On November 24th, the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, the House of Pilgrims of Magdala was inaugurated in Israel, a city where, according to tradition, Mary Magdalene was born or lived, the faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. The complex consists of two buildings with 160 rooms to host pilgrims from around the world.

The inauguration was presided over by Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop Primate of Mexico, as it is a project led by Mexicans, involving also UNAM and the Universidad Anáhuac Campus Mexico, with Father Juan María Solana LC responsible, who began working on the idea 15 years ago of having a dignified space at this location, situated on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, to accommodate visitors.

However, while excavations were underway to build the Pilgrims’ House, the discovery beneath the grounds of an entire 1st-century village —including one of the seven synagogues from that time found in Israel—, although it caused modifications to the project and delays, soon made this site a pilgrimage destination, so much so that daily the archaeological site of Magdala receives more than a thousand visitors.

During the inauguration Mass, Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes assured that, to better understand the life of Jesus and his apostles, a pilgrimage center now exists that allows every believer to contextualize the Gospel narratives, “and help our meditation to respond to Jesus’ call and participate in the Kingdom of God, from this earthly life, and reach its fullness in the Father’s House.”

The Primate Archbishop of Mexico highlighted the importance of inaugurating this complex in Magdala, and in the Eucharist, he lifted his prayers “so that those who visit it have a very fruitful stay and strengthen their conviction to transmit to new generations the Good News proclaimed by Jesus Christ, precisely in this beautiful region of the Sea of Galilee.”

Meanwhile, Father Juan María Solana, LC, director of the Magdala Project, expressed his satisfaction with the number of people from different religious denominations who attended the inaugural event, and who, in one way or another, contributed to what this complex is today.

The priest affirmed that the inauguration of Magdala cannot be considered a goal, “but a very beautiful beginning to help many people get to know this land, and in this way foster their approach to God. We want Magdala to be a space for encounters between pilgrims and themselves and with God.”

Father Cipriano Sánchez García LC, rector of Universidad Anáhuac México, emphasized that Magdala is a project of Mexicans and Mexico, since it was the institution he leads, along with the National Autonomous University of Mexico, that conducted the first studies of the archaeological richness found at the site. “I believe Mexicans should feel very proud to be one of the nations that the State of Israel has allowed to excavate and discover what is here.”

He also highlighted the quality “with which the investigations have been carried out, which should be a source of great pride. In Mexico, we have people like archaeologist Marcela Zapata-Meza, from Universidad Anáhuac, who has been a key figure in this project, demonstrating what we, as Mexicans, are capable of doing.”

Father Cipriano Sánchez also announced that Universidad Anáhuac Mexico is working on a publication of everything found in Magdala, since practically —he said— a 1st-century city has been brought to light: the streets, markets, synagogue, houses; in short, “many elements that should be integrated into a scientific publication, which could be ready by January.”

The inauguration was also attended by: Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to Israel, Father Eduardo Robles Gil, LC, General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, the Mayor of Magdala, Nathanial Alfasi, Johanna von Siemens, Director of the Women’s Section in the Holy Land, and Father Juan María Solana, Director of Magdala, along with many benefactors and personalities from Israel and over 23 countries.

The homily of Cardinal Carlos Aguiar at the inauguration Mass of the Magdala Pilgrims’ House can be read at this link.