Pleading for Peace

Silence, prayer, reflection: today, the 2nd of March, the 3-day spiritual retreat of the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement began. Moments of ‘one-to-one’ with God and moments of communion alternate during these days in which the news that arrives, especially from the many war fronts, is increasingly tragic. Here, where the whole Movement is represented, the world news is close at hand, bringing people, places, communities and nations that are suffering into our presence.

For this reason, we invite all those who belong to the Movement throughout the world to pray, through various personal and collective initiatives, to call on Heaven for the gift of peace.

The programme of the General Assembly

The President’s report on the 2021-2026 5-year term will be presented on the 5th of March, and working sessions on selected topics will be held from the 6th to the 11th of March. Work will be carried out in groups using a method of dialogue and discernment called ‘Conversation in the Spirit’. Plenary sessions and votes on the outcomes are also planned.

The elections for the new Central Government – President, Co-President and Councillors – will be held from the 12th to the 15th of March. From the 16th to the 20th of March, the programme includes discussions and votes on proposed amendments to the General Statutes and Regulations. The Assembly will conclude in Rome on the 21st of March: everyone in the Assembly will be received in audience by Pope Leo XIV.

At the conclusion of the various stages of the Assembly, we will send you brief updates. The next one will be on the 5th of March, at the conclusion of the retreat days.

Stefania Tanesini
with the Multimedia Communication and Linguistic Services team

Photo: Time-out for peace during the Assembly © Javier García-CSC Audiovisivi