Pope Benedict XVI spoke about his upcoming trip to the Holy Land during the general audience on May 6, 2009.

Jerusalem, Israel. May 7, 2009. The Holy Father will be visiting the Holy Land from May 8 to 15, bearing encouragement for Israel’s Christians, who are “faced daily with many difficulties.” He also comes as a “pilgrim of peace,” bearing witness to the Church’s commitment to fostering dialogue and reconciliation, including interreligious and ecumenical dialogue (cf. General audience, May 6, 2009).

Part of the Holy Father’s packed program of events includes an evening meeting on May 11 with organizations dedicated to interreligious dialogue. This meeting will be held in the John Paul II auditorium at the Pontifical Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, which was entrusted to the management of the Legion of Christ in 2004.

During his trip, the Pope will also bless the cornerstone of a new retreat center that the Legion is building on the shores of the Sea of Galilee: the Magdala Center, located in the area of Galilee where Mary of Magdala reputedly lived.

The Magdala Center will be an extension of the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. Its purpose is to

	Ruins in the city of Magdala, close to the site of the planned Magdala Center.

serve pilgrims to the Holy Land by providing them with a place of prayer, lodging, and cultural enrichment in a place of unparalleled historical importance. To read a more complete description of what the Magdala Center will offer, click here.

About 1.5 million tourists, many of whom are pilgrims, visit the Holy Land each year. About 80% of these tourists stop in Jerusalem, and more than 70% also travel to Galilee and spend at least two nights there. The Magdala Center will be one more means to help them encounter Christ more deeply during their stay.

Learn more about the Magdala Center and the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center through these related articles:

• Walking on Water: Notre Dame of Galilee Project approved by local bishop.
• What’s Happening in the Holy Land? The Legionary priests at the Pontifical Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center publish a quarterly newsletter for pilgrims and friends.
• Sunrise in Galilee, Sunset on Calvary: a pilgrim shares her impressions.
• Renewal Course for Diocesan Priests in Jerusalem:  Upcoming course offers unique opportunities to delve more deeply into the spirituality of the priesthood in the heart of the Holy Land.
• Priests Experience Holy Week Anew After Jerusalem Retreat: Retreats organized by the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center and Rome’s Regina Apostolorum University, both run by the Legionaries of Christ.
• In Jerusalem, Spiritual Renewal and a Refuge from the Hostilities: "Whatever people can do to help will be greatly appreciated," Fr. Solana explained.