On August 31, the Church of Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant reopened its doors for worship, marking exactly 100 years since its dedication.
Perched on Kiryat Yearim Hill, just nine miles from Jerusalem, this historic site has been closed for four years while undergoing restoration.
A Historic Site with a Sacred Past
The church stands proudly on a hill overlooking the Muslim village of Abu Gosh, offering visitors a stunning view of Jerusalem.
This location, historically known as “Kiriath-Jearim” in the Bible, played a crucial role for the Jewish people.
It was here that the Ark of the Covenant rested after being retrieved from the Philistines, as described in 1 Samuel 6.
The Ark, which housed the Ten Commandments, was a symbol of God’s presence among His people.
An Ancient Legacy Rebuilt
Dating back to the fifth century, a Byzantine basilica originally stood at this site.
The current church, which sits atop the remains of that structure, had its foundation stone laid in 1920 and was consecrated in 1924 by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Luigi Barlassina.
It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant.
A Meaningful Reopening
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the current Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was present for the dedication of the new altar during the reopening ceremony.
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, he described it as a symbol of hope and renewal amid challenging times.
“Climbing this mountain, blessed by the presence of the Lord,” he said, “invites us to have a broad and farsighted perspective on events and not to close ourselves off in the dramatic present moment.”
A Connection with History
The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, a French congregation founded in 1832 by Mother Emilie De Vialar, manage the church and its grounds.
The details of how they acquired the land are somewhat obscured by history, but it involves Sister Josephine Rumèbe, who passed away in 1927.
Sister Josephine, reputed to have mystical gifts, managed to secure the land with a small amount of money, reportedly through a miraculous series of events.
A Ceremony of Dedication
The dedication of the new altar was a profound event.
After the recitation of the creed and the chanting of litanies, the cardinal placed relics in the altar, including one from Mother Emilie De Vialar, who was canonized in 1951.
The ceremony included anointing the altar with chrism oil, incensing it, and covering and lighting it.
In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa spoke of the fulfillment of God’s covenant through Jesus Christ and likened Mary to the new Ark of the Covenant for bearing Christ within her.
Symbolism and Vision
Upon entering the church, visitors are greeted by a golden flame in the apse, a decorative element with dual significance.
It symbolizes the biblical fire representing God’s presence and connects to Sister Josephine’s vision of a “mountain of fire.”
As a young postulant, Sister Josephine had a vision of flames forming a mountain with Jesus above them, which was later revealed to her as Kiryat Yearim.
Embracing the Sacred Space
Sister Valentina Sala, the current provincial of the congregation for the Holy Land, shared her deep connection to the site.
She emphasized the importance of such sacred spaces for fostering a deeper connection with God.
“People today need more than health care or education; there’s a hunger for God,” she said, highlighting the church’s role as a place for spiritual nourishment.
A Vision for the Future
At the church’s centenary, Sister Valentina recalled a vision of the Virgin Mary, depicted in a statue above the church, facing Jerusalem with open arms.
This statue symbolizes the grace and blessing bestowed upon the site.
In her closing words to the congregation, Sister Valentina encouraged everyone to embrace the church as a place of divine presence.
She invited them to “rush, stay, feel at home” and to discover the Presence that awaits within this newly renovated church.