Women in Religious Life, adherents of the Focolare: 40 years of history

Participants will come from all over the world to celebrate 40 years since the first recognition by Pope Paul VI for this section of the Focolare Movement.

“Deepen your acquaintance and unity with your respective founders in an atmosphere of fraternal charity” was the path that Paul VI indicated at a public audience on 14^th April 1971, naming them “Religious adherents to the Focolare Movement”.

Since then numerous women from around the world and from different religious congregations and secular institutes met every year for formation and updating. These moments together allow for an ever profounder communion and deeper acquaintance with the points of the Spirituality of Unity.

“Present since the beginning of the Movement, the women religious, whose various spiritualities became ever more harmonious and glowing in the light of a common brotherhood,  gave us the possibility to contemplate religious families, orders, and congregations as flower beds in the magnificent garden of the Church where all virtues have blossomed and flourish”, stated Chiara in her acceptance speech for an Honorary Degree in Theology of Consecrated Life.

The theme of the meeting in Castel Gandolfo will be the Will of God. Theological, spiritual and social elaboration will be followed by a rich exchange of life experiences by representatives of different vocations in the Movement.

As a response to present day challenges in society, special attention will be given to interreligious dialogue.

The focus point of the event will be a solemn thanksgiving celebration followed by a series of experiences about the beginnings of the movement.

There will be a special artistic moment inviting everyone to walk together towards “sainthood”.