On Saturday 29 November, as tradition dictates, the Custos of the Holy Land made his solemn entrance into Bethlehem for the beginning of Advent.The parish of Jerusalem welcomed the Custos, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, in the parish of Saint Saviour, with greetings and expressions of gratitude, before setting off in procession towards the Mar Elias convent.There the Custos greeted the local community and gave a few interviews. The procession then moved towards the Bethlehem checkpoint, through which he enters according to […]
The Terra Sancta Museum - Art and History is not the only artistic work of the Custos of the Holy Land, the Magnificat music conservatory and its choir, as well as individual friars, belong to it, exploring the link between art and mission.We met one of them, Fr. Balu. At the beginning of November, in the convent of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem, we discovered the exhibition of Fr. Balu. Originally from India and a theology student, he unites brushes and […]
On Saturday 6 December Bethlehem experienced a moment of deep emotion, thousands of people gathered in the square to witness the rekindling of the Christmas tree, a simple yet meaningful gesture that marks the return of a deeply rooted tradition in the city that gave birth to the Savior. After two years without decorations and with celebrations reduced to a minimum, as a sign of solidarity with the population of Gaza, Bethlehem has lit up again. It was a celebration […]
The village of Ghassanieh, in Syria, experienced on November 7, 2025, a historic event marking the return of Christian hope after fourteen years of forced absence due to the occupation by armed groups. The day, lived in communion among the different Christian denominations, represents a true rebirth for the whole community. The official communication of the Custos of the Holy Land In the letter addressed to the friars of the Custody (attached here), the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. […]
