“There is no petrol, no gas, no medicine,” says Fadi Bejan, a collaborator of the Associazione Pro Terra Sancta in Beirut, disconsolately. On the phone, he tells us about the crisis that has engulfed his native Lebanon, and lucidly traces its causes and consequences. Fadi, thirty-seven years old, a former employee in the financial world, […]
In March 2021, the war in Syria regrettably entered its tenth year. The conflict has been brutal, and continues to be so. In 2020 the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic stated that the decade-long confrontation has seen the use of extremely destructive weaponry, used indiscriminately even against civilian targets. This […]
Like every Thursday morning, Ghada H., Monika, Ghada S. and Nuha gather around the big table in the Bet-women workshop. Ghada H. takes the lead: “The Christmas line must be ready by the first weeks of November”, she reminds her colleagues and friends. Ghada S. scribbles a note in her diary and adds: “That would […]
Jerusalem, the eternal city, the Holy City. “Eternal” because here you really can live and breathe the history of the world. “Holy” because it is the centre of faith for Christians, Jews and Muslims. Set off with us on a virtual tour of Jerusalem: we will discover together its history, its many identities, when it […]
The first light of dawn shines in Bethlehem, and the first shadows of the day are drawn among the deserted streets. On this Friday in September, the cool, autumn air is still and silent. Suddenly, the sound of a hammer and in the uncertain morning light the first men can be seen working on Star […]
Sara, Roberta, Chiara and Morgane landed on the 6th of August in Jerusalem for one year of Civil Service with the Associazione Pro Terra Sancta. They will all be involved in projects revolving around the Israeli-Palestinian area. After some difficulties and delays due to the pandemic, the girls were able to start their journey to […]
Pope Francis always reminds us that reaching out to the poor, especially children, means reaching out to Jesus: “Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who (…) lie in the squalid ‘mangers of dignity’: in the underground shelter to escape bombings, on the pavement of a large city, at the bottom of […]
A wonderful visit to the Bethesda pool and St. Anne’s church at the end of the Via Dolorosa, a near the Lion‘s Gate in Jerusalem Old city. At the end of Via Dolorosa, a few steps from the Lion’s Gate, there is a small wooden door that opens onto a lush garden, with large trees […]
Jerusalem, 7 am. The shutters of the shops in the Christian Street souk in the Old Town rise slowly, while the stone streets still deserted and the buildings all around turn pink and beige in the first late summer sun. Then, wearily, the shopkeepers begin to set up the stalls, to clean the windows, to […]
For two entire weeks the halls of the Terra Sancta Museum were invaded by La Salle School kids’ joyous giggles and laughters. The group of 4th and 5th grades, aged 8 to 10, was involved in the first ever museum’s Summer Camp. The initiative is part of Pro Terra Sancta managed and EU financed project […]
Exercising Christian charity and benevolence sustaining our activities in the Holy Land with donations, means to link forever your name to Jerusalem and the places walked by Jesus. From pilgrims and Emperors: many gifted part of their material possessions, funds and lands, to the Franciscan friars in order to preserve what is connected to the […]
The Gethsemane compound, with the garden of the Agony, the Basilica and the grotto, it’s one of the most significant holy places in the Holy Land. To walk through it, means to walk through the Gospel. John it’s clear about the fact that this is the place where Christ’s Passion, well described by Mark as […]
Today we celebrate the Transfiguration. Come with us on a virtual tour of Mount Tabor, one of the most charming and serene contemplation sites of the Holy Land. It’s a treasure chest of history and tradition. You don’t want to miss it! Mount Tabor, a 588 meters high hill, 8 kilometres from Nazareth, is one […]
by Giacomo Pizzi Despite being very tired, the heat stops us from sleeping at night: the 7 AM alarm is somehow relieving. Today we have scheduled a visit to 12 beneficiaries’ families, some of the victims of the explosion of Beirut’s harbour in August 2020. A quick breakfast and we are in the office to […]
by Giacomo Pizzi People living in Lebanon during its worst economic and sanitary crisis, explained to me what is really happening. Talking with my colleagues, volunteers and the beneficiaries of our projects in Beirut, a terrifying scene came to life. I need to hurry. I need to write a report on the deep roots of […]
by Giacomo Pizzi We landed in Beirut at 22.30 from Istanbul. We have been traveling since 11 AM and only took off the mask for eating. At the passport control the queue is neverending: there is a crowd of at least 200 people, mostly families with screaming kids tortured by the infinite waiting. The trip […]
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the heart of the Christianity and of Jerusalem. Here took place the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That’s why, today as in the past, the church was a must-be place for all the pilgrims. Today we would like to discuss big and small curiosities about the […]
A lady looks from afar: four scout boys are moving colourful chairs and some musicians are extracting their instruments from the cases. Perplexed, she’s asking herself how she will be able to move her car with stalls and a stage blocking the way. Waving Vincenzo asks her to come over. “There is a music night […]
A few minutes from Bethlehem, protected by the sands of the Judean desert, there is a cool and peaceful garden: the garden of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Hortus Conclusus. The Hortus Conclusus The idyllic green space owes its name to the Mary of Hortus Conclusus, venerated in Liguria especially […]