Holy Land Archives

Restoring churches seen as key to have Christians return to Middle East

Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
Jul 19, 2019

Speakers at a July 18 conference in Washington argued that restoring churches in violence-plagued sections of the Middle East will help foster the return of Christians who fled the strife, as well as introduce greater stability to the region.

Monastery connects U.S. Catholics to Holy Land, events in Christ’s life

Catholic News Service, Church in the US
Jul 14, 2019

Father James Gardiner, a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, who is director of special projects at the monastery, said the gardens and the replicas are meant to “whet your appetite” for seeing the real things in the Holy Land.

Peace prayers offered on centennial of statue’s return to Israel monastery

Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
May 7, 2019

Israel’s second largest annual Christian gathering became a vehicle to pray for peace as tensions between Israel and Palestinians living in Gaza intensified.

No loans, no aid: Just Palestinian refugees in an international business

Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
Apr 28, 2019

The poorest of Jordan’s 10 camps for Palestinian refugees would seem to be the unlikeliest place from which to launch an international business, but SEP Jordan is no usual enterprise. Here, 350 Palestinian refugee women — and a few Syrians — practice their traditional craft of embroidery, but with a modern twist.

Christian pilgrims process through Jerusalem for Good Friday

Associated Press, Church in the Middle East
Apr 19, 2019

Thousands of Christian pilgrims and clergy members marched through the ancient stone alleys of Jerusalem’s Old City, retracing Jesus’ path to crucifixion in observation of Good Friday.

Family tradition: Carrying the cross on Jerusalem’s Via Dolorosa

Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
Apr 8, 2019

For four decades, Mousa Kamar has taken his place at the head of the heavy wooden cross used during the Franciscan Good Friday procession on the Via Dolorosa.