May, the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is particularly important in the Holy Land and especially in Nazareth. In the very place where the Basilica of the Annunciation lies today, “Hic Verbum caro factum est”, the Word became Flesh: God was incarnated in the womb of the Virgin Mary and came to live among us, becoming man. A huge number of pilgrims visit Nazareth during this month, joining the Franciscan friars and the local Christians in their prayers of the Angelus and the Rosary that make up the liturgy of this Holy Place during the whole year, and not only in May.
Every pilgrim that comes to Nazareth cannot leave without stopping by this small grotto that might seem insignificant but that reminds the world of the “yes” that changed the History of the world.
However, this grotto is currently in danger. In this video made by the Franciscan Media Center, father Bruno describes the critical condition of this place, as well as the need to move forward with the restoration and maintenance work, so that everyone can continue to worship the place where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.
Everyone can make a contribution to help the Franciscans, custodians of the Holy Places and therefore also of the Basilica of the Annunciation, to preserve the grotto and the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.