Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Sunday, 12 May 2024
Experience the Holy Land from Mexico with Magdala
Encounter Magdala 2024 will be a journey of faith and love for God, in preparation for the celebration of the year 2033, anniversary of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ

exaudi.org :

Due to the current conflict in the Middle East, Magdala has decided to bring a Holy Land experience to Mexico from July 25 to 28 of this year. The Encounter Magdala is an event that will take place in Puebla, a state notable for the deep-rooted presence of the Congregation of the Franciscans, who have guarded the sacred places of the Holy Land for more than 800 years. In addition, Puebla has more than 500 churches that extend throughout its territory and a Catholic population that exceeds 80 per cent, according to data from the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI). This deep connection is evident in the presence of elements inspired by the Land of Jesus, as part of the Via Crucis, and various monuments, which make Puebla a significant place to experience the spirituality of the Holy Land.

 

The event, which will have the notable participation of the Archbishop of Puebla, Monsignor Víctor Sánchez, is conceived as a journey of faith and devotion towards God, designed in preparation for the celebration of the year 2033, commemorating the anniversary of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. The Encounter Magdala, as in its previous edition, is based on four fundamental pillars: Sing, Walk, Share, and Celebrate. This meeting brings together young people and those “young at heart” who, through pilgrimages, prayers, songs, and spiritual accompaniment, seek to deeply experience the love of Christ. It is a unique opportunity to nurture faith and strengthen the bond with Christian spirituality.

 

During the Encounter Magdala, we will enjoy a unique night of concert, with the participation of prominent artists such as José Ignacio Martínez and Paola Pablo, who will perform the anthem “Teach us to pray” from the Pilgrimage of Prayer. We will also have the presence of the talented singer Ana Bolívar, from the Open sky community, and Rogelio Casasola, recognized for his emotional song “Rain of Grace”, anthem of the Pilgrimage of Grace. This musical evening is designed to immerse pilgrims in the atmosphere of the Holy Land through captivating songs and videos that will be projected.

 

The event itinerary highlights with a visit to the picturesque city of San Pedro Cholula, the charming town of Santa María Tonantzintla and the historic temple of San Francisco Acatepec. In addition, it includes a significant pilgrimage from the municipality of Tecali de Herrera to the municipality of Cuautinchan. The Eucharistic Celebrations will take place in the auditorium of the University Cultural Complex of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), accompanied by spiritual talks, as well as a night of adoration and praise.

 

“Puebla was an important center for evangelical irradiation. Numerous religious orders and congregations were established there, as witnessed by the churches in the historic center, the convents, the old Jesuit College and the Cathedral. Puebla was key in the first evangelization of North America and the evangelization of the Philippines also happened there,” comments Father Juan María Solana, L.C., general director of Magdala.