The friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, together with friends and faithful, gathered around the family of Shibly Abu Sada for the last farewell to one of the Custody's historical collaborators. Shibly was ‘a gift from the Lord and a special person’, said the Custos of the Holy Land, Brother Francesco Patton, who presided at the funeral on 15 October in St James' Church in Beit Hanina. Present were the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Greek Catholic Bishop, Monsignor Yasser Hayash, many friars and collaborators of the Custody, several priests of both Latin and Melkite rites. For over 25 years, Shibly was one of the kawas, a kind of ‘escort’ of the Custos of the Holy Land, with the task of leading the way during processions. In addition to their characteristic uniform, an Ottoman heritage, the kawas are equipped with a stick, which they tap on the ground to announce the passing of an important person. Read More