The Focolare town in Holland is located a half hour’s drive away from Eindhoven Airport and is called Marienkroon (The Crowning of Mary). The journey was nice and easy. The cars transporting Focolare President, Maria Voce, and co-President, Giancarlo Faletti ,were literally swarmed by ringing bicycles decorated with small bike lights and balloons. This cortege accompanied them to the entrance of the center, and darkness soon began to fall. The heavy gate was locked and Maria Voce was the one to open it, symbolically, with an over-sized key. Beyond the gate is a lush green lawn, encircled by the buildings of this ex-Cistercian monastery, which has taken ten years to renovate and to adapt as a center of spirituality for modern times. As the trumpet sounds, the flag of the Movement with its golden four-pointed star on a blue background was hoisted on the flagpole. It was a simple gesture, an intimate moment charged with meaning. Each of the small town’s inhabitants wanted to give a personal welcome to the president and co-president. They toured the complex which often welcomes groups of school children and associations who are interested in the place and the life that dwells within these walls. The cultural events that regularly take place on the grounds are deeply appreciated by the people of the area. Each year a large book fair is held, a week-long vacation for teenagers from the region, a plant auction and various spiritual gatherings. Marienkroon draws people of all kinds: young people and adults, Christians, people belonging to other religions or without any religious affiliation. After searching for ten years, in 2001 the Focolare Movement purchased the property from the Cistercians at the symbolic cost of 1 euro. Two Cistercian fathers still live here, together with Cardinal Simonis. All three are close friends of the Movement. Many projects are foreseen for the coming years in order to modernize this Focolare town, to make it functional and corresponding to the prophetic words of Chiara Lubich who, when she visited Holland in 1982 had this to say: “Firstly we must show the life of a community, the place in which you strive to live the Gospel together. This will draw attention and evangelization will happen as a consequence.” By our correspondent Giulio Meazzini