Brother Peter Bray, FSC, the former vice chancellor of Bethlehem University, will take more than 1 million steps along the Camino de Santiago in Spain this summer.
To call attention to the situation in Palestine and raise funds for students at Bethlehem University, Brother Peter is making this 450-mile pilgrimage as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. His journey, which began on May 26 in Pamplona, will take over 36 days and end in the city of Santiago de Compostela.
On his hiking bag hangs a seashell — a symbol of the Camino pilgrim — and a large yellow sign depicting the Palestinian flag and the words: “Walking in solidarity with Palestine. Walking to raise funds for Bethlehem University students.”
“The sign is a great initiator of conversations,” Brother Peter told Christian Brothers Conference. “Every person I’ve met and talk to, I’ve talked about Bethlehem University and talked about the students that I love so much and how inspiring they are to me.”
Working as vice chancellor was “by far the most difficult job I’ve ever had in terms of the complexity of the institution itself and the complexity of the context in which we’re operating and the sheer unpredictability of things,” he said. “At the same time, I’ve never been in a place where it is so obvious that what we’re doing is worthwhile.”
Brother Peter referenced the former Czech leader Vaclav Havel’s explanation of hope. “Hope isn’t the certainty … that something is going to turn out well. It’s the certainty that something is worth doing no matter how it turns out. And for me, what we’re doing at Bethlehem University is worthwhile, irrespective of what the Israelis do, irrespective of what the final outcome is, what we are doing in providing for those students is worthwhile,” Brother Peter said.
He quoted John’s Gospel where Jesus states, “I have come that they may have lived life in all its fullness.” That is “exactly what we are doing at Bethlehem University, whether they be Christians or Muslims or no faith at all,” Brother Peter added.
Brother Peter concluded his 15 years at the university in December 2023 and decided during a sabbatical program earlier this year to undertake the Camino. One of the reasons behind his decision he said was “beginning my grieving at the loss of Bethlehem” as “I’ve never invested myself in a place like I have Bethlehem University.” Walking the Camino will “allow God to enable me to let go,” Brother Peter said.
While it’s not a “holiday,” Brother Peter said he has found the Camino experience enriching and enjoyable. He makes a point to connect with other pilgrims (several of whom have contributed to the fundraiser) but also spends time alone “to reflect and to pray and be aware of the beauty of the countryside and of God’s presence with me.”
The fundraiser has surpassed its initial $20,000 goal and now has been increased to $40,000.
Find Brother Peter’s appeal letter here.
Contribute to the fundraiser and read Brother Peter’s updates on the Bethlehem University Foundation website.