International Women’s Day 2019 established its theme: “Balance for Better” as an effort towards gender balance worldwide and challenged us: “How will you help make a difference?” Magdalena Institute responded by offering the 5th Annual Women’s Encounter, an inspiring weekend, “Women in Dialogue”, March 8 to 10, 2019 which was attended by some 50 women…
It’s been more than 5 weeks now…. The excitement of the first week when everything is new and cool had turned into questioning my initial decision – why am I here, why did God send me here? All the things which make this volunteering program amazing and I was looking forward to, such as community…
Dear Friends of Magdala, Saint Teresa of Jesus says that “in the path towards God, the soul has to pass through four stations.” It is a great truth. In the Holy Land we are now in the full bloom of spring. This year it is exceptional! The amount of rain we have received this year…
My name is Dana and I started to volunteer in Magdala on 9th February. I’m from Slovakia but I’ve been living in the UK for the last 10 and half years. In October last year I turned 30. Although I had a great job and comfortable life in the UK, I slowly started to lose…
Barnabas is not a very common name, and I can assure you it wouldn’t be one of my top choices, yet in the first century there was a very important man who was known by this name. The fourth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles introduces a contemporary of the apostles, ”Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom…
Dear Friends of Magdala, If I had to describe Magdala during these past weeks I would say it is exactly like an anthill. The place is buzzing with movement as our construction team finishes the landscaping and development of the site, visitors and pilgrims continue to arrive, and the number of on-site activities such as…
Dear Magdala Friends, Advent has again arrived. It is a time of serene joy and grace. The passing of time with the change of seasons, liturgical celebrations, and holidays teaches us both the value and the futility of time. We live in time and thus in some way always have it, but at the same…
Magdala is a first century town best known today because of one woman – a woman who has fascinated the world for centuries, Mary Magdalene. It seems only appropriate that in the “hometown” of Mary Magdalene women would find a place especially for them. “I have never seen a place like this for women…” “Thank…
Dear friends of Magdala, We continue to welcome many pilgrims to Magdala! In the past few weeks, thanks be to God, almost a thousand pilgrims a day visit here. Often, they compliment Duc In Altum, the Archaeological Park, the Encounter Chapel and much more. Buildings are important but Magdala’s message is not in the stones:…
