Page 6 - Holyland Magazing - Catholic Edition 2016

to the Holy Land from around the world.
From his center, pilgrims can visit the Mount
of Olives, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
and other sites pertaining to Our Lord’s final
days in Jerusalem. But, Fr. Solana feels led
by Christ to establish another retreat center
for pilgrims, one to be located in the north, in and his Roman forces surrounded the city,
the Galilee, where Jesus spent the majority
of his ministry.
After research, Fr. Solana chose an available
site. The land was purchased, and in
2009 construction began. Workers were
about to dig the guest house foundation,
when mandatory archaeological tests
revealed something solid – the remains
of a first-century synagogue and what
further excavation reveals to be the ruins of
Magdala, the city where Mary Magdalene
was born and where surely Jesus taught.
Overnight, Fr. Solana’s project gains much
greater religious and historical significance
than he had ever envisioned. God had
greater plans.
Magdala stands at the crossroads of Jewish
and Christian history. Significant to Jewish
history, ancient Magdala was also home to
Yosef ben Matityahu, better known today as
6
Josephus Flavius, who fought against the
Romans at Magdala, yet would live to go
and write its history. The city is significant to
Christian history because it is one that Jesus
surely visited, teaching and preaching. As we
learn from Josephus, in AD 67, Vespasian
laid siege and eventually destroyed it. Most
of the rebels either fled by boat or were killed.
Magdala became a forgotten city.
Forgotten until the 21st century. Today,
your visit to Magdala is enriched by its past,
present and future. The archaeological site
offers a clear view of this once prosperous
walled city. Central is the synagogue, the
oldest in Galilee, and one of only seven
from the first century in all of Israel. It is well is to honor Jesus’ public ministry. Within its
preserved and includes an entrance hall and
a chamber for storing the Torah scrolls. We
know from Matthew’s gospel that Jesus
went throughout Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, preaching the good news of
the kingdom. He no doubt stood where you
will stand when you visit.
Found in the synagogue is a carved block,
now called the Magdala stone. It holds
clues that will help scholars establish a more
complete picture of first-century Judaism.
It offers the oldest depiction of a seven-
branched menorah ever found. The carving
is rich in other symbols and images as well.
In addition to the synagogue, you will find
the remains of mansions with colorful mosaic
floors, a mikveh (ritual bath), the marketplace
and shops, as well as a large warehouse and
a large stone wharf.
Not all in Magdala is ancient, however. On
May 26, 2014, Pope Francis blessed the
tabernacle now located in the Boat Chapel
of Duc in Altum. This modern spiritual center
takes its name from Jesus’ command to
Peter to “launch into the deep” or “put out
into deep water.” The purpose of Duc in Altum
walls, you will find a number of distinct areas.
The Women’s Atrium exalts the presence
of women in the Gospels. It features eight
pillars, seven of which represent women in
the Bible who followed Jesus. The eighth,
unmarked pillar honors women of all time
who love God and live by faith.
From the Women’s Atrium, you can proceed to
a number of specific chapels. With its unique
altar and panoramic view of the water, the
Encounter