On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the "Christmas at Greccio," as experienced by Saint Francis of Assisi, the Holy Father has granted that "the faithful receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions from 8 December 2023, the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to 2 February 2024, Feast of the Presentation in the Temple of [...]
The Advent season opened with a special meaning this year at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. 2023 marks the 800th Anniversary of the first nativity scene ever, created by Saint Francis of Assisi in the Italian village of Greccio on Christmas night in 1223. To commemorate the anniversary, the Franciscan Monastery is [...]
This Christmas, we invite you to be a part of our Luminaria Tribute. It's a beautiful way to welcome the Holy Family into your hearts and prayers. You can dedicate luminarias in honor of your loved ones by donating from December 24th to 31st, 2023, at the monastery. The names will be displayed on the luminarias [...]
As the season of Advent approaches, we all prepare to celebrate Christ's entry into the world on Christmas Day. We prepare spiritually, through prayer, and materially, through Christmas decorations and traditions. One such tradition, practiced by people all over the world, is of course the reproduction of Jesus' nativity scene that we display in our homes [...]
A Franciscan friar walking inside an empty Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem - Photo Credit: © Enrique Bermejo/CTS DONATE NOW Dear Brothers and Sisters,May the Lord give you His peace!For more than a month now, the Holy Land has been besieged by war, and every day carries more sad news of death, violence, and destruction.The [...]