Pilgrims return to Magdala

July 24th, 2024
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Fr. Cristobal Vilaroig L.C.
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Pilgrims return to Magdala

Magdala was once again filled with pilgrims who worshiped God in its church and received the hospitality of the local religious.

At the end of 2004, a priest from the Legionaries of Christ, Fr. Juan Solana, was passing through ancient Magdala. He was looking for a place where he could build a hostel for pilgrims. An old camping resort called Hawaii Beach, north and adjacent to the land owned by the Franciscans, was for sale. With the generous moral and financial help of numerous benefactors, he set to work.

Once the project was planned and the necessary approvals received, excavation of the land began to ensure that the buildings would not destroy important archaeological remains. Completely unexpectedly, in 2009, archaeologists discovered the ruins of a 1st-century synagogue. It was the first time a contemporary synagogue of Christ had been found by the Sea of Galilee. Subsequent excavations would reveal many more archaeological remains from the city of that same period: part of the port, pools for fish breeding, numerous ritual baths, luxurious buildings paved with fine mosaics... All these findings, properly studied and preserved, can be visited in the archaeological park that opened its doors in 2014. That same year, a new church was consecrated so that pilgrims could worship God in the ancient city of Magdala. This church, called Duc in Altum (launch into the deep), commemorates the preaching and miracles of Jesus, with a particular focus on the fundamental role of women in the history of redemption. Finally, in 2019 the hotel opened its doors.

Magdala was once again filled with pilgrims who worshiped God in its church and received the hospitality of the local religious.