Welcome to Magis Americas

Who is Magis Americas?  Magis Americas is you!  With your support Magis Americas helps networks of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuit Order) around the world.  The word “magis” literally means “more” in Latin, we ask you to stand with us and do more for the global poor.

Support of Magis Americas goes directly to fund Jesuit programs to offer educational opportunities to some of the poorest areas of the world. We advocate for human rights and fundamental freedoms among migrant families and we advocate for ecological justice, particularly in the Amazon.  We have a special relationship with CPAL (the Conference of Jesuit Provincials in Latin America and the Caribbean) and the JCCU (Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States) to raise resources for Jesuit missions and ministries outside of the United States.

Fe y Alegria

Corazón Fe y Alegría

Fe y Alegria is a Jesuit educational network most famous for high schools, but did you know they also offer adult educational programs for people in need?

These educational programs range from courses in computer science and foreign languages, to how to bake and to serve to make a living.

While visiting Fe y Alegria in El Salvador the Magis Americas team was fortunate enough to encounter a group of women learning to bake Alfajores (mouth-watering dulce de leche cookies).

We wanted to share the recipe with you so you could bake them and share a small part of our experience.  We pray that as your  kitchen fills with the aroma of these delicious treats, that you imagine being at the center with us teaching someone in need how to bake so they can support their own families.

ALFAJORES (DULCE DE LECHE SANDWICH COOKIES)

Baking Class Fe y Alegria

PREP TIME: 15 mins
COOK TIME: 15 mins
CHILL TIME: 2 hrs
TOTAL TIME: 2 hrs 30 mins
YIELD: 3 dozen 2-inch cookie sandwiches

Classic alfajores filled with dulce de leche and rolled in shredded coconut.

Ingredients Instructions
  • 1 1/2 cups (200g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/8 cups (300g) cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 and 3/4 sticks (200g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar or 1 1/4 cups (150g) powdered sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 350 g (12 oz.) dulce de leche, for filling
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded or desiccated coconut or powdered sugar, for
    rolling
  1. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
  2. In a mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla extract just until combined. Reduce speed to low. Add the flour mixture and beat just until combined. Do not overmix or the cookies will turn out tough.
  3. Form the dough into a ball, then flatten slightly to form a disc. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, until firm enough to roll.
  4. If you don’t want to use the dough right away, you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to a month, then thaw it overnight in the fridge.
  5. Take the dough out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften slightly for easy rolling. On a lightly floured surface (or between 2 pieces of parchment paper), roll the dough to a 1/8 or 1/4-inch (3-5mm) thickness. Cut out into rounds using a 2-inch (5cm) fluted or round cookie cutter, and place the cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
  6. If at any point the dough becomes too warm, place it back into the fridge for a few minutes. Re-roll the remaining scraps and repeat. Place sheets with cookies in the freezer or fridge for at least 15 minutes, until firm, so that they will be less prone to spreading.
  7. Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until cookies appear golden brown at the edges. Allow cookies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then gently transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Spread the bottom half of the cookies with dulce de leche (about a teaspoon). Sandwich together with remaining cookies, pressing slightly so that the caramel oozes out the sides. Roll the sides in shredded coconut or sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  9. Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, leave on the counter, still covered, or overnight in the fridge.

 

Batey Lacheria Clinic
Work of our Jesuit Partners in Batey Lechería in the Dominican Republic.

Other Jesuit Networks and Partners

Our Jesuit partners include: Fe y Alegria, UCA (Universidad CentroAmericana), CIE (Centro Ignacio Ellacuria), RJM (Red Jesuita Con Migrantes), SJPAM (Servico Jesuita Panamazonico), and several individual ministries run by Jesuits in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Saint Oscar Romero

Saint Oscar Romero is a recent saint who we have a deep admiration for.  Like many Ignatian saints, Saint Romero was also an advocate for the poor.  The Magis team was blessed to visit the San Romero Center in San Salvador recently along with several of the historical sites of the UCA martyrs who died for their faith and justice for the poor.

Archbishop Oscar Romero was one of the martyrs, please take a moment to view this short video from our friends at the Archbishop Oscar Romero Trust about Saint Oscar Romero and his work and life dedication to the injustices faced by the poor.

Join Magis Americas in honoring the life of Saint Romero, and all the Jesuit martyrs, by making a contribution to support our global work promoting education, ecology and justice for migrants.

Thank you and God bless you.

Saint Oscar Romero Center
The mural of the San Romero Center in El Salvador.