On the occasion of the centenary of the Tabor and Gethsemane Basilicas, an event was organised at St. Saviour's Convent in Jerusalem. During the event, rare historical documents and precious art treasures from the Archives of the Custody of the Holy Land were presented to the public for the first time. Br NARCYZ KLIMAS, ofm Professor of Church History and Custody of the Holy Land These are two historical documents that confirm our ownership in Gethsemane. In 1681, the Brankovic brothers purchased the land from the Islamic court in Jerusalem, which included a garden with eight very old trees. This purchase was later ratified by a signet from the Sultan of Istanbul, which officially confirmed the property. Another fundamental document is that relating to Mount Tabor. A copy extracted from the Chronicle of the Holy Land of 1631 states that Emir Drusus Fakhreddin had ceded ownership of the summit of the Mount to the friars. This gave the Franciscans the right to attend, pray and welcome pilgrims to the Mount. This deed was later confirmed, ten years later, by another signed by Sultan Ibrahim, which explicitly states that the Franciscans were indeed present on Tabor and held the ownership. For Vincenzo Zuppardo, curator of the exhibition, presenting these special documents means highlighting the thoroughness with which the centenary team worked throughout the year to discover the basilicas. VINCENZO ZUPPARDO Architect - Centenary Organisation Committee This has been a very intense year, characterised by events, liturgical celebrations, exhibitions, concerts and conferences that have marked the path of research and study on the two important basilicas. A year also dedicated to deepening our knowledge of these places, with the aim of sharing with as many people as possible the profound experience of the themes related to the Holy Land. A year marked by many challenges and situations that plagued the Holy Land. But finding meaning in all this was made possible thanks to Brother Alessandro Coniglio, who helped us to look beyond the rubble and difficulties, inviting us to discover what really matters. Br ALESSANDRO CONIGLIO, ofm Studium Biblicum Franciscanum Professor It makes sense to celebrate, because we are not only commemorating the construction of two great buildings that bear witness to the beauty and art inspired by Christianity. We are also celebrating the main protagonist, the Christian mystery that is Jesus of Nazareth. These two shrines, symbolising the light of Tabor and the darkness of Gethsemane, experienced first by Jesus, remind us that every darkness, every gloom in our lives has already been taken up by the Son of God and overcome in his death on the cross. The message that these shrines will continue to convey, even at the end of this centenary celebration, is precisely this: to bring man closer to the mystery of Jesus Christ. And to bring us closer to the beauty and contemplation of the Mystery of Christ, Saviour of mankind, the mastery of the Magnificat Institute of the Custody of the Holy Land offered us a concert that combined organ, strings and wind instruments. A musical experience that, through art, allowed us to enter more deeply into the mystery of our faith.