Magistral Chaplain, Fr Gerard McMorrow, presented an opening talk for the Lenten Program in the North Eastern Region, illuminating the context of the Gospel of St Mark’s coverage of Holy Week. The Order had the pleasure of the attendance of several members of The Equestrian Order of The Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, including H.E. Dr. Monica Thomson, DC*HS, as our guests.

Fr Gerard explained the Jewish traditions of The Old Testament and the central place Jerusalem plays in Jewish worship. Further, he elaborated on how the Roman occupation utilised a corrupt local administration and how Imperial theology was ever present. These insights are the backdrop to what will be Christ’s actions and message during Holy Week, to be explored in the coming three Lenten presentations.

This Lenten gathering occured in the Parish Centre of Our Lady Help of Christians, Hendra, alongside the Church which hosted the Order’s Inaugural Mass in Queensland, in 1979. This Inaugural Mass was concelebrated by our beloved and recently deceased Chaplain Fr Peter Gillam, whose memory we keep in our prayers.