Christmas is one of the central celebrations of life in the Holy Land and one of the most important events for Christians. December 25th is the date for the Latins (the Catholic Church), and on this occasion the eyes and hearts of the faithful of the whole world are aimed at the small city of Bethlehem, in Judea. At 1:30 p.m., as per tradition, the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, His Excellency Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, solemnly entered Bethlehem, marking […]
Every year on 13th June there is a great celebration at St Saviour’s Convent in Jerusalem, the heart of the Franciscans of the Holy Land: St Anthony of Padua, patron saint of the Custody, is celebrated. Trusting in the Saint has always been a constant in Franciscan history, but it was not until 1920 that Pope Benedict XV proclaimed him the patron saint of the Custody. Exactly one hundred years later, the solemnity started with the First Vespers on 12th […]
