Loly Hevia, Magdala Volunteer

Community life, for us - having children who are already grown and living elsewhere - meant being surrounded once again by young people with smiling faces who were always kind to us. We became aware of the value that an “older” couple represents the young people in the group, and this gave even greater meaning to the experience.

Daily life flowed very smoothly between work, prayer, adoration, Mass, and personal reflection -sometimes shared over a meal or during relaxed conversations.

The place I was assigned to, I believe, was the best one - “in the boss’s house,” as a friend says -,in Duc in altum,taking care of the space and working with Alessandra, who patiently and kindly explained everything related to the liturgy: albs, chasubles, and so on.

The volunteer outings on weekends, whether to retreats with Father Daniel or visits accompanied by Father Timothy’s excellent explanations of the places we explored, were a real plus to the experience, as was the close fellowship among all the volunteers, priests, and consecrated members. What can I say about their warmth, their kindness, and their constant spirit of service?

Prayer, daily Mass, adoration, and Father Timothy’s magnificent preparation for Lent helped us grow in faith and learn something new every day. That is why Magdala is a place of spiritual and personal growth, where each day brings new opportunities to learn and improve.

I also have to mention the archaeological site, with its 1st-century synagogue and chapels - truly impressive. Duc in Altum and the view of the Sea of Galilee were deeply inspiring, as were the other four chapels with their wonderful mosaics and the interfaith Encounter Chapel, whose artwork moved me profoundly. I should also mention the many visitors who gathered there in prayer on the cobblestone floor of the village of Mary Magdalene, which is still preserved and may have been walked on by the Lord on His way to the synagogue.

Loly Hevia, Magdala Volunteer.  Asturias, Spain

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Isidoro Gónzalez, Magdala Volunteer

It has already been more than a month since our return from Magdala, where we spent nearly three months as volunteers, and we still have not expressed in writing our gratitude for everything we experienced there.

Magdala, “that place of encounter between Jewish and Christian history,” is truly a special place, but not only - primarily - because of the “Magdala Stone” you can see there, but because of the people who live and work there. These are none other than a group of volunteers accompanied by some priests (LC) and consecrated members of Regnum Christi.

When we were thinking about undertaking volunteer work in the Holy Land, I remember reading that it included community life and an intense religious experience. The truth is that my idea, despite being a practicing catholic, was simply to go and help in whatever way I could (in the archaeological excavations, preferably), and also to visit some of the places where Jesus walked.

But now I must say that yes, both things - community life and religious experience - were fulfilled, as well as visiting the geographical surroundings where the life of Our Lord on earth unfolded.

From the very first moment we felt so welcomed by the rest of the volunteers, consecrated members, and the Magdala family, that we quickly had the feeling of being at home.

Everything in Magdala works like in a true family, with gestures of affection and mutual care towards everyone. A constant positive attitude with someone quietly stepping in when you couldn’t quite manage and joy at every moment. As another volunteer said in their farewell: “Magdala is like a little piece of heaven".

We are an older married couple. They were considerate enough to let us stay together in the same room, and they also assigned us to the same volunteer area, so we were together almost 24 hours a day. And it worked out very well for us. It also worked well for many of the younger volunteers, who looked at us with surprise when they noticed signs of affection between us, as if we were doing something special! Sometimes they would ask us about how to remain faithful in marriage. I think they did so because of the great wave of marital breakups happening everywhere.

After our first month of service in Magdala, the war against Iran broke out. Many volunteers immediately had to leave the place for prudence and safety reasons. We, along with a few others, stayed for another month. And I must say that, if the care we received before was good, from then on it became outstanding. In addition, the priests, dedicated to their mission, decided that the best way to contribute to the restoration of peace was - of course - through prayer. From then on, Eucharistic adoration, which had previously been held for one hour two days a week, became daily and lasted for many hours.

I would also like to highlight something very important about the leadership of the place - even though it is run by Catholics, there are volunteers from other Christian and non-Christian denominations. They also have a beautiful chapel, called the Chapel of Encounter, where celebrations of other Christian denominations can take place. So Magdala is not only a “place of encounter between Jewish and Christian history,” but also a current ecumenical place. Everyone there is welcomed with the same love.

I think Magdala leaves no one indifferent, especially those of us who have spent some time there. It makes prayer easier because you are walking on the very same stones that Jesus Christ himself surely walked on. You are at the edge of the lake, which appears like an altarpiece continuing from the Boat Chapel. That lake witnessed so many events from the life of Jesus and the first apostles and disciples. That is undeniable. You may have doubts about whether a certain event took place in one church or another, but the lake has remained in the same place since time immemorial. Around it and in it there were miracles and, above all, countless events from the earthly life of Jesus, many of which we do not even know.

Yes. Magdala has something - or a lot - that is special. That is why I invite you to live, as we have, the Magdala experience.

Isidoro Gónzalez, Magdala Volunteer. Asturias, Spain

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