3. FRIENDS OF SAXUM

The Friends of Saxum program has been launched for people who want to promote the vision of the Saxum Project. Friends of Saxum are convinced –often by personal experience– of the deep impact a trip to the Holy Land can have on one’s life. Those who desire to collaborate actively –through organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land, promoting local activities in their own countries related to the Holy Land and the Biblical world, or spreading the word about the Visitor Center, can be named “Advisors”. They receive resources and additional news and videos about the Holy Land from Saxum Foundation.

How can I collaborate as a Friend Of Saxum?

With prayer, the most valuable contribution. With voluntary donations for the maintenance of Saxum Conference Center and Saxum Visitor Center and for helping people with limited resources to visit the Holy Land.

By promoting pilgrimages from your part of the world.

By spreading the news about Saxum Visitor Center to other pilgrimage organizers and travel agencies. By spreading or producing material (texts, videos, etc.) that help give greater meaning to pilgrimages. By making friends, families, and coworkers aware of the importance that the Holy Places hold for every believer, as well as the current situation of Christians in the Holy Land.

By collaborating in social and educational activities created in cooperation with Saxum in favor of the Christians of the Holy Land.

Friends of Saxum: Italy

Friends of Saxum in Italy formed the first association of Friends of Saxum, Amici di Saxum, formally constituted on May 4, 2017. Since then, they have been coordinating their efforts to make the mission of the Friends of Saxum a reality in their country.

The board of Amici di Saxum Italia is composed of:

PRESIDENT: Aldo Bressi (Rodano, Milan) VICE PRESIDENT: Maurizio Pecorilla (Naples)

ADVISORS: Sofia Caretto (Lecce), Claudia Ceroni (La Spezia), Dino Collevati (Milan), Giorgio Groppo (Sommariva Bosco, Cuneo), Loredana Pezzino (Catania), Laura Poletti (Milan), Alfonso Villa (Monza).

16 PILGRIMAGES FROM ITALY 547 ATTENDEES

In 2018, 16 pilgrimages with 547 attendees were organized: an increase of 41% from 2017. Altogether, Amici di Saxum has brought over 1000 pilgrims to the Holy Land since its birth.

The talk Living the Holy Land, organized on June 9, 2018, drew more than 350. By the end, everyone in the room was convinced that a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a unique and worthy experience.

Another exciting initiative of Amici di Saxum this year was that several of their participants in the March 2019 pilgrimage participated in the 5k, 10k,

DATE 1-6 January 9-14 February 19-22 February 23 feb - 2 March 20-27 March 22-29 April 28 May - 3 June 17-24 June 22-29 August 31 August - 6 Sept. 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 30 Oct. - 5 Nov. 31 Oct. - 3 Nov. 9-15 December 26 Dec. - 2 Jan. 29 Dec. - 5 Jan.

NIGHTS 5 5 3 7 7 7 6 7 7 6 6 6 3 6 7 7

ATTENDEES 28 46 20 43 30 42 37 44 30 28 40 38 30 30 19 42

ORIGIN Milan Verona Italy Verona Florence Milan Milan Verona Sardinia Modena Verona Genova Naples Rome Abruzzo Puglia

and half-marathon races of the Jerusalem Marathon.

The number of members of Amici di Saxum has increased from 21 to 35 and they are pleased to report that the participation of each one has been very active.