The Order of Friars Minor has been present in the Holy Places for eight centuries and preserves together with the Sanctuaries also the link with the local people who dwell in that land.
The current situation of violence and war deeply saddens us, and worries us for the fate of the people who live there. We are intensifying our prayer of intercession for peace.
The Friars Minor present in the Custody of the Holy Land, together with the Custos fr. Francesco Patton, (who is in regular contact with fr. Massimo Fusarelli, the Minister General), are always present, they are well and remain close to the people, continuing to pray for peace and to sow it with concrete gestures.
Therefore, as an Order and as a Franciscan Family let us allow the friars of the Custody to feel that we are near to them, that they may feel our closeness as they await for us to return to visit the Holy Places as soon as possible.
In this way we are able to express our communion and belonging together with the Christians of the Holy Land and to all the people who live there.
Let us pray Psalm 122:6-9:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say:
“Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
