JERUSALEM — The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land here announced the launching of a new website: www.custodia.org.
Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, custos, said the new website, which is available in six languages, reflects the ministry of the custody. “It is the love and care for the places of the incarnation of Jesus that create the desire for all Christians to feel closer to the Holy Land. The renewed Internet site meets this desire, continuing to inform those who are far about the life of the Holy Land and its community.”
The Custody of the Holy Land is described on the site as “A group of Christian men who have been called by God from every corner of the world for a special mission: To watch over his house.” The explanation further says that the men are from the Order of Friars Minor, and describes the mission and the background of the Custody of the Holy Land.
The colorful home page of the site features a video showing Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Washington, D.C., and other news. The home page navigation has buttons for history, sanctuaries, pilgrimages, about us and support us. It also offers news items and events.
The website’s home page also provides links to the custody’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
“The present site will be a work in progress, growing gradually in time,” said Fr. Pierbattista, in a recent email announcement. “In addition to the life of the Custody of the Holy Land, the places of the salvation that the Franciscans have looked after with passion for 800 years will be presented with more detailed information.
— Compiled by Wendy Healy