According to one ancient tradition, a few drops of the milk with which Jesus had been nursed dropped to the ground and this cave in the town of Bethlehem turned completely white. According to another tradition, it was here that the Holy Family found refuge from the fury of King Herod. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land "According to tradition, the Milk Grotto would be the place where St. Joseph with the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus took refuge and, we can say, even temporarily hid. A second tradition was then added, the one that gives the name to the cave, the 'Milk Grotto'. According to this tradition, here the Virgin Mary started to nurse the child Jesus - who was evidently hungry. When some milk fell on the rock, it turned white." The Milk Grotto is located about 200 meters from the Basilica of the Nativity, the site of Christ's birth. On the facade of the cave, at the top, is a depiction of Mary nursing the baby Jesus. Going down the access staircase, then, we find ourselves in front of an image depicting Jesus, Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt. In addition to these, other images refer to the passage of the Holy Family in this place. The white powder extracted from the cave is used by many families. Br ENRIQUE SEGOVIA, ofm Guardian of the Basilica of the Nativity "People come here and get some of this "milk powder" because they really want the miracle of becoming a family, of becoming a mom, of having a son or daughter.... We collect testimonies of the many, many miracles in the room next door." At the bottom of the cave there is a chapel of perpetual adoration. And on the outside twelve explanatory panels tell the story of the place. Br ENRIQUE SEGOVIA, ofm Guardian of the Basilica of the Nativity "Two years ago we inaugurated these panels, which tell a bit of our entire history from the beginning until today. We installed them because we need to help pilgrims who come here to understand the meaning of this place, and that's why they are translated into different languages. Also here there is a place where the Blessed Sacrament is adored, which is taken care of by the Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, dedicating themselves to Perpetual Adoration for the different needs we have." In this Grotto where the Holy Family rested, a Mass was celebrated in honor of the Patron of the Church in this year dedicated to him by Pope Francis. Brother Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, presided over the celebration, and in his homily made reference to the many who, like Joseph, have sought refuge in these lands: "Joseph - explained the Custos - is in the same situation as many of our Christians of the Holy Land, of Gaza and Bethlehem, of Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, but also of many other countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, who are also fleeing, not by choice but by necessity. They too are in exil e because they are forced to seek work elsewhere. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land "We know that today there are millions of people, both here in the Middle East and in other countries around the world, who are forced to emigrate because of difficulties due to ongoing wars, the economy, lack of work, personal and family insecurity, and uncertain prospects for the future. For this reason, St. Joseph becomes for us, to some extent, the current image of the many families, and the many fathers forced today to leave their land to take care of their loved ones." Franciscans, religious and local Christians gathered to celebrate 150 years since St. Joseph, who with a Father's heart protected the Child Jesus and his mother in this Bethlehem grotto, was declared Universal Patron of the Church. Read More