The prayer activities that take place daily in the sanctuaries of the Custody of the Holy Land have intensified, asking the Lord for peace and concord. In Nazareth, Galilee, the Shrine of the Angel's Announcement to the Virgin Mary remains open. Even with a reduced number of visitors and pilgrims, who have been advised to stay in their respective hotels and return to their own countries, the Franciscan community and local Christians, as true fighters in the faith, remain persevering in prayer. They maintain the Eucharistic celebrations and other activities that normally take place in the Basilica. Br WOJCIECH BOLOZ, Guardian of the Basilica of the Annunciation "Right now we are facing a new situation that is a bit difficult for those who come here, the pilgrims, but also for local people and Christians. In spite of everything, after the beginning, pilgrims have left while others are waiting for the departure. They come to pray and visit the shrine, though. We have seen groups from different countries coming and praying. Everyone is concerned about this situation, but prayer helps us face this difficulty in life." In order to reach people far away, the Christian Media Center continues to broadcast weekly programming from the Basilica. This is a way to keep all those suffering from the war united and close in prayer. The Shalom community, too, remains with its missionaries praying for this. MARCELO PAULO Volunteer - Comunidade Shalom We continue with our programs. With our prayers we ask for Mary's intercession for the country and for all that we are experiencing today. The life of the shrines of the Holy Land is marked by pilgrims and people who come to pray. Franciscans witness and guarantee by their presence, the proclamation of peace and reconciliation. Br WOJCIECH BOLOZ, Guardian of the Basilica of the Annunciation We as Friars Minor came here to the Holy Land with a message from St. Francis, his motto, which he always repeated: Peace and Good! So we came here to give witness to peace. In his simple prayer St. Francis invites us to become instruments of peace and above all to pray to the Lord, who is Lord of the whole world and Lord of Peace. Brother Wojciech, recalls Psalm 126 in which the Lord God, reminds us that he is the one who cares for his people and gives the necessary bread of each day to his faithful. Br WOJCIECH BOLOZ, Guardian of the Basilica of the Annunciation For us, this time is the time to ask the Lord for the bread of peace because he is the Lord of peace. He is the one who can change people's hearts and minds and turn away their thoughts of violence and hatred and lead them to peace. In this place where the Word became flesh, Jesus humbled himself, taking on human flesh and became one of us to bring peace, especially peace within the heart so that it would spread throughout the world. We hope that He will act as soon as possible. From Nazareth, to the world, we ask for peace among all the peoples of the earth.