The Custos and the vicar custodial, Fr. Francesco Ielpo and Fr. Ulises Zarza, respectively, landed in Madrid on May 8. During their two-day stay in the Spanish capital, they wanted to learn firsthand about the work carried out by the Holy Land Center and the Holy Land Commissariat, and share a day of brotherhood with Spanish pilgrims on the traditional Pilgrim's Day.
Upon arrival in our country, and accompanied by the vice-commissary of the Holy Land of the Province of the Immaculate, Fr. Luis Quintana, the Custos and the vicar custodial went to the Holy Land Commissariat where they learned firsthand about the ordinary functioning of the economy regarding the management of solidary projects in the Holy Land, the Pontifical Collections for the Holy Places, and other matters directly linked to the Commissariat. He was also able to see the objects brought from the Holy Land that are offered to the pilgrims.
Immediately after, they went to the Holy Land Center where they met with its director, Fr. Luis Quintana, the secretary, and the tax advisor of the Center to talk about its daily operation, the management of the Holy Land Magazine, and other social works.
Afterwards, they met with the commissary of the Holy Land, Fr. Pedro González, who showed them the convent of the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande. It is important to remember that the Holy Land Center of Spain was inaugurated in July 1980 as a Franciscan organization dedicated to the diffusion of love and knowledge of the Holy Land, supporting the Christian communities of the Middle East through solidary, cultural, and educational initiatives.
The following day, a very special day began for all Spanish lovers of the Holy Land: Pilgrim's Day, an event organized annually by the Spanish Association of Friends of the Holy Land (AEATS).
The day began with morning prayer, led by the AEATS. Next, the commissary of the Holy Land, Fr. Pedro González, took the floor to thank the guests for their presence and give way to the round table in which the Custos, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, spoke about the importance of pilgrimaging to the Holy Land. "One goes to the Holy Land because Jesus, who scrutinizes our hearts and our desires, invites us to his house, to his Land («come»), to experience Him, to remain with Him («see»). To seek, to come, and to see are, therefore, the stages of every path towards Jesus," he told those present.
At the end, the president of the AEATS, Rafael Martínez, took the floor and encouraged pilgrimaging as soon as possible, noting that it is important "to help in whatever is in our hands so that the Christian presence continues in the Holy Land." Subsequently, Fr. Ulises Zarza, vicar custodial, spoke about the current situation in the Holy Land. During his intervention, he pointed out that "the reality that the Holy Land is living is painful. The war has brought suffering, fear, uncertainty, and a deep wound in many families, and the continuity of many Christian families depends, often, on the presence of those who arrive to pray at the places of Jesus."
Furthermore, he wanted to highlight the "intercessory role of the Franciscans in the Holy Land. Our presence is a sign of fidelity." Next, the Archbishop of Toledo, Monsignor Francisco Cerro, took the floor to recall his experience in the Land of Jesus. He remembered its importance, the deep impact it leaves on the soul, and that he tries to transmit it to others whenever possible.
Once the round table ended, the vice-commissary of the Holy Land, Fr. Luis Quintana, took the floor and thanked all the attendees for their presence, coming from different corners of the Spanish geography —on this occasion, we had the presence of the three directors the Holy Land Center has had: Fr. Teodoro López (founder), Fr. Aquilino Castillo, and Fr. Luis Quintana—, mentioned the most important activities carried out during this year, spoke about the pilgrimages, and finally, a video was screened about the inauguration of the Chapel of Guadalupe in the Shepherds' Field, which took place in April 2025.
After a brotherhood lunch, in which the Father Custos thanked Fr. Teodoro López for the foundation of the Holy Land Center, the creation of the Association of Friends of the Holy Land, and his work and stay during so many years of service, the Eucharist took place —prepared by the pilgrims of Boadilla del Monte (Madrid)—, presided over by the Archbishop of Toledo, Monsignor Francisco Cerro, and concelebrated by the priests present at the day. In the moment of the offertory, along with the bread and wine, different gifts brought from the places of origin of the attendees were offered.
And, at the end of Communion, the Father Custos blessed the banner of the Franciscan brotherhood of Salamanca which this year has already processed in Holy Week and bears the shield of the Custody, and silver and aquamarine sandals, donated to the Custody by a Madrid pilgrim, María José Fernández, for the prostrate Virgin of the Assumption located in the Basilica of Gethsemane (Jerusalem).
This visit has been of great importance to strengthen the bonds between the Custody and the institutions that, from Spain, work constantly in favor of the Custody, the care of the Holy Places, and the Christians living in the Holy Land.
Maria Díaz Ripoll
