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A Gate is a Hope
... and also in desert will be born Peace
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It was precisely in Bethlehem that the idea was born to
create a bronze portal for the Basilica of Nativity. The portal was to be
built to substitute the glorious wooden door. It was an important project,
considering the social and political situation in which Palestine finds
itself; nevertheless, it did not fail to inspire the enthusiasm of the
Franciscan Monks, who are Custodians of theHoly Land, especially Fr.
Giovanni Battistelli and Fr. Ibrahim Faltas. |
| The choice of the scenes to be represented on the door was
entrusted to Mons. Gianfranco Ravasi, the Prefect of the Ambrosiana Library,
while the model was cerated under the hand of the noted sculptor and master
of sacred art from Viterbo, Roberto Ioppolo. A well known artistic foundry
of Verona BRI.MAN will perform the fusion, with the ancient "lost wax"
method. |
Joseph' Birth in Bethlehem |
Annunciation to the Virgin |
This team effort has led to the realization of a suggestive
work, which embodies several foundamental moments of Christianity and the
history of Bethlehem, from ancient to more recent times, such as the
Holy Father's visit to Palestine during the year of the Jubilee. |
| But beyond the artistic value of the door, its meaning, from
the outset has been the portray the hope for peace; a gisft that the
city of Verona, which has been a twin city of Bethlehem for many years, has
made to this war-torn land. But another dream also came true. |
Worshipping |
Pope John Paul II and S. Francis
pilgrins to Betlehem |
After presentation to the City of Verona and the blessing
in the cathedral by Bishop Carraro, in the presence of civil and religous
authorities, the door received a blessing in Rome on the 10th october, by
the Most Holy John Paul II, thus becoming a Holy Gate and a "further message
of peace" for the land of Palestine. The "Gate of Peace" Association's
founding associates include Fr. Flavio Roberto Carraro. The purpose of
the association are |
 | to collect funds to help the College of the Holy Land, a school operated
by the Franciscan Monks, which hosts and educates a thousand Palestinian
children in Bethlehem |
| the conservation of the artistic and cultural patrimony of the Holy Land,
expecially the Basilica of the Nativity of Bethlehem. |
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Jesus' birth in Betlehem |
After a demanding pilgrimage across Italy, the door of Basilica of the
Nativity of Bethlehem will terminate its trip of undertanding, sharing and faith
in Bethlehem, where it will bring the hope of the people, to become a Gate of
Peace between God and men. We believe it is rigth and fair, at a time when the
international community feels that renewed efforts in the process of peace in
Palestine can no longer be delayed, and has created a project for the
recostruction of the nation, that even simple citizens make their small
contribution to peace.
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Characteristics of the Gate
the bronze portal is 2.5 m high, 1.40 m wide and weighs 1200kg. It was
realized with the ancient "lost wax" method of fusion and is
made up of two metal plates illustrating several significant moments for the
Christian failth. |
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