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The Southern Cross, october 30 to November 5, 2013
PILGRIMAGE
In October a second group of Southern Cross pilgrims travelled to the Holy Land, Rome, Assisi and Cairo, this one led by Bishop Joe Sandri MCCJ of Witbank. Southern Cross business manager Pamela Davids represented the newspaper.
Pilgrims visit the grotto that marks the birth of our Lady in Jerusalem, situated below St Anne’s church, a perfectly preserved crusader structure near the first station of the Via Dolorosa.
Bishop Sandri and fellow pilgrims enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Pilgrims Ingrid Setshedi and Sanjeetha Appadu reverence at the Stone of unction in Jerusalem’s church of the Holy Sepulchre. It marks the place where Jesus’ lifeless body was prepared for his entombment.
Pope Francis greets pilgrims in the rain as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square. Bishop Sandri had the privilege of meeting the pope during the audience. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) Pilgrims enjoy climbing on the great pyramid of Cheops in Giza, just outside Cairo. It was built over a 10-to 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC.
Pilgrims reflect at the church of St Peter’s Primacy on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Southern Cross business manager Pamela Davids is pictured in front of the pyramids at Giza in Egypt.
Bishop Sandri celebrates Mass in the grotto of Gethsemane. The grotto marks the place where it is believed that Judas betrayed Jesus, according to a tradition documented in 333 AD by the Bordeaux Pilgrim.
Elizabeth Arendse sits on the steps on Mount Zion on which we know for certain our Lord (and our Lady and the disciples) walked. We know this because there was no other plausible route from the Mount of olives to Mount Zion, where the Last Supper took place and where the Sanhedrin’s interrogation took place.
Pilgrims visit the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Rome’s Navona Square. The fountain dates from the 17th century and was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who also designed the colonnade in St Peter’s Square and the altar of St Peter’s basilica. Behind the fountain is the 15th century church of our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
THE HOLY LAND TREK An itinerary of the great holy sites of the Holy Land and Jordan by Günther Simmermacher.
R150 (plus R 15 p&p in SA) from books@scross.co.za or www.holylandtrek.com or call 021 465-5007
‘Simmermacher has captured the essence of the pilgrim’s Holy Land.’ – Pat McCarthy, NZ Catholic
‘Simmermacher marshalls a mass of material, presenting it simply and vividly. – Paddy Kearney, The Southern Cross
‘An interesting and funny look into the places of the Bible.’ – goodreads.com
The Southern Cross pilgrims pose for a group picture in Bethlehem.
SPECIAL: Buy The Holy Land Trek AND Owen Williams’ Any Given Sunday for only R215 and GET DELIvERY FREE (SA only)