For centuries, pilgrims have ascended the winding way to the abbey church of the Magdalene crowning the hill at Vezelay, often crawling on their hands and knees in penitence and petition. Construction on the basilica of La Madeleine began in 1096 and it very quickly became the fourth most popular of all sites of Christian pilgrimage, attesting to the enormous sway that the Magdalene still held over the hearts and minds of the population of that time, a thousand years after her death. Based on the legend that she and her family had fled to Gaul as refugees before the first orthodox gospels were even written, the hold that Mary Magdalene held over this ancient land was both powerful and mystifying.

What was the fascination that has held a nation in its thrall for nearly two millennia? Was Mary really the founder of the early church? What was so threatening to the 13th Century Roman Church that it caused the Pope to launch a vicious campaign of genocide against the population of Southern France that devastated the region and resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 million people? Was there a connection between Mary and the Cathars? If so, has her cult survived to this day in the countryside of Western Europe?

After the death of Yeshua, did Mary really flee from Jerusalem to travel to Southern France with her sister Martha, her brother Lazarus, Joseph of Arimathea, and other disciples, to work and preach among the people of Gaul, and eventually to found the Celtic Church before supposedly retiring from public life to spend the last thirty years of her life in a hermit's cave in the mountains of Ste. Baume? Is there any historical evidence to support the popular theories and legends behind the life of this mysterious woman?

What was it about this mysterious woman that led her followers, Cathar and others like them, to die in their thousands during the holocaust of the Albigensian Crusade rather than deny their faith and belief?

Join us as we examine the legend, making a journey back in time to explore the available historical information in an attempt to separate fact from fiction and, thus, find answers to some of these questions. Walk with us as we seek to understand the wondrous power of this extraordinary yet enigmatic woman who left behind such a rich spiritual heritage, and yet with whom history has dealt so harshly, and with such premeditated injustice.

Jehanne de Quillan teaches this exciting program. Educated at Trinity College Dublin, Jehanne is an initiated teacher of French extraction raised from childhood in the Laconneau Tradition in France and Ireland. Jehanne has lectured on the Tradition in Europe and North America. She has recently presented the Magdalene Seminar at the Washington National Cathedral.

The Magdalene Seminar will be presented...

July 11 & 12, 2008
Washington, DC

September 5 & 6, 2008
Atlanta, GA

November 14 & 15, 2008
San Francisco, CA

For more information, please contact laconneau@laconneau.org

PARTICIPANT COMMENTS
from Washington National Cathedral Presentation on March 16 & 17, 2007

"Loved it. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it happen.  I applaud the Cathedral for opening their doors. Jehanne is amazing and I look forward to future studies with her."

"Jehanne is an amazing teacher - teaches the concepts in ways that are simple and easy to absorb."

"Rich weaving of religion, science, and archaeology, etc. to promote and elevate women in the world and the importance of balance."

"The teacher’s sense of humor was an added blessing."

"Loved the historical context."

"Wonderful! The best I’ve attended of all spiritual presentations in the past 15 years."

"Moving presentation!"

"Brilliant."

"I commend the Cathedral for hosting a heretic! I have learned so much from this program. I am motivated to learn more about gnosticism and Laconneau."

 

MAGDALENE SEMINAR MATERIALS

Download The Magdalene Seminar Flyer:
Single Page Flyer [PDF file]

Download The Magdalene Seminar Tri-Fold Brochure:
Brochure Interior [PDF file]
Brochure Exterior [PDF file]

Is your organization interested in hosting The Magdalene Seminar?

Please contact laconneau@laconneau.org for more information.