On Thursday, April 23, the Custody of the Holy Land experienced a significant moment dedicated to education and hope, with the inauguration of two new projects in Jerusalem dedicated to the youngest. The Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, accompanied by some members of the Discretorium of the Holy Land and the Secretary, attended both initiatives, emphasizing the profound value of investing in the integral growth of new generations.
In the morning, at the Kindergarten of the Terra Sancta School in the Old City of Jerusalem, the ABF Educational Space was inaugurated, an innovative environment designed to stimulate the creativity and learning of the little ones. Present at the event, in addition to the Custos, were Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, director of the school, Laura Biancalani, CEO of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, the Italian Vice-Consul Damiano Loverde, representatives of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and Luca Bevilacqua, ABF project coordinator.
The renovation of the space represents the first phase of a broader pilot project, which also includes the activation of an Art, Music & Digital Lab. The ABF Labs (the laboratories of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation), developed in co-design with local teachers, promote experiential learning based on exploration and relationships. Training will also be central: two students from the Magnificat (the musical institute of the Custody of the Holy Land) will be involved in managing the activities, while the kindergarten teachers will participate in a pedagogical path founded on the generative power of art, music, and digital technology.
After the difficult days that have marked the lives of the city's inhabitants, this new space, curated in every detail and full of creative materials and musical instruments, presents itself as a precious resource for the well-being and growth of children, favoring harmonious and integral development. A small great miracle achieved thanks to the great commitment of the Magnificat Institute staff, particularly the teacher Lucia D’Anna and the Custodial Technical Office, in the person of Eng. Leonardo De Marco and his collaborators, who skillfully coordinated carpenters, workers, and electricians in record time, often interrupted by alarms and anti-missile sirens.
In the afternoon, the Custos went to Beit Hanina, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, to inaugurate a new synthetic soccer field at the Terra Sancta parish center. The project, which lasted 18 months, is aimed at improving the social and physical well-being of the local community, with particular attention to children, youth, and the elderly. It included the redevelopment of sports infrastructure, the creation of child-friendly spaces, and the strengthening of the skills of educators and coaches, in addition to enriching summer programs with training activities on life skills and leadership.
In his speech, delivered in the middle of the sports field, the Custos emphasized the profound meaning of the initiative: "blessing a sports field is not just inaugurating a structure, but offering young people a place where they can learn fundamental values for life. On that field," he recalled, "one learns to collaborate, to respect the rules, to commit with constancy, but also to fall and get back up, to experience joy and fatigue, to win and to lose."
Heartfelt thanks were addressed to all those who made the project possible, including the French Consulate, the Agence Française de Développement, and a Palestinian non-governmental organization active in local development. Particular thanks went to the head of the Terra Sancta schools, Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, to the parish priest Fr. Johnny Jallouf, and to his predecessor Fr. Raffaele Tayem, and to the many collaborators who tirelessly worked to complete the bold project.
With over 1,000 expected beneficiaries, including 210 young people involved in sports activities and more than 400 children in summer camps, the project aims to strengthen social cohesion, offering safe, inclusive, and stimulating environments. The goal is to build resilience and sustainability over time, making the center a reference point for the personal, social, and spiritual growth of the communities of East Jerusalem.
To fully enjoy the moment, some friars, the Custos, and the French Consul enjoyed some dribbling and shots on goal, to the delight of the young athletes present. This moment of relaxation was followed in the afternoon by a spiritual part with the Holy Mass presided over by the Custos and the Eucharistic adoration of thanksgiving.
The two initiatives, although different in their forms, one oriented towards art and creativity, the other towards sport and sociality, share a common vision: putting the person at the center, accompanying the youngest in a journey of integral growth. In a complex reality like that of Jerusalem, these projects represent concrete signs of hope, capable of generating opportunities, strengthening bonds, and building the future.
Fr. Alberto Joan Pari
