In Mary’s House

Today was a half-day’s work for some of us! Because while the others were doing their exam (let’s not forget that this was an academic course organized by the Pontifical Gregorian University in collaboration with the Studi Francescani Biblici), we were enjoying ourselves and relaxing! Let’s not forget what the Latin people used to say: Mens sana in corpore sano – A healthy mind in a healthy body!

In the afternoon, we went back to Ephesus to visit some other very important places, especially for us Christians. First, we visited the remains of the Basilica dedicated to St John the Apostle. We should not forget that the Beloved Disciple came here for the last years of his life, before going over to the nearby island of Patmos. The Basilica was built in the fourth century on the place where St John was buried. The tomb is still very much visible and quite intact. It was a special moment for us to venerate the tomb of one of the apostles. We prayed the Lord that he could grant each one of us that personal intimacy with him that John had and that we remain faithful to him unto the end.

We know of few tombs of the apostles: Peter and Paul in Rome, James in Santiago of Compostella (although the tradition here begins only in the Middle Ages), and St Philip in the Hierapolis – again, if the discovery made by the University of Lecce last year is confirmed.

Then we went to visit the Museum of the city of Ephesus where a number of statues and sculptures found in the excavations of the Old City of Ephesus are displayed. Here we could the great talent of the Romans who adorned the facades of their main buildings with such great work of art. Among the exhibits one could also admire some big statues of the goddess Artemides.

From here we moved by coach on the hill where the house of Mary is said to be found. I am not entering into the historical merits of this; however, let’s not forget what John said of the Beloved Disciple after the Crucified Jesus told him: “Behold, you mother!” – “And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home” (John 19,27). So, it is quite probable that Mary came to Ephesus together with John, the apostle. Something I learnt today was that the present house was found after some nuns in Smyrna read the account of the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, the Augustinian nun and mystic who lived in the 19^th century. Speaking to some Friars, they came to Ephesus to check whether the details given in the vision were true. When they were almost completely discouraged, they went to ask for some water from some peasants on the hill. These indicated to them to go to “the monastery” to fetch water from there. Eventually, that was the place where they found some remains which corresponded in full to the indications of the vision. Today this placed is called Meryemana. There is a big statue of Mary going up the hill. There was also quite a heavy presence of the Turkish military. I was told that their presence was to avoid any attack on Christians by some fundamentalistic Muslims. This would become an unwelcome story for Turkey!

It was an emotional moment, first praying in this place where Mary passed the last years of her life and where she was assumed into heaven, body and soul. I took the occasion to re-consecrate myself to God, the Divine Wisdom, through Mary, his chosen one to be the beloved mother of his Son. Then we had Mass there, presided over by Fr Oriano Granella ofm cap., who is now the Curator (Superior) of the Capuchin Mission here in Turkey. We were told that Fr Granella was the mastermind for the revival of some Christian related sites in Turkey. Among these we could mention the Church of St Paul in Tarsus which previously was used as a deposit for war arsenal.

He encouraged us to let the stones (archaeological remains) speak! They are historical signs of a Christian presence and life and worship in these places. He invited us also to organize pilgrimages to these sacred places. Turkey, he claimed, is part of the Holy Land because here so many Christians of the early Church lived and gave their lives for the Lord. It is such a privilege to be here and to be able to pray on this sacred ground.

The Tomb of St John, the Beloved Disciple of Jesus in Ephesus

The House of Mary -- Meryemana -- in Ephesus

Padre Oriano Granella ofm cap., the Curator of the Capuchins here in Turkey