Dear Magdala Family,

A warm greeting from Magdala.

I am writing these lines today, October 12, a date of great significance throughout the Spanish-speaking world because of the discovery of America and also because of the Marian celebrations observed in different countries.

We also unite ourselves spiritually with the anniversary of the consecration of the new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. May the Virgin Mary watch over and protect each one of us, our families, our work, and our vocations. May she always be our refuge.

‍

I returned from Mexico at the end of September, after the journey I shared with you last month. Waiting for me were several beautiful days of community life in Jerusalem.

The ten Legionary priests currently serving in the Holy Land gathered at Notre Dame of Jerusalem for our annual days of spiritual and community life. For a religious priest, community is an essential part of the vocation: praying together, listening to one another, supporting one another in the apostolate, and helping each other persevere with fidelity and renewed fervor.

After those days, I finally returned to Magdala.

Here we also marked the third anniversary of the tragic events and attacks of October 7, 2023, which set in motion a war that has deeply affected the Holy Land and the entire region.

Looking back is painful: so much suffering, loss, uncertainty, and so many wounds that will take a long time to heal. Flowers do not easily grow from the rubble of war; all too often what remains are thorns, resentment, and pain.

That is why we must continue to pray for peace. We cannot grow weary. We must ask God that where pain has been sown, forgiveness, reconciliation, and true hope may begin to grow.

This month, we have devoted much of our work to several pastoral projects that fill me with great hope.

The first is a virtual pilgrimage on the Theology of the Body, which we hope to offer during Easter 2027.

The second is the revision of our book on Mary Magdalene, which we hope to publish for Rabbuní 2027. The more we delve into her story, the more we discover the richness of her witness as a disciple, a witness to the Resurrection, and an apostle sent to proclaim the Risen Christ.

The third is especially close to my priestly heart: we are expanding our program of spiritual renewal for priests in the Holy Land. Since 2005, we have accompanied many priests here, but now we dream of welcoming up to 1,000 priests each year, diocesan and religious, so that they may return to the sources of their vocation, rest their hearts, and renew the joy of their ministry.

‍

Another initiative that continues to grow from Magdala is One Step Closer, inspired by the prayer of Jesus in John 17: “That they may all be one… so that the world may believe.”

This prayer has a very special resonance here in the Holy Land, where Christians of so many traditions share the same sacred places, the same history, and, above all, the same Lord.

On November 10, we will host the One Step Closer Online Gathering, bringing together Christians from different traditions and countries to reflect on unity, friendship, and what it means to walk together as followers of Christ.

From the shores of the Sea of Galilee, we want to continue doing our small part to build bridges: through prayer, sincere encounter, dialogue, and concrete gestures of friendship.

I warmly invite you to join us. Christian unity is not something that belongs only to theologians or Church leaders. It begins also with each of us—with the way we pray, listen, welcome one another, and learn to recognize what already unites us in Christ.

Register for the One Step Closer Online Gathering

Construction is also moving forward on the Magdala restaurant and the priestly residence. We are deeply grateful to so many friends and benefactors whose generosity is making these projects possible.

Everything has one very simple purpose: to serve better—to serve the pilgrim, the Church, and all those who come to Magdala seeking an encounter with God.

‍

On October 8 and 9, Magdala also hosted the international “Revealing Magdala: Archaeological Workshop & Conference,” bringing together archaeologists and researchers from institutions in Israel, Mexico, and Italy.

New studies were presented on Magdala’s synagogues, harbor, and the daily and religious life of its ancient inhabitants, as well as new perspectives on how to preserve and share this extraordinary heritage.

I am always struck by how much there is still to discover. At Magdala, the stones speak, and the better we understand their history, the better we can preserve it and share it with those who come after us.

If you would like to watch the conference, you can access the recordings here:

Watch the Revealing Magdala Conference

‍

And now I want to share some news that has truly filled us with joy:

Last week, in just seven days, we welcomed more pilgrims to Magdala than during the entire rest of the year!

After such a long time, seeing buses arrive again, hearing different languages, greeting guides we had not seen in years, and watching groups once more pray and walk through Magdala felt like a breath of fresh air.

And not only for us. Every pilgrim who returns also means work returning for guides, drivers, hotels, restaurants, and so many families who depend on pilgrimage.

It is still early, but this sign fills us with hope. It encourages us to think again about our volunteers, restoring jobs, and looking toward the future with renewed confidence and enthusiasm.

‍

During November, I will travel again to Mexico and Guatemala to visit different communities, offer Touching the Cloak retreats and talks, and take part in other pastoral activities connected with Magdala.

It will be another opportunity to meet in person, pray together, and continue strengthening this Magdala Family.

Here is the schedule as it currently stands:

November 8 — Xalapa
Touching the Cloak retreat, Universidad Anáhuac, 4:00–7:00 p.m., including Sunday Mass. Voluntary donation.

November 11 — Poza Rica
He Went About Doing Good retreat, Colegio Motolinía, 5:00–8:00 p.m.

November 12 — Pachuca
Touching the Cloak retreat, “La Villita,” 5:00–8:00 p.m. Voluntary donation.

November 14 — Guatemala City
Touching the Cloak retreat, 4:00–7:00 p.m. Location to be confirmed.

November 15 — Guatemala City
Sunday Mass. Location and time to be confirmed.

November 17 — Mérida
Touching the Cloak retreat. Location and time to be confirmed.

November 20–22 — Puebla
Participation in the Torneo de la Amistad, with New Gate Tours and Magdala.

It will be a great joy to meet many of you again.

‍

In the meantime, let us keep looking forward without ceasing to look upward.

There are wounds that still need healing, projects that need to grow, and pilgrims we long to welcome back. But above all, we have the certainty that God continues to act, even when His ways are not immediately clear to us.

Thank you, as always, for walking with Magdala, for your prayers, your friendship, and your generosity.

May the Virgin Mary cover you with her mantle, and may the Lord grant the Holy Land—and the whole world—the precious gift of peace.

United always in prayer,

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