CTS | Holy Land - Celebration in Jerusalem for the Custody of the Holy Land with three days of conferences, meetings and international guests in the Old City.
The first Franciscan friars landed in Acre in 1217, led by Friar Elia da Cortona.
800 years have gone by and the friars are still present in the Holy Land. They are dedicated to the safeguarding of the places important to Christianity and to supporting the local people. In order to celebrate this important anniversary, on October 16-18, the Franciscan monastery of St. Saviour in the Old City of Jerusalem will host a serie of conferences and meetings with exceptional speakers and prominent figures from all of Christendom.
October 16: This day is dedicated to organizations and institutions that support the many activities of the Custody. In the afternoon at St. Saviour, a liturgical ceremony, presided by the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Fr. Michael Perry, opens the anniversary celebrations.
October 17: The Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, will speak about “The role of the Franciscans in the Holy Land.” On the 17th is the highlight of the celebrations, with the participation of important persons from the diplomatic and academic world as well as religious representatives. Among the conferences, there will also be one about the friar who led the first Franciscan delegation, Fr. Elia da Cortona, and one about the precious work of discovering and cataloging photos from Syria, carried out by the Custody.
October 18: The third day will help us reflect on the significance of the frescoes in the Upper Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, followed by a brief speech about the first Franciscan monasteries in the Middle East. A copy of the frescoes has been on display since the month of May at the entrance of the Custodial Curia. In the afternoon, a mass with the Vicar General of the Order, followed by a concert organized by the Custody’s musical institute, the Magnificat, will bring the three-day event to a close. (more)
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