As every November 17, 2025, a solemn celebration took place in honor of the memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, patroness of the Secular Franciscan Order. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Francesco Ielpo, Custos of the Holy Land. For the first time, given the growing attendance in recent years, the Mass was celebrated in the Church of Saint Savior.

Casa Maria Bambina, managed by the Franciscan Sisters Daughters of Saint Elizabeth, is a point of reference for pilgrims, volunteers, and the faithful. Located in the Old City, a short distance from the Holy Sepulcher, it offers hospitality through its numerous facilities, including kitchens and dormitories. The Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth, who form the local community, play a fundamental role in welcoming guests, coming from different nations (Bolivia, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam), creating an international and warm atmosphere.

A liturgy marked by service and compassion

In his homily, Fr. Ielpo centered his reflection on essential aspects of Saint Elizabeth's life, relating them to the daily life of the sisters and of the Custody community. He recalled her wisdom and grace: a woman who, though a queen, mother, and wife, chose to live as a disciple of the poor Christ. Despite losing wealth and status, she transformed every trial into an act of love, expressing through her life the Pauline message: “True riches lie not in hoarding but in serving, not in ruling but in caring, not in keeping but in giving.”

Fr. Ielpo emphasized the presence of Christ among the poor, citing the words of the Gospel on the Last Judgment (“I was hungry and you gave me food... I was naked and you clothed me”) as a key to understanding the saint’s life. According to tradition, when Elizabeth carried bread to the poor, her servants tried to stop her, but the bread in her apron turned into roses, a miracle showing not only her sanctity but especially the "eyes of the heart" that recognize Jesus in the faces of the needy.

The homily also acknowledged the sisters of Casa Maria Bambina, describing their mission as the “silent Gospel.” Fr. Ielpo expressed gratitude to the institute's founders, Mother Francesca Casci and Don Giuseppe Marchi, whose dedication instilled a spirit of humble service, based on pure love. Even in difficult times, they "sowed without asking to reap."

Finally, the Custos spoke of the joy of service: not a superficial joy but a deep, Franciscan one that arises from recognizing God's presence in the poor and giving without possessing. His words were intended as an invitation and encouragement to live holiness not as a distant ideal but as concrete service.

A moment of gratitude and hope

At the end of the Mass, Fr. Ielpo expressed sincere thanks: to Saint Elizabeth, to the sisters who animate Casa Maria Bambina, to the founders, and to everyone who continues the Franciscan mission in the Holy Land. He invited all to see in the poor not merely needs but the face of Christ, encouraging service carried out with simplicity and perseverance, because service is an encounter with God.

In a context marked by tension and challenge, today’s celebration represented a tangible sign of hope: a community choosing to root itself in charity, compassion, and sharing — values embodied by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and lived daily by the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth.