In an international context of social isolation and uncertainty, Father Juan Solana, L.C., director of the Magdala Center, has invited the Catholic faithful to join in a gesture of unity and international solidarity to be part of the new Magdala Center Mosaic in the city of Magdala, Israel.
The mosaic, of 114 square meters, was elaborated by sculptor María de Jesús Ortiz de Fernández and a group of collaborators; it is composed of thousands of stone tesserae decanted through the original Byzantine technique.
The mosaic has been installed in one of the courtyards of the pilgrimage center where visitors can access it.
Father Solana invited the faithful in general to visit the website magdalamosaic.org where it is possible to “adopt” sections of this work of art: from an individual tesserae to several sets of tesserae (letters, images, characters or houses), within the composition that represents a map of the Holy Land and in which different passages of the Gospel are illustrated.
To become part of the international Mosaic family, you can participate as an advocate, ambassador, benefactor, partner or volunteer. The website explains in detail what each of the modalities consists of.
Join the international mosaic family!
Madonna Incinta
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration where the mosaic was unveiled, there was also the blessing of a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, the work of the master painter and sculptor Carlos Terrés. The work, said the author, was inspired by the passage of Scripture:
“While Jesus was saying these things, a woman from the crowd exclaimed, 'Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you.
Jesus answered, ”Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it". Lk 11:27 and 28
The work, entitled Madonna Incinta, is one of the most beautiful sculptures of art of this master sculptor and painter, created in terracotta, with a height of 2.10 mtrs.
Carlos Terrés made this work of reclaimed stone - Terracotta - using different colors in its patina. The sculpture is destined for the Magdala Center, located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The place where this work of art will be installed will be a regular pilgrimage for women, some of whom are about to give birth or wish to have a child.
The work is one of the typical examples of the Virgo Paritura (Virgin in Childbirth) which is one of the least popular themes compared to the Standing Virgin or the Virgin with Child. The realistic representation of the pregnant Virgin or Virgin of Childbirth shows the Virgin alone, standing, in frontal position and visibly pregnant, representing the word of God that through the Virgin is incarnated and descends among men.
The Virgin was modeled to show that the human nature of Jesus Christ is authentic. In this sculpture, the Mother of God has no symbolic attribute. She is herself the complete symbol of the Eucharistic tabernacle.
The work is addressed especially to the devotion of women as a praise to the Virgin Mary as Mother of Jesus and Our Mother: full of youth, grace and joy, awaiting the coming of the light.
It is, according to its author, covered with the fabric that will serve as a diaper and shroud her child; with her right hand, blessing the child in her womb: caressing and sheltering it with her left hand, bending her beautiful and youthful face a little, smiling.
It is a prayer to the Virgin Mother, a path of hope for those who desire the gift of a child. Of joy and happiness for those young women who have the grace to conceive. A hope for those who have lost a child, a plea to avoid possible abortions and an inspiration for those who open their hearts by adopting. An example of generosity to God's will and a thank you to those who bear the sweet title of mother. Finally, it is a fraternal and universal embrace with the mother of all as Sons of God.
The sculpture suffered some accidents during its transportation. Four volunteers from the Magdala Center restored it at the request of Father Solana. It is now intact again, with no signs of damage.
The sculpture was blessed with a prayer and then sprinkled with holy water. The community of volunteers, benefactors, members of Regnum Christi and faithful Catholics in general were invited to participate in the event.
Follow Magdala Center on its official networks: Facebook: @OficinaTerraSancta and @MagdalaEspañol
Youtube: Experience Magdala
