The past weeks have been marked by news related to peace and stability here in the Holy Land. However, in daily life and overall perception, peace seems to be gradually taking root. This gives us hope for a calmer and more positive near future. Every day, we see more and more pilgrims arriving to experience the beauty and richness of this blessed land, walked upon by Our Lord.  

I feel the need to update you on several things:  

On 6 February, registrations opened for Encounter Magdala 2025, which will take place in Madrid, Spain, at the Francisco de Vitoria University from 22 July to 26. This will be the third edition of this event, which began in 2023 and aims to guide us in a tremendous spiritual preparation leading up to 2033 when we will celebrate two thousand years of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. This will be an enormous spiritual celebration of Christianity, similar to the Great Jubilee of 2000, bringing us the fruitfulness of grace and faith in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which brought salvation and opened the gates of heaven for us. In a secularized world, where soccer and pop music attract the masses, we want to carry forward this event centered on something profound, invaluable, intangible, and tangible: our faith's value.  

In harmony with the universal Church, this year's theme is Duc In Altum: Launching into Hope. As always, there will be conferences, concerts, fellowship, celebrations, and walks… all in an atmosphere of joy, family, and spiritual fulfillment. We invite you all to join us! Register as soon as possible and invite friends, family, and acquaintances. See you in Madrid from 22 July to 26! This timing also accommodates those planning to attend the Jubilee for young people with the Pope in Rome, as we scheduled Encounter Magdala beforehand to avoid scheduling conflicts. Let's sing, walk, share, and celebrate the joy and hope of our faith! Get to know more about our Encounter Magdala 2025 here

As Lent approaches, we invite you to embark on our Virtual Pilgrimage of Paul: Apostle of Hope, led by Kathleen Nichols. Travel through the lands where St. Paul spread the Gospel, enriching your faith with reflections, prayer, and historical insights. From Antioch to Rome, let his missionary zeal inspire your journey of hope this Lent. We begin on Ma3 Marchoin us for this transformative experience! Subscribe here to receive the daily reflections on your email.

This is excellent news from Magdala's archaeology: We have waited years for the publication of scientific research on the Magdala Synagogue. Finally, the book From the Magdala Stone to the Syrac Bema by Professor Rina Talgam, published by BRILL, has been released. This is a deep and scholarly work in which the author explores the exceptional significance of the Magdala Synagogue and its connection to symbols and traditions that developed in early Christianity and Judaism. We just received a copy, and we will read and discuss it in upcoming newsletters.  

A heartfelt thank you to Professor Rina Talgam, one of the most critical experts in the history, art, and archaeology of ancient Judaism and Christianity. We embrace this gift, which adds significant value to Magdala's archaeological discoveries, especially regarding the synagogue and the Magdala Stone.  

Lent and Easter 2025: Many are unaware that Catholic Easter dates vary between 22 March and 25 April.  Easter falls on 20 April this year, making it one of the later dates. Lent will begin on Wednesday, 5 March. Unlike previous years, we will not have a specific Lenten pilgrimage. However, we encourage you to revisit past pilgrimages if they help you and, above all, to live intensely in the Church's liturgy, a growing journey toward encountering the Risen Christ.

As you can see, the Council of Nicaea first established the date of Easter, and this year marks its 1700th anniversary. This is a significant celebration for Christianity, as that council initiated the formulation of the Creed, which the Council of Constantinople later completed—hence the name Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. The Creed contains the essential truths of our salvation.  

From Magdala, we send you our warmest greetings and the assurance of our prayers, and we ask for yours so that peace may continue to be strengthened.

‍