Christmas in July

My Christmas celebration started this summer when I went to the Chapter for "young friars" in the Holy Land. The Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) asked each province to send two friars solemn professed less than 10 years...and I was selected to go from my province, with Br Craig Wilking, OFM, who is a nurse in Chicago. It was a great experience! The last day of the chapter we spent in Bethlehem, so we reflected on the birth of Jesus Christ and the rebirth or recommitment we made to our vocations as friars. I served as one of the deacons at Mass that day. (This photo shows the Minister General holding the Christ child for veneration.)