Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land

"OPERA PIA"

The Friars are considered 'custodians' of the Holy Places by the will and mandate of the Apostolic See.  The Popes have always stressed "the duty of the Church to the Holy Land".  Being Franciscan, the Custody has no deposited capital or funds,  so it depends on external financing to bear the cost of its activities.  On 18th June 1992, Pope John Paul II said:"All is done in the benefit of the Holy Land is an act of exquisite and dutiful brotherliness, which expresses in real way the feelings of all the Christians towards Jesus' Land".

Every 6th January, the Custos of the Holy Land leads a solemn procession, carrying this statue, made in 1920 in Barcelona,Spain, by the "Casa Viuda Reixach"

Its benefactors can help the Custody in two ways: the first is the "Good Friday's collection", founded by will of the Holy See.  It's a collection of offerings that takes place in all the Churches of the world to help the apostleship in the Holy Land.  But the "Good Friday's Collection" isn't able to meet the costs of the numerous activities, so the Franciscans founded the "Opera Pia" (Charitable Work).
This is an association of willing people who, moved by the same love towards Our Lord, and together with the Franciscans, do their outmost to spread the knowledge of the Holy Places,  the love towards them, and to support the activities created around them by the Friars of the Custody.  The members of "Opera Pia" share the merit of over 10,000 Holy Masses celebrated every year by the Franciscans in the Sanctuaries of the Holy Land. 

They also share the merit and the spiritual advantages coming from the prayers, good deeds and sacrificies performed by the Franciscans of the Custody and by their beneficiaries.  The "Opera Pia" offers to its members the Plenary Indulgence (on the usual conditions) in the following days: Day of the Enrolment, 1st January, Easter, Whitsun, Assumption and Christmas.

THE ENROLMENT:  It can be one-year or perpetual.  In the first case,  each registered member gives an offering every year. In the second case, the member offers a more substantial sum only once.  It is also possible to enrol relatives, alive or dead.  For enrolments and more informations, you can contact the nearest "Commissariat of the Holy Land" or a "Friary of the Custody".

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