On Saturday, October 7, Israel was struck by an attack from Hamas, a group declared as a terrorist organization by Israel, the EU and the United States, and which administers the territory of the Gaza Strip. The blow dealt to the state of Israel was violent and devastating, especially given the brutal manner used by Hamas [...]
Jerusalem, 10 October 2023 Dear Friends of the Holy Land,On Saturday 7 October we woke up to the sound of the sirens and we suddenly found ourselvesin a state of war. All of you are probably apprehensively following this situation through thevarious media.What we want to share with you, now, is the need to pray and [...]
This Saturday, the celebration of the Dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre took place in Jerusalem. This is a solemn event that the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land have honored every July 15 for 874 years. On July 15, 1149, 50 years after the conquest of the Holy Land, the Crusader [...]
On Sunday, July 9th, at the usual Noon Angelus in St. Peter's Square in Rome, Pope Francis announced the creation of 21 new cardinals. Among them are two prelates who are well-known and respected in Washington: the current Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, former Custos of the Holy Land, and the Apostolic Nuncio to [...]
By Beatrice Guarrera For Christians in the Holy Land, the time of Lent and Easter always has had a slightly different flavor from the rest of the world. But during the time of the pandemic, Franciscan parishioners have been able to count on their pastors in a special way. A video catechesis, a blessing at [...]