Cancún’s 31st Marian Encounter: Hope & Faith

CANCÚN — The city of Cancún is preparing to host one of its longest-standing religious traditions, the Marian Encounter, which will celebrate its thirty-first edition on Saturday, November 29, at the Cancún Center.

In an interview, Julián Balbuena Alonso, the event's representative, emphasized the significance of the milestone. "Thirty-one years sounds quick to say, but it is now a fully consolidated tradition not only in Cancún but throughout the entire Diocese of Quintana Roo," he stated.

The event will remain at its traditional venue, the Cancún Center or Convention Center, where it has been held uninterrupted.

Described as a "celebration of faith," the primary objective of the Marian Encounter is to guide attendees through the fundamental values of the Catholic faith. This is achieved with the support of prominent speakers and conference leaders who help participants prepare for and live according to universal principles such as justice, peace, kindness, and solidarity.

This year, the central theme will be hope. This aligns with Pope Francis's determination to declare the year 2025 a Jubilee Year, a "year of joy and a jubilee in hope."

Within this framework, the motto for the 31st Marian Encounter is "Mary, Pilgrim of Hope."

The day-long event will begin at 9:30 AM and continue uninterrupted until approximately 8:00 PM. Organizers expect to welcome around 2,700 people and are urging attendees to purchase their tickets in advance, as capacity is limited and spaces typically sell out.

The conference program is one of the most comprehensive and distinguished aspects of the event. Among the renowned speakers scheduled to appear are Bishop Héctor Mario Pérez Villarreal, the current Secretary General of the Mexican Episcopal Conference; political scientist Agustín Laje, who will address the topic of the "cultural battle"; Monsignor Eduardo Chávez, postulator for the cause of Saint Juan Diego; and priests Ernesto María Caro and Fray Tomás.

Interested individuals can purchase their tickets at several physical points of sale, including the Cathedral, the Shrine of the Untier of Knots, and the parish of San Juan. Additionally, as a new feature to facilitate purchases, tickets are also available online through the encounter's official website: www.encuentromariano.com.