We, as friars, live with the people and with them share the difficult moments they encounter in their lives. The friars are those who not only live through the experience but also offer their services to them. The Franciscans of the Holy Land cannot give up this mission. First and foremost under the protection of Our Lady, Queen of the Franciscan Order asking her to lead us through. You will be the Custos who, with God's help, will lead the Custody through the experience of the Year 2000.
Preparations are already well under way.
For over seven centuries we friars have been entrusted by the Catholic Church to take care and receive pilgrims coming over to visit the Shrines of Redemption. Surely this will be the challenge we as friars have to face. Receiving pilgrims has become an integral part of the experience of the Friars of the Holy Land. I am certain that this challenge will be taken up and the pilgrims who will come will find the friars ready not only to receive them but also to help them understand better the mystery of salvation and the way God revealed Himself in Jesus of Nazareth. At the moment I can say that I am going full of faith.