Holy Land - Bethlehem

He presided the celebration of Morning Prayer and the 6.45 Mass: eight candles were lit to symbolize each decade of his life. Fr Hervé Kouame Kouadio gave thanks for the gift of Father Henri to the Church, and prayed God to grant him many long and fruitful years. After the words of the Superior,  Fr Henri followed suit by praising the Lord, and quoted Psalm 89 (v. 10): "The number of our years? seventy, eighty for those who are strong!”. At 1 p.m., the festive meal ended, as per tradition, with a cake and the singing of "Happy Birthday!" In biblical land, a final quotation is expedient: "In old age they will still bear fruit, will remain fresh and green." (Ps 91.15)