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The Basilica of the Nativity
This time of the year we think a lot about the nativity of Jesus. The Holy Land is the glimpse into the life of Jesus both the time during his public ministry and the decades before He traveled telling...
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Milk Grottos – the place for the Holy Family
…on top of the hill, close to the Basilica of the Nativity, stands the Franciscan Sanctuary of the Milk Grotto. Here, according to an ancient tradition, the passing of the Holy Family before their...
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St. Francis and the Nativity Scene
It is believed that St. Francis was first inspired by this idea after visiting the historical place of Christ’s birth on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land—the humble stable in a Bethlehem cave. It is...
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Christmas Message from the Custos
In the Psalm that Saint Francis composed for the celebration of Christmas he reminds us that: “the Most Holy Child has been given to us, and has been born for us on the way and placed in a manger...
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Bethlehem: The City of David
There is a small town of Judea, now located in the West Bank, about 10 km from Jerusalem, without great natural attractions. Although no significant historical events have taken place in this city, it...
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Wise Men Came from Afar
“The feast of the Epiphany is a very important holiday, because God is manifested to all peoples of the world and unites them,” said the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, at the beginning...
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The pilgrimage to the Jordan River in the footsteps of Jesus
The air is crisp on this January morning in Jerusalem, as people are rushing to get on buses and then to depart. Reciting the Our Father is always the best way to start a pilgrimage, which is what Br....
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The Baptism of our Lord
A pilgrimage through the desert to the Jordan River to celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus on Sunday, January 8, 2017. Father Nerwan recalls that the site of the baptism of Jesus is under the...
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Pope Francis Video to start 2017
Have you seen the newest of Pope Francis’ videos? As we begin the new year, he asks each of us to for the Christians who serve humanity – he will be offering prayers up for these individuals. We know...
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Polish President visits the Holy Land
Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, visited the holy places for the first time, and was accompanied by his wife, Agatha Kornhauser-Duda. Follwing the Polish Prime Minister Beata Szylo’s visit in...
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Brotherhood and Unity in the Holy Land
Padre Nostro, Abana, Our Father, Notre père, Vater Unser, Nuestro Padre. They expressed it in many languages, in different manners, with the palms of their hands towards the sky and with open arms. The...
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Traces of History
A place connected to the story of Jesus, a place of resurrection, Bethany, now called El-Azariyeh, is the village located in the current West Bank where the house of the Jesus’ friends, Martha, Mary...
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The Love of Christ Impels us Toward Reconciliation
In communion with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and with the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order, the 13 Christian communities of the Holy Land met for the shared...
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The Feast of the Presentation
The post The Feast of the Presentation appeared first on Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land.
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Hope Remains in Damascus
There is great hope for Syria! Day by day, Syria is seeing change. The FFHL is dedicated to standing beside the Syrian people along their entire journey to freedom. If you feel called to help the...
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Solemnities, a reason to celebrate in Lent
Two major celebrations take place at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth every March. The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the 19th and the Solemnity of the...
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Entering the Final Stages of Holy Sepulcher Renovation
After nine months of meticulous work, the restoration of the Holy Sepulcher has reached its final stages. The scaffoldings that were mounted around the edicule, have already been removed. An ecumenical...
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The Grotto of the Hermitage re-opens in Gethsemane
Located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, the Grotto of the Hermitage in Gethsemane has been a place for locals and pilgrims alike to have a quite place to sit and pray. “Remain here and keep watch...
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Jesus’ Tomb: the opening will not mark the end of the work
Four days from the ecumenical celebration of the work completed on Jesus’ tomb, the Basilica of the Resurrection is filled with the sound of vacuum cleaners. Day and night, the teams of Prof....
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Exciting News for the Holy Land
The Holy See will make an important contribution for the restoration of two of the major shrines of the Holy Land. The announcement from the Vatican was received with joy and gratitude by the Custody...
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