The pilgrims, picking up the tradition of Christians who lived continuously in Capernaum since Jesus' time, located three Gospel memories in Tabgha: the multiplication of the loaves, the appearance of the risen Jesus to the Apostles, and the Beatitudes.
Continuing on to Tiberias, after the plain of Ghinnosar, one arrives at Magdala, from which Mary Magdalene, the Lord's ardent disciple, derives her name.
"Not far from Capernaum are seen the stone steps, on which the Lord stood. There, by the sea, is a grassy country with abundant hay and many palm trees, and near there are seven springs each issuing infinite water; in this country the Lord satiated a multitude with five loaves and two fish. The stone on which the Lord laid the bread became an altar. By the walls of that church passes the public way, where Matthew had his telonium. On the nearby mountain is a place where the Lord went up to say the Beatitudes." This text, preserved in a medieval pamphlet on holy places and attributed to the pilgrim Egeria (381-384 A.D.), is the best record of Christian memories of Tabgha, whose name comes from a deformation of the Greek Heptàpegon (seven springs).
On the plain, between the springs, is the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves (unearthed in 1932 by Benedictine E. Mader), with its ancient mosaics of the Nilotic genre and the famous rock under the altar in front of which are depicted the bread and fish that Jesus needed to feed the multitude. Next door is the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter, which commemorates the appearance of the risen Jesus to the apostles and the confirmation of Peter's primacy. On the nearby mountain stands the Shrine of the Beatitudes: the old one lower down by the road (excavated in 1936 by Father B. Bagatti) and the new one (arch. A. Barluzzi, 1938) above a higher knoll.
1. Shrine of the Primacy.
2. Small crusader castle.
3. Ancient shrine of the Beatitudes.
4. Shrine of the multiplication of the loaves (Benedictines).
5. Byzantine water tower of polygonal shape, Birket Ali Edh-Dhaber.
6. Water mills (recent period).
7. Byzantine water tower of circular shape, Hammam Ayyub.
The first multiplication of the loaves
As he disembarked, he saw many crowds and was moved by them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set about teaching them many things. As it was now late, the disciples approached him, saying, "This place is lonely and it is now late; therefore dismiss them, so that, going through the countryside and the neighboring villages, they may buy food for themselves." But he replied, "You yourselves give them food." They said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii of bread and give them food?" But he replied to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And having ascertained, they reported, "Five loaves and two fish."
Then he ordered them all to sit down, in groups, on the green grass. And they all sat down in groups and clusters of one hundred and fifty. Taking the five loaves and two fish, he lifted his eyes to heaven, pronounced the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to distribute; and he divided the two fish among all. They all ate and were fed, and took away twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and also the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.
(Mark 6:34-44)
Guidance. To God, who in his providence built the Church on the rock of Peter and the Apostles, we address our supplications. All. Hear us, O Lord.
1. For the Pope, successor of Peter, that he may precede all in unfailing love to Christ the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock. Let us pray:
2. For all believers in Christ, that pastors and faithful will make every effort to mend the web of the Church torn by divisions and discord. Let us pray:
3. For the rulers of peoples and leaders of nations, that they may see in the Church of Christ the sign and instrument of the unity of the whole human race. Let us pray:
4. For the Catholic faithful, that they may feel the grace and responsibility of being part of the Church led by the Pope and the bishops in the bond of unity, charity and peace. Let us pray:
5. For those in suffering and trial, that nothing and no one will ever separate them from the saving love of Christ. Let us pray:
6. For us pilgrims, that the memory of the following of Peter and the other Apostles, of Mary of Magdala and the first disciples will renew in us the grace of discipleship. Let us pray:
Leader. O God, supreme shepherd of believers, look with love upon the flock of your Son and gather into the integrity of faith and the bond of charity those whom one baptism has anointed. Through Christ our Lord. All. Amen.
