Should anyone have their doubts, they should watch some video from the past few days to re-find their faith. They would see people who still want a family, can make a serious commitment to a “forever love,” search for solid values and share them, and hold the deep, touching feelings that young people have. Here were the ingredients for a remarkable three-day event: 75 engaged couples, 11 families, a special place, an openness to look to the future and put it in play, sharing experiences and dreams, consulting with experts, and points of light from the words of Pope Francis and the spirituality of unity. The February 10–12 meeting brought engaged couples from all over Italy (with some representatives from Spain, England, Belgium and Serbia) to Loppiano, the Focolare little city near Florence. This was just one course in a program for young couples by the New Families Movement (part of the larger Focolare Movement) in Italy. The challenge taken up by the course organizers was not a simple one; the well-conceived program aimed to throw some light on the difficulties that come with living as a couple. Participants were able to take in a number of reflections, starting from the words of Chiara Lubich on the possibility that a couple could be “seeds of communion for the third millennium.” Experts covered themes such as engagement, the sacrament of marriage and family life. Among them were Rino and Rita Ventriglia, neurologist-psychotherapist and gynecologist-sex specialist; the Vacchers, a married couple from the Forum delle Associazioni Familiari of Treviso; theologian Father Stefano Isolan; and psychologist Inaki Guerrero. These topics were enriched by experiences from the experts and some of the families hosting the event. Experiences particularly resonated from a number of international families attending a course at Loppiano’s Loreto School for a few months. Their stories of a lifestyle that is simple, Gospel-inspired, and full of faith in God’s providence showed that it could be widely imitated and accessible to many. There were many opportunities for exchange and dialogue, both for each couple and with other participants. There were also special evenings that included a romantic dinner, a festive paella and a tour of the little city. By the end of the three days, it became hard to leave, for everyone to return to their cities. Many people’s impressions, other than a deep joy, were to have experienced something fundamental, both personally and as a couple. Many said they found new energy and tools to build a future on solid foundations, and to give the world a taste of the beauty that it is to be family. Source: Famiglie Nuove online

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