18 – 19  May 2013

Thousands of members belonging to Movements, New Communities and Lay groups will  participate in the Pentecoste Vigil  and Sunday Mass  in St. Peter’s  Square.

“We would like the Pope to feel  he is meeting thousands of people who yearn to be witnesses of the vitality of faith, of the richness of God’s gifts, of the ability to respond to today’s major challenges through the various  charisms that the movements and associations  are endowed with”.  This is what  Maria Voce augured on the eve of the Pope’s meeting  with  thousands  of members of various ecclesial associations.

 15 years have passed since that first large gathering of movements with John Paul II on May 30, 1998, and seven years passed since a similar meeting with Benedict XVI  that took place on June 3, 2006.  Later on, Papa Ratzinger said: “The ecclesial movements and new communities are one of the most important innovations inspired by the Holy Spirit for the implementation of Vatican Council II”.

18 – 19  May 2013

Thousands of members belonging to Movements, New Communities and Lay groups will  participate in the Pentecoste Vigil  and Sunday Mass  in St. Peter’s  Square.

“We would like the Pope to feel  he is meeting thousands of people who yearn to be witnesses of the vitality of faith, of the richness of God’s gifts, of the ability to respond to today’s major challenges through the various  charisms that the movements and associations  are endowed with”.  This is what  Maria Voce augured on the eve of the Pope’s meeting  with  thousands  of members of various ecclesial associations.

 15 years have passed since that first large gathering of movements with John Paul II on May 30, 1998, and seven years passed since a similar meeting with Benedict XVI  that took place on June 3, 2006.  Later on, Papa Ratzinger said: “The ecclesial movements and new communities are one of the most important innovations inspired by the Holy Spirit for the implementation of Vatican Council II”.

The fruits of communion among movements that matured during these years  are abundant. And their openness even towards movements that belong to other various Christian Churches gave rise to the initiative “Together for Europe”,  a contribuition towards the much hoped for “New Europe of the Spirit”.

Press Release

Interview with Maria Voce

Updated on May, 20th 2013

BF

SIF – Focolare Information Service

1-12 May 2013

United World Project in progress: more than 700 initiatives towards universal brotherhood, the first developments regarding the permanent observatory.

“A united world begins with me”, said a young Frenchman summarizing this year’s experience achieved by Youth for a United World, who had the leading role in a myriad of concrete activities organized at local level.  In Nigeria, for example, 1000 Christians and Muslims, from various ethnic groups participated in the first national Genfest.  The Governor of Anambra State  and the Imam of the Muslim Community were also present. One of the participants said: “ Seeing Christians and  Muslims together at the Genfest I felt that building unity is not a dream but a reality”.

The kick-off to the United World Week took place on May 1 at Jerusalem through   a worldwide live transmission  that linked the 250 young people present there with thousands of others  the world over.  The two-way link-ups with Loppiano (FI), where 3000 young people were present, with Mumbai and Budapest reached more than a million people through social networks.

1-12 May 2013

United World Project in progress: more than 700 initiatives towards universal brotherhood, the first developments regarding the permanent observatory.

“A united world begins with me”, said a young Frenchman summarizing this year’s experience achieved by Youth for a United World, who had the leading role in a myriad of concrete activities organized at local level.  In Nigeria, for example, 1000 Christians and Muslims, from various ethnic groups participated in the first national Genfest.  The Governor of Anambra State  and the Imam of the Muslim Community were also present. One of the participants said: “ Seeing Christians and  Muslims together at the Genfest I felt that building unity is not a dream but a reality”.

The kick-off to the United World Week took place on May 1 at Jerusalem through   a worldwide live transmission  that linked the 250 young people present there with thousands of others  the world over.  The two-way link-ups with Loppiano (FI), where 3000 young people were present, with Mumbai and Budapest reached more than a million people through social networks.

The United World Project launched last September to the 12,000 youth present at the Budapest Genfest was presented everywhere.  Through the initiative of collecting signatures on site www.unitedworldproject.org , thousands are opting for the commitment to live the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This Project also includes the setting up of a permanent observatory, that has already registered more than 700 “fragments of fraternity”, that is, occasional or continuous initiatives carried out  by individuals or groups to promote brotherhood in everyday life.

Press Release

Updated on May, 16th 2013

LH

SIF – Focolare Information Service

April 24  –  May 2,  2013

At Jerusalem in the name of universal brotherhood

120 young people from 20 different countries and representing tens of thousands of others from all over the world will be in Jerusalem from April 24 to May 2 to live together  the event that will conclude the Year of the Genfest.  They have  chosen theHoly Land,  a country of contrasts and divisions but an essential hub for a future of peace,  where they want to “be bridges” of  fraternity.

The programme includes academic and interreligious events.   Very significant ones are the “Forum on Universal Brotherhood”  to be held atBethlehemUniversity, the meeting with Vera Baboun,  and the interreligious symposium atJerusalem, where Rabbi Ron Kronish, director of ICCI  will  participate.

April 24  –  May 2,  2013

At Jerusalem in the name of universal brotherhood

120 young people from 20 different countries and representing tens of thousands of others from all over the world will be in Jerusalem from April 24 to May 2 to live together  the event that will conclude the Year of the Genfest.  They have  chosen theHoly Land,  a country of contrasts and divisions but an essential hub for a future of peace,  where they want to “be bridges” of  fraternity.

The programme includes academic and interreligious events.   Very significant ones are the “Forum on Universal Brotherhood”  to be held atBethlehemUniversity, the meeting with Vera Baboun,  and the interreligious symposium atJerusalem, where Rabbi Ron Kronish, director of ICCI  will  participate.

These young people will also have the  opportunity to  meet the local people and get to know about their everyday life;  amongst these locals there will be  members of the Focolare  Movement in this region.    Among the various activities taking place during these days, there are workshops for school children  that come from Jewish and Palestinian towns. These workshops are being organised by the musical groups  Gen Rosso and Gen Verde and the highlight of this activity will be the two concerts performed.

On May 1 there will be a flashmob and  a march for  peace inJerusalem. Thousands of youth  from all over the world will participate in the concluding programme through direct streaming. Direct link-ups with Loppiano (FI), Mumbai andBudapestare planned as part of this programme.

United World Week, the annual event organised  by the youth of the Focolare Movement since 1996 will start from here.  This is the tip of the iceberg of a commitment to promote unity and peace at all levels. So, “let us be ready” in line with the United World Project,   launched  precisely at Genfest 2012.

This broad commitment wants to be an answer to Pope Francis’ appeal to youth: “Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope” and it is a step towards World Youth Day 2013 at Rio di Janeiro.

Press Release  n°1

Programme

“Be the Bridge” website