The Pontifical Good Friday Collection, also known as the "Collecta pro Locis Sanctis", is the result of the Pope's wishes for the bond between all Christians in the world and the Holy Places to remain strong.
The collection is taken up in Catholic Churches around the world to support the work of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land. Christians there rely heavily on the assistance that comes to them from this collection. The Franciscans of the Custody have the unique responsibility to care for the Holy Places as well the Christians, known as the "Living Stones" of our faith. Supporting this collection helps maintain a Christian presence in the very land made holy by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This year - 2024 - is the North Central Lieutenancy's seventh year in promoting the Good Friday Collection, which has the blessing and appreciation of the Franciscan Custody. The goal of this initiative is to increase the awareness of our fellow Catholics about the Christian situation in the Holy Land and to increase the financial support given at the parish level on Good Friday. Our initiative to promote the Pontifical Good Friday Collection is truly an important work of mercy for the universal Church.
HOW THE COLLECTION IS USED
Faith, Memory & Culture - The Holy Places
Holy Land Franciscans staff and maintain the holy places and shrines. They enable those who live in the Holy Land and those who visit to deepen their faith and their spiritual and cultural connection to salvation history.
Social & Charitable Activities
In order to encourage Christians to remain in the Holy Land, including the poor and young couples, the Custody builds thousands of residential units. Additionally, they build senior care facilities with medical assistance provided for the needy.
Educational & Scientific Activities
The Franciscans operate and support schools open to all, regardless of religion or nationality. They provide scholarships for young men to answer the call to become Franciscan priests and brothers. Additionally, Franciscan archeologists pursue ongoing research at the Holy Places.
Pastoral Activities
The Franciscans provide pastoral care in 29 parishes in the Holy Land, offering worship, Christian formation, and necessary youth and family programs, especially in regions affected by war.
Liturgical, Ecumenical and Communications Programs
The Christian Media Center tells the story of the Holy Land through multimedia distributed throughout the world in more than seven languages, The friars organize liturgical celebrations for local Christians and pilgrims and share with other Christian communities in the Holy Land ongoing ecumenical cooperation.
Learn more: Background and History of the Collection
MEDIA MATERIALS & LENTEN REFLECTIONS
Media materials and Lenten Reflections for 2024 are downloadable, printable, digital resources that are available to archdiocesan and diocesan contacts and to individual parishes. They are designed for inclusion in parish bulletins and diocesan communications media such as newspapers, magazines and websites. Parishes may also print them out for distribution in pews and posters for display in their vestibules. All files are in PDF format. Simply click on the desired media to open the file and download. Each link opens a new window.
Materials for Dioceses and Parishes:
- Poster 1 (11"x17" printable)
- Poster 2 (11"x17" printable)
- PGFC Pulpit Announcement
- PGFC Talking Points Paper
- How the Collection is Used
- Pastor's Sample Letter
- The PGF Collection is applied to these programs
- Weekly Bulletin Announcements
Lenten Reflections:
- Reflections for the First Sunday of Lent - February 18, 2024
- Reflections for the Second Sunday of Lent - February 25, 2024
- Reflections for the Third Sunday of Lent - March 3, 2024
- Reflections for the Fourth Sunday of Lent - March 10, 2024
- Reflections for the Fifth Sunday of Lent - March 17, 2024
- Reflections for Palm Sunday - March 24, 2024
- Reflections for Easter Sunday - March 31, 2024
For more information or if you have questions about the Lieutenancy's Good Friday Collection initiatives, please contact Sir Stephen Enzweiler, North Central Lieutenancy Good Friday Collection Coordinator.
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