Supporting the Holy Land – Good Friday Collection

Each year on Good Friday, Catholics around the world unite in a profound act of solidarity.  A special collection is taken up in every parish to support the people and sacred places of the Holy Land. 

This long-standing tradition is more than a charitable gesture – it is a lifeline for Christian communities living in the land where Jesus walked, and a vital means of preserving the holy sites that form the heart of our faith.

The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land have been entrusted for centuries with the unique mission of caring for both the Holy Places and the Christian population that remains there.  In a region where Christians make up a small minority amid predominantly Jewish and Muslim communities, maintaining a vibrant Christian presence is essential.  The Good Friday Collection directly supports this mission, ensuring that the roots of our faith remain alive and accessible.

Funds from the Pontifical Good Friday Collection are distributed across several key areas of ministry:

• Faith, Memory & Culture – Preserving the Holy Places

The Holy Land Franciscans maintain the sacred shrines and holy sites central to Christian history.  Their work allows pilgrims and local residents alike to encounter the places of Scripture in a way that deepens faith and strengthens cultural and spiritual identity.

• Social & Charitable Outreach

To help Christians remain in their homeland, the Custody builds affordable housing, supports young families, and provides care for the elderly.  Medical assistance is offered to those in need, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive essential support in a region marked by economic and political challenges.

• Education & Scientific Advancement

Franciscan schools – open to all regardless of religion or nationality – offer high-quality education that fosters coexistence and opportunity.  Scholarships help students prepare for meaningful careers, encouraging them to remain in the Holy Land as part of thriving Catholic communities.  The Custody also supports seminarians and funds archaeological research that uncovers new insights into biblical history.

• Pastoral Ministry

Across 29 parishes, the Franciscans provide worship, catechesis, youth programs, and family support.  Their pastoral presence strengthens community life and nurtures the faith of local Christians.

• Liturgical, Ecumenical & Communications Efforts

Through the Franciscan Media Centre, the story of the Holy Land is shared globally in multiple languages.  The friars also coordinate major liturgical celebrations and collaborate with other Christian communities in ongoing ecumenical dialogue.

The Good Friday Collection is a powerful expression of global Catholic unity.  By supporting it, the faithful help safeguard the Christian presence in the Holy Land and preserve the sacred places that continue to inspire believers around the world.

Donations can be made online to the Good Friday Holy Land appeal via the Franciscan Friars website.

Thank you for your generous support of this appeal.

By Kate Baines

Source:  Commissariat of the Holy Land Australia