On October 15 and 16, with a big event, the memorial of Moses, God’s friend, was re-opened on Mount Nebo.
On October 15 and 16, with a big event, the memorial of Moses was re-opened on Mount Nebo, in Jordan.
After years of being closed to the public, the sanctuary entrance plaza has welcomed hundreds of guests for the re-opening of one of the shrines and the most important and visited archaeological sites in the country.
Many religious and civil authorities were present: Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and Special Envoy of Pope Francis, the Apostolic Nuncio, Mons. Ortega Martini and Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, Mons. Maroun Laham, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan, Lina Annab and the governor and the Mayor of Madaba.
During the ceremony on Saturday, several speeches that recalled the history of the holy place took place, where the Franciscans have been present for more than 85 years.
The contribution of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum was remembered with gratitude by Br. Girolamo Mihaic: Father Piccirillo, who died eight years ago, devoted his life to Mount Nebo.
With the symbolic gesture of the opening of the doors of the basilica, everyone was invited to enter and contemplate the harmony of the colors of the beautiful mosaics restored and put back in safety and the wooden architecture designed to create the most welcoming and inspiring environment for prayer.