On Friday, June 13, the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem solemnly celebrated its patron and protector.

Beginning Thursday afternoon, the Franciscan friars of the Custody gathered in prayer at the Church of Saint Savior for the recitation of First Vespers.

The decision to entrust themselves to the protection of the Saint of Padua dates back to a particular request for his intercession in 1917. Thanks to his intervention, the Italian Franciscan friars were granted the grace to remain in Jerusalem. For this reason, on June 13, 1920, in front of his statue placed on the altar, Saint Anthony was officially proclaimed patron saint of the Custody of the Holy Land.

In light of the escalating tensions in the region, this year’s celebration of Saint Anthony took on even greater significance. As always, faced with the challenges and difficulties of the world, the Franciscan friars entrusted themselves in prayer to their patron saint.

First Vespers

During the recitation of First Vespers, the gesture of distributing the “bread of Saint Anthony” was remembered— a tradition practiced in many parts of the world where the Saint is venerated. On this occasion, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, emphasized: “Truly, sharing the bread of charity heals us from the hardness of heart, from indifference toward the sufferings of our brothers and sisters. It makes us pilgrims on the path of conversion, aware of our own fragility and needs, and from that awareness, compassionate toward the fragility and needs of others.”

The Solemn Mass

On the morning of June 13, the Custos of the Holy Land celebrated the solemn Mass at the Church of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was present, along with representatives of other Churches of the Holy Land, as is tradition. In this moment of uncertainty and fear, the Custos, in his homily, invited the faithful to turn their gaze to the Franciscan Saint:
“In this context, we continue to trust in the power of prayer, in the merciful goodness of God who created us for life, fraternal communion, and beatitude. For this reason, once again, we renew our vow to St. Anthony, that he may protect us as he has in the past, that he may protect the people of this land, and that he may grant us the grace, once this hour of darkness has passed, to continue our mission.”

Prayer to Saint Anthony

During the celebration, the Custos of the Holy Land recited before the altar—prepared specially for the feast—the prayer of consecration of the Custody to Saint Anthony of Padua.

Finally, in the afternoon, the Franciscan friars gathered again at the Church of Saint Saviour for the recitation of Second Solemn Vespers, presided over by Fr. Piermarco Luciano, Vicar of the Saint Savior Fraternity.