Terra Santa News
Terra Santa News 07/03/2025
March 06, 2025
The beginning of Lent in the Holy Land with Ash Wednesday; the consecration of a new chapel at the Shepherds' Field; the inauguration of the playground at the Catholic Action in Bethlehem and finally, the message of the Custos of the Holy Land for the Good Friday Collection.
Catholic Action: Where Faith Meets Service
March 05, 2025
On March 1, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Radman and Br Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, inaugurated the new indoor playground for children at Catholic Action in Bethlehem. This project is a sign of hope amid the great challenges the city faces due to the deep impact of the war in Gaza.
Help us help others! An appeal to preserve the Holy Land and support its people.
March 04, 2025
An appeal to preserve the Holy Land and support its people. Video Message for the Collection Good Friday 2025
Episcopal Ordination of Mgr Iyad Twal
March 04, 2025
On February 28, the Latin Patriarchate celebrated the episcopal ordination of Bishop and Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, Mgr Iyad Twal. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the Church of the Baptism in Jordan.
Consecration of the Croatian Chapel at the Shepherds’ Field
March 04, 2025
In this land where the "Good News" announced by the angels to the shepherds still resonates, a new sign of hope is taking shape. On March 1st, around 300 pilgrims from Croatia gathered at the Shepherds’ Field in Beit Sahour for the consecration of the Croatian chapel, dedicated to Saint Jerome and Saint Nicholas Tavelić.
Br Diego Dalla Gassa: ‘I was looking for something big and I found it!’
March 03, 2025
Brother Diego Dalla Gassa was born in Chiampo, in the province of Vicenza, the fourth of five children: three boys and two girls. Looking for something big, he didn't know where to go until he found the meaning of his life: Jesus Christ, to whom no other wealth can be compared, because He is everything.
Terra Santa News 28/02/2025
February 27, 2025
The return of some groups of pilgrims to the Holy Land; the closeness of the Christians of Gaza to Pope Francis; the first national meeting of Christian youth movements and finally, the Church's help to the most needy in Bethlehem.
“Christ unites us: what do we do together and how do we do it?”
February 25, 2025
The first national meeting of Christian youth movements in Israel was held under the title ‘Christ unites us: what do we do together and how do we do it?
Prayers from Gaza to the ‘Shepherd of Hope’
February 25, 2025
Since 7 October, between destruction and siege, His Holiness Pope Francis has been a voice of hope that has never been silenced. He has always extended a fatherly hand of compassion towards Gaza, offering comfort and strength to the Christian refugees in the Church of the Holy Family. Today, while he is in hospital, the Christians of Gaza are praying incessantly for a man who has never forgotten them in their most difficult moments.
"Be brave, I've overcome the world”: the Church's outstretched hand to the weak in times of need.
February 25, 2025
The war in Gaza has cast a heavy silence over Bethlehem. Without tourism, city life has come to a standstill: shops are closed, hotels are empty and the means of supporting families have dried up. The crisis has worsened with additional barriers and a system of controls that isolate the city and make life even more difficult for the population.
Hope does not disappoint! Pilgrims' discreet and courageous return to the Holy Land
February 22, 2025
Small groups of Italians, Filipinos, Africans and Latin Americans are starting to return to the Holy Land. A sign of hope but also a concrete help for the local community, which is tired and in need.
Terra Santa News 21/02/2025
February 20, 2025
The return of the altar from the Latin chapel of Calvary to the Holy Sepulchre; the conference on Arab heritage in Bethlehem; the history of the Lifegate Institute in Bethlehem, and finally the origin of the ‘Jubilee’
Lifegate. A revolution for integration
February 20, 2025
Lifegate is an institute that fights against the marginalisation of people with disabilities in Palestine. It creates an opportunity to transform disability into motivation and determination.
The origin of the ‘Jubilee’ and its reflection in the New Testament
February 19, 2025
Father David Neuhaus, professor of Sacred Scripture, sheds light on the origin of the Jubilee and its reflection in the New Testament.
Justice is the path to peace
February 18, 2025
The Al-Liqa Centre for Religious, Patrimonial and Cultural Studies in the Holy Land hosted the thirtieth edition of the Conference on Arab patrimony for Muslims and Christians in the Holy Land, entitled ‘Justice is the path to peace’, in Bethlehem on 14 and 15 February.
The Diocese of Mantua helps the Holy Land
February 17, 2025
The Diocese of Mantua has started a fraternal collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Among the initiatives is a shopping programme for the needs of Christian families with children aged between zero and three.
Holy Sepulchre. The sixteenth-century altar of the Calvary chapel is back
February 13, 2025
On 12th February the altar of the Latin chapel of Calvary was returned to the Holy Sepulchre.
Terra Santa News 14/02/2025
February 13, 2025
The pilgrimage of a group of Italians to the Spring of Hope; the inauguration of new spaces for the friars at the Holy Sepulchre; the celebration of the feast of Saint Maroun; the training course for guides in Jordan and finally, the delivery of the donations from the Benedictines' Christmas campaign.
One hundred thousand names: a message of love reaches the needy in the Holy Land
February 13, 2025
On the holiest night of the year, as the world celebrates the birth of Christ, a small group of Benedictine monks silently leave, as tradition dictates, the Dormition Abbey of Mary in Jerusalem and head towards the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. They take with them over one hundred thousand names from every corner of the world and they pray for those who ask for prayer, healing and hope.
SBF and Pro Terra Santa: training for guides in Jordan
February 11, 2025
During the first week of February, in Jordan, the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, together with the Pro Terra Santa Association, organised study and training days dedicated to guides. There were many participants, and among those present were the Apostolic Nuncio and several local priests.
New spaces for the friars at the Holy Sepulchre
February 10, 2025
On the morning of 8 February Brother Francesco Patton inaugurated the Crusader Chapel in the Holy Sepulchre and the friary where the friars live. The work was supported by the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land.
Saint Maron. A call for peaceful coexistence
February 10, 2025
On 8 February, the Maronite Church of the Vicariate of the Maronite Patriarchate of Jerusalem devoutly celebrated the feast day of its patron saint, Saint Maron. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Monsignor Moussa al-Hajj, of the Maronite Archdiocese of Haifa and the Holy Land.
Terra Santa News 07/02/2025
February 06, 2025
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a day dedicated to Consecrated Life; a Byzantine church discovered in the south of the Holy Land; the exhibition in the Vatican ‘Jordan. Dawn of Christianity’; the latest statistics on Christians and, finally, the story of Sister Marisa, who has served the Custody of the Holy Land for years.
Pilgrims of Italy: "Draw with joy and faith from the source of Hope!"
February 06, 2025
From 3 to 7 February a group from Italy, made up of lay people, priests and religious, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to be a presence alongside the Mother Church and local Christians.