News Page 4

“We have always worked to support our family and – believe me – to be forced to ask for help today is painful. We find it hard to live.” Linda’s husband worked in tourism. Today he’s at home, and out of shame he doesn’t even want to be seen talking to his wife. Linda and […]

What is your relationship with Pro Terra Sancta? I met you a few years ago, because you helped us collect basic necessities for needy families. The relationship has intensified during this winter season, because we have collected and brought so much aid to Gaza. How do parcels get to the Strip? Not all food and […]

It was a Christmas without pilgrims in Bethlehem. The context of crisis due to the war has alienated everyone and the absence of tourists has had a significant impact on the city, which largely depends on religious tourism and the sale of souvenirs. The situation has prompted the Pro Terra Sancta Association to take a […]

Christian, female, disabled. Basma is a young Palestinian girl from Bethlehem, suffering from a rare syndrome that has deformed her face and body. But Basma is not only that. She has a gift. Basma started working with terracotta as a child, and has never stopped since. Her hands, scarred by illness, are able to create […]

A few steps from the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem is Hogar Nino Dios, a small reality that welcomes dozens of young people with severe disabilities. Sisters and priests of the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word work tirelessly here, taking care of these children night and day. In a context of great poverty […]

It is not easy to be young in Bethlehem. Amir knows this and this is why the Children’s Home in Bethlehem works: “These children live in a very dramatic state, most of them have a very complicated situation at home, they are often victims of domestic violence.” These are the words of Amir, the secretary […]

In Bethlehem it is always Christmas. Or so they say. Since October 7, the situation in this city has radically changed. The unprecedented offensive launched by Hamas on the territories surrounding the Gaza Strip has also had its consequences in the cradle of Christianity. “The peak tourism season was coming and finally this year it […]

A quasi tre settimane dallo scoppio del conflitto, nella striscia di Gaza il numero di vittime civili è superiore a 5000. E’ in corso una vera e propria crisi umanitaria. Su una popolazione di circa 3,2 milioni di persone, oggi più della metà sono sfollati interni. Chi può trova rifugio presso le abitazioni di familiari, […]

Your Eminence, unfortunately we are somewhat accustomed to violence in these lands. Yet, in this situation everything seems more violent, more serious. How are you living these days? “The situation is very serious. It is true that this is not the first time that we have faced a crisis, but the scale of this crisis, […]

The attack launched by Hamas from Gaza against Israel – we have heard it everywhere – is unparalleled in recent years and a cause of great concern and sadness. It is a war in all respects, with a partial budget that is already frightening. These are not the usual missile attacks, which were punctually intercepted by […]

A Rodi, il 4 ottobre, la ricorrenza del padre serafico dei francescani viene celebrata con un evento straordinario. La magia della musica classica abbraccia la Terra Santa nell’Undicesima Stagione dell’Organ & Music Festival Rhodes. Un evento degno di nota ospitato nella chiesa di San Francesco di Rodi. La sua realizzazione e cura nei minimi particolari […]

“Lo scorso Luglio Pro Terra Sancta ha ufficialmente inaugurato il suo ufficio in Giordania! Siamo una realtà ancora tutta in divenire ma abbiamo numerosi progetti da realizzare. Il mio compito sarà coordinare le nuove attività di supporto alla comunità locale e di valorizzazione del patrimonio artistico e culturale.” Così Tareq, primo operatore presente in loco, […]

Syria: a tormented country The current situation To take stock of the situation, we interviewed Father Fadi, who has been working and living in Syria, in Latakia, since 2015. “For months, people have stopped asking me for money, they just ask me: ‘Abuna, help us get out of here’. We are truly living the prayer […]

In Siria e Libano un genitore è costretto a scegliere tra vendere gli ultimi averi rimasti per garantire un’istruzione dignitosa ai propri figli o sacrificare il loro futuro e mandarli a lavorare per pochi soldi al mese. Abbiamo parlato spesso di Siria e Libano. Torniamo a parlarne per raccontare cosa significa andare a scuola oggi […]

“Think that today in Syria, an average salary is equivalent to $10 a month. There is truly extreme poverty that touches all levels of practical life, from eating, to medical care and education.” With these words Father Bahjat Karakach recounts the difficulties of those who live in Syria today. Born and raised in Aleppo, Father […]