Paray-le-Monial, a city in the Burgundy region is not far from other places with a rich spiritual heritage, like Cluny and Taizé, and embodies the artistic heritage of the places of worship it boasts of (this is where Cluny and Cistercian architecture originated), set along the “roads of Romanic culture,” leading to Santiago di Compostela. Furthermore, Jesus appeared here to Saint Margherita Maria Alacoque and this gave rise to the spirituality of the Sacred Heart. The participation of 14 Movements and new Communities, with over 70 members of various ages and experiences, was driven by a fraternal friendship and the desire to broaden their knowledge. Thus a meeting entitled, “Communion and mercy – Experiences and challenges,” was set for 3 – 6 March. Also the bishop of Le Mans, Bishop Yves Le Saux was present. The choice of the place was triggered by the invitation of the Community of Emmanuele since it was here where  an important historical phase of the community began in 1975, and which then diffused worldwide. Some of the participants had already attended last year’s event held near Florence, in Loppiano, while some were there for the first time. “Unity is lived like a polyhedron “– Pope Francis had said to the Catholic Fraternity in 2014.  It invites us to marvel at what we are. In his welcoming speech, Laurent Landete, head of the Emmanuele Comunity, stressed that “Through a spirit of wonder, we contemplate the profiles of your communities.” Mercy is the name of God, the Pope affirmed when he opened the Jubilee Year, and this was the framework which each of the 14 communities placed as the setting of their projects and testimonials.  For the Arche group, the aim is to heal the wounds of disability. The Community has to become a place of forgiveness: and though fragile and vulnerable, we can experience the Father’s mercy. The Pope John XXIII Association targeted sharing with the poor and learning forgiveness. For the Speranza, New Horizons families and the Cenacle Community, it means going into the depths of addiction and existential fragility to bring the resurrection, mercy and reconciliation with oneself and the world. All this may appear to be mere social actions, but upon listening to their experiences, a profound spirituality ensued, and they became striking examples of the pedagogy of the Gospel. For the Canção Nova Community, mercy means using the means of communication to be able to bring the good news to all of humanity. Unity for the Focolare is the renewal of its choice to stand in every moment, side by side with each person we meet, with the inevitable alternation of light and shadows. Love for our brother and the “pact of mercy” are the practices that help reach this goal. The Catholic Shalom Community instead targeted mercy as a mission, in unforeseen situations such as that of the Carnival of Rio. The Community of the Beatitudes chose to share the path in identifying and expressing its ecclesiastic features in its Statutes, and the Regnum Christi Community focused on sharing the Church’s goals and fraternal friendship in Christ as referral points of light. The current events gave a strong imprint on the relationships that ensued during the meeting.  The Emmanuele Community shared its interreligious dialogue initiatives, especially with the Muslims. This was an important fact, considering the serious attacks that came about in the country. Also the Sant’Egidio Community stressed the importance of peace, the acquisition of a vision of a world that discovers brotherhood as its innermost being. The Chemin Neuf Community stressed that sharing strengthens communion, and makes us experience the extraordinary mercy of the Father who is unity: the source of their mission. “Diverse charisms in the kaleidoscope of the testimonials, appeared like God’s Love reaching out to humanity today”, declared Lina Ciampi who participated on behalf of the Focolare. There was a strong desire in everyone to meet again, and the determination to keep in touch and pray for one another. A pact of benevolence among us, concluded the meeting.