Dear New Families! With great joy I celebrate with you the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of our New Families Movement. I still remember all the enthusiasm, ardour, and passion I had in my heart on that distant July 19, 1967, when speaking to no more than a hundred married focolarini, I felt the need to give life to a Movement for the whole world of families. Over these forty years we have seen the development and fruits of New Families, and we can understand even more clearly the reason for that particular impulse of the Holy Spirit. In fact it was a very demanding initiative. Not only because the family, primary cell of society, is enormously important for the building of a world of values and of peace, but because God’s plan for the family is modelled after his own life, the life of the Most Holy Trinity. God’s plan for the family is indeed daring and very beautiful, but it is also demanding, especially today. Consider for a moment the way contemporary culture views a stable family and marital fidelity. You, New Families, exist precisely in order to be witnesses in this world, witnesses of unity, of lasting love, of the Gospel put into practice. In doing so you will not only be happy, but you will continue to attract many hearts to love, to the point of accomplishing, with the whole Focolare Movement, universal fraternity. I am with you always with great affection and I entrust each one of your families to Mary, Seat of Wisdom and a mother at home. Chiara