Dear Family, Friends, and Followers of Magdala,

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I cannot begin this January newsletter without wishing you a happy and blessed New Year. Each year opens as a new opportunity in many ways: to grow, to improve, to embrace the wonderful time God gives us, and to express gratitude. From Magdala, we pray that this Holy and Jubilee Year 2025 may be filled with profound blessings for everyone.

Time moves on, and as you receive this message, registration for the Encounter Magdala 2025 is soon to be open! This event will take place at the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid.  Share the news with friends and acquaintances! Pray for this event to become an excellent encounter experience—with God, the Holy Land, and friends and participants from previous editions.

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This year, the Encounter's theme is "Duc In Altum: Rowing Towards Hope." This theme draws from Magdala's spiritual focus and the phrase Jesus spoke to Peter after a fruitless night of fishing on the Sea of Galilee: "Put out into the deep... and let down the nets for a catch.” Jesus used Peter's exhaustion and frustration after an unproductive night of labor to show him and his companions that when He commands, miracles happen. "They pulled in nets so full of fish that they began to tear, and the boats nearly sank."

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Pope Francis invites us this year to be "Pilgrims of Hope," entrusting us with a great mission: to be strong in our trust in God. The virtue of hope leads us to lean on Him, to trust Him before ourselves, and not to despair when adversity clouds our outlook on life. Therefore, “Duc In Altum: Rowing Towards Hope” is our way of embracing the Pope's invitation, integrating it into Magdala's spirituality, and sharing it with everyone around us.

The dates for the Encounter were carefully chosen to allow participants to join the Jubilee with the Pope in Rome the following week. And who's to say you couldn't extend your trip to explore Spain? Sing, walk, share, and celebrate the Holy Land in Spain with us. We are waiting for you. Register now and invite your friends and acquaintances!

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At the moment, I am in Spain. I had the opportunity to lead a spiritual retreat for our senior superiors in Córdoba. I also visited Granada, Málaga, and Marbella, where I met with several members of the Magdala family, celebrated the Eucharist, and gave a talk. I then spent a weekend in Ávila with fellow Legionary priests of our generation. These were precious days of fraternal fellowship, during which I shared updates about Holy Land projects. I then spent two days preparing for the Encounter with area leaders and the trustees of the Holy Land Foundation Spain. Finally, we attended FITUR (the most important tourism fair in the Spanish-speaking world), coinciding with the ceasefire agreement that renewed our hope for the return of pilgrims to the Holy Land.

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Some time ago, we asked for your prayers for several projects. We have good news that we hope to share soon. Meanwhile, continue to ask God to guide, bless, and accompany us according to His marvelous plans.

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Fraternally,

Fr. Juan María Solana, L.C. and the Magdala Team

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