Solemn Entry into Jerusalem
The Holy Land has a new Custos: Father Francesco Patton made his official entry into Jerusalem on Monday, June 6, becoming the 168th Custos in charge. According to a secular tradition, the first entry...
View ArticleCustos in Jaffa on the Feast of St. Anthony
Accompanied by three bands, by a statue of St. Anthony that was decorated with flowers, and by parishioners from around the world, the Father Custos made his solemn entry into Jaffa. On Saturday, June...
View ArticleRenovations in Bethlehem
For nearly 1,700 years, pilgrims have flocked to the stone church marking the spot where Tradition holds that Mary, seeking refuge from the Romans, gave birth to Jesus. But the centuries of wear and...
View ArticleContinuing Education in the Holy Land
The post Continuing Education in the Holy Land appeared first on Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land.
View ArticleFather Custos’ Entrance into Nazareth
(The Custodia) On Saturday, June 18, the Father Custos, Br. Francesco Patton, made his solemn entry into Nazareth. Shortly before his arrival, scouts, young and old, were ready for the ceremony. Many...
View ArticleFather Pierbattista Pizzaballa 12 Years as Guardian
“Guardian of Mount Zion and of the Holy Sepulcher for 12 years” is the theme of the special video made as a tribute to Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa. He recounts the challenges and joys of these past...
View ArticleFather Pizzaballa nominated Apostolic Administrator
The Bishops, clergy and faithful of the Latin Patriarchate sincerely thank His Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Twal who has just completed his mission and welcome the Apostolic Administrator with best wishes...
View ArticleMessage from Father Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of Latin Patriarchate
I have been asked to “return to Jerusalem” (cf. Lk 24), like the Apostles after “the events in Jerusalem” and the encounter with the Risen One. Through the Pope, He has asked me to return to the Holy...
View ArticleClearing the Mines
Jerusalem, 20 June 2016 (Custodia) The traditional place where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist lies at Wadi Kharrar (on the Jordanian bank of the river Jordan), in what the Gospel of St. John...
View ArticleFeast of the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
On 1 July 2016, as they do every year, the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land and the faithful of Jerusalem gathered in the Basilica of Gethsemane to celebrate together the solemnity of the...
View ArticleConversation with New Custos
The new Franciscan Custos, Father Francesco Patton gave an interview to the media of the Custody. Fr. Patton discusses many things happening in the Holy Land and his excitement to serve the Church. The...
View ArticleHoly Sepulchre: Death Overcome
On Friday, July 15, which coincided with the eve of the closing of the chapter of the Custody, the Custos accompanied by most of the Chapter friars, presided over a celebration commemorating the...
View ArticleGiving Hope to the Holy Land
ATLANTA—The Franciscans have faced a host of challenges in the Holy Land as custodians of Christian shrines ever since St. Francis of Assisi traveled there in the 1200s during the Crusades and...
View ArticleTerra Sancta Jericho, the school in an oasis
In 1950, the Franciscans opened a “Terra Sancta School” in Jericho, which today is the only coed school in the city, and soon it will be the only school to enroll children from kindergarten to 12th...
View ArticleThe Custody Chapter
Intense weeks of work for the friars gathered in Chapter in Jerusalem, interrupted only by the Sunday break, for a day of rest. Some participated in Bethlehem to celebrate the first Mass of Brother...
View ArticleDo Not Be Afraid
“Do not be afraid.” Father Michel Perry then spoke of the challenge of the Franciscans in the Middle East, mainly in Syria. “I believe that the permanence of the Friars Minor is a challenge for...
View ArticleDay to Day Transfiguration
A third-century tradition identifies Mount Tabor as the place where Jesus led Peter, James and John, and where he was transfigured under the three disciples’ gaze. This is known today as the...
View ArticleBringing Jesus to the World
“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). The Feast of the Assumption began in Jerusalem with a procession in the Garden of Gethsemane. Close to the tomb of...
View ArticleAssumption of Virgin Mary
“Who is this that rises like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as a war banner?” In Jerusalem, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven was celebrated on August...
View ArticleExaltation of the Cross
In the eastern side of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, stone steps lead the pilgrim down to the Chapel of St. Helena. In the walls of this stairwell one will find hundreds of carved crosses. These...
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