Dear Magdala Family,

Please receive a warm greeting on this very special day, as we begin Lent 2026. Lent is a time of grace, of conversion, and of inner renewal. It is a privileged season for all of us who believe in Jesus Christ and who journey with hope toward the Passover of the Lord. On this occasion, my message is one of heartfelt blessing: may this Lent become for each of you a time of deep encounter with the Lord.

Today, I would like to reflect on one of the three essential dimensions of the Magdala Family: prayer. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus addressed His apostles—perhaps especially Peter—with these moving words:

“So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(Mt 26:40–41)

Jesus is living the agony of Gethsemane. The moment is decisive: He could flee from the Passion, yet He chooses to remain faithful to what the Father asks of Him—the redemption of all humanity. The struggle is intense, almost “infernal” in the most literal sense, for the devil seeks to discourage Him, to confuse Him, to make Him turn back. And Jesus asks something unheard of until then: “Remain here, and watch with me…”

For His soul is sorrowful, even unto death. He experiences profound sadness and, more than ever, desires the presence and companionship of His closest friends. Yet they fall asleep, overcome by weariness. Perhaps they could not yet grasp the gravity of that hour.

Something similar can happen in our own lives. We too experience moments of temptation: the desire to give up, to take the easier road, to “throw in the towel.” All of us have lived through such hours. And there, a deep fracture within every human heart is revealed, the wound of original sin: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This is part of our condition as men and women in every age. And it is what leads us to fall into temptation—whether great or small, visible or hidden, carnal or spiritual. All the struggles of our fragile humanity can ultimately be traced back to this inner division we experience. Faced with this reality, there is only one true remedy. Jesus teaches it by His example and by His word: “Watch and pray.”

We need prayer as we need oxygen, as we need food, as we need rest. This is why the Magdala Family encourages each of its members: pray. It does not matter how, how much, or where—but pray. Make God the witness and support of your life, of your decisions, of your struggles, and of your joys. Pray always, without ceasing, as Saint Paul will later teach us. Lent is a particularly favorable time for prayer. In many places, Lenten retreats, spiritual exercises, and reflections are offered. Let us not miss these opportunities, for they gently draw us closer to the Lord.

For this season, we have also prepared something very special: a virtual Lenten pilgrimage, based on the parables of the Lord and recorded by the Magdala team in the very landscapes of the Gospel.

Through weekly episodes, this journey will help us enter more deeply into prayer and reflection. In this newsletter, you will find a banner where you may register with your email address—completely free—and receive each episode in your inbox. In every encounter, we will meditate on the great themes of Lent: the desert, conversion of heart, mercy, and hope, preparing ourselves step by step for Easter. Share it with your friends; make it an opportunity for deeper reflection and spiritual growth. Let us not be afraid to “steal” a few minutes from television or the internet… When it comes to the things of God, it is always worth it.

For those who already have their “Touching His Cloak” groups, here is yet another motivation. Let us pray so that we may always remain faithful to God our Lord. We invite you to live this Lent from the Holy Land together with us, as one Magdala Family.

Two more pieces of news from here in Magdala: work continues on the future restaurant and the priests’ residence. It is exciting to see the progress being made little by little each day.

We remain deeply grateful to all the friends and benefactors who support these projects. We also wish to remind you that monthly donations—even small ones—help us greatly in planning for the months and years to come. We hope that many of you might consider contributing in this way.

There are several ways to do so—please choose the most convenient one for you. Feel truly part of this great work of God in the Holy Land.

Family and friends, thank you for following our news, for listening to our podcast, and sharing Magdala with others.

May this Lent be for all of you a true time of grace, renewal, and hope.

With affection and prayers,

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