The bond between the Custody of the Holy Land and the rest of the world is kept alive by a network of Commissariats with the task of promoting the mission of the Franciscans in the Holy Land. They include the Commissariat in Washington, the oldest in the United States and which recently celebrated the 125th anniversary of its foundation.
A network for the Holy Land
Among the initiatives organized by the Commissariats in support of the charities of the Custody of the Holy Land, the best known one is the pro Terra Sancta collection or “the Good Friday collection”: on this day, every year, donations offered by the faithful for the Holy and are collected. In addition, the commissariats organize pilgrimages to the Holy Places, in order to promote knowledge of the “Fifth Gospel” and allow pilgrims to have an authentic experience in the places of the Incarnation.
In the United States as well, where interest for the places of Christianity has always been very great, the Custody benefits from the work of the Commissariats. In particular, ever since the end of the 19th century, Jerusalem has been able to count on the constant spiritual and material support of the Washington Commissariat, which is based at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.
The Washington Commissariat, a story of solidarity
The Washington Commissariat recently organized a series of celebratory events for the 125th anniversary of its foundation, which also involved the Custos of the Holy Land, Fra Francesco Patton. On the conclusion of these celebrations, the annual Benefit Dinner was held on 2 November, with about 200 people in attendance, including the Custos. The dinner is one of the initiatives that the Washington Commissariat organized to raise the awareness of the local faithful on the condition of the Christians in the Holy Land and on the mission of the Franciscans of the Custody. It is a bridge of solidarity which over time has seen the American faithful generously respond to the appeals of the Holy Land. One example above all is the historic contribution for the building of the Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, which has just celebrated the centenary of its dedication. Today that bond of solidarity is still alive and is expressed through a contribution not only for the maintenance of the shrines, but also for the support of charitable work.
The Benefit Dinner
The Benefit Dinner was preceded by a Massa celebrated by the Custos. In his homily, Fra Patton insisted on the bond between love for God and love for our neighbour. “The mystery of the Incarnation drives us to recognize Christ in every human being, in our neighbour,” he said, recalling the mission of proximity of the Franciscans with the humanity that is suffering in the Holy Land. The Benefit Dinner was therefore not only the occasion to take stock of the Custody’s mission, but also for attendees to express their vocation as Christians and concretely help their neighbour. There was also room for a moment of gratitude and recognition, with the award of the “Grato Animo” medal to Father James Gardiner, known as Father Jim. This honour is awarded to those who stand out for generosity to the Holy Land. Father Jim, a member of the religious family of the Franciscans of Atonement, who has served at the Washington Monastery for 14 years, contributing, including with accompanying American pilgrims to the Holy Land, to the Commissariat’s mission.
By:Filippo De Grazia / custodia
