The Focolare Movement in Paraguay

 In 1964, the first group of people from Paraguay participated in the summer meeting (the Mariapolis) of the Focolare Movement in Argentina, accompanied by a priest from Asuncion, who had met the Movement in Rome. After the experience of those days, they returned home with their hearts set on fire. From that moment on, they started meeting regularly in order to share their experiences on the Gospel which they tried to live.

In 1968, the Mariapolis in Paraguay was organised by the same Paraguayans with the help of those persons who regularly followed-up the community. In July 1981, Chiara Lubich sent a group of focolarinas and the first Focolare of Asuncion was started. Shortly afterwards, the focolarinos also followed and the communities (present in about 30 different cities) spread all over the country, experienced a new development, thus creating a network which became ever more tightly knit, year after year. By and by, various branches (families, youth, etc.) were born. Even expressions of the Movement which are more committed in the social field, as well as, the Political Movement for Unity, were developed.
 
The commitment to favouring the social development of the country is very much alive. In the economical field, the first production enterprises, inspired by the Economy of sharing, came about. A share of their profits is assigned to social development. Others like “San Miguel di Capiatà” are committed to give their support to the birth of a new quarters on the suburbs of Asuncion, where twenty years earlier some families were evacuated from a permanently flooded degraded area. Besides, there are many members of the Movement who animate the local parish communities.
 
Most recent developments: the new Mariapolis Centre “Mother of Humanity,” formation house of the Movement members, open to all; the inauguration of the Paraguayan New City  Publishing House, official organ of the Movement; and the “Youth Home,” in the vicinity of the Mariapolis Centre.