Dear Magdala Family, 

We are now celebrating the Novena of Mary Magdalene. She is our patron, model and intercessor.   

She is our patron. By God’s providence we have had the grace of God to serve in the Holy Land in her homeland and hometown. We recognize that she accompanies us from heaven with her example and her intercession. It is no small thing to be among the most faithful followers of Jesus Christ during his historic life. Mary Magdalene was accepted by Jesus in his innermost and intimate circle of friends and collaborators. Mary Magdalene could tell us that gospel passage  that Jesus revealed to his chosen ones on countless occasions. The Gospel tells us that when he was alone with his disciples they asked him… he asked them, they told him, they asked him… What an exceptional and incredible interaction they experienced, among whom Mary Magdalene stands out for her leadership, for her continued presence in accompanying and serving Jesus, especially in the last hours of the Passion. 

Mary Magdalene is our patroness. That is why we rejoiced so much when, several years ago, Pope Francis raised her liturgical memory to the level of a liturgical feast, like the other apostles. For this reason, this year, within the framework of the inaugural Youthfest, we are going to celebrate her with deep gratitude. We are going to place ourselves once again under her intercession, and to commit ourselves to deliver all the messages that she carries for our world today. 

She is our model. All followers of Jesus are like precious stones on which the light of Christ reflects. Each one with his personality, his particular story, his gestures, actions and reactions, transmits something of the mystery of Christ to us. Mary Magdalene reflects the Mercy of Jesus’ Heart. Could we perhaps talk about a Prodigal Daughter? Can we imagine Jesus, next to the Sea of Galilee, saying to Mary Magdalene, as he did to Peter, “Do you love me? Do you love me more than these?”… Mary Magdalene reflects the depths of Mercy. Mary Magdalene healed her heart, without complexes or reluctance, she threw herself completely into following and serving Jesus. Up to what degree? To the point being chosen by the Risen Jesus Christ to bring the announcement of the resurrection to the very apostles! 

Mary Magdalene is our intercessor. Mary Magdalene enjoys the presence of God in heaven. Through the communion of saints, she can intercede for us before Jesus Christ. She can and wants each and every one of us to fulfill her Christian vocation. She will surely be pleased that among us there are many followers of Jesus and preachers of the mystery of the Resurrection. 

At this moment, we entrust Magdala’s first Youthfest Encounter 2023 to her. May she obtain for us, with her intercession, all the graces we need so that this activity is a true encounter with Jesus Christ among all participants, and thus we begin our 2023-2033 itinerary, until the two thousandth anniversary of the Resurrection. 

We wish you a restful summer with family time and many blessings from God. 

Fraternally yours,