(ZENIT News / Magdala, 04.06.2024).- May 28, 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the Duc in Altum Chapel of the Magdala Center and of Magdala’s Archaeological Park. This place opened its doors a decade ago, to become a place of meeting and prayer.
During the anniversary Mass, Father Juan Solana, LC, Director and Founder of the Magdala Project, recalled with emotion the inauguration and dedication of this shrine, and the role of Duc in Altum in the life of the pilgrims that visit it. This place has witnessed the healing of hearts, vocations received to the priestly and religious life and the restoration of many souls’ dignity,” said Father Solana.
Magdala has not only been a place of pilgrimage but also a Center of reception and service. Over the past 10 years, Duc in Altum has welcomed more than 1.3 million pilgrims, being the venue where 12,000 Masses have been celebrated, as well as Weddings, Baptisms and Confirmations.
Father Solana expressed his profound gratitude to all those that have contributed to this project in the course of the years, highlighting the collaboration of volunteers, benefactors, friends, artists and architects. “Nothing would have been achieved without the generous and professional participation of very many people,” he added. Outstanding among these achievements is the fact that Magdala is considered one of the ten best tourist attractions in the Middle East.
One of Magdala’s pillars is its volunteer program, which seeks to form a community focused on the service of pilgrims and guests of Magdala, attending the different areas. This Shrine has been home for over 4,500 volunteers from more than 35 countries, who have had an experience of encounter and prayer in this enclosure.
Father Solana took advantage of the occasion to extend an invitation to the forthcoming Youthfest Encounter Magdala 2024, which will be held from July 25-28 in Puebla, Mexico. This event promises to be an opportunity for prayer, coexistence and celebration in community, in preparation for the year 2033, where the celebration will take place of the two thousand years of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ.
By way of conclusion, Father Solana invited those present to renew their commitment to service and to continue being channels of divine grace. “I hope this place will continue being and always be a place where those rivers of living water flow, of thanksgiving,” he said, hoping that Duc in Altum will continue inspiring people to live their faith in a full and committed way.
About Magdala
Magdala is an archaeological and spiritual place located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. It’s known for being the place of origin of Mary Magdalen, a prominent figure in the New Testament. Not only does this place have great historical and religious importance, but it has also become a Center of pilgrimage and spiritual reflection.
Duc in Altum is Magdala’s spiritual center; its translation from Latin means “Go Out Into the Deep.” It’s inspired in Jesus’ words in Luke’s Gospel. Duc in Altum includes a Chapel with an impressive structure in the form of a boat, which symbolizes the Church’s evangelizing mission. It also harbours several chapels dedicated to different episodes of the life of Jesus and Mary Magdalen.
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