On Tuesday January 6, the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land celebrated the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord together with the Christian Catholic community of Bethlehem and pilgrims who arrived from all over the world.

The Solemnity of the Epiphany invites all the faithful to renew their commitment to follow the light of the Lord, just as the Magi followed the light of the star that guided them to the child Jesus.

The solemn entrance of the Custos of the Holy Land into Bethlehem

On Monday January five, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, made his entrance into Bethlehem in view of the celebration, the following day, of the Epiphany of the Lord.

The Custos first met a delegation from the parish of Saint Saviour at the convent of the same name in Jerusalem. Members of the local community thanked the Custody for the work carried out and prayed that the Lord may give the friars of the Custody the strength to continue the Christian presence in this land. The Custos Fr. Francesco Ielpo renewed the commitment of the Custody of the Holy Land, stating that "the Custody will remain in the Holy Land until the end of time".

The Custos then departed for Bethlehem. After the customary stop at the Monastery of Mar Elias, where he met some members of the Bethlehem community, he reached the checkpoint near Rachel’s Tomb, where he was welcomed by the authorities of Bethlehem.

The Custos then proceeded along the Star Street, the road traditionally believed to have been taken by Mary and Joseph upon their arrival in Bethlehem. From here the procession towards the Basilica of the Nativity began, accompanied by the Terra Sancta Scouts group and by the faithful who had gathered in Bethlehem.

In the afternoon, Pontifical Vespers and the Office of Readings were celebrated, with the incensation of the Grotto of the Nativity.

The Mass of the Solemnity of the Epiphany

On the morning of January 6, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, Custos of the Holy Land, celebrated the Epiphany Mass in the Church of Saint Catherine at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

As highlighted by many faithful, this year’s Christmas celebrations and the Epiphany took place in a climate of renewed joy. In fact, after two years of war in Gaza, the faithful were once again able to fully experience the festivities, participating in large numbers in the celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany.

In his homily, the Custos emphasized how the manifestation of Christ represents a light for all peoples, a light that brings peace and hope.

Furthermore, Fr. Francesco Ielpo prayed that all of us may ask for the grace to become enlightened people, capable of bringing light into our own lives and into the lives of others.

The procession of the Magi in the Grotto

Following the Pontifical Vespers held in the afternoon, the traditional solemn procession took place in the Grotto of the Nativity.

Three friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, recalling the gifts offered by the Magi to Jesus, accompanied the Custos into the Grotto of the Nativity, carrying gold, incense and myrrh. After the adoration of the child Jesus and the incensation of the Grotto, the friars, led by the Custos, carried the statue of the child Jesus enthroned in procession into the cloister of Saint Catherine, distributing incense and myrrh to the faithful.