Guide to the Franciscan Monastery Washington, D.C.

The cordial reception given by the public to the previous editions of the Guide to the Franciscan Monastery encourages us to continue this labor of love. It is but natural that the interest awakened in the hearts of the hundreds of thousands who look for the first time on these reproductions of the Holy Shrines of Palestine should prompt the desire to acquire some remembrance of the Monastery.This new edition has, besides the above, other rea-sons for its appearance. The various changes, both within and without the Monastery, have necessitated a revision of the Guide Book to include the improvements made since the foundation of Mount St. Sepulchre more than a third of a century ago.To the devotion of countless souls in many lands who have given their mite that this Temple be erected to God’s greater honor and glory, this beautiful Church stands as an eloquent and a lasting monument. So, too, its interior beauty is due to the generosity of numerous Benefactors who have donated Shrines, Altars, and ornaments to the service of God. That He may bless and keep them all, and be, their 'reward exceeding great,' is our humble and constant prayer.And in thanking God for the innumerable benefits received at His hands, we renew our trust in His Divine Providence for the future. We again pledge to Him our loyal efforts to spread a knowledge and love for the Holy Land and for the Sacred Places there, which He sanctified by His Life upon earth-those Shrines which Holy Mother Church has always venerated as her most precious heritage, applying to herself the words of Holy Scripture: 'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be for- gotten!' (Psalm cxxxvi, 5.)THE COMMISSARIAT OF THE HOLY LAND