Student Lenten Pilgrimages

These special programs are offered during Lent to students who take the daily tour of the church and Catacombs and pray the Stations of the cross, weather permitting, at the outdoor stations in our garden.  Following the Pilgrimage, each student is presented a certificate of participation with a blessing. Students may make the pilgrimage with family [...]

Holy Thursday

The Franciscan Monastery will celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:30pm. After Mass, you're invited to watch and wait with Christ in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight. Visit the calendar of events to see all the happenings at the Franciscan Monastery.

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

Commemorate the Lord's Passion with the Franciscan Monastery at 3:30 pm on Good Friday as part of the Triduum leading up to Easter. Check our calendar of events to see the full listing of Holy Week events.

Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula (Vigil, August 1)

On the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America you can visit a replica of the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, known as the Portiuncula (“little portion”). St. Francis obtained from the pope the privilege of a plenary indulgence, known as the Pardon of Assisi (or Portiuncula Indulgence). [...]

Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula

The Feast of the Dedication of the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi (known as the “Portiuncula,” the “Little Portion,” beloved by St. Francis) will be observed at the Monastery with a Mass in the replica of the Portiuncula Chapel on our grounds, at 7:00 a.m., on Wednesday, August 2. The faithful who [...]

Pasta Dinner

The Franciscan Monastery is holding a pasta dinner on Friday, September 8 at St. Francis Hall (14th and Quincy Sts, NE, Washington, DC 20017). Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. You'll have a chance to win a door prize and can enter in a raffle. Tickets can be purchased [...]

Blessing of Animals

Pope Francis writes that to St. Francis of Assisi, “each and every creature was a sister united to him by bonds of affection. That is why he felt called to care for all that exists.” Around the world at the time of our founder’s feast, Franciscans bless animals to celebrate the great insight of the saint—that [...]

Morales at the Monastery

The Choir of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany will perform at the Franciscan Monastery at 7 p.m. in the main church. Dr. Jeremy Filsell, director of Music, professor of organ at the Peabody Conservatory and artist in residence at the National Cathedral, will conduct. The event will feature the Music of Cristóbal de Morales (ca. [...]

Annual Mass & Benefit Dinner

The Ninth Annual Mass & Benefit Dinner is an elegant event that raises funds to support Christians in the Holy Land and keep the Monastery open and accessible to pilgrims seeking an experience of the Holy Land in the U.S. Tickets are no longer available to this year's dinner, but you're invited to join us next [...]

Onsie Drive

The Franciscan Monastery will be collecting new, unused onsies for newborns in the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem beginning Thanksgiving Day through December 8. Bring the onsies to Mass or drop off in the Monastery during regular business hours. A beautiful Christmas activity for the entire family. Visit the calendar of events to see all the [...]