On the initiative of the Holy Land Commissary in Malta, Fr. Anthony Chircop OFM, the Archbishop of Malta Mgr. Paul Cremona OP will lead a diocescan pilgrimage to the Holy Land, accompanied by the three Ministers Provincial of the Franciscan Orders present in Malta and by 168 pilgrims.

The Pilgrimage is taking place between 30 March and 7 April. The directors of the four groups comprising the pilgrimage will be the Franciscan guides to the Holy Land Fr. Anthony Chircop OFM, Fr. Marcello Ghirlando OFM, Fr. John Abela OFM, and Fr. Noel Muscat OFM. During the Pilgrimage the Archbishop will celebrate Mass at the principal Sanctuaries under the care of the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Land, including the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He will also be received in a solemn entrance into the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre by the Franciscan friars present.

The group will also have a meeting with Fr. Artemio Vitores OFM, Custodial Vicar of the Holy Land. The Archbishop is expected to make courtesy visits to the Holy Land Custos, Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM and to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Mgr. Michel Sabbah.

We will keep our readers informed regarding the various moments of this unique event.