These Franciscan friars in Jerusalem are bringing the Holy Land to Christians throughout the Middle East with an exhibition, titled “Jesus' Most Beloved Land.”
It is traveling throughout Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, with the aim of connecting Christians who cannot travel to Israel to the land where Jesus lived.
BR. NOOR TAMAS, OFM
Custody of the Holy Land
'This project was formed to help Christian people who can't make the pilgrimmage to the Holy Land to come see these sacred sites, because they too have a right to feel and see this land which we call the fifth gospel.'
Pope Paul VI referred to the Holy Land as “the fifth gospel,” on account of its powerful testimony of Jesus' life.
Now the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land are aiming to share that experience through this exhibition, which includes a piece of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
BR. NOOR TAMAS, OFM
Custody of the Holy Land
'The people were truly awestruck by this exhibition, especially because it was accompanied by a relic of the Holy Cross, which comes from here to the people. And people came seeking its blessing and to see it, so for them it was almost a sort of spiritual pilgrimage.'
“Jesus' Most Beloved Land” was launched in Damascus, Syria, with a special celebration. It continues through Lebanon and Iraq, which Pope Francis visited just last year to show his solidarity with marginalized Christians.
BR. NOOR TAMAS, OFM
Custody of the Holy Land
'What we wanted to do was to bring hope, and let these people know that they are just as important to us as the many Christians elsewhere around the world. To to make them feel that we think about them, and if they cannot make a pilgrimage due to political situations, then we bring these lands to them.'
For Christians throughout the Middle East, visiting the Holy Land can seem like an impossible dream, yet thanks to the work of these friars the land of Jesus has come one step closer.
JM
