January 15, 1999
- The first stone was laid in the presence of His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; the apostolic nuncio for Israel, Msgr. Pietro Sambi, Msgr. Stanislaus Rylko, Secretary of the Pontifical Council of the Laity and Bishops representing all the different catholic rites.
June 1999
- Excavation completed.
August 1999
- Construction of block C completed.
November 1999
- Construction of block B completed.
January 2000
- Completion of the Sanctuary of the Word, the reception area, and the refectory.
March 24, 2000
- Inauguration of the reception area and of the Sanctuary of the Word with the Holy Father.
March 2005
- Inauguration of the Library of the Domus Galilaeae.
There are about 150 persons who are working full time for this project, including laborers, technicians, and volunteers. There are 37 Arab-Christian workers, 32 Arab-Muslims, 20 Druses, 10 Maronites, and 21 Hebrew technicians. The progress of this project has been, as we can see from the chronology, extraordinarily rapid. Even more surprising is the profound communion that is given and is still being given among people of such various religions, cultures and mentalities. Certainly, overcoming any type of barrier or prejudice, everybody perceives the visit of the Pope as an epochal event. They also perceive to be participants in the construction of a project of historical importance.
