According to the calendar of major events for the Jubilee of Hope 2025, the Jubilee for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly will take place from 30th May- 1st June and the Jubilee for Young People will take place from 28th July-3rd August. These will be two major events that will bring thousands of people from all over the world to Rome.

For the occasion, the Focolare Movement is offering several itineraries to provide opportunities to get to know more about the spirituality of unity and the lives of some witnesses of hope. In particular, a multi-stop tour for young people has been created around Italy entitled Youth and Holiness. We interviewed Paola Torelli and Lais Alexandre Pessoa from the Movement’s Youth Centres to find out more.

Let’s start with the Youth Jubilee: where did the idea of the “Young People and Holiness” tour come from?

The Youth Jubilee is a unique opportunity to set out on a journey, both physically in Rome and in other jubilee locations around the world. This journey is not just about visiting places, but above all it is an experience of encounter with God and with many witnesses of hope, whose lives can help us grow in faith and hope. Hence the idea of Young People and Holiness, a journey in the company of some witnesses of hope, for all the young people participating in the Jubilee at the end of July.

What is the Focolare Movement offering?

Several stops around Italy are planned:

• Sassello (Genoa) to encounter the testimony of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano. (fondazione@chiarabadano.org)

• Vallo Torinese (Turin) to learn about the Servant of God Maria Orsola Bussone. (associazione.cmo@mariaorsola.it)

• Genoa to get to know more about two friends Alberto Michelotti and Carlo Grisolia, now servants of God (info@albertoecarlo.it)

• Loppiano (Florence), the international little town of the Focolare, to meet some of today’s witnesses of hope.(accoglienza@loppiano.it)

• Assisi to discover the life and witness of saint Carlo Acutis, who will be canonised on 27th April 2025 as part of the Jubilee of Adolescents. (Youth Hospitality Program)

• Rome for a journey in stages based on the four key words of the Jubilee: Pilgrimage and Profession of Faith, Holy Door, Hope, Reconciliation. The route will follow the traditional itinerary of the Seven Churches, accompanied by a spiritual guideline.

• 4th August, visit to the International Centre of the Focolare (Rocca di Papa). Visitors can take a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of the charism of unity and the life story of the founder Chiara Lubich, whose body is buried there. (accoglienza@focolare.org)

Can you choose only one stage or is it one complete journey that includes all the stops?

The proposed stages are independent, each group or person can choose which ones to participate in or, if possible, follow the entire route. Contact details are provided for each stop regarding programs and visits.

Are there any other initiatives for young people?

Every month, at the Focolare Meeting Point in Rome there is a gathering entitled Call to one hope – Young people on the Journey. Together with some other Movements and Associations, we offer a chance to nurture and strengthen “hope” through shared testimonies, reflection, silence, and prayer. It’s an experience of mutual discovery. Preparing these events together with the other Movements and Associations helps us grow and become ever more the Church.

Let’s move on now to the Jubilee for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly at the end of May: what does Focolare propose?

There will be two events on Friday, 30th May. They are interactive routes to deepen the Jubilee of Hope, designed for families with children and young people up to the age of 12, They include reflections and games suitable for that age group. The first will take place at the Focolare International Centre where participants can visit several significant places, such as the house where Chiara Lubich lived and the chapel where she is buried, together with the co-founders of the Movement. The second event will take place in Rome in several churches and significant places, starting from the Focolare Meeting Point.

For more information click here or write to: sgmu@focolare.org.

Lorenzo Russo

Photo: Città di Sassello (Italia) ©Davide Papalini