The Colletta Pro Terra Sancta, (The Good Friday Collection) a hope for the future of Eastern Christians Br Francesco Patton, ofm Custos of the Holy Land "In an unprecedented situation like that of the last two years, we Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land have tried to continue our mission: in the shrines without pilgrims, and above all we have intensified our prayers, giving voice to the cry of all humanity. In the parishes we have continued to celebrate and to be close to the people, local faithful, migrant workers and refugees. In our schools we have tried to educate in an environment of fraternity and hope. In our study centres we have welcomed and trained young friars, priests, men and women religious and lay people from all over the world. With difficulty we have tried to support materially the weakest communities: the community of Bethlehem and that of Jerusalem, with no more pilgrims and no work; the communities of Lebanon, devastated by an increasingly economic and political crisis; those of Syria, which remains like a prisoner of a war that seems to never end. Also this year on Good Friday, please remember us, your brothers and sisters who live in the Holy Land. Help us according to the generosity of your heart, remembering the words of our Lord Jesus: "There is more joy in giving than in receiving" (Acts 20:35)." Read More