternal life among the Franciscans of the Holy Land. On Thursday morning, before he arrived in Acre for the inauguration, he presided over a concelebrated Mass, with the friars of Galilee, at the Grotto of the Annunciation in Nazareth.  This is where the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God, and where Father Carballo himself made his solemn profession as a friar in 1976.Friar JOSÉ CARBALLO ofmMinister General of the Order of Friars MinorReturning to the Holy Land is always an emotional experience for me. I studied here at the Custody, made my solemn profession, and was ordained here, so for me the Holy Land will always be my own land, my own house. 

The language of music is universal, and facilitates unity.  It is not, in itself, a solution, but at least a starting point.  And this was the case at the Tau Music Center, which was inaugrated in...leggi tutto