In September, the Custos of the Holy Land, Brother Francesco Patton, visited the United States, in Washington. He met with the Custody's community living there, and encouraged the friars in their mission as a bridge between North America and the Land of Jesus. There were many meetings with the local church and society, well attended by Catholics and others. They testified to how American society recognises in these 125 years of the Custody's presence in the United States, a grace and a gift that must be preserved. And that it must be cultivated through knowledge of the holy places and support for Christian communities suffering from war, unemployment and precariousness of all kinds. Br FRANCESCO PATTON,ofm Custos of the Holy Land The Holy Land Monastery in Washington, DC, and the shrine that is part of the monastery, were created to bring the Holy Land closer to Christians in the United States. And this was something very, very important, because during the 1800s and even in the first half of the 1900s, it was very difficult to travel in this way. Instead, Christians in the United States were able to get to know the main holy sites. Inside the Church there is a reproduction of the Annunciation Grotto in Nazareth, and in Bethlehem there is the Mount of Transfiguration and Calvary. We see today how relevant this is, because we have not been able to receive pilgrims for a year. Br RAMZI SIDAWI,ofm Guardian of the Washington Convent We are very happy to celebrate this 125th anniversary of the Franciscan presence of the Custody of the Holy Land here in Washington. It is a very important moment because it also remembers or celebrates these 125 years, but also indicates the importance of the Custody of the Holy Land for the local Church. First of all we have and are the link, the bridge between the Holy Land and the Church in the United States. With the land of Jesus and his Mother Mary, a place of peace and reconciliation here in the United States, in the midst of the capital Washington. The Custody's mission in the United States is appreciated and supported by the pastors of the American Church. For the work that the friars do in enhancing the link with Christians in the Middle East, and for the activity from which it is primarily the Americans who benefit. CARDINAL WILTON DANIEL GREGORY Archbishop of Washington First of all, this Franciscan monastery is a great focal point for prayer. It welcomes literally thousands of people every year. And it is a sacred place. People feel healed when they come here. What is more, it raises their awareness of the needs of the people living in the Holy Land. And these have never been as desperate as they are now. So I am always happy to participate in the life of the monastery, not just as a pilgrim. But as someone who can encourage generosity on the part of all the faithful to care for the desperate needs of our brothers and sisters still living in the Holy Land. Br RAMZI SIDAWI,ofm Guardian of the Washington Convent We hope to continue to persevere in this service, both for the local Church, for the United States, and for the universal Church. Br FRANCESCO PATTON,ofm Custos of the Holy Land I would also like to mention that the Commissariat of the Holy Land in Washington plays a very big role in protecting the Christians of the Holy Land. We know how important it is also to make a voice heard. And here a voice in defence of the Holy Christians is also a very important role of economic support. The United States is the one that also helps the Holy Land the most economically so for us I would say it is a very important and strategic point to which we are very attached.