Montreal, March 5, 2026
Dear Father,
Peace and good.
This phrase, “We had hoped that he was the one,” continues to resound in my mind since visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem shortly after the peace deal between Palestine and Israel came into effect. I attended a Conference where I learned about our Christian brothers and sisters’ desire to be firm in their faith in Christ and to stay in a homeland where they have lived for years.
It is, perhaps, a bit unusual to choose a quotation from a post-resurrection account as the theme for Good Friday. But those despairing disciples on the way to Emaus were awakened because of their hope and renewed by the Christ who had died and was now alive in their hearts and minds. And so it is today for Christians of the Holy Land, and the Christians in our pews. In the midst of misery, anguish, and difficult times, it is hope that hastens the gift of our faith, allows Christ to enter our hearts and minds, and bring us to a new life where there is peace and the yoke is easy and the burden light.
This year, as every year, I come to you on behalf of the people of the Holy Land, asking that you appeal to your parishioners to be in solidarity and to help a church that is suffering more than we. In this package, along with the poster and this letter, I have included an announcement that could be published in your parish bulletin (printed and/or online) for the two Sundays before Good Friday – that is, March 22 and 29 – and an announcement that could be made during the Good Friday service. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in promoting this collection, which the Holy See asks of all dioceses and parishes, and for submitting it to your diocesan accountant.
On behalf of the Franciscan Custody, entrusted with the care of the Holy Land, I thank you for your help in providing for the pastoral, educational and social needs of Christians in the Middle East.
Yours in Christ,
