Fiume Maddalena, Apostolic Prefecture of. — The mission is situated in the northwestern regions of the Republic of Colombia and encompasses all the territory along the right bank of the Río Magdalena. It was erected as an apostolic prefecture in 1928 through the dismemberment of the dioceses of Santa Marta, Pamplona, Socorro, and San Gil, and entrusted to the Jesuits of the Colombian province. By decree of 18 April 1950, it was elevated to an apostolic vicariate with the title of Barrancabermeja.
In the past, the territory was sparsely populated due to frequent flooding. The number of inhabitants increased with the establishment of oil wells by American industrial companies. Communication routes are scarce: there is only one railway line running from Puerto Wilches to Bucaramanga; the rest of the country is traversed by mule tracks. During the hot seasons, the region is often infested by small insects that cause dangerous malarial fevers, treated with primitive methods and lemon water, a fruit abundant in the area. The population is mostly composed of Negroes, descendants of Africans brought to Colombia, who live very primitively, sustaining themselves through hunting and fishing. They have a very lively faith: they bring their children to be baptized at great cost in terms of long journeys, and they themselves baptize the sick in danger of death. In times of peril, they invoke God, the Madonna, and the saints Pauloni. Some, called *recandore*, are believed to possess the virtue of healing snakebite ailments through the recitation of particular prayers and simple signs of the cross.
The statistical data of the mission can be summarized as follows: total population 40,780, of which 39,344 Catholics, 42 Protestants, 8 schismatics, and 4 Manichaeans. In 1948, there were 6 adult baptisms and 2,453 infant baptisms. Personnel: Colombian priests 6, foreign priests 6; brothers 10; sisters 20; catechists 34 men and 56 women; teachers 27 men and 65 women. Almost 5 parishes, 16 churches, 17 chapels. Elementary schools 1. Printing: printing presses 1; periodicals: *La Hijra del Hagar* with 2,000 copies.