Pope Benedict XVI Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Israel Souvenir Stamp and Booklet Set Commended by New Archbishop of Westminster

Transcription

1 Pope Benedict XVI Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Israel Souvenir Stamp and Booklet Set Commended by New Archbishop of Westminster Special report by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS Pope Benedict XVI has just made an historic visit to the Holy Land A Bridge for Peace from Friday 8 to Friday 15 May. To commemorate the event, the Israel Postal Company released a special My Own Stamp personalised stamp sheet, together with an Israel Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI souvenir booklet, on Monday 4 May. Holy places The labels adjoining the stamps in the sheet and the photographs in the booklet, show magnificent pictures of the Holy Places visited by countless Christian pilgrims over the centuries. The 12 places are as follows: the Grotto of the Annunciation, Nazareth; the Sea of Galilee; the Church of the Dormition, Jerusalem; the Church of the Primacy of St Peter; the Church of the Transfiguration; the Church of the Beatitudes; the Rotunda of the Tomb in the Holy Sepulchre; the Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; Gethsemane the Church of All Nations; The Garden of Gethsemane; The Cenacle Room of the Last Supper. This correspondent has been privileged to work with the Israel Philatelic Service, based in Tel Aviv, on the souvenir project. Thoughtfully designed to look like stained glass and old parchment, the booklet includes Biblical texts selected from the Jerusalem Bible and short descriptions of the Holy Places. These have been carefully translated into Hebrew and the booklet includes both the English and Hebrew texts together. The printing of the stamp sheet and booklet, a wonderful memento of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, was limited to just 10,000 numbered copies. The non-denominational, definitive Blue and White stamp, as it is known, showing the sea and the words Israel in Hebrew writing in the sand, was first issued on 27 August It is valid for inland postage throughout Israel at present representing NIS 1.60, for letters weighing up to 50 grams. Second sheet and booklet A second My Own Stamp sheet will be released shortly after the Papal Visit, in the same format as the first sheet and this will include photographs taken during the visit. A special souvenir booklet also written by this correspondent will include quotes from the addresses and sermons given by Pope Benedict. The price of both sheets is NIS 37, while the commemorative stamp booklets, with the sheets included, will be NIS 49. Not Listed Hugh Jefferies FRPSL, editor of Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogues, explained that these personalised stamp sheets would not be listed in the new Stanley Gibbons Middle East Catalogue, due for publication during the Summer, because they are sold at a premium over the face value of the stamps. However, any technical differences between these stamps and similar issues which have been granted catalogue status will be noted, for the convenience of collectors. G.S.M. June

2 Stamp collectors and non-collectors throughout the world will treasure them as a lasting memento of the bridge-building Papal Visit to Israel Warmly commended Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the new Archbishop of Westminster, has warmly commended the special souvenir set. He wrote: From 11 to 15 May 2009 the world s attention will be focused on the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Land. During these days, Benedict will visit the places of Our Lord s life, death and resurrection. There, in lands which witness such tension and strife, this Man of Peace will pray for peace between all nations. This event is marked by the publication of a remarkable souvenir set presenting 12 stamps being issued by Israel Post Philatelic Service. The stamps picture the holy sites so loved by Christian pilgrims. Archbishop Nichols, the newly elected President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, added: I am grateful to Mr Peter Jennings for his imaginative and careful work, in cooperation with Israel Philatelic Service, for the production of this lovely souvenir set. Avi Hochman, CEO and President of Israel Postal Company, said: Israel is proud to present the elegant souvenir stamp set in honour of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Land. The visit is a testimony to the eternal coexistence of the Jewish nation and religion side-by-side with Christianity and the mutual and deep-felt respect that the State of Israel affords the Vatican and vice versa. Vivid memories My Introduction to the first booklet states that: The 82-year-old pilgrim Pope has brought renewed hope, understanding, reconciliation and peace between peoples and religions in the Holy Land. His visit will encourage pilgrimages and tourism to Israel. In turn, Pope Benedict will take back with him to Rome many vivid memories of the holy Christian and Jewish sites including those in Jerusalem, Galilee and Nazareth. Turning to the postage stamp, I wrote: The words of leaders, spiritual and secular, have been borne to the uttermost parts of the world by horse, camel, ship, pigeon, and by all the new engines of the modern day. Not least in honour or power in modern history has been that tiny marvel, the postage stamp, first introduced to the world exactly 169 years ago, in May The postage stamp is the smallest, quietest, but most influential engine in the world. No letter ever bore a stamp; always it has been the stamp that bore the letter. I concluded with these words: These engaging stamps will be used in the first place to send everyday letters and messages of peace and commerce, but stamp collectors and non-collectors throughout the world will also treasure them as a lasting memento of the bridge-building Papal Visit to Israel during May Pilgrimage Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement that he planned to visit Israel when he appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace, situated high above St Peter s Square in Rome. Each week, when he is in Rome, the Pope leads prayers for the visitors from countries throughout the world. At the end of prayers on Sunday 8 March 2009, he announced that he was making a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The words of the Pope and a short statement by the President of Israel from Jerusalem on the same day, are included in English and Hebrew at the conclusion of the booklet: Pope Benedict XVI From May 8th 15th I will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to ask the Lord, visiting the places sanctified by his passage on the earth, for the precious blessing of unity and peace for the Middle East and for all of mankind. I am counting on the spiritual support of all of you and may God accompany me, support me and bless with his Grace all those whom I meet on my way. President Shimon Peres I am delighted that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has 86 G.S.M. June 2009

3 responded positively and accepted my invitation to visit the Holy Land. The Pope will be a most honoured guest, welcomed and respected by people from all walks of life. His visit will be a moving and important event bringing the spirit of peace and hope. Welcome to Israel. The Papal Visit According to the itinerary announced in advance of his visit, Pope Benedict XVI was due to arrive in Amman, the capital of Jordan, from Rome in the early afternoon of Friday 8 May and visit King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein II and Queen Rania at the Royal Palace. The following day he planned to meet Muslim religious leaders and celebrate Vespers with priests, worshippers and seminarians in the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Saint George in Amman. On Sunday 10 May, the Pope was due to celebrate Mass at the Amman International Stadium, before visiting the site of the Baptism of Christ, at Bethany of Transjordan during the afternoon. Pope Benedict was scheduled to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, at 11 a.m. on Monday 11 May and, after a courtesy visit to Mr Shimon Peres at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem, to visit the Yad Vashem Memorial. On Tuesday 12 May the Pontiff planned to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem and meet the bishops of the Holy Land in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. He was also expected to visit the Co-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem and celebrate Mass in the Valley of Jehoshaphat in Jerusalem during the afternoon. The Pope was due to spend all of Wednesday 12 May in Bethlehem, celebrating Mass in Manger Square and making private visits to the Grotto of the Nativity, the Caritas Baby Hospital and the refugee camp Al Aida, before meeting the President of the Palestinian Authority. On 14 May Pope Benedict was to spend the day in Nazareth where he planned to celebrate Mass at the Mount Precipice, before meeting Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minster of Israel, at the Franciscan Convent. Before leaving Nazareth the Pope was expected to visit the Grotto of the Annunciation and celebrate Vespers with the bishops, priests, and worshippers in the Upper Basilica of the Annunciation. On Friday 15 May, the last day of his Pilgrimage, Pope Benedict XVI was due to visit the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. His flight to Rome was scheduled to depart from Ben Gurion Airport around lunchtime. Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict s immediate predecessor, who established diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Jewish State, visited Israel in Yaron Razon, Director of the Philatelic Service of Israel Post told GSM: The Philatelic Service also issued special philatelic products to mark the visit of Pope John Paul II to Israel at the beginning of the Millennium and released a commemorative stamp following his death in April Mr Razon added: The visit of the current Pope is being officially marked by special cancellations and philatelic souvenirs. Philatelic products A range of special philatelic products has been released to mark the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Israel, including a postage label that was dispensed from the ATM machines in Nazareth and Jerusalem only for the duration of the visit. They will be removed from sale on 17 May Postcards The Israel Postal Company is also preparing decorative postcards for tourists to send back to their friends and family. There will be three different sets containing five postcards (each postcard has the NIS 3.80 postage label attached to it). Each set of five postcards costs NIS 25. There will be four special cancellations: 4 May 2009 cancellation for the ATM label, Nazareth; 11 May 2009 First day of visit, Jerusalem; 12 May 2009 Jerusalem; 14 May 2009 Nazareth. All these philatelic products are available for stamp collectors to purchase online at: or for UK customers at Harry Allen ( enquiries@ harryallen.com) G.S.M. June

4 The second My Own Stamp personalised sheet, issued by the Philatelic Service of the Israel Postal Company, to commemorate the historic Pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI to Israel during May 2009 Pope Benedict Presented with an Israeli Philatelic Memento of His Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Special report from Rome by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS Pope Benedict XVI has been presented with a unique philatelic memento, issued by the Philatelic Service of the Israel Postal Company, to commemorate his historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land during May Presentation to the Pope A smiling Pope Benedict was delighted with the gift of a framed copy of the two My Own Stamp personalised stamp sheets and special commemorative souvenir booklets dedicated to his visit. He chatted for a few minutes to the Israeli delegation at the end of his weekly General Audience in St Peter s Square on Wednesday 10 June. The Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See, HE Mordechay (Moty) Lewy, introduced Pope Benedict XVI to Mr Avi Hochman, CEO & President of the Israel Postal Company; Mr Yaron Razon, Director of the Israel Philatelic Service; Mrs Yael Koskas, International Marketing Manager, Israel Philatelic Service and Pope Benedict XVI Souvenir Sets Project Manager, who had flown from Israel for the occasion. The Israeli Ambassador also introduced this correspondent, the Project Consultant, a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London since 1974, who wrote the text for both the special souvenir booklets. Proud to present Avi Hochman, CEO & President of Israel Postal Company, said: The State of Israel is proud to present the elegant souvenir stamp set in honour of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Land. He added: The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Israel is a testimony to the eternal coexistence of the Jewish nation and religion side by side with Christianity, and the mutual and deep-felt respect that the State of Israel affords the Vatican and vice versa. Souvenir stamp sheets and booklets The first personalised stamp sheet and souvenir booklet was released on Monday 4 May 2009 to welcome Pope Benedict to Israel for his pilgrimage. The beautifully produced booklet featured photographs of the Christian holy sites and relevant biblical texts. The limited edition of 10,000 stamp sheets and booklets quickly sold out to a worldwide market (see article by this correspondent Pope Benedict Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, GSM June 2009). The second My Own Stamp personalised sheet and souvenir booklet features a selection of photographs that vividly capture key moments of the Pope s Pilgrimage along with quotes from his addresses, reflections and sermons. The booklet is a retrospect of the visit as it unfolded and a most worthy sequel to its prospective counterpart. The stamp sheet features the non-denominational, definitive Blue and White stamp, as it is known, showing the sea and the word Israel in Hebrew written in the sand. The stamp was first issued on 27 August 2007 and is valid for inland postage throughout Israel at present 1s.60, for letters weighing up to 50 grams. Introduction to booklet The Introduction to the second booklet, written by this correspondent, states that: The highlight photographs recording the historic visit to the Holy Land made by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Israel, Monday 11 to Friday 15 May 2009, each G.S.M. August

5 attached to an Israeli postage stamp, constitute an archival record of his journey A Bridge for Peace. The Introduction continues: The postage stamp, art in miniature, has a unique permanence. The media newspapers, radio and television, the world-wide web and blogs present an event like this fleetingly, but this special stamp sheet and commemorative booklet provide an enduring record for collectors and non-collectors to be cherished by future generations. Capture key moments This souvenir set includes photographs that vividly capture the key moments of the visit, and places them alongside quotes from the challenging and profoundly considered addresses, reflections and sermons delivered by Pope Benedict XVI in Israel. The Introduction concludes: Two images, simple yet dramatic, capture the essence of the Papal visit. The first is of Pope Benedict XVI standing in silent prayer before the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The second depicts the Pope and President Shimon Peres together planting an olive tree. The photographs in this souvenir set illustrate landmarks of the Pope s visit and the Holy Places visited by generations of Christian pilgrims down the centuries. The events covered in the booklet include: Monday 11 May Arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in Israel and the Welcoming Ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv; Courtesy Visit to the President of the State of Israel at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem; Visit to the Yad Vashhem Memorial in Jerusalem; Meeting with Inter- Religious Leaders at the Notre Dame Centre in Jerusalem. Tuesday 12 May: Visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem; Regina Caeli Prayer with the Ordinaries of the Holy Land, in the Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle) in Jerusalem; Visit to the Co-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem; Mass in the Josaphat Valley in Jerusalem. Thursday 14 May: Mass at the Mount of Precipice in Nazareth; Vespers at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Friday 15 May: Visit to the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; Pope Benedict XVI Departs the Holy Land with an Appeal for Peace. Appeal for Peace During his passionate appeal for peace Pope Benedict said: The olive tree is an image used by St Paul to describe the very close relations between Christians and Jews. Paul describes in his Letter to the Romans how the Church of the Gentiles is like a wild olive shoot, grafted on to the cultivated olive tree which is the People of the Covenant. We are nourished from the same spiritual roots. We meet as brothers, brothers who at times in our history have had a tense relationship, but now are firmly committed to building bridges of lasting friendship. Pope Benedict ended: I assure you that my prayers and the prayers of Catholics across the world are with you as you continue your efforts to build a just and lasting peace in this region. The text in the booklet recalls that: At 1.30 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI arrived Above: Front cover of the second commemorative souvenir stamp booklet Pope Benedict XVI Pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 2009, written by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS Pages from the second stamp booklet: Tree Planting President of Israel and Pope Benedict XVI; Pope Benedict s Visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem Pictures courtesy of the Israel Government Press Office Vatican 65c. stamp depicting Pope Benedict XVI from a set celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Vatican State issued on 10 February 2009 (SG 1557) 2

6 at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv where Shimon Peres, President of Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister, were waiting to greet him. After a final address the Pope boarded his El AL plane to begin his return journey to Rome. Joint Vatican-Israel stamp After the presentation at the Vatican on 10 June, Ambassador Lewy revealed that Pope Benedict was enthusiastic about the idea of a joint Vatican-Israel stamp issue to commemorate his 2009 visit to Israel to be issued during The Pope remarked: It is a good idea for both of us. Mr Yaron Razon, Director of the Israel Philatelic Service told GSM: We are excited about a joint stamp issue with the Vatican and already have some interesting preliminary ideas. For further information see the Israel Philatelic Service website: co.il/pope Above: Pope Benedict arriving in the Popemobile for his General Audience in St Peter s Square, on 10 June 2009 Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS Top right: Pope Benedict XVI pictured with (left to right) the Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See HE Mordechay (Moty) Lewy; Mr Avi Hochman, CEO & President of the Israel Postal Company; and Mr Yaron Razon, Director of the Israel Philatelic Service, who presented him with a framed copy of the two My Own Stamp personalised stamp sheets Picture Fotografia Felici Centre right: Pope Benedict XVI pictured at the end of his General Audience in St Peter s Square on June 10, with the delegation from the Israel Postal Company and Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS (fourth left) who wrote the text of the two special commemorative souvenir stamp booklets: Pope Benedict XVI Pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 2009 Picture L Osservatore Romano Bottom right: The Papal spokesman, Jesuit priest, Fr Federico Lombardi, Director of the Vatican Press Office, (third from left) looking at the second stamp booklet with Mr Yaron Razon, Director of the Israel Philatelic Service; Mrs Yael Koskas, International Marketing Manager, Israel Philatelic Service; and Mr Avi Hochman, CEO & President of the Israel Postal Company Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS G.S.M. August