"Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy…”

Christmas message of Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM- Custos of the Holy Land

We are in Bethlehem at the Shepherds’ Field, the place where, during the night in which Jesus was born, the shepherds were keeping watch and guarding their flocks.

Church of the Nativity

Luke the evangelist tells us that when Mary gave birth to Jesus, these shepherds were precisely the first persons who received the good news of His birth. An angel appeared to them, a great light shone around them, and they were afraid. But the messenger of God reassured them: "Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." (Lk 2: 10-12). On that night of the first Christmas, the darkness in which the shepherds and the inhabitants of Bethlehem lived was enlightened by the birth of the Child Jesus.

Even today we still need to let ourselves be enlightened by the birth of this Child, Who is the Son of God and our Saviour. How many people, even today, live surrounded by darkness like the shepherds who kept watch in this field two thousand years ago. Our brothers and sisters in Syria and in Yemen, as in many other Countries of the world, have been living for many years in the darkness of bloody conflicts, which transform millions of people into homeless people, into refugees who have been uprooted from their own family and from their own culture, who have been expelled from their own country and often find it impossible to be welcomed in a new land.

Many others of our brethren in humanity live in the darkness caused by economical and ecological crises, which force entire populations to their knees often obliging them to emigrate. For them too, the experience of Joseph, Mary and the Child repeats itself: there is no place for them anywhere. At the most, they can find shelter under a tent. (more)

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A Record-Breaking January for pilgrimages in the Holy Land

January | Custodia Terrae Sanctae

Good news for pilgrimages to the Holy Land: statistics from the Christian Information Center show a steady increase, with record-breaking numbers for January 2018

In January 2018, the temperature in Jerusalem varies between 9 and 17 degrees, but the number of pilgrims is constantly increasing.

Confirming the data of the Ministry of Tourism of Israel, Brother Tomasz Dubiel, director of the Christian Information Center, gives good news: in January 2016, 390 groups have booked a mass in the sanctuaries, with the participation of 11,000 pilgrims. In 2017, in the same time period, 16 thousand pilgrims arrived in 529 groups, but in January 2018, the number of groups increased to 770, for a total of 26 thousand pilgrims.

"The number of Catholics doubled in 2018" - says Fr. Tomasz, but groups of other Christian denominations asking to pray in the sanctuaries are also on the rise.

Data from the Christian Information Center do not include the thousands of Orthodox pilgrims who visited the Holy Land for the Christmas holidays celebrated in January.

The faithful arrive all bundled up and willing to see many places in a short time. (more)

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A walk through the Holy Land

Discovering new paths around Bethany, in the footsteps of Jesus.

January 2018 - Pro Terra Sancta

Mosaic Center, Jericho

“Everyone has walked in his life and the journey is part of Faith“. Pietro Labate has been working as an environmental guide in central Italy for thirty years. Recently he was in the Holy Land to draw new routes between Jericho, Bethany and Jerusalem for the new project of the Association pro Terra Sancta: Welcoming Bethany. The goal was to create some paths that enhance the territory around the city of Lazarus, visiting places often cut off from the main tourist circuits and itineraries and meeting the local community.

The aim is to offer development and support to the entire territory, that has experienced strong social hardships in the last years. The city of Bethany does not offer any hiking or marked itineraries, therefore Pietro had to travel around the area to discover new viewpoints and draw new paths.

But how do you trace a path? “First you look for it – Pietro told us – and then you have to try it, to check the feasibility, the potential risks and the levels of difficulty. The itinerary is created based on the attractiveness and differs according to the types of visitors”. For two weeks Pietro has walked through paths in the desert or along the hills, through Bedouin villages, settlements and cities. He also visited monasteries and wadis, immerged in olive tree groves and ancient ruins. He was guided by Iyad Njoum, a Bedouin boy who works for the Mosaic Center Jericho.

In Pietro’s opinion it is fundamental to go through places on foot: “You can look, smell, eat and listen to what you have around; otherwise it is like traveling blindfolded. When you walk, you tie yourself to the territory, you are at the same level as people, you can talk, you always have a direct contact or an encounter. When you are walking there is always something unexpected happening, and adventure is part of the journey!”. (more)

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Recalling Christmas: The precious gift of the Franciscans to the children of Aleppo

The blessed joy of Christmas in Aleppo

January 2018 | Pro Terra Sancta

In 2016, Christmas in Aleppo was marked by the liberation of a city that has suffered much during the endless Syrian conflict. The hope brought by the liberation of the city, grew timidly in 2017: some activities have resumed and some destroyed apartments have been rebuilt, thanks to your valuable support through the Association pro Terra Sancta. Yet there still are many deep wounds that need to be cured. Childrens are the ones who suffer most. For this reason the Christmas letter by Fr. Ibrahim, parish priest of Aleppo, was adressed particularly to them.

In the letter, Fr. Ibrahim wrote: “Many are wondering what gifts we Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land will give to the children of Aleppo. There are many gifts we could give them, but we wish to introduce you to one of the best. It is a post-school project aimed at psychological, academic and spiritual recovery for 150 little angels in Aleppo’s society, who were extremely wounded by the war”. In fact, many of these children are not able to follow lessons and learn. They are blocked by war traumas and disturbances of various kinds. They are therefore in need of a constant and patient process of recovery.

The project, which began at the beginning of the 2017-18 school year, will last nine months and is aimed at those who “are the most fragile and most affected by war traumas”. In this case, they are 150 out of a total of 600 elementary school children. It is a small starting point, considering that there are thousands of children in need of this kind of assistance in Syria. Unfortunately, as Ibrahim says, “To cover the post-school activites for a child, providing for his different needs, would cost around 85 $ each per month”.

In the letter, therefore Fr. Ibrahim asks for help: “The value and result of a person’s recovery is worth much more than this amount. Each of them has great dreams and so much hope. Despite the fact that they also come with so many sad stories from these last six years, which will certainly leave a very deep mark on their personalities, the hope of a Church and of a society that yearns to rise again also remains in them. Each of them is a gift from on high: the ‘little brother’ for whom Jesus gave his life. Indeed, for each of us, each child helped is the ‘Child born for us’, Jesus himself”. (more)

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Christmas in Bethlehem: the faces of a living nativity scene

DECEMBER 2017 - Pro Terra Sancta

At Christmas the nativity scene is set up and reproduced in the cribs, all over the world. The Grotto of the Baby Jesus represents the heart of this sacred and popular representation. In our days there are still people living in Bethlehem, that every year rush towards the manger as it happened more than 2.000 years ago. We went to meet these people, to follow the star that leads us to the place where Jesus was born.

Nativity Square, Bethlehem

In the beginning we meet Bishàra, the keeper of the Latin Church of St. Catherine adjacent to the Basilica of the Nativity. “Christmas is a wonderful time”, he says smiling, and showing the red cross of the Holy Land on his chest. “The important thing for our family and for everyone is that Jesus was born for each of us. For this reason, we are not afraid. I thank God and the Franciscans for whom I work, because my family is healthy. Let us leave the problems to God who knows everyone’s heart”.

Just outside the Basilica, in the large square of the Nativity in front of the beautiful Christmas tree and  the crib, there is Rony, one of the many sellers of cribs in Bethlehem, made of wood and mother of pearl. “Do not be afraid, and pray for the Holy Land, especially now that it is Christmas!” He says proudly. His father is there next to him. “Who knows how this Christmas will be”, says his father with a tired look due to the actual political situation of his land. But Rony looks at him smiling and says: “Daddy you know, the last political upheavals make us even stronger and more faithful. We are very happy to live here. It is not just a family tradition that we must continue, our mission is to stay here. We always hope for peace and we want peace for the Holy Land”. (more)

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In Jerusalem the Custody of the Holy Land celebrates 800 years of Franciscan presence in the Middle East

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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US Franciscans statement on Charlottesville violence

US Franciscans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 2017

As followers of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of peace, we, the Franciscans Friars of the United States join with the many public and religious leaders and fellow-citizens who have condemned the recent violence in Charlottesville, VA. 

We hold that all forms of racism, white supremacy, neo-nazism, xenophobia and hatred are wrong. 

Because we believe that every person is created by God in love, we also hold that disrespect or diminishment of—or violence against--anyone offends not only that person but also the One who created that person.

As Franciscans, we strive to be bridge-builders.  To avoid future instances of the tragic violence that tore not only the community of Charlottesville but also the fabric of our nation, we call for a renewed commitment to respectful dialogue by all, whereby our opinions and differences can be shared in constructive and illuminating ways that lead to the possibility of growth and conversion for all.  Such dialogue might lead us beyond the overt displays of violence and intolerance into an understanding of the subtler and even unconscious forms of discrimination and intolerance that may still inhabit our hearts as well as our society.

We commit ourselves to the responsibility of respect for and dialogue with all who seem “other” than ourselves.  And we pray that all the citizens of our nation will join in striving to attain respect and peace in our communities.

(Source)

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Updates from Syria: “We’re going back home, but it is not over yet!”

Pro Terra Sancta - “We heard that the Church assists, helps and encourages people; and so it’s ready to intervene in rebuilding a damaged house, it’s ready to help a father to find a job and to cover some of the expenses there might be. Or still it’s ready to donate at least a first-aid food package.” Speaking are some Christians of Aleppo, Syria. They have decided to return home during the last months, precisely six months after we had known that the city had finally been freed.

“18 families have come back since the beginning of this year” Father Ibrahim Alsabagh, the parson of the Franciscan church in Aleppo, tells us “and we know that some others are thinking about returning here”. This is really a great sign of hope for the local community which right now is exhausted for the many difficulties it has been through. It is also an encouraging sign for the Franciscan Friars, who have always been present in Syria, alongside the people in these years of war. “It encourages us to keep on going and to raise even more the level of hospitality” Father Ibrahim continues.

In fact, despite it has been a while since the city was liberated and some activities have already been restored, fear is still widespread in Aleppo, water and electricity are still intermittently missing and the price of the everyday life keeps on growing. The Franciscan parson is really worried: “Lately there have been many bombings in the New City of Aleppo, and many civilians were killed by the missiles launched by some armed groups. During all night they kept on firing from outside the city. We hear the noise and we see the consequences; many times they tell us that is Daesh, other times they tell us that there might be other external groups. People look around and wonder: ‘Is it over or not? Will there be a chance for a new life?’” (more)

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Justice, Peace & the Integrity of Creation in the Holy Land

by Custodia Terrae Sanctae

Justice, peace and the integrity of creation are values that for Franciscans must be promoted. This is why the Order of Friars Minor has set up a body for the facilitation and sensitization of this message: the General Office for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC). Br. Jaime Campos, who has been the director of the JPIC office in Jerusalem for a few days, had the opportunity to speak to the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land. During the meeting that took place on May 30, Fr. Jaime explained that “these values did not come about on a specific date, but are from Jesus himself and are present in his preaching.” The dimension that surrounds justice, peace and the integrity of creation is “an essential dimension of our vocation,” according to the JPIC office director, “and in this sense, must be facilitated, like all of the other dimensions, and must be part of the planning of our pastoral activities.”

The JPIC Office

In the hall of the Immaculate at St. Savior’s in Jerusalem, the friars of the Custody who guard the Holy Places and who are from the different fraternities gathered together. In front of this audience, Fr. Jaime Campos illustrated the effective work of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office that he directs. The director, also called facilitator-general, had an assistant with him. There were also 13 conferences which grouped the provinces by language, geographical area and number, as well as a fourteenth one, that of the Holy Land. Each conference had a delegate who was part of the International Council of Justice and Peace and each entity had a facilitator. The Rome central bureau [outlined] four areas of action:

1. Formation with the elaboration of the aforementioned writings, the publication of a "Contact" bulletin every four months, with the organization of a JPIC course at the Antonianum University in Rome;
2. Coordination of international conferences organized by the General Order and meetings of the International Council and the facilitating/organizing committee;
3. Communication with the Order’s general government;
4. Collaboration with the Secretaries General of the OFM and with organizations linked to the Franciscan world (such as Franciscan International, Talita Kum, etc.)

The Custody and the JPIC Commission

For the Custody of the Holy Land, the facilitator of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office is Fr. Giorgio Vigna, from the Basilica of Agony in Gethsemane. (more)

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Anglican Orders Not 'Invalid' Says Cardinal

The Tablet | by Christopher Lamb

Leo XIII’s remarks that Anglican orders are “absolutely null and utterly void” have been a major stumbling block to Catholic-Anglican unity.

Anglican orders not 'invalid' says Cardinal, opening way for revision of current Catholic position One of the Vatican’s top legal minds has opened the way for a revision of the Catholic position on Anglican orders by stressing they should not be written off as invalid.

In a recently published book, Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, calls into question Pope Leo XIII’s 1896 papal bull that Anglican orders are “absolutely null and utterly void.”

“When someone is ordained in the Anglican Church and becomes a parish priest in a community, we cannot say that nothing has happened, that everything is ‘invalid’,” the cardinal says in volume of papers and discussions that took place in Rome as part of the Malines Conversations, an ecumenical forum. 

“This about the life of a person and what he has given …these things are so very relevant!” 

For decades Leo XIII’s remarks have proved to be one of the major stumbling blocks in Catholic-Anglican unity efforts, as it seemed to offer very little room for interpretation or revision. 

But the cardinal, whose department is charged with interpreting and revising Church laws, argued the Church today has “a very rigid understanding of validity and invalidity” which could be revised on the Anglican ordination question. 

“The question of validity [regarding the non-recognition of Anglican orders, while the Pope would give pectoral crosses, rings or chalices to Anglican clergy], however, is not a matter of law but of doctrine,” he explains in a question and answer format. “We have had, and we still have a very rigid understanding of validity and invalidity: this is valid, and that is not valid. One should be able to say: ‘this is valid in a certain context, and that is valid another context’.” (more)

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You are invited...

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Restoring the physical place to preserve faith: the inauguration of the newly restored tomb of the Holy Sepulcher

ATS - Pro Terra Sancta

It had never happened before. The tomb of the Holy Sepulcher has been finally restored after 10 months of work.

For the inauguration, the chairs are arranged in a circle, divided by sector, according to the various denominations: Greek Orthodox, the sector of the Latin Catholics and that of the Armenians. The chairs are divided by sector, but for once they are “all together around the center of our faith and our hope.” This is what strikes most Fr. David, Secretary of the Custody of the Holy Land.

And it is the main reason for which today’s event is truly unique: the restoration has been the result of an unexpected agreement between Greek Orthodox, Catholics and Armenian. Therefore the technical interventions are of great value since they were necessary; but there is much more.

This is why in his speech, the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, is keen to stress the symbolic value of the event, precisely the unity that has come about, but also its spiritual value. “It has been a restoration of the most important site for all of Christianity, the key place for us to interpret our life and our history”, he explains.

Before and after him the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III and the Armenian Patriarch Nourhan Manougian say the same. The restoration “is a gift to the city of Jerusalem and to the whole world,” says Theophilus III, a physical gift, both symbolic and spiritual.

Besides, this is the main mission of the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land: the preservation of the Holy Places to make them accessible to the thousands of pilgrims who flock by every day, in the Holy Sepulcher, as in other places. (more)

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Franciscans Disturbed by Administration's Second Travel Ban Announcement

With the Ninth Circuit Court Unanimously Deciding The First Ban was Unconstitutional, It’s Inconceivable that the Administration Would Try Again

By Janine Walsh

FAN Communications Coordinator
05/03/2013

Washington, D.C. -  Today, the President signed a second executive order travel ban from six majority Muslim countries. While the administration denies that this is a Muslim ban, the revised executive order is a defacto one. This ban diminishes the standing of our country in the eyes of the world, especially our allies. Considering that refugees have gone through 18-24 months of stringent vetting in their desire to escape war and persecution, it is disturbing that the administration would continue barring these people from the safety and security our country can offer. The Franciscan Action Network continues to strongly oppose any ban that demonstrates discrimination against any person based on country of origin or preferred religion. FAN executive director Patrick Carolan stated “The ban goes against everything that we stand for as Franciscan Catholic Christians, and against what Jesus and Francis of Assisi taught and lived. St. Bonaventure tells us that how we choose and what we choose makes a difference – first in what we become by our choices and second what the world becomes by our choices.”

The principle of freedom of religion is a tradition and ideal that forms the foundation of our country. We do not tell people how to pray and we don’t ban people based on their religion. No one should fear for their safety because of the color of their skin, what language they speak, or how they pray. We are weaker as a country when we let fear and lack of understanding come between us. It is morally wrong to single out one group of people based on their faith. It is disturbing that President Trump would continue to push for a ban against selected Muslim countries, given citizenship is not a reliable indicator of terrorist threat. Further, no one from these countries has been responsible for terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

According to Sr Marie Lucey, OSF, FAN Associate Director: “For Christians, Lent is a season of repentance for personal and social sin. The Franciscan Action Network will stand in prayer and solidarity with Muslim sisters and brothers, as well as all refugees and immigrants, during the forty days of Lent. While opposing bans and harmful executive orders, we also pray for a change of hearts and minds of this Administration and legislators who support anti-refugee and anti-immigrant measures. We will also continue to speak out against this injustice which is as cruel and unusual as it is astounding and irreconcilable.”

FAN will continue to encourage dialogue and peace building through programs such as our partnership with Muslim film production company, Unity Productions Foundation. Through the nationwide promotion of the docu-drama, The Sultan and the Saint  we will educate unabated on the similarities between our two faiths and the unifying elements of our religions.

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Plans Announced for Walsingham Pilgrimage 2017

Fr Raniero Cantalamessa OFM.Cap, Preacher to the Papal Household, will be the guest preacher at the 2017 National Pilgrimage on Monday, 29th May. The National weekend will feature 40 hours of prayer (starting on Saturday, 27th) including an ecumenical vigil in S. Mary's Parish Church, Little Walsingham on the Sunday evening.

The event is the Shrine's response to Thy Kingdom Come, a global prayer movement which the Archbishop of Canterbury is inviting people around the world to join. The wave of prayer will start in May and run for 10 days between Ascension and Pentecost.

The Anglican Bishop of Norwich (The Rt Revd Graham James) and the Roman Catholic Bishop of East Anglia (The Rt Revd Alan Hopes) will join prayers for the unity of the Church. The celebrant at the National Pilgrimage will be The Bishop of Chichester (The Rt Revd Martin Warner).

The Shrine's Priest Administrator, Fr Kevin Smith, is looking forward to welcome Fr Cantalamessa on his first visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and hopes that pilgrims from all over the country will be present on this significant day in the life of the Shrine as part of its witness to the nation.

The Bishop of Burnley (The Rt Revd Philip North), Master of the Guardians commented - "Each day at Walsingham we ask Mary's prayers for 'the conversion of England'. This year, we will be more aware than ever of making that prayer in thecompany of the whole church. It is really exciting that the National Pilgrimage will be a Beacon event in Thy Kingdom Come, a massive and international wave of prayer for the evangelisation of our land. It will be an amazing privilege to welcome Fr Cantalamessa as a guest of the Anglican Shrine. I hope that all who love Walsingham will want to make the pilgrimage that day - and that those unable to be there will join us in prayer."

For full details of the National Pilgrimage Weekend click here. 

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“We were all born there”: A conference in Milan explains why it is important to support the Holy Land

ATS - Pro Terra Sancta

“The commitment to support the Churches of the Middle East dates back to St. Paul. The apostle of the Gentiles always insisted on the commitment for Jerusalem, because thanks to the Christian community of the Holy City the Gospel was spread throughout the world. The same is true today. The Church of Jerusalem continues to be the Mother Church and there still is a debt of the other Churches towards Jerusalem”.

These words by Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, where chosen as the theme of a conference on the Middle East entitled “We were all born there”, organized by Fr. Francesco Ielpo, Commissary of the Holy Land for Northern Italy, in collaboration with the Foundation Terra Santa. The meeting was held on Saturday, February 25th, in Milan.

“Thanks to the Christian community of the Holy City, the gospel has come, in particular through St. Paul, even to us, in Europe” said Fr. Claudio Bottini Director of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum who held a lecture on the journeys of the Apostle of the Gentiles.

But what is the Church of Jerusalem today?

Fr. Toufic from Lebanon answered to this question, giving a testimony on the work done by the Friars of the Custody of the Holy Land in support of Iraqi refugees in Lebanon. The Custody of the Holy Land, in fact, includes Israel, Palestine and Jordan, places of Jesus’ earthly life, but also Syria, Lebanon, Rhodes and Cyprus; this is precisely the area where St. Paul preached and that of the early Christian communities.

“We bring aid to everyone” said Fr. Toufic “and most of the times, to support these refugees simply means bringing the smile to a child, or to explain the basic rules of hygiene... It also means to accompany, to maintain a presence, the Christian presence in a land that really needs it”. (more)

The death penalty doesn't solve problems, archbishop tells UN

Geneva, Switzerland, Mar 7, 2017 (EWTN News/CNA)

The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations reiterated the Vatican’s defense of all human life in a meeting with UN Human Rights Council on the death penalty.

“My Delegation reaffirms that life is sacred ‘from conception to natural death,’ and recalls the words Pope Francis, that ‘even a criminal has the inviolable right to life,’” said Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic last Wednesday.

He cited the words of Pope Francis: “For a constitutional state the death penalty represents a failure, because it obliges a State to kill in the name of justice. But justice is never reached by killing a human being.”

The archbishop also expressed concern for possible failures in human justice which may bring about the death of the wrong person.

“In this regard, one should consider that human justice is fallible and that the death penalty per se is irreversible. We should take into account that capital punishment always includes the possibility of taking the life of an innocent person.” (more)

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Shrovetide blessings. With football?

The 'Royal Shrovetide Football' match is a Medieval football game played annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in the town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire, England. Shrovetide ball games have been played in England since at least the 12th century from the reign of Henry II. The Ashbourne game also known as hugball has been played from at least 1667 although the exact origins of the game are unknown.

Two towns, that long that war had raged
Being at football now engaged
For honour, as both sides pretend,
Left the brave trial to be ended
Till the next thaw for they were frozen
On either part at least a dozen,
With a good handsome space between 'em
Like Rollerich stones, if you've seen 'em
And could no more run, kick, or trip ye
Than I can quaff off Aganippe.
                                                                       - Charles Cotton

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The Rising of Aleppo

From Terrasanta.net

Rubble, houses and roads destroyed for kilometers. This is the most painful stage of our journey to Syria, where it’s hard to hold the commotion.

“Welcome to Aleppo!” The road signs indicating the entrance to the ancient capital of the North, sound almost like a joke. While signs of the bloody battle that a few weeks ago has managed to expel the rebel forces, are the most noticeable scar in this great city. But not even the war was able to destroy man. The people on the sidewalks smile, and cars have started circulating again. Even some commercial activity has begun to function again, and in the evening lights from the windows illuminates the homes of the citizens of Aleppo.

Just around the corner, however, there are only buildings that have been destroyed by missiles and bombs. Children play with the debris of the houses while elderly people, rummage in the garbage to find something to eat.  Then we see many soldiers who are hungry and look terribly bored: this is what  remains of the so called “Paris of the Middle East.” Water comes and goes, as well as electricity. Who knows how long it will take to rebuild everything … How much work has to be done to ease the pain of those who lost their wives, children, homes and loved ones.

Even the dead have no peace in this war. When the Latin parish priest Ibrahim Alsabagh takes us to the cemetery he shows us a myriad of graves entirely uncovered. “We had no cases of desecration fortunately, but many thieves came to steal what the relatives of the deceased had put next to their loved ones during the burial”, he says.

In that destroyed cemetery, a young Syrian is working. His name is Tarek, who is about to repaint the chapel destroyed by the bombing. We go on with our visit to some houses damaged by bombing and now recovered thanks to a project supported by the Association pro Terra Sancta. (more)

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Terra Sancta Museum on the Via Dolorosa, because “no one knows about it”

by Pro Terra Sancta

“Before I started working here I did not know anything about the Via Dolorosa, I didn’t even know what Convent of the Flagellation was…” Christine tells us. She is a 24 year old Christian from the Old City. She has been working for the Terra Sancta Museum for some few months now.

“It’s true,” says Rozan, the other employee, “a few days ago I met a Christian lady who has lived here for 40 years. She asked me where the Way of the Cross was …‘ we’re on it! ‘, I said, but I also started to know about it when I came to work here.”

We talk for a while, waiting for today’s event: a presentation of the multimedia section of the museum to the tour operators in Jerusalem. Yes, “it is necessary to renew the invitation to everyone” Clara from the Association pro Terra Sancta tells us; she is head of management and promotion for the museum.

No one, not even the locals are aware of the history of this city and of the value of this street, the Via Dolorosa, on which thousands of pilgrims walk every day.

When the tour operators arrive the director, Fr. Eugenio Alliata, gives a short introduction of the place we are in. The show is 15 minutes long; it tells the story of Jerusalem and then that of the Via Dolorosa. “Beautiful,” one of the guides says at the end of the show, “I have seen many shows like this one, but this is truly remarkable”. Clara explains to them that this is only the first section of the museum, two more are under construction. “We have started to organize visits for schools in October” she adds. “As a matter of fact, the show is not only for pilgrims… Actually I would say that it is primarily for locals.” To date almost 20,000 visitors have come to see the museum, 509 of these are students, both Christians and Muslims. (more)

In Damascus the Franciscans Keep Their Doors Open

by Pro Terra Sancta

In the Franciscan church near Bab Touma (The Door of Thomas) in Damascus, the dome still bears the signs of recent bombings. Br. Bahjat Karakach, the superior of the convent, miraculously escaped the explosion that damaged the sanctuary. The parish center where Br. Antoine Louxa lives along with him is the first stop on our trip to Syria.

From the windows, one can see the destruction of the war waged on the Syrian capital, and at night, from time to time, bombings can be heard in the distance, enough to avoid falling into a deep sleep. The situation, however, has improved considerably compared with previous months. In the evening, much of the old city is lit up and those who wish to go out, are able to do so, walk, be with friends and have a drink with friends. In the ancient streets of the first capital of the Caliphate, you can still see the wonders of the past. Among them are places that are precious to Christians from all over the world.

The memorial of St. Paul is another important step on the journey toward discovering the activities of the Custody of the Holy Land in Syria. (more)

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