Custody of the Holy Land

The Latest

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III exits the Aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on May 4, 2024, in Jerusalem, showing the faithful the two candles just lit from the oil lamp that is believed to have been miraculously ignited inside Jesus' tomb.

‘Holy Fire’ ceremony at Jesus’ tomb marks beginning of Orthodox Easter celebrations

May 5, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Though its authenticity is disputed, the “Holy Fire” refers to a flame of purported divine origin that ignites inside Jesus’... Read more

A view of the modern area of the Catholic cemetery located on the southern hillside of Mount Zion in April 2024. In the background are the buildings of the Arabic neighborhood of Abu Tor.

Franciscans file petition to stop cable cars from passing over Holy Land Catholic cemetery

Apr 27, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The Jerusalem Development Authority is exploring the opportunity to use the piece of land in the cemetery to place a... Read more

The custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, walks through empty Bethlehem streets during the solemn entrance to the Basilica of the Nativity on Jan. 6, 2024.

The Holy Land may turn into a museum or an architectural remembrance, archbishop warns

Mar 29, 2024

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The archbishop of Toledo and primate of Spain, Francisco Cerro Chávez, stressed in a recent letter the need to support... Read more

Father Peter Vasko, OFM, and Sister Naomi Zimmermann, FSE.

Living the religious life in the Holy Land: Two Americans share their stories

Feb 2, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

On World Day for Consecrated Life, Father Peter Vasko and Sister Naomi Zimmermann — both Franciscans — are grateful for... Read more

The small procession of Franciscan friars, with the Custos of the Holy Land, arrives in Manger Square, in front of the Basilica of the Nativity, in Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 2, the day of the solemn entrance for the beginning of Advent. The Square, typically crowded with local believers and pilgrims, was empty. Dec. 2, 2023.

PHOTOS: Bethlehem welcomes Advent 2023 with quieter procession, still with hope

Dec 4, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

To mark the beginning of Advent, the custos of the Holy Land and the Franciscan friars made their annual procession... Read more

Local Christians pray the rosary during a prayer service hosted by the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in St. Saviour's Church, Jerusalem.

Praying for peace: Franciscans hold special prayer services in Jerusalem

Oct 16, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

This past weekend, Franciscan friars joined with other religious and laypeople to pray for peace in the Holy Land one... Read more

Pope Francis met a delegation affiliated with the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land on Jan. 17, 2022.

Pope Francis: The story of the Holy Land is the 'Fifth Gospel'

Jan 17, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has urged journalists in the Middle East to keep telling stories from the Holy Land. Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Catholics asked to support the Holy Land on Good Friday

Mar 29, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Franciscan friars taking care of the Holy Land sites have asked Catholics for prayers and financial support as they... Read more

A bullet-riddent bust of St. Ephrem in the remains of St. Mary's Syrian Orthodox parish in Homs. Photo courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need.

Franciscans asks prayers for kidnapped priest in Syria

Jul 7, 2015

The organizations of Franciscan missionaries serving in the Holy Land have requested prayers for the safe return of Father Dhiya... Read more

Latest news

Cardinal Kevin Farrell celebrates Mass for the World Meeting of Families 2022 on June 25, 2022.

Pope Francis assigns U.S. cardinal to carry out ‘urgent’ overhaul of Vatican pension fund

“In Jesus there is no contradiction between truth and charity,” notes professor Marta Rodríguez Díaz, who teaches in the philosophy department of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.

Gender: The problem isn’t the term but the anthropology behind it, Catholic expert says

“We think of these stories of saints that have withstood all this persecution as belonging to the Middle Ages,” said Bill McGurn, godfather of Jimmy Lai. “It’s going on right now, and we can see it.”

Jimmy Lai’s godfather assesses trial: ‘He’s a real champion of freedom’

null

Wyoming governor pledges to appeal after judge blocks state pro-life laws

Alessandro Allori, “The Presentation of Mary,” 1598.

What do we know about the presentation of Mary?

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Nairobi Archdiocese in Kenya.

Nairobi archbishop declines Kenyan president’s donations to Catholic parish

Jimmy Lai’s wife, Teresa (left), and retired Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun arrive at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts to attend Hong Kong activist publisher Lai’s national security trial in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024.

Jimmy Lai takes the stand in yearslong Hong Kong national security trial

Senior fellow at the National Catholic Bioethics Center Joseph Meaney speaks to “EWTN News Nightly” anchor Tracy Sabol on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.

Vietnam, with one of the highest abortion rates, leads UN initiative on premature births

Pope Francis greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience on Nov. 20, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis reads Ukrainian student’s moving testimony of faith at general audience

Before the wooden coffin is closed, Pope Benedict XVI’s personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein and Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli, the Vatican’s lead master of ceremonies for papal liturgies, place a white veil over the late pope’s face. The action on Jan. 4, 2023, is part of the funeral rites for popes.

Vatican simplifies funeral rite for popes

Liturgical Calendar Show this year
Nov 21
Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today's readings

TRENDING