In the Holy Land, the Catholic community joins all churches around the world for the beginning of Lent. All Christians experience a day of prayer and fasting. The Ash Wednesday celebration at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher was presided over by Br. Stéphane Milovitch at 6:30 am. Songs and prayers united the Friars Minor of the Custody of the Holy Land with the faithful and pilgrims present. Br STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm President Holy Sepulcher Convent "We are here before the Tomb of the Risen Christ, where on Easter Day we celebrate the Resurrection. Also throughout Holy Week, here we will commemorate the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus. This is the central place of our Easter faith." The homily was delivered by Fr. Paolo Pessina of the Italian Diocese of Novara, who stressed that Lent is a "decisive" time between Christmas and Easter. "It is a time to look within," he said, "to fight the enemy that lives in us so as not to fall into temptation. At Gethsemane we remember how Jesus also experienced the struggle and asked the disciples to keep vigil with him." Fr PAOLO PESSINA Diocese of Novara "He helps us to fight and we help Him. During this time He asks us for help. Pray together with me to overcome temptation - and we know how the story turned out! The disciples went to sleep. We hope to respond better." Numerous pilgrims attended the celebration, coming from various parts of the world. Rafaela, from Brazil, recounts her first faith experience in the Holy Land. RAFAELA VIEIRA MAIA REIS Feira de Santana - Brazil "It is a grace for me to be here. Starting this Lent here for me is like believing in the impossible, it is realizing how God can do everything in my life. It fills me with hope and a desire for conversion. Truly God can transform my heart!" Floor restoration work in the Basilica continues. The Holy Sepulcher community is doing its best to welcome pilgrims. Br STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm President Holy Sepulcher Convent "Day by day we let ourselves be guided by what circumstances allow, but we will certainly try to celebrate Easter in this place to the best of our ability. I wish everyone a time of conversion in order to receive the Risen Christ."