Custos, civil officials celebrate Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the River Jordan (Custody of the Holy Land)

Since the 13th century, Franciscan friars have been present in the Holy Land, and today they minister at shrines throughout that region. The Custos (Franciscan provincial superior), Father Francesco Patton, OFM, led a procession and celebrated Mass at Qasr al-Yahud, on the western side of the River Jordan.