From January 8 to 15, 2024, a delegation of six Holy Land commissioners for Italy made a trip to Syria to learn more about the reality of the Custody in this country.

Br. Matteo Brena, commissioner of the Holy Land from Tuscany, said that "coming as Italian language commissioners to Syria for us was an idea, a project already planned last year. We were supposed to come in October, but because of the unstable situation on October 7 we had to postpone this visit a little bit."

He added that "crossing this land, albeit with some fatigue and also with some discomfort, is always an important occasion for us. To live that experience of communion that must foster every commissariat between the communities of the Holy Land, of the Christians of the Holy Land and the communities assisted right in the territories of their competence."Top of Form

The friars visited the Franciscan communities in Damascus, Aleppo and Latakia, with their parishes and missions, learning about the work of the friars, which ranges from pastoral care to aid projects toward those most in need.

Brother Valentino, wishes that the projects in Syria can continue, aided above all by prayer, but also by works of solidarity.

On the other hand, Br. Valentino Benedetto Ghiglia, deputy commissioner of the Holy Land from Tuscany, said, "Coming to Syria is a wonderful opportunity, which has been waited for years and which has finally been realized. It has confirmed me in so many things: first of all, in faith and in seeing this wonderful people, who have been living this fidelity to Jesus Christ for centuries. Even today, despite the fatigue, the difficulties, the pain, and the great suffering of this people, they are living stones on which the Franciscan community with wisdom is building a living church, capable of promoting very beautiful things."

The commissioners of the Holy Land have a mission to promote the lives of Christians in the territory through their outreach campaigns. In Syria, especially after the earthquake, the commissioners' help focused on the soup kitchen and the Care Center in Aleppo. An important trip that supports fellowship and hope among Syria's Christian communities, according to Brother Matteo.