“In the depth of my soul, I have always felt the need to dedicate my life to God, praying and serving together with the Franciscan friars in the Grotto of the Nativity, where Jesus was born.”
We met Dawud Hazboun, 92 years old, in Bethlehem, where he comes from, at the Basilica of the Nativity. His story, closely intertwined with the story of the Franciscans in Bethlehem, is a testimony of deep faith and love for the Franciscan charism.
He has been active in the Catholic community of St Catherine’s church in Bethlehem ever since he was a child, serving Mass as an altar boy. In 1950, by now an adult. He joined the Third Order of St Francis and since then he has devoted his time to the service of the Basilica of the Nativity. For over eleven years, he was the sacristan of the Franciscan church and since 2005 he has had the job of looking after the Grotto of the Nativity, ensuring that the rights of the Latin Church according to the Status Quo are respected and assisting pilgrims.
The Third Order and the bond with the Franciscans
Ever since his childhood, Dawud has been close to Franciscan spirituality. “When I was small,” he told us, “I wanted to enter the convent with the Franciscan friars, but my father did not support my choice. However, the vocation stayed in my heart, and this is why I decided to consecrate myself as a layman in the Third Order of St Francis (today the Secular Franciscan Order).”
His service in the church of the Nativity was shaped by his closeness to the friars. The Guardian of the time recognized Dawud’s faith and dedication and gave him the position of sacristan at the Grotto of the Nativity. “I would book Masses for the pilgrims, I would do all the preparations for the liturgical celebrations, almost as though I were a friar,” Dawud explains with humility.
A life dedicated to prayer
In addition to the liturgical service, Dawud is also a cantor of the Third Order and leads moments of community prayer, including the procession and the recital of the Te Deum which is held at the Basilica in Bethlehem once a month. Prayer has always been at the centre of his life. “I wake up at two in the morning to recite the Office of the Readings and then I go to the Grotto to help the friars. Prayer fills my spirit and gives me joy. Many people ask me to pray for them and I take this commitment very seriously. Prayer Is a sign of hope; I have seen that it has always given good fruits with my very own eyes.”
Living the Franciscan charism in the family
Dawud also lives his love for the Christian faith and the Franciscan charism within the walls of his home. Together with his wife, he has brought up five children in the faith, allowing them to attend the Franciscan schools and guiding them in the daily prayer in the family. “I have always tried to give the good example at home, praying the Office of the Readings with them and teaching them love for the gift of the redemption that Christ offered us.”
Today his children live far away, having emigrated after their studies, but the way Dawud brought them up continues to be a solid point of reference that is important in their lives.
A path of faith and service with the Franciscans
During his life, Dawud has met and lived alongside many Franciscan friars. From them, he y, he has learnt to have faith in Providence: “When I experienced poverty in my life, I was not afraid, because I trusted in God exactly how the friars had taught me.”
The Franciscan Third Order, for which Dawud was also responsible for many years, plays an active role in the local community. It organizes spiritual retreats, visits to families and moments of evangelization. Every year, on the feast day of St Francis, the members renew their consecration, showing their fidelity to the Poor Man of Assisi.
Today, despite his age, Dawud continues his service, driven by the same enthusiasm as in the past and aware of the importance of the Franciscan mission in the Holy Land. With his humble and pious service, Dawud Hazboun incarnates the Franciscan spirit, a tireless witness of faith and hope.
By Lucia Borgato | custodia
Source Link: https://www.custodia.org/en/news/stories-of-living-stones-dawud-hazboun-the-sacristan-of-bethlehem/
