A Woman’s Touch

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…

Letter from Fr. Juan (XXII)

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:…

Letter from Fr. Juan (XXI)

Dear Friends of Magdala, A few days ago we concluded the construction of the cement structure of the south wing of the future Magdala hotel. This is one further step in the whole process of our construction Project that began a few years back. It’s quite a significant step because we can say the structure…

It’s Not About the Feet

“Where’s the room with the feet?”  “I want to see the big painting…you know, the one with the feet…”   The mural that decorates our Encounter Chapel  quickly became world famous.  There seems to be no end to the “ooohhhhing” and “aaaaahhhhing” of tourists and pilgrims who walk into that chapel.  And, undoubtedly, Daniel Carriola…

Letter from Fr. Juan (XX)

Dear Friends of Magdala, Many pilgrims who visit the Duc in Altum Spirituality Center in Magdala are impressed with the beautiful mosaics that are portrayed on the side chapels of the building. Each mosaic has thousands of little colored tiles or tesserae, which put together, form striking scenes of Jesus and His ministry around the…

2018 Archeological Update – Interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration giving big results in Magdala

This summer, Magdala in cooperation with the Anahuac University of Mexico received over 70 academics, archeologists and volunteers from diverse universities and academic institutions on site with the purpose of supporting the conservation and restoration efforts of the Magdala Mikvaot area (Jewish ritual purification baths). Our archeological team was honored to work on this project…

Thank You, Mothers!

Gazing upward visitors ask me to translate the Latin phrase that runs around the edge of the cupola in the Women’s Atrium in Duc in Altum.  It’s a powerful sentence taken from an apostolic letter, Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women), written by the beloved Pope Saint John Paul II in 1988:…