By Sr. Norma More dc

Up to 1948 Ein-Kerem was a predominantly Arab village but in the war of Independence the Israeli army conquered the territory and the village is now a Jewish stronghold with many families here living sturdy, beautifully constructed homes. The place is famed as the birthplace of John the Baptist Benedictus prayer. Close-by at the foot of the hill is the “Virgin‘s Fountain”, the spring where Mary would have fetched water for the household and where she would have refreshed herself. Countless pilgrims visit every year, praying at the Church of the Visitation which marks the site where Mary visited her cousin and the child in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy and the words: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” were spoken. Mary replied with the Magnificat and this prayer can also be seen on the walls surrounding the church in all the languages of the world even in Tagalog.

First Missile Attack

This is where our St. Vincent’s home for physically disabled children is located. I first arrived here in November 1991, barely two months before the Gulf War started and Saddam Hussein threatened Israel with missile attacks. I have a vivid memory of it because it  was my first encounter with ‘star wars’. In January 17 of that year, we had the first missile attack. We were then living in sealed rooms because of the threat of chemical weapons. Although parents put pressure on volunteers to return home, the majority stayed to help despite real fear, and there was an atmosphere of service and heroism.

One Big Happy Family

In St. Vincent’s are 70 mentally and physically handicapped children raging from one year to fifteen years old. Some are visually impaired, some have convulsive seizure disorders, A few cannot walk, and some can only speak a few words.These children rely on others all the time for there needs, so there is round-the-clock care for them. Two Israelis, two Palestinians, and myself form a health team to ensure their physical well-being. The Jerusalem Municipality provided a school building, which is just besides our building, with specialized educators.  The children are given the best possible physical amenities, medical, paramedical and educational therapies.  Generally there is little hope of progress but I believe our enduring patience and tender loving care can bring about miracles.

In our community we experience unity in diversity: Sr. Catherine is Austrian, Sr. Selma and Aurora are Lebanese, Sr. Susan is American and myself, a Filipino. What is wonderful is that these children are the reason for Jews, Muslims and Christians to come together in St. Vincent’s and take care of them despite tensions in Israel resulting from political and racial disharmony. The employees fromm different religious can be friends here; they say, “At St. Vincent’s at least we can live in harmony like one family.”

Search for Meaning

“Inventiveness to Infinity”, one of St. Vincent de Paul ‘s maxims, is our endeavor, particularly in seeking to improve the quality of life for our special children. Physiotherapy, music, art and visual stimulants, weekly outings and annual summer camps are arranged wit the help of fifteen volunteers. Almost all of the volunteers get attached to the children after some time. They give the best of themselves and that unselfish love, which is perfectly reciprocated by the children, gives meaning to their lives-the one thing which they probably have been looking for before coming to St. Vincent’s.

Evangelized in Mission

I myself have truly experienced Christ in their midst. They evangelized me. I learn fro them that God never abandons the afflicted ones, but always sends angels to care from them. We no longer experience missile attacks, no more sealed rooms and threats of chemical weapons, but just like any missionaries in the world, we undergo other difficulties. Sometimes we run out of food or funds for equipment maintenance, but suddenly someone would supply the need and we would see the loving providence of God at work. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting too at times but many of my fellow missionaries here say they receive even more that they give. This is not easy to understand; it really has to be experienced and here in this Holy Land, Where countless stories of Jesus', own persecution have been kept in the holy pages of the Bible, I have experienced it and this feeling remains with me for the rest of my life.

“I believe our enduring patience and tender loving care can bring about miracles.”