CANA – CHURCH OF MIRACLES

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? My Hour is not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” (John, 11 1-5).

The miracle which has made Cana forever famous was worked by Christ before His public life had fully commenced. This is usually taken to be the meaning of the words "My hour is not yet come". Our Lord was on His way back to Nazareth when He passed by Cana. From the language of the Gospel we should infer that the marriage which was taking place was that of a close relative of the Blessed Virgin, for it is said without comment that she was there; and it was no doubt in her honor that Christ was invited. Again, the cause of the shortage of wine is not explained by St. John; but it has been inferred that it may have been due to the presence of Our Lord and the five Disciples that accompanied Him, who would have made a substantial increase in a small and modest party. If this was so, it would explain the confidence with which Our Lady appealed to Him when she noticed it. Taking the narrative as it stands, we have one of the best authenticated of Our Lord's miracles; for, unlike the case of the cure of bodily ailments, the waiters were comparatively disinterested parties, and yet they bore witness that the water had become wine and was even the best wine of the feast. Not only the miracle but also the whole incident of Christ's attendance at the marriage feast has always been taken as setting His seal on the sanctity of marriage, and on the propriety of humble rejoicing on such occasions. And if the bride or bridegroom was, as is believed, a relative of Our Lady, we may take it as an example of the sympathy which family ties should bring in the ordinary joys, no less than in the sorrows of life.

Today there at least three villages with the same name, but it is certain that the Cana described in the Gospel according to John can be identified as the village with 600 inhabitants called Kafr Kanna, situated a little outside Nazareth on the road to Tiberias.

Cana of Galilee provides a rare example of peaceful coexistence between different races and faiths. The village is inhabited by Greek-Orthodox and Roman Catholic Arabs and also by a Muslim minority. A minaret and several domes stand out among the many little white houses, as if to make visible the peaceful diversity of the strands in the web of religion. At the time of the Crusades, or before, there was a church which was believed to be on the spot where the miracle of Our Lord was worked. This site is now in the hands of the Franciscans, who have built a large new church. The Church of the Miracle of Cana was built with some ancient architectural pieces, and there is a mosaic with an Aramaic inscription: "Remember Joseph, son of Tanhum, son of Butah with his sons because they made this tabula; may they be blessed. Amen". In recent years some interesting excavations have been carried out within its walls, discovering parts of the old church beneath.

Today in a land where marriage and family life is so important it is fitting to journey to Cana, or Kafr Kanna, as it is known today. Here Pilgrims often renew their marriage vows before the altar above the crypt where Jesus sanctified the sacrament of marriage by this first miracle. The Franciscan Fathers often confer a special blessing to enrich and strengthen their commitment as a married couple.

Virtual Pilgrimage: Cana