The Franciscan Mission and Humanitarian Work in the Holy Land

The Franciscans carry out their mission through specific entities, most notably the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land (FFHL).
The primary objective of these organizations is to alleviate the suffering of various groups within the region, specifically Palestinian Catholics and other Christian populations.
While the focus is on Christian communities, the Franciscans also extend their humanitarian efforts to non-Christians living in the area.

Housing Assistance: The Franciscans provide critical support to families by locating and financing housing that is designated as safe and livable.
Geographic Scope of Housing: This assistance is concentrated in key cities, including: - Bethlehem - Jericho - Nazareth
Economic and Financial Support: To mitigate financial hardship, the Franciscans implement two main strategies: - Vocational Training: They offer job training programs specifically designed for unemployed adults to enhance their skills. - Direct Employment: They actively hire individuals to work within their established infrastructure, including schools, parish centers, and medical facilities.

Primary and Secondary Education: The Franciscans establish and operate educational institutions, specifically maintaining separate boys' and girls' schools.
Higher Education Support: They provide university scholarships to Christian Palestinian students who demonstrate financial need.
Educational Objectives: The specific goal of these scholarships is to facilitate the students' ability to complete their full course of schooling, which might otherwise be interrupted by economic constraints.

Custodianship of Shrines: The Franciscans are responsible for the care and maintenance of numerous holy sites and shrines that are central to the Christian faith.
Significant Sites: Major sites under their care include: - The Holy Sepulchre - The Church of the Nativity
Pilgrim Support: The order serves pilgrims who travel to the Holy Land by providing essential services, including housing and other logistical support.

Chronological Legacy: The Franciscans have maintained a continuous presence and working mission in the Holy Land for a period of $800$ years.
Foundational Origins: This presence dates back to when Saint Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor.
Strategic Purpose: The overarching goal of their perpetual work is twofold: - To ensure that Christians are able to continue living in the land that is considered sacred to the faith. - To guarantee that holy sites remain protected, well-maintained, and accessible to all Christian pilgrims for future generations.