The Custos of the Holy Land, Fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa, is careful to inform his brethren of the Custody on a regular basis about the news he receives from Syria. But the message he had for them this weekend had a special tone.
The resounding call for prayer that the Custos addressed to all the Franciscan communities in his jurisdiction asks that they particularly mention Syria in their Christmas novena prayers, beginning the 16th of December.
As we know, the political situation in Syria is worsening. More and more, Christians are becoming the target of certain extremist groups. If the Custos’ message is meaningful for Syrian and all its inhabitants, this message coming before the Christmas holidays is particularly concerned for the local Christian community, especially those who are living in areas controlled by groups hoping to establish a particularly radical Islamic state.
Fourteen friars of the Custody continue to serve and assist the little flock in this precarious situation, the faithful who, the Custos of the Holy Land hopes, “will continue to put their trust in the Lord and move forward without fear”.
The Custody’s NGO, on its part, continues to collect donations of concrete aide for the friars in Syria and for everyone, of any religion or political affiliation, who turn to them and seek refuge, comfort, and material necessities.
It will soon be Christmas. Let us not forget our brethren in Syria in our prayers and our actions.
Syria emergency – click here for the site of the NGO ATS-Pro Terra Sancta.
http://www.proterrasancta.org/2013/09/19/the-custos-of-the-holy-lands-appeal-emergency-syria/
The resounding call for prayer that the Custos addressed to all the Franciscan communities in his jurisdiction asks that they particularly mention Syria in their Christmas novena prayers, beginning the 16th of December.
As we know, the political situation in Syria is worsening. More and more, Christians are becoming the target of certain extremist groups. If the Custos’ message is meaningful for Syrian and all its inhabitants, this message coming before the Christmas holidays is particularly concerned for the local Christian community, especially those who are living in areas controlled by groups hoping to establish a particularly radical Islamic state.
Fourteen friars of the Custody continue to serve and assist the little flock in this precarious situation, the faithful who, the Custos of the Holy Land hopes, “will continue to put their trust in the Lord and move forward without fear”.
The Custody’s NGO, on its part, continues to collect donations of concrete aide for the friars in Syria and for everyone, of any religion or political affiliation, who turn to them and seek refuge, comfort, and material necessities.
It will soon be Christmas. Let us not forget our brethren in Syria in our prayers and our actions.
Syria emergency – click here for the site of the NGO ATS-Pro Terra Sancta.
http://www.proterrasancta.org/2013/09/19/the-custos-of-the-holy-lands-appeal-emergency-syria/