The sanctuary of the Shepherds Field in Bethlehem

Some shepherds, amongst the most despised of the Jewish people, went to adore Jesus. Dazzled by a great light, an angel brought them the tidings of joy that the long-awaited saviour had been born. And they heard a host of angels praising God who, by sending the Messiah to the earth, had shown His greatness to the celestial court and given salvation to men.

The Sanctuary of Shepherds Field, designed by Barluzzi, stands on a rock overlooking the ruins. It has a dodecagonal shape with five apses having an inclined plane, recalling the structure of a field tent like the one used by the shepherds at that time. The light that penetrates the concrete and glass dome, illuminating the interior calls to mind the divine light that appeared to the shepherds.

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Biblical Texts – Shepherds rejoicing in Jesus birth

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

The Christian tradition

An anonymous pilgrim in ancient times, quoted by the Benedictine monk Peter the Deacon (12th century), tells us of the holy memories present in the surroundings of Bethlehem: “Not far from there, there is a church called of the Shepherds, where a large garden is fully enclosed by a wall; and there, there is a very luminous grotto, which has an altar where an angel, appearing to the shepherds in vigil, announced the birth of Christ.”

St. Jerome (end of the 4th century) also mentioned this place on several occasions, associating it with the Biblical Migdal-Eder (Tower of Eder or of the flock) and the church of Jerusalem celebrated a feast-day there on Christmas Eve, Bishop Arculph (7th century) recalls the presence of the burial places of the three shepherds in the church. Before the arrival of the Crusaders, the church was destroyed but the ruins still continued to be visited by pilgrims.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Most of the travellers arrive to Bethlehem via Jerusalem. Since Bethlehem is administered by the Palestinian Authority, an Israeli military checkpoint stands on the road connecting the two locations.

Take a bus:

Bus no. 21 runs from the Arabic Bus Station at the Damacus Gate (“Bab el-‘Amoud”) in East Jerusalem via Beit Jala to Bethlehem. The average trip length is 40 minutes.  The bus will drop you of on Bethlehem / Beit Jala intersection (“Bab el-Zkak”) which is 1 km away from the Manger Square.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

The caves

Limestone caves which were used as dwellings during the Roman-Herodian time, were found in the area.
It was probably a small farming village since remains of ancient mills and other traces of life from the same period were also found.

The Franciscans have cleaned up and turned the caves into very characteristic small chapels.
“You, who are the light of the people and the master of holiness,
light up our steps with the light of Your word”

Biblical Texts – Shepherds rejoicing in Jesus birth

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest and on e

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

The Christian tradition

An anonymous pilgrim in ancient times, quoted by the Benedictine monk Peter the Deacon (12th century), tells us of the holy memories present in the surroundings of Bethlehem: “Not far from there, there is a church called of the Shepherds, where a large garden is fully enclosed by a wall; and there, there is a very luminous grotto, which has an altar where an angel, appearing to the shepherds in vigil, announced the birth of Christ.” St. Jerome (end of the 4th century) also mentioned this place on several occasions, associating it with the Biblical Migdal-Eder (Tower of Eder or of the flock) and the church of Jerusalem celebrated a feast-day there on Christmas Eve, Bishop Arculph (7th century) recalls the presence of the burial places of the three shepherds in the church. Before the arrival of the Crusaders, the church was destroyed but the ruins still continued to be visited by pilgrims.

Traditionally the place was marked at Deir er-Ra’wat, on the southern edge of the plain below Bethlehem, where there are important ruins of an ancient holy building. The lower church or crypt, which is virtually intact, was also used as a parish church by the Greek Orthodox until 1955. In 1972, excavations began (under V. Tzaferis) and the monument was restored; a modern church stands alongside the old one. Besides, during excavations the remains of a farming settlement dating back to the 1st century A. D. (with an oil press, grottoes and vault lined with burial niches) and a Byzantine monastery (church, courtyards, cisterns, bakery, rooms with mosaics) which flourished between the 4th and 8th centuries A. D. were found.

Excavations in the area have unearthed the remains of a rural settlement dating to the first century A. D. and a Byzantine monastery (church, courtyards, cisterns, bakery, mosaic environments) which flourished between the IV and VIII sec. A.D.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Posted in The Holy Land