Jacopo Gelmi, a young Classical Archaeology graduate from the University of Pavia, is carrying out a 3 month placement as a volunteer at the Archaeological Museum of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, in Jerusalem. Here, he talks about his experience: “The museum has a substantial collection of medals, of all kinds, including military, religious (papal) and […]

For several days now the application iBreviary “pro Terra Sancta” has been available for downloading in an updated version offering new services for users and with the addition of Arabic, Turkish and Portuguese (alongside the existing Italian, French, Spanish, German, English and Latin). iBreviary pro Terra Sancta was created in 2008 by Fr. Paolo Padrini […]

Work to build a new multi-functional reception room at the St John Sanctuary in Aim Karem, near Jerusalem, is progressing at a steady pace. The room, designed to welcome groups pf pilgrims who visit the sanctuary daily, is partially underground and, in the past, has been used as a storeroom, workshop and subsequently abandoned. Work […]

The collaboration continues between the nonprofit organization frate Gabriele Allegra (the NGO of the Sicilian Friars Minor) and the Franciscans of the Holy Land, through ATS pro Terra Sancta. The Allegra NGO has always been attentive to the needs of the poorest, particularly those in the Holy Land and in Bethlehem, a favorite place of […]

The works to expand the Mosaic Center Jericho’s guesthouse in the village of Sabastiya are continuing, thanks to the support of Belgian Development Cooperation. The new facility will include two bedrooms, already completed, plus three more that will be ready in a few months thanks to to support of ATS pro Terra Sancta, as well […]

The words of Marta and Claudia, two young Italians, upon the completion of their service as volunteers working with the children, youths, elderly and disabled of Bethlehem. After having received a degree in Community Psychology, it was our wish to serve as volunteers with the hope of being able to give to others what we […]

In the days following the presentation of the Holy Land Museum project to various Consul-Generals of Jerusalem – which took place in the Convent of San Salvatore in Jerusalem on 7th March –  many newspapers picked the story up. The coverage highlights the great value of the initiative, in which the Custody of the Holy […]

On Tuesday 12th March, Sabastiya, a village in the heart of Cisgiordania, welcomed David Cecile, the Italian Consul-General in Jerusalem, and Elena Clemente, consul. The representatives decided to visit the village’s ancient historic centre to observe the work that has been done in recent years on the various projects financed by Italy and implemented by ATS […]

The consuls and various delegations to Jerusalem, who arrived and were received one-by-one at the headquarters of the Custody of the Holy Land by Fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa, found themselves before several of the most precious objects which the Custody will put on display in the new Terra Sancta Museum. On Friday, March 7, in Saint […]

“Unfortunately, music therapy is still underappreciated; too often children with disabilities are seen solely as beings to be nourished and looked after. But it’s not enough to feed the body, the soul needs it too. Through music therapy, I discovered how to nourish the souls of these children, how to make a child with autism […]

[From custodia.org] For the last two weeks visitors to the Holy Sepulchre have noticed a certain bustling around the “Chapel of the Franks”. Many visitors and pilgrims to the Holy Sepulchre don’t know its name, even though they have seen it. The Chapel of the Franks, whose real name is the Chapel of the Torment […]

“I ask the Lord to touch the hearts of all, that, looking only to the greater good of the so sorely tried Syrian people, they might spare no effort to reach as quickly as possible the cessation of violence and the end of the conflict, which has already caused too much suffering. I hope the […]

“I want to thank you all for the beautiful trip you gave me! It was the trip I wanted to make! You are doing a wonderful thing there, and the proof is in the love the locals have for you!” Rosa. “I came home with a wealth of emotions and connections which I hope to […]

Claudia Koll is the new celebrity face of ATS pro Terra Sancta. The famous Italian actress – who was in Jerusalem just a few months ago – was accompanied on her visit to the projects run by the Association, and she decided to promote the “Jerusalem, Stones of Memory” project. Claudia Koll, who, for some […]

The project led by ATS pro Terra Sancta in the village of Sabastiya, in collaboration with the Mosaic Centre in Jerico, is progressing. An increasing number of tourists and visitors stop off in this little gem in the heart of Samaria to admire the archaeological site and the tomb of John the Baptist. The project […]

A fresh, moving tale which tells the story of the difficulties, as well as the joy, experienced over three weeks spent in the care home for the elderly in Bethlehem. This is what Nicoletta, a volunteer for ATS pro Terra Sancta, had to say at the end of her time there: “I’m not going to […]

In the Palestinian Territories, where the proportion of people with disabilities is very high (according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Social Affairs in 2011 there were approximately 170,000 handicapped people), disability is frequently seen as a taboo, as something to be ashamed of: this is due in large part to […]

A bright light will shine to all parts of the earth; many nations shall come to you from afar, And the inhabitants of all the limits of the earth, drawn to you by the name of the Lord God, Bearing in their hands their gifts for the King of heaven. (Tob 13:11). As Pope Francis […]

More than one hundred senior citizens attended the Christmas party at the Antonian Charitable Society of Bethlehem. They had a splendid day, with singing, dancing, a first-class meal and the traditional Christmas bingo. Also present were the new Bethlehem parish priest, Nerwan Al Banna, the Gianelline Sisters and the nurses who each day take care […]

On the occasion of the inauguration this past February of the new site of the General Library, the Custos of the Holy Land declared that: “An integral part of our mission is promoting the dignity of man, of each and every person. This means not only creating opportunities for employment and supporting the poor, but […]