Miserable Village By Fr. Cristobal Vilaroig Throughout the nineteenth century, many pilgrims passed by Magdala, then called Mejdel or el-Mejdel, but they did not see much more than a small village of very little interest. The Swiss geographer Johann Ludwig Burckhard wrote in 1822: Next to Mount Arbel “stands the miserable village el-Mejdel.” Around the…
My dear pilgrims: First of all, I want to wish you a Holy Lent. Every human person needs a time of purification, renewal, and revival. That’s what the Church provides us with during the season of Lent. In addition, this year, we are participating on our Exodus: Pilgrimage of Freedom to grow in true human and…
The Lover’s Tower By Fr. Cristobal Vilaroig We have spoken of Italian and Spanish pilgrims who visited the Holy Land in Ottoman times. Now let’s turn to the French who followed after them: the Jesuit, Michel Naud. Father Michel Naud, SJ, came to Galilee around 1670. He could barely see Magdala since, according to him,…
Poem by Linda Dwyer Dawn breaking, Sun behind clouds peeping, Red, pink, orange; clouds turning, Golden Sun; full, round, gloriously shining, Yellow rays extending, Holy God gifting, loving, blessing. Sea of Galilee shimmering, reflecting, Birds calling, dancing, flying, Woof, woof; Soter playing. Reeds, wildflowers swaying, Flowers red, gold; trees blossoming, Tall, strong…
Magdala & Taricheae Magdala is a word of Aramaic origin meaning, “tower,” and most probably referring to a building or structure found on site. Furthermore, Magdala appears to be a name used commonly in antiquity in the region to the point where cities with this name would also have had a “last name.” This would…
by Nelcy Cárdenas I arrived in November to be the Resident Assistant for the volunteer house. It was a very hectic time with everyone working to get the guesthouse ready for the grand opening. At the volunteer house, as is tradition, each volunteer has a “welcome” in which they introduce themselves to the group and…
