Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

What Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America does

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is a Catholic religious non-profit organization headquartered at 1400 Quincy Street N.E., Washington, DC 20017, operating as the official U.S. representation of the Custody of the Holy Land — a Franciscan province responsible for Christian holy sites across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Eritrea. The institution is staffed by a small team of approximately 11 employees and governed under the Custody, with Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM serving as Custos and Fr. John Puodziunas, OFM as the Washington-based Commissary. Its portfolio spans worship services (daily Mass and confession), monastery and garden tours featuring replicas of Holy Land shrines, an organized Holy Land pilgrimage office, a monthly organ concert series on the historic Lively-Fulcher pipe organ (September–May), an Annual Mass and Benefit Gala, an annual plant and herb sale, a gift shop (holylandgiftshop.org), event facility rental (St Francis Hall), and personal retreat accommodations in the hermitage.

The business model is donation-and-event-supported, with revenue diversified across voluntary giving programs (Pontifical Good Friday Collection, Saint Anthony's Bread, Perpetual Enrollment, Light a Candle), pilgrimage fees for group bookings (25–45 person cohorts for churches, parishes, schools, and ministries), ticket and sponsorship revenue from the gala and concert series, gift shop retail sales, plant sale proceeds, and facility rental fees. The underlying technology stack is modest — primarily consisting of live-streaming broadcast infrastructure for remote worship participation, an e-commerce gift shop storefront, and a WordPress-based content website (myfranciscan.org); there is no evidence of proprietary platforms, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities. Financial results are not publicly disclosed.

Go-to-market relies on community-led and event-driven engagement through church and parish networks, direct pilgrimage bookings, faith-based social media (Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, Flickr), newsletter subscriptions, and an RSS feed. The organization markets primarily to four customer segments: churches and parishes (primary), individual faithful and pilgrims (primary), educational institutions, and benefactors/donors. Strategic positioning centers on the monastery's irreplaceable institutional affiliation with the Custody of the Holy Land, its unique replica shrines of Holy Land sites in a peaceful garden setting, and recurring high-profile ecclesiastical partnerships — including a 2026 joint restoration of the Grotto of the Nativity with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem under Patriarch Theophilos III.

Name

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

Legal name

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

Website

https://myfranciscan.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is a Catholic non-profit in Washington, DC serving as the official U.S. representation of the Custody of the Holy Land, offering daily worship, garden tours, Holy Land pilgrimages, organ concerts, fundraising events, and donation programs for parishes, schools, ministries, and individual faithful.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and spiritual services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (813110)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB), Religious Landmarks & Pilgrimage Sites (Temples, Churches, Shrines) (THAJACAG), Religious & Sacred Sites Tours (THAJAAAF)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Holy Land pilgrimages
• Monastery garden tours
• Spiritual retreats
• Catholic heritage preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Collections: Voluntary donations including Good Friday Collection for Holy Land support, Saint Anthony's Bread, and Perpetual Enrollment offerings
2. Gift Shop Sales: Holy Land themed merchandise and religious items sold through the gift shop (holylandgiftshop.org)
3. Pilgrimage Services: Organized group pilgrimages to Holy Land sites with customization options, may serve as fundraiser for organizations
4. Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Annual Mass and Benefit Gala, Spring Luncheon, and other events generate ticket sales and corporate sponsorships
5. Plant and Herb Sales: Annual Plant and Herb Sale featuring monastery-grown plants, herbs, vegetables, annuals, perennials, evergreens, trees, shrubs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America operates as a Roman Catholic Franciscan monastery in Washington, DC, delivering daily worship services and Masses, guided monastery and garden tours featuring life-size replicas of Holy Land shrines, organized pilgrimages to the Holy Land, an annual plant and herb sale, a gift shop carrying Holy Land imports, organ concert series, and donor-supported programs channeling funds to Christians in the Holy Land.

Product overview

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America operates as a religious and cultural institution offering a unified portfolio of spiritual, educational, and hospitality services. The core offerings include in-person and virtual tours of monastery gardens and Holy Land replicas, organized pilgrimage services to sacred sites in the Holy Land, and daily worship with Mass and confession. The institution hosts cultural events including a monthly organ concert series, an annual Mass & Benefit Gala, and seasonal plant sales. Hospitality services encompass personal retreat accommodations (hermitage), meeting space rental at St Francis Hall, and a gift shop. Support programs include the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land, various donation programs (Saint Anthony's Bread, Light a Candle, Perpetual Enrollment), and newsletter subscription. The monastery also provides live streaming of services and volunteer opportunities for community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monastery and Garden Tours Self-guided and guided tours of the monastery grounds, gardens, and life-size replicas of Holy Land shrines, available to all visitors during posted hours.
• Virtual Tour of the Monastery An online virtual tour enabling remote visitors to explore the monastery, gardens, and Holy Land shrine replicas without traveling to Washington, DC.
• Holy Land Pilgrimage Services Organized pilgrimage trips to the Holy Land, led and coordinated through the Monastery's Pilgrimage Office, available to individuals and parish or organizational groups.
• Worship and Mass Services Daily Masses, Sunday liturgies, confessions, and other sacramental services open to the faithful, including Mass intention offerings.
• Music at the Monastery (Organ Concert Series) Recital and concert events featuring the Monastery's historic Lively-Fulcher pipe organ, performed in the church and open to the public.
• Annual Mass & Benefit Gala A ticketed annual fundraising event that includes Mass and a benefit gala supporting the Monastery's mission and the Holy Land Christian community.
• Personal Retreat (Hermitage) Private retreat accommodations offered at the Monastery Hermitage for individuals seeking a personal, silent spiritual retreat on the monastery grounds.
• St. Francis Hall Meeting Space Rental Rental of the Monastery's St. Francis Hall as meeting and event space for groups, retreats, and parish functions.
• Annual Plant and Herb Sale An annual on-site sale offering plants and herbs cultivated in the Monastery gardens to visiting customers.
• Gift Shop On-site and online gift shop selling religious articles, books, gifts, and products imported from the Holy Land.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• EWTN NewsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2026Dr. Matthew Bunson, Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News, serves as Master of Ceremonies for the Annual Mass and Benefit Gala celebrating the Year of St. Francis.
• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of JerusalemflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2026Joint restoration project of the Grotto of the Nativity with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, representing unified Christian commitment to preserve the spiritual, historical, and cultural patrimony of the site of Christ's birth.
• Custody of the Holy LandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe monastery serves as the official U.S. representation of the Custody of the Holy Land, a Franciscan province responsible for Christian holy sites in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Eritrea. Fr. Francesco Ielpo currently serves as Custos of the Holy Land.
• Apostolic Nuncio to the United StatesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMost Reverend Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, honored as special guest at the 16th Annual Mass and Benefit Gala. Previously served as Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 206 Tours: One of the largest U.S. Catholic pilgrimage operators, organizing group pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other sacred sites for parishes, schools, and families. Direct competitor for the monastery's pilgrimage booking business.
• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Largest Catholic church in North America, also located in Washington, DC. Operates as a major Catholic pilgrimage and worship destination with daily Mass, tours, gift shop, and event hosting - directly comparable in operating model and visitor experience.
• Catholic Travel Centre: Faith-based tour operator specializing in Catholic group pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other Christian sites. Direct competitor in the Catholic group pilgrimage market.
• Washington National Cathedral: Major historic religious landmark in Washington, DC offering paid tours, worship services, concerts, retreats, and event rentals. Closely comparable as a religious heritage site with diversified visitor and event revenue streams.
• Magdala Center (Legionaries of Christ): Catholic pilgrimage and retreat center on the Sea of Galilee in the Holy Land with hotel, retreat, and tour offerings. Directly comparable Holy Land Catholic pilgrimage and retreat product.
• Shrine Mont: Episcopal retreat and conference center in the Shenandoah Valley offering personal retreats, group retreats, and event hosting. Comparable faith-based retreat, meeting, and event-rental model.
• Select International Tours: Catholic pilgrimage tour operator offering group and customized Holy Land pilgrimages for parishes, schools, and organizations. Comparable in customer base (churches, schools) and pilgrimage product offering.

Others

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): National Catholic governance body that administers the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land referenced by the monastery. Overlapping stakeholder base and shared mission around Holy Land Christian community support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FranciscanMon
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEzEHiazKvMBYxA4Oy2MILg
• Facebookfacebook.com/franciscanmonastery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franciscan-monastery-of-the-holy-land-in-america

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America