The kawas marked the passage of the Franciscans and of the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, during the solemn entry into the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher. Accompanied by many faithful, they took part in the traditional procession and went through places that recall the most important moments of the Passion of Christ. Br. STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm St. Savior Monastery "Every Saturday and Sunday of Lent, the bishop stops at the Holy Sepulcher, following the tradition of all the pilgrims from 1300 to 1800. The bishop, therefore, becomes a pilgrim.” The ceremony began before the Altar of the Blessed Sacrament. The pilgrims were holding candles and their faith was reflected in their faces. They prayed at different sites: before the Column of the Flagellation, at the place that evokes the Prison of Christ, at the altar of the shedding of His Robes, at the Crypt where the Cross was rediscovered and in the Chapel that honors St. Helena. With songs and prayers, the procession continued in the direction of Calvary, climbing into the place of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. All venerated the Anointing Stone and, according to the Lenten tradition, they walked around the Holy Sepulcher of Jesus three times. In the middle of the night, the Office of Vigils, presided this year by the vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, Father Dobromir Jaztal, took place. Those present, guided by St. Augustine's teaching, reflected on Jesus' victory over temptation. The vigil ended with the memory of the Resurrection: an exclusive liturgical gesture of the Holy Sepulcher. Here in Jerusalem, the Easter Alleluia resounds from the first Sunday of Lent and, after proclaiming the Gospel of the Resurrection, we take part in the procession that goes to the Holy Sepulcher. Mons. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Apostolic Administrator Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem "In Jerusalem, the Lenten Liturgy is special; we have the so-called Lenten stations: we stop at every holy place that commemorates a Passion event and pray. However, on Saturday and Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection at the Holy Sepulcher. We come here to conclude, in a way, the prayers of the week that recalled the Passion, which ends with the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.” This is only the beginning of Lent: an important time for the Church throughout the world, but especially here in the Holy Land where, we can physically trace Jesus' footsteps. Br. STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm St. Savior Monastery "Here, just as in Rome and in Constantinople, we have an Itinerant Liturgy, which means we are not in a static Church as happens in the parishes of the world; instead, we go from place to place and the Liturgy is adapted to each place and time. During the time of Lent, we will stop at all the places that recall the Passion, which prepare us for the Passion that we will celebrate on Good Friday.” In Jerusalem, at the Holy Places that recall the Passion - such as Gethsemane, Dominus Flevit and the Flagellation - there will be a mass that commemorates that particular event. For those who have the privilege of being here during this Lenten season, the experience is unique. Corrado Scardigno Pro Terra Santa Association "I am experiencing a journey of intense spirituality that will lead me to the Holy Week and to the Easter Triduum, to the Mystery of Joy of the Resurrection of Christ, but right here, in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus is risen, space and time merge." Gregorio Oliveira Silva Dioceses of Méaux - France "I believe that the meaning of all this is to follow Jesus, to be in the same place where He lived and where He announced the Good News of the Gospel.”