In our latest Terra Santa News, with commentary by Brother Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, we would like to recall the events that have marked the last months until July 2024. 3333, is the number of news items that have been published in our weekly newsletter in recent years. We have given prominence to the celebrations in the Holy Places, to the activities of the Custody in the Holy Land and in the world, to the sanctuaries and to the pilgrims. In Rome, the centenary celebrations of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem. At the audience in the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, Pope Francis thanked the Franciscans for reconciling the study of Sacred Scripture with their stay in the Holy Places and encouraged them to continue. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land Certainly the Pope has a constant concern for the Holy Land. In fact he was very close to the Holy Land even before he became Pope. When he was Cardinal of Buenos Aires, he was the first promoter of the collection for the Holy Land within the Bishops' Conference. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land Yes, this year there was this beautiful occasion of the visit for the 100th anniversary of the Studium Biblicum. It was a very special occasion, because for 100 years the Studium Biiblicum has been helping to read the Word of God in a three-dimensional way. That is, to read it in the context, history and geography of the Holy Land. And so the contribution that the Brothers of the Flagellation have made over these 100 years to the Church has been a very significant one. ‘From Jerusalem to Rome with the gaze of Peter’. In St. Peter's Square, Rome, Pope Francis created 21 new Cardinals, including H.B. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land There was the creation of the cardinals and we were also able to participate in the beautiful and significant moment when what was previously His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa became His Beatitude Most Eminent. Beyond the titles it is very significant. This highlights the importance of Jerusalem for the Church of Rome and for the universal Church. In Syria, the episcopal ordination of Brother Hanna Jallouf. In Nicosia on the island of Cyprus, Brother Bruno Varriano was consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Jerusalem. Numerous authorities of the Latin and Eastern Church were present, gathered for this historic occasion. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land The ordination of Monsignor Hanna Jallouf, had a very special significance. Let us not forget that Father Hanna stood by the Christians and the few remaining Christians in the valley of the front during the most difficult times. That is, when the valley of the East was occupied by Isis and then by al-Qa'ida. He has become, I would say, a symbol of what pastoral care is all about. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land And then certainly also the ordination of Brother Bruno in Cyprus to give more and more impetus to a pastoral that is capable of integrating the different components of the community. So not only the components of presence such as friars, nuns and some diocesan priests. But the presence made up of local faithful, migrant workers, refugees. Here, that of Cyprus is a very very special reality. To have also chosen a Franciscan for the island of Cyprus as auxiliary bishop has an important significance. The presence of the Latin Church in Cyprus has always coincided with the Franciscan presence. ‘Your word in my heart’ was the theme of the ninth Franciscan March and the visit of the Italian Commissioners to the Custody's mission in Syria. "The Treasure of Kings. Masterpieces from the Holy Land Museum was on display in Portugal. After the success of the exhibition in Lisbon, with more than 50,000 visitors, it was the turn of the City of Culture, the centre of Galician culture, located in Santiago de Compostela. Featured in our Terra Santa News prayer initiatives for peace. Beyond the wall. The beginning of Advent in Bethlehem. Brother Francesco Patton, crossing the separation wall between Israel and Palestine, made his solemn entrance into the city. The presence of so many children - despite the absence of pilgrims because of the war - made the moment happier. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land First of all, we were also taken by surprise. Seven of October, because we all hoped it would be a normal year, a quiet year. We were just coming out of the consequences, including economic ones, of the pandemic. And instead, unfortunately, this umpteenth war broke out with so many tensions not only in Gaza, but also on the border with Lebanon and us. Clearly what we tried to do was to make our contribution as Franciscans. In Jerusalem in communion with the Pope the Way of the Cross for peace along the Via Dolorosa, together with the religious authorities. At the School of the Holy Land children and young people together with numerous faithful of different rites and confessions, the leaders of the Churches of the Holy Land celebrated the vigil for peace. In Bethlehem, the prayer of the children of the Holy Land School sows hope in the hearts of its students, enlightening their minds with values of peace, love and humanity. In Jerusalem, more than 1,000 children and young people from all schools in the Holy City walked the Via Dolorosa in prayer for peace. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land What we have tried to do is to initiate various moments of prayer for peace, and they are not finished yet. Because even in addition to the various moments of prayer we have done from the Rosary for peace, days of prayer and fasting, as brothers we have committed ourselves daily to pray for peace. The economy of Bethlehem comes to a standstill because of the war in Gaza. The Christian community of the Holy Land remains steadfast and persevering despite the devastation, ruins, bombs and fear. In prayer, hope, humanity and forgiveness are rekindled. After being transported on the military hospital ship ‘Vulcano’ the children from Gaza arrive in Italy. They were welcomed by volunteers together with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, Br Ibrahim Faltas. "In this holy time, from Jerusalem capital of the resurrection, on the feast of the ascension, as a friar, but also as a witness to the pain and suffering that torments the Holy Land, I am here with a message of peace in a world full of conflict and war. I believe that in prayer, hope, humanity and forgiveness are rekindled." ‘Overcome the language of arms’ was the call on the feast of the Epiphany, Orthodox Christmas and the Baptism of the Lord. On 7 January, on the banks of the Jordan River, Latin-rite Christians from the Holy Land, together with Franciscan friars, celebrated the Baptism of Jesus. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land We prayed for the exodus from Gaza, for the tens of thousands of women and children left under the bombardment. We have prayed that the war will not spread. And I believe that being here, we should continue to pray. I believe that intercessory prayer for peace here in the Holy Land is an essential prayer. Jerusalem is precisely the place of Jesus' prayer for peace, because Christ on the cross here on Calvary died to reconcile humanity. Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pizzaballa recounts his visit to Gaza. After four days with the community, he was able to listen to their stories, comfort them and dry their tears. Back in Jerusalem, he recounts his visit. Between Science and Faith: The Centenary of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum - Following the celebrations in Rome, we present a series on the history of the scientific institution for research and academic teaching of the Holy Scriptures and the archaeology of biblical countries. The origin of the daily procession in the Holy Sepulchre was the theme of the series that tells the story of the procession over the centuries. 100 years of light, on the solemnity of the Transfiguration the jubilee for the centenary of the Basilica opened at Mount Tabor. Mount Tabor in the Bible was the series presented by Br Alessandro Coniglio. Pentecost in Jerusalem: The Church asks for the gift of Peace and Reconciliation! Brother Francis Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, presided over the Pentecost Vigil in St. Saviour's Church and Sunday afternoon, in the Upper Room, the prayer of Vespers. Ayyar festival, the ‘Magnificat’ family: prophecy of the good life Every year, in May, the ‘Magnificat’ musical institute organises a festival of four concerts, always in different venues, one on each Thursday of the month. This is an opportunity for students of different ages, of all languages and religions, to give an essay of their artistic growth. The Commissioners' appeal for the return of pilgrims to the Holy Land. Although it is difficult for the large numbers of pilgrims who pass through the shrines and roads every day to return, small groups are returning. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land Certainly the lack of pilgrims is something that makes one sad. To see the Holy Sepulchre empty, the Basilica of the Nativity empty, but also the other shrines empty, puts one a certain sadness. However, we have tried, for example in the celebrations, to enhance the presence of the local faithful as much as possible. And I must say, our Franciscan parish priests have also done well in trying to bring people to the shrines. At least for the most important celebrations. Through the broadcasts of the Christian Media Centre, thousands of Christians were able to follow the agenda of celebrations and events in the Holy Land. From the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the torchlight procession was followed by pilgrims from all over the world, as well as St. Joseph's Rosary and celebrations on feast days. From the Holy Sepulchre and the other sanctuaries in Jerusalem, there were many broadcasts according to the liturgical calendar. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land And in this way we also had the opportunity to make the local faces of the Church of the Holy Land and the Custody's pastoral service known to the world through the Christian Media Centre, through broadcasts of the celebrations. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land Then it is clear that the lack of pilgrims means serious economic hardship for all our Christians, mainly from Bethlehem. The lack of pilgrims is not simply the lack of those who come to revive their faith. But for local Christians, it is also the lack of an economic income that ensures they can live with dignity. This is one way to at least keep in touch. But we need the pilgrims to return. And I would say two things: first a commitment to pray for global world peace so that this war may cease, so that all the many forgotten wars may cease, and so that there may truly be more peace in this tormented world of ours. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land This is an invitation I make to all our friends, to all those who follow the Christian Media Centre, who see our newsletter. The other invitation is to the pilgrims to do what they can to come back. We understand that at this time it is difficult, but where the conditions are there you can come back. Because in fact Jerusalem is visitable, Bethlehem is visitable, Nazareth, Galilee Lake are visitable. Life goes on and it is the life of the Gospel. It was difficult in Jesus' time, it is difficult even today. It will probably also be difficult in the future. But it is also the place where our faith finds its source, is nourished and then drives us to become witnesses. Beyond the Darkness of Death was Brother Francesco Patton's Easter Message. The History of the ‘Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land’ was born out of the Popes' desire to maintain a strong link between all the Christians of the world and the Holy Places. Brother Francesco Patton's appeal, and the 50th anniversary of Paul VI's Apostolic Exhortation “Nobis in Animo” to the faithful throughout the world. Ambassadors of the Custody in the World. Bridges between the Holy Land and Christians, the Friars Minor present in 70 Commissariats in 60 countries are considered ‘Ambassadors’ of the Custody of the Holy Land. ‘Please, brothers, stay here’. The words of the Minister General to the friars of the Holy Land. An intense programme from 15 to 20 April, that of Br Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, to the Custody of the Holy Land. A visit made at a time of great tension due to the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. With this small retrospective covering the events of the first half of the year, the Terra Santa News takes a break, to return in the first week of September. All previous programmes are available online via our website: https://cmc-terrasanta.org Read More