Sofia from Italy told us, “At the “School of Fire”, I was able to build a stronger connection with God and I began to see faith from a different point of view”. José from Panama, “For me it was an extraordinary experience, living every moment together with everyone, I experienced the promise of Jesus who is present among us when we love one another and that, even in diversity, we can live unity and bring it to others”.
These are two of the testimonies of boys and girls who, over the years, have participated in the “School of Fire”, the annual meeting for teenagers of the Focolare Movement. This year it will take place from 30th December 2025 to 7th January 2026 at the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome). There will be 250 participants from 15 countries: South Korea, Lebanon, Jordan, Austria, Great Britain, Portugal, Italy, Nigeria, Burundi, Ivory Coast, USA, Panama, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Brazil.
Over time, this type of experience has proved to be a dynamic and exciting encounter that has provided an ideal space for the young people to build real relationships with Jesus; a unique opportunity to be in contact with peers who share the same interests and who ask the same questions despite coming from very distant realities, with different linguistic, cultural and experiential backgrounds. This dimension, the possibility of being able to understand the way others see reality, the commitment to live the Charism of unity proposed by the Movement together, supports and encourages the participants, encouraging them to seriously work to achieve the ‘testament’ of Jesus, ‘May all be one ‘(Jn. 17:21).
The “School of Fire” took place for the first time in 2020, on the occasion of the Centenary of the birth of Chiara Lubich, founder of Focolare, who always encouraged the “Gen 3” (the teenagers of the Movement) to live out that evangelical love that has radically changed the lives of many. In her speech in Washington in the year 2000, referring to the origins of the Movement, Chiara explained, “From the beginning, we said that we were students at the “School of Fire”, to underline the power of that Teacher who, because of our mutual love, was present among us and was teaching those who would bring this new current of life to the whole world”.
The exchange of testimonies on actions of solidarity often gives rise to other ideas and initiatives among the young people. The participants from Croatia said, “We wanted the “School of Fire” to be more than just a memory and, encouraged by what we had heard, when we heard that in Bosnia and Erzagovina, countries close to ours, many people were suffering due to a terrible flood, we decided to help. What did we do? We held a charity concert in Krizevci to raise funds for those affected. We were interviewed by the local radio where we were able to explain the initiative and invite people to participate in the concert. It was a great success. To our great joy, the city’s music school and the music group Klapa Leggero joined the initiative. During the concert we were also able to sell some paintings that the Mayor of Krizevci had given us for the purpose of raising funds for the people affected by the flood.”
In the Czech Republic, for some years the young adults of the Focolare have been helping people in need, carrying out all kinds of work in homes and gardens. Encouraged by the testimonies of proximity heard at the “School of Fire”, the Czech youth wanted to do something similar. They said, “We found out that in our country there are some abandoned rectories that are being repaired through a project called ‘living rectories’ and so we offered to repair the one in Křivoklát that can now be used by families, children and young people from several communities”. 70 boys and girls aged 12 to 18 took part in the project, together with some parents and other adults. “We knocked down walls, repaired walls, painted windows and tidied the garden. In Křivoklát there is a beautiful castle and, to involve the people who live around it, we invited people to a conference and a high-level charity concert performed by our friends from the Prague Cello Quartet”. In the end, there was no shortage of surprises: thanks to the Mayor, the young people were able to spend the night right inside the castle!
This year the “School of Fire” is part of the celebration of the conclusion of the Jubilee and it aims to rekindle hope in the hearts of many. In addition, it will start the year in which the young generations of the Focolare Movement celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Gen Movement, an acronym for New Generation. 2026 will be the year in which we look at what has been achieved: the lives of many children, teens and young people who have generated closeness and change in them and around them, a concrete way to work together with many others to build a more united and peaceful world.
Assisi is not only the city of Saint Francis; it has become the beating heart and the home of all those who wish to seriously live out the values of integral ecology. Inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures, the poem written by Saint Francis, a project was born here that is changing the way we relate to the planet: ASSISI Terra Laudato Sì (ATLS). Inaugurated on 22nd April 2024, ATLS is not a place made of bricks, but a true “ecosystem” where we can meet, recharge our spiritual batteries and put our commitment to our common home into practice.
This significant project is founded on the four inseparable dimensions of integral ecology identified by Pope Francis: care for nature, justice for the poor, engagement in society and inner peace. It is a contemporary response to the call we feel to “go and repair our common home.”
The Ecosystem of Volunteering: Laudato Sì and Focolare in Action
ASSISI Terra Laudato Sì offers an intensive programme of Laudato Sì Retreats and, above all, a Volunteer Programme that enables people to live an immersive experience by offering their time to others. The activities are animated by a shared desire and a strong spirit of “synodal” exchange among the various partners.
An example of this collaboration comes from the Focolare Movement, confirming an important charismatic partnership. Cristina Calvo, an Argentinian focolarina, volunteered for 40 days, actively participating in the methodology and content of ATLS. Hosted at the Sanctuary of San Damiano, along with friars, visitors and school and parish groups, she shared not only liturgical moments but also the contemporary relevance of the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, highlighting their prophetic connection with the Encyclical Laudato Sì.
Cristina described this opportunity as an “immense gift from God,” a concrete demonstration that gentle collaboration and modest hospitality are a winning formula for a lived experience in favour of Creation.
If you too feel a strong call to contribute and wish to live the values of integral ecology in a unique spiritual setting, the invitation is simple: “Come and see!” You can register right away for a Retreat or to become a Volunteer on the website AssisiLaudatoSi.org.
Founded in 1997, the initiative ‘They have evicted Jesus’ originates from a reflection by Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, who, struck by the absence of any reference to the true meaning of Christmas, invited people to bring Jesus back to the heart of it.
All over the world, thousands of Gen 4 – the children of the Focolare Movement – have responded to this appeal and every year they produce small plaster statues of the baby Jesus, which are then given to people passing by on street corners during the Christmas period. The donations received are used for projects aimed at those children who are in need or who live in countries at war in various parts of the world.
… On the 7th of December 1943 I went to church alone. There was a violent storm outside. It really gave me the impression that I had the world against me.
… A small kneeler had been prepared for me before the altar, and I had a tiny missal in my hands. The priest had me pronounce the formula to give myself completely to God forever. I was so happy that I probably didn’t even realize what I was doing, maybe because I was young. However, when I pronounced the formula, I had the impression that a bridge was falling behind me and that I could no longer turn back because now I belonged entirely to God, therefore, I could no longer choose. At this point, a tear fell on the tiny missal.
But my happiness was immense! Do you know why? I was marrying God, and I expected every possible good. It would be fantastic! It would be a divine, extraordinary adventure! I was marrying God! And then we saw that it was really like this.
… What is my advice? I would give this advice to myself: we have only one life. Let’s aim high. Let’s aim high. Let’s risk everything to gain everything. It’s worth it, it’s worth it. … But as far as you are concerned, make this act of generosity: aim high, don’t hold back!
One afternoon I went to visit my mother to bring her a few things, as I usually do. It was hot and she was still having her nap, so I left everything in the utility room so as not to wake her. When I was about to leave, I noticed that the grass along the pavement (in our town this task is handled by the municipality) had been cut and a bit of a mess had been left. I immediately thought that when she woke up, she would see the pavement in that state and start sweeping it, even though she shouldn’t do that because it gives her back pain. So I went back to get a brush, because I know and started sweeping. This simple, small experience gave me the same joy I used to feel when I was a Gen 3, a teenager in the Focolare Movement, even though many years have passed.
(D. C. – Argentina)
While Shopping
Yesterday I was at the supermarket. While I was looking at some products on a shelf, I noticed a man staring at me insistently. Since I didn’t recognize him, I went on with my shopping, and so did he. A little later, though, as I was leaving, he was waiting for me and greeted me: “Don’t you remember me?” Since his face didn’t look familiar, I asked him to give me a clue. “I’m Stefan,” he replied, “years ago you helped me a lot with a document you prepared for me. Look, I still have it!” He opened his wallet, beaming and showed me an ID card that used to be issued to foreigners years ago. I looked at the date and saw it was from 1993, but still in perfect condition. Stefan said: “It’s been thirty-two years, but I’ve never forgotten how much you did for me and what that document meant to me at the time, so I’ve always kept it in your memory. Thank you!” Then he added: “You look just the same as back then.” He didn’t notice the wrinkles; he remembered the love. And love remains.
(A.P. – Italy)
Compiled by Maria Grazia Berretta (From Il Vangelo del Giorno, Città Nuova, Year X – No. 1, September–October 2025)
Violence – even verbal violence – seems to be increasingly characteristic of our age. On social media, divisions go viral and create even more hatred, accentuate polarization and shut the door on dialogue. It is not easy to break out of this cycle. Phil lives in Tucson, Arizona, and Laura is from Boston. Politically, they are on opposite sides, but they share the charism of unity and a commitment to living the Gospel every day. Here they recount how they have experienced that not only words, but also sincere listening can open gaps in the walls of the most stubborn convictions.
