On the eve of the Jubilee of Movements, Associations, and New Communities, the Focolare Movement promoted and hosted a meeting in Rome for exchange and dialogue among various charisms. The event took place on June 3 at the International Center of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa.
Representing the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt were three members of the International Presidium: the President of the Presidium, Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, and the leading couple of the International Federation of Families, Raúl and Silvina Viñas.
Each community and movement sent three representatives. Leaders from the following charisms participated: Emmanuel, Shalom, New Horizons, Family of Hope, Pope John XXIII Association, New Song, Communion and Liberation, Focolare, Sant’Egidio, and the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt.
The central theme of the meeting was: “How do we respond to the major epochal challenges facing our movements and new communities?”
Powerful testimonies
The program included two 30-minute presentations that addressed the following main topics:
– Focus on youth, presented by Chiara Amarante and Valentina Cason from New Horizons.
– Focus on peace, presented by Andrea Riccardi from Sant’Egidio.
After each presentation, the attendees participated through comments and contributions.
Additionally, the program included personal testimonies, which had a strong impact.
Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, concluded the event with final remarks.
The meeting was marked by the hospitality of the Focolare Movement and the fraternal atmosphere among the different communities/movements, especially during two deeply spiritual moments: the Holy Mass, presided over by Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello and concelebrated by seven other priests; and the final prayer and blessing, both held in the main chapel of the Movement’s Central House.
In a video recorded by the event organizers, Fr. Alexandre commented: “I believe that the Movements offer a very strong and meaningful experience of faith. I think they can be a very effective collaboration for the life of the Church, especially — I would say — in areas like family life, youth experience, to shape the lives of young people through faith and for the formation of society, with concrete contributions in the fields of politics, economy, peacebuilding…”
The meeting was a moment of rich exchange that prepared everyone for the Jubilee of Movements celebrated in the days that followed in Rome.
Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías
