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2. THE PROJECT
2.1
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The Project’s Goal
The Sea of Galilee
Saxum was born out of the need for people to have a deeper knowledge of Jesus in the Holy Land, so that pilgrims will be able to begin, or foster, their relationship with Him, perpetuating the tradition of many pilgrims who have experienced a profound transformation in their lives after being there. Located in Abu Ghosh, 15 km from Jerusalem, the Visitor Center offers digital resources with state-of-the-art technology that explains the fundamental milestones of the story of the people of Israel and helps to better understand the environment in which Jesus’ life took place, and where Christianity was born. The Center has a fully-equipped auditorium for classes and conferences, a cafeteria, and a chapel with two confessionals. Visitors are welcome to attend Mass, pray before the Blessed Sacrament, and
receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Visitor Center receives historical and scientific support from the experts at Polis (The Jerusalem Institute of Languages and Humanities), which specializes in ancient and modern languages and studies of the eastern Mediterranean.
2.2
Inspiration
St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, longed to visit the Holy Land during his lifetime to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. This desire also extended to all his spiritual children in Opus Dei and their families and friends, all of whom he wished could have the opportunity in their lifetimes “to pray, kneel upon, and kiss the soil which Jesus trod upon,” as Blessed Alvaro del Portillo related.
“YOU ARE SAXUM” In 1939, St. Josemaría started to call Bl. Alvaro del Portillo “Saxum” - Latin for rock - because of his fidelity and fortitude. In naming this conference center after him, the donors to Saxum wish to show their gratitude to Bl. Alvaro for his life of service to the Church. There is more history behind the name: in 1994, Bl. Alvaro del Portillo, Portillo, who was the closest collaborator and first successor of St. Josemaría, went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in thanksgiving for his 80th birthday and 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination. On March 23, 1994, just a few hours after returning to Rome from his pilgrimage, God called Bl. Alvaro to heaven. He had celebrated his last Mass on earth in the Church of the Cenacle in Jerusalem.
That same year, inspired by St. Josemaria’s wish and in honor of the memory of Bl. Alvaro del Portillo, the faithful of Opus Dei, together with cooperators and friends, began planning the Saxum project.
2.3 Involved Entities
ACI: Association for Cultural Interchange (www.culturalinterchange. org), a non-profit organization registered in the U.S., is the main promoter of this project and is the owner of the property of Saxum. To build it and develop its activities, it relies on the collaboration of all those who understand and appreciate the impact the Saxum project will have, and with this objective in mind, it has signed agreements with foundations and charitable organizations from several countries.
Saxum International Foundation (www.saxum.org), headquartered in Italy, also cooperated with ACI in the worldwide campaign for donations and helps design the program of activities for Saxum.
The owning and involved entities in the Saxum project have asked the Prelature of Opus Dei to be responsible for the spiritual needs of the pilgrims that are participating in activities at Saxum.
2.4 The Saxum Project
Saxum Visitor Center
The Visitor Center offers digital resources with state-of-the-art technology that explains the fundamental milestones of the story of the people of Israel and helps to better understand the environment in which Jesus’ life took place.
Among other things, it offers: –A timeline which juxtaposes the events of the Old Testament with the events of world history.
–Giant stone floor maps of the Old and New Testaments.
–Touchscreens with audiovisual resources about life in the Holy Land in Jesus’ time, including: -> The languages that Jesus and the people of His time spoke. -> Jerusalem’s Second Temple
-> Daily life in cities, towns and countryside in the Holy Land at that time. -> A “Google Map” of the Roman Empire in Jesus’ time.
–3D projections of:
-> Jesus’ path through the Holy Land and Jerusalem during His public ministry and Passion. -> A short movie which depicts the History of Salvation, closing with the meeting of Jesus with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
A chapel where visitors can attend Mass, go to Confession, and pray.
–An auditorium for presentations, conferences and meetings. In addition to offering services to pilgrims, the Visitor Center aims to contribute to the ongoing and vitally important education of tour guides who accompany millions of pilgrims each year to the Holy Sites and have a significant impact on pilgrims’ experience.
IN 2018 PILGRIMS FROM 1,104 47 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATED IN
ACTIVITIES AT THE CONFERENCE CENTER
ARGENTINA PARAGUAY GUATEMALA COSTA RICA CHILE EL SALVADOR
ESPAÑA PERÚ URUGUAY BRASIL ITALIA FILIPINAS
CROACIA MEXICO PORTUGAL VENEZUELA ECUADOR PUERTO RICO
COLOMBIA HONDURAS NICARAGUA ESTADOS UNIDOS CAMERÚN REPÚBLICA DEL CONGO
BÉLGICA SUIZA FRANCIA CANADÁ
HOLANDA REPÚBLICA CHECA
REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA LITUANIA LETONIA JAPÓN RUSIA KAZAJISTÁN
KENIA SINGAPUR IRLANDA MALASIA NUEVA ZELANDA REINO UNIDO
2.5
The Emmaus Trail
Saxum is also the starting point of the Emmaus Trail, which ends in the ancient village mentioned in the Gospel where Jesus sought out two discouraged disciples after the Resurrection. The Saxum Foundation, together with local authorities, is currently marking out the ~15 km path so that pilgrims and hikers can relive this episode from the Gospel.
