New apostolate to atheists and agnostics takes off in Spain

The conversion of Javier Huerta has led to the establishment of “Encuentros Siloé,” a new apostolate dedicated to making the reasonableness of faith accessible to atheists and agnostics.

Encuentros Siloé (Siloam Encounters), a new apostolate that introduces atheists and agnostics to the reasonableness of faith through in-home gatherings that combine personal testimonies, videos, music, and dialogue, all began with the conversion of Javier Huerta.

The ministry takes its name from Jesus’ healing of the blind man at the Pool of Siloam (Jn 9:1-41) whereby the blind man receives not only physical but also spiritual sight and puts his faith in Jesus.

Approximately 1,000 people have attended one of the more than 25 gatherings held over the last three years, and the results have prompted the organizers to take the step of formally establishing an association.

Although the initiative does not yet have official ecclesiastical endorsement, it receives spiritual guidance from several priests and will soon be presented to the Archdiocese of Madrid in Spain.

‘I didn’t believe in anything’

Huerta answered a call from EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, while walking the Camino de Santiago along the stretch that leads from Burgos Cathedral to León Cathedral.

Without breaking his stride, he explained with enthusiasm and gratitude how his conversion took place while he was in his garden at home: “I received the love of God. I didn’t believe in anything; I had no faith. In fact, I didn’t even remember that there were four Evangelists. I actually had to look up ‘Gospels’ on the internet,” he admitted humbly.

From that moment on, he experienced “the absolute certainty that God exists and is in our hearts” and that this entails turning to him “in order to become the best version of ourselves and offer that to others.” This same process also took place for his wife, Marta del Sol.

‘The best parties for Jesus’

On their journey of conversion, Javier and Marta made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. While walking the Stations of the Cross, a longing stirred in Javier’s heart: “I had to throw the best parties for Jesus.”

His home has always been open to friends and to hosting the best events. From that point on, the gift for hospitality was placed at the service of evangelization, as they wanted to share the joy they had rediscovered through their faith “with great pride, and without any sense of shame.”

Javier Huerta also felt a deep “need to know more and learn,” which led him to read countless books that showed that faith is reasonable, including works by José Carlos González Hurtado, president of EWTN Spain.

Drawing on all this information, he created a 40-minute video about God and the creation of the universe, which he uses during his events. Through this tool and his own testimony, they created an environment where people “could express themselves and talk about the meaning of life and more profound, transcendent matters.”

Those who attended the initial meetings left “filled with much love” and a desire to share the experience. The experience also resonated with their children, and they began holding double sessions: Fridays for young people and Saturdays for adults, with 45 participants in each group.

“We’ve done this some 20-odd times, and the sessions have always been full. The Virgin has always ensured they were full,” even with people they didn’t know.

Like the early Christians

Javier is convinced that hospitality in a private home helps those who are far from the faith and who harbor “strong resistance” toward going to a parish due to “false stereotypes.”

Following the model of the small Christian communities of the first century, they open their homes and speak about God without getting to “complex theology.”

It’s a matter, Javier explained, of doing what Andrew did for Peter, or Philip for Nathanael: “Bringing them to [Jesus]. And then, God’s grace must be allowed to work.”

On Saturday, Oct. 17, more than 400 people attended a theater in Torrelodones, a town near Madrid, where the association Encuentros Siloé was formally introduced, along with a second video about the person of Jesus.

Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The leadership team of Encuentros Siolé was formed under the mantle of the Virgin of Guadalupe. A few months ago, Javier and Marta traveled to Mexico City to participate in an Encounter conference, a Catholic training program for those engaged in apostolic ministry.

There they met Juan Armada and María Soledad Martínez-Avial, with whom they shared their experience, and they committed to working together to shape the association that had just been unveiled.

The fruits, beyond what has already been harvested, seem set to grow even further. For November alone, gatherings are already scheduled in Málaga, Burgos, and at several private homes in Madrid.

‘To reconquer Spain once again’

The creation of Encuentros Siloé, with its special focus on those estranged from the faith, comes shortly after the news that, for the first time, more Spaniards identify as atheists than as practicing Catholics.

Indeed, Bishop Mikel Garciandía recently observed that the country is in a sense a mission field, because “in Spain, the Word has theoretically been sown, but it has been forgotten or considered secondary” in people’s lives.

Javier said he feels deeply challenged by this reality. For this reason, he pointed out that “we must reconquer Spain, a land that belongs to Mary, and once again become a light to the world.”

Beyond home gatherings

The association includes about 25 people committed to the apostolate, all of whom contribute selflessly. Among them are some of the future hosts for these gatherings who will receive specific training to ensure the preservation of the method and doctrinal orthodoxy.

However, Javier and Marta’s experience has made them keenly aware that a one-time encounter is not enough; rather, any journey of conversion requires ongoing accompaniment.

Toward this end, they also hold biweekly online meetings, provide educational resources and reading materials, and strive to build community bonds and provide support for each individual’s personal journey.

This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.