A Day of Rest …

Today was a day of rest for us! We took to the road in the morning from Antioch. A four-hour drive! We arrived at Mersin where we were hosted by the Capuchin community. Again, this was a great experience. We were introduced to this parish community by Padre Roberto, a Capuchin friar who has been here in Turkey for sixty whole years! What a vocation of fidelity and love!

I was really impressed by his most positive attitude! There was at no moment a word of resentment. My prayer is always: how I wish that I live my priesthood with this positive attitude, giving myself completely in the circumstances I find myself in. Padre Roberto will remain a great example of joy, love and positivity for me.

He said that there were some 2000 Christians in this area, of whom 700 Catholics. He described the ministry of the Capuchins here as being “a silent apostolate”. He also said that they have very good relations with the Muslims and that they invite each other on special occasions. He mentioned particularly funerals. Padre Roberto made also reference to the three nuns who are at Tarsus. He said that they are a blessing for the Capuchins here. As a matter of fact, Sr Agnese, back on Monday, told us that, since they have no mass, they need to travel 60 kilometers a day for Mass at Mersin!

We were then treated for lunch by the Capuchins. It was truly a family affair. Here we could also appreciate the goodness of Italian cuisine!

A note from yesterday: Padre Domenico, the Capuchin Parish Priest of Antioch told us the first Capuchin to return to Antioch after centuries of absence of the Church, was murdered after some years of ministry. His witness unto death serves as a great foundation for the work that these courageous and generous religious are rendering to the Church in this country. As Prof. Manns told us earlier in this trip: Mission is born out of persecution. How true!

We then moved to Silifke to our hotel on the sea … a great occasion to take a good dip into the beautiful, refreshing Mediterranean Sea. I really enjoyed the swim but also some time of relax. I’ve been waiting for this moment! Thank you, Lord.

Catholic Church in Mersin on the Southern Coast of Turkey, run by the Capuchins.

Padre Roberto who has been serving the Church in Turkey for 60 years.
He calls his ministry as "silent apostolate".
What an example of fidelity!