A Reflection of 800 years, The Custody of the Holy Land

Few institutions are as distinctive in their history and objectives as the Custody of the of Holy Land. For over 800 years, the Franciscan Friars of the Custody have been entrusted by the Holy See with preservation of the great shrines of the Latin church in the Middle East, serving both pilgrims to the Holy Land and local Christian communities. Their mission, as various Popes have emphasized, is to ensure that the places of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension remain centers of spirituality that hand on the evangelical message and nurture the piety of the faithful. This webinar features Father David Grenier, OFM, and Father David Wathen, OFM, joining in a dialogue with Paul Schott Stevens, Trustee, Catholic Investment Services, to explore the work of the Custody today and the unique challenges it faces in the Middle East.

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:05 – Zela Astarjian, CIS Managing Director, welcome and introductions
05:15 – Opening prayer of St. Francis
06:15 – Paul Schott Stevens, opening remarks, History of the Order of Friars Minor and the custody of the holy land
12:00 – Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) Mission Overview
18:30 – Description of the pilgrimage experience
23:00 – Vision and creation of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C.
30:00 – What is the Holy Land Review publication
31:00 – Can you describe your calling to serve the church and becoming a Franciscan Friar
38:00 – How has COVID affected the Custody, current challenges
41:00 – What would St. Francis think of the work of the Custody
42:30 – Work of the Garden Guild & Apiarists
48:00 – Q: Is it safe today to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land?
52:00 – Q: Can you describe how Franciscan Friars support local small business
54:00 – Thank you and closing