Dear friends, Magdala Family:

The circumstances we are experiencing in the Holy Land due to the current conflict do not allow us to hold our Encounter Magdala 2024 here as planned. After analyzing a series of options, I am pleased to inform you that the event will take place in the City of Puebla, Mexico, from Thursday afternoon, 25 July, to Sunday morning, 28 July.

I share with you the motivations:
First, Franciscan friars founded Puebla in 1531, inspired by Jerusalem.

Second, Puebla was an essential center for announcing the Gospel. Numerous religious orders and congregations were established there, as evidenced by the churches in the historical center, the Convents, the former College of the Jesuits, and the Cathedral. Puebla was key in the first evangelization of North America and even in the evangelization of the Philippines.

Third: In Puebla, the Latin American proto-martyrs Cristóbal, Antonio, and Juan gave their lives for Christ. Antonio and Juan, at the age of 12, due to their religious enthusiasm and desire to accompany the missionaries, found themselves evangelizing in Tecali and Cuautinchán, where they were murdered “in odium fidei.”

Our Encounter, which began in 2023 in Magdala, aims to be a journey of faith and love for God as preparation for the celebration of the year 2033, the Millennium Anniversary of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ, and revolves around four main aspects: Sharing, Singing, Walking, and Celebrating.

Therefore, we will meet in the City of Puebla de los Ángeles on Thursday, 25 July afternoon. We want to visit the places and learn from the example of the first missionaries of America.

We hope to have the presence of a special guest: Rev. Mon. Victor Sánchez, Archbishop of Puebla.

Detailed program, cost, further information, and registration will be communicated soon.

Let us continue our faith journey, connected with the Holy Land, from Puebla de Los Angeles, with the Magdala Family. During the Youthfest Encounter, I will be pleased to share news and talks from the Holy Land with you.

With the wish of a Holy Easter.

Fraternally,

Fr. Juan María Solana, L.C.

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