KCP - Catholic Diocese of Broome

Fr Joseph Pelle, Administrator at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral Broome, recently spent some time in the Holy Land. Here is a brief extract of his travels in this fascinating part of the world.

Living as a guest with an international group of priests and seminarians from eleven different countries at the House of Mamre on Mount of the Scandal was a real treat. To the west across the Kidron Valley we had a panoramic view of the old city of Jerusalem; the Dome of the Rock was clearly visible and just to the north was the Mount of Olives.

Surrounded by all these biblical sites stimulated the imagination. I wondered what it would have been like 2000 years ago at the time of Jesus. For example, Jesus going down the Mount of Olives and entering Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds welcomed him and laid cloaks and branches in his path; also his ascension into heaven took place at the Mount of Olives.

Sometimes, I joined the seminarians for an archeological excursion with a Franciscan professor. The 20 minute walk to the Franciscan Centre led us through the Arab suburb of Ras Al Amud, past the local mosque, the Jewish cemetery, the Tomb of Absolom, the Garden of Gethsemani, through St Steven’s Gate and finally to the Centre on the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross). It was fascinating listening to the professor describe the history of the biblical sites, how each new conqueror built a mosque or church on the ruins of other religious symbols.

One of the many highlights was a three day journey to Mount Sinai in Egypt with a group of priests from El Salvador. This is the place Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. We commenced our journey up the mountain at 1.30am with a young Bedouin as our guide. After three and half hours we were feeling very exhausted and annoyed by the hawkers who kept offering camel rides to assist us on our journey upwards. It was freezing cold at the peak and enterprising peddlers now offered blankets for rent at negotiable prices.

After witnessing a splendid sunrise we celebrated the Eucharist. On the way down we were all surprised to find how far we had travelled and how steep were the last several hundred metres. Some priests commented that the spiritual life was something like this experience. For example, in the spiritual journey one needs a guide, to progress one step at a time, with the assistance of others while trusting in God.