On this Sunday of Pentecost, to respect the health regulations that forbid us to gather more than 50 people indoors, we met in our atrium, in front of the church. The Church thus came out of itself, out of its confinement, to proclaim outside the good news of the gift of the Spirit, a beautiful sign for this feast. We had the joy of celebrating the confirmation of Francesca, Manon and Sylvie: Father Rafic Nahra, Episcopal Vicar for the Vicariate of Saint James (Hebrew speaking Catholics), presided at the Mass and administered the sacrament while Brother Olivier Catel preached. These confirmations remind everyone of the mission of every Christian: to proclaim the Word and to set out to evangelise in a country where this is not self-evident. Our École biblique lives this mission in its own way: to announce through the rigorous study of Scripture and to preach the Word. We can sometimes forget that the École exists only because there is a “Holy Preaching”, a Dominican convent which is its heart.
This Pentecost also marked the end of the academic year, a rather special year: the topography course consisted of a PowerPoint presentations, no researchers in were residence to nourish discussions, and the library was closed (though it has just reopened, however). In any case, publications continued and courses were given online. On Monday, June 1, the brothers went into retreat, a voluntary confinement this time, no outside preacher this year. The brothers take turns each morning to present a passage from Scripture that nourishes their prayer and contemplation. It is thus a beautiful opportunity to get to know each other better, perhaps more intimately. The summer plans of each one of us are still uncertain, because of the international restrictions that weigh on air travel, but the beginning of the school year is already well prepared, all that remains to be done is to welcome new students in October.