The liturgy in the Holy Land is itinerant and, especially during Lent, it is special because it traces the places of the Passion of Jesus. The beginning of this journey was marked by the first Lent weekend, during which the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Mgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, became a pilgrim and made his solemn entrance into the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Following an ancient tradition, faithful from the most diverse places and local Christians prayed in front of the Holy Places such as the Column of Flagellation and the Altar of the Division of the Clothes of Jesus...They then went out to pray up to the chapel of St. Helena and to the Calvary. The faithful also venerated the stone which marks the place of the anointing of Jesus and, finally, the Holy Sepulchre. HE Mgr PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem “Lent brings us an aspect of the life of Jesus that is the desert. And we go with him, together with him, with our personal deserts, with our community, with our efforts, to be able to resist the temptation of the desert of Jesus. Thus, we want to live this experience, which becomes a strenuous experience, but also one of resurrection.” In the evening there was another moment of prayer in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. This time, those present had the opportunity to recite the office of the Readings led by the Custodial Vicar of the Holy Land, Br. Dobromir Jasztal. Prayers, biblical texts, as well as the thoughts of Saint Augustine. All in order to help faithful to prepare well for the Easter of the Lord! The celebration continued with a torchlight procession around the Tomb of Jesus, an exclusive liturgical gesture of the Holy Sepulchre. In Jerusalem, you can hear the Easter "Alleluia" from the first Sunday of Lent. An authentic gift for those who are here at this time! VINCENT BENITO Seminarian Diocese of Perpignan/ France “Being here this evening in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher is important for me, to begin this Lent by being available to the Lord and by opening my heart to him. The Liturgy proposed in the Basilica during this Lent allows me to begin this period in the right way, to open my heart and to move forward on this journey of love which the Lord asks of us.” Sister REGINA JONGWE Missionary Daughters of Calvary  "I participated about 17 times in this Lent time here in Jerusalem. For me it is very special because each year I find it a different experience. Living in the land where Jesus lived, where he suffered and where he died... I feel great to have this opportunity!"