A wish of Paul VI
One of Pope Paul VI's great wishes was to build in Israel a centre where seminarians could complete their formation before ordination. With this in mind the Vatican acquired “Notre Dame”, near the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem.
IIThe Domus
International center of the Neocatechumenal Way
Domus Galilaeae Monastery is the international center of the Neocatechumenal Way.
What is the Neocatechumenal Way?
At the service of the bishops
An itinerary of Christian initiation at the service of the Bishops.
“At the service of the Bishop as one of the forms of diocesan implementation of Christian Initiation and of ongoing education in faith”
Statutes of the Neocatechumenal Way, art. 1, § 2
Initiators
Kiko Argüello and Carmen Hernández
Spain
The original project is by Kiko Argüello —a well-known Spanish painter— and initiator, together with Carmen Hernández, of the Neocatechumenal Way.
After the death of Carmen on 19 July 2016, and as established by the Statutes of the Way, María Ascensión Romero joined the team.
140
nations on the five continents
The Neocatechumenal Way is present in 140 nations on the five continents.
History
How the house was born
Drag or use the arrows
1980s
The land of the Franciscan Fathers
The Custody of the Holy Land offered the Neocatechumenal Way the possibility of building, on land on the Mount of Beatitudes, a centre for formation, study and retreats, a work of particular interest for the Church and for Israel.
1994
John Paul II blesses it
From the moment he was told of the project he was enthusiastic, blessed it and supported it, seeing in it a service to all peoples and “to the whole Church”.
15 Jan 1999
Laying of the foundation stone
It contains a fragment from the tomb of Saint Peter blessed by the Holy Father. In the presence of His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Pietro Sambi, Msgr. Stanisław Ryłko and bishops representing all the rites.
1999–2000
The structure rises
June: earthworks completed. August: structure of block C. November: structure of block B. January 2000: Sanctuary of the Word, entrance and dining hall.
24 Mar 2000
“The Lord was waiting for you on this mount”
John Paul II blessed the Sanctuary of the Word and the entrance. He seemed truly to be at home, to the point of not wanting to leave.
Mar 2005
Opening of the Library
A computerised library for biblical studies, with particular attention to the Sermon on the Mount.
150 people
Around 150 people worked on the project, among workers, technicians and volunteers: 37 Christian Arab workers, 32 Muslim Arabs, 20 Druze, 10 Maronites and 21 Jewish technicians. A deep communion between people of such different religions, cultures and mentalities.
Enter the house
24 March 2000
“The Lord was waiting for you on this mount”
Saint John Paul II to Kiko Argüello, Carmen Hernández and Fr Mario Pezzi, leaders of the Neocatechumenal Way and promoters of the project