In the Holy Land, Franciscans are keeping doors to holy sites open — for now
On Saturday, Oct. 7, Israel suddenly found itself in a state of war. A barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip and attacks by Hamas terrorists who infiltrated cities near the border resulted in the death of over 1,000 people. Among them were 11 American citizens as well as citizens from many other countries.
Since then in the southern part of the country, the alarm sirens warning of incoming missiles are relentless. Jerusalem, on the other hand, has fallen into an eerie silence, interrupted only by alerts on mobile phones and the roar of military aircraft. The city is semi-deserted, with most shops closed, except for those selling essential goods. Schools are closed, as are many offices. There is a desire to return to some semblance of normalcy, mixed with the fear of leaving home due to the threat of reprisals.
The only open doors seem to be those of the Franciscan sanctuaries, which, at the express request of the Custody of the Holy Land, remain open for now, primarily to allow ongoing pilgrimages to carry out their spiritual experience as best they can. These sites include the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem; the Basilica of the Agony (also called the Church of All Nations), located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem; the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem; and the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
