«The letter was written mainly to call attention to the Year of Consecrated Life about to start on Sunday, 30 November. News of local, diocesan and national initiatives have arrived from all parts of the world. We are certain that you will join this initiative according to the possibilities of each single or group of congregations.» This invitation was launched by the international centre of religious of the various congregations throughout the world who share the Focolari’s spirituality, in line with Pope Francis’ letter to all consecrated men and women.

Initiatives are stirring up everywhere: in the diocese of Homa Bay (Kenya), the bishop entrusted to a group of religious brothers, sisters and priests, guided Fr. Leo van de Weijer CMM, the task of coordinating the initiatives for the 2015 Year of Consecrated Life. The year will open with a seminar in Nairobi on 24, 25 and 26 November, with the participation of all the groups of other dioceses. This day of reflection and study will end on 27 November with an inauguration ceremony presided by the Cardinal and the Apostolic Nuncio.

Also the press and especially the consecrated life magazines, have focused on this special Year: the November edition of Vida Religiosa wrote «Pope Francis has launched the Year of Consecrated Life because he sees how the Church and humanity need the fidelity, joy and renewal capacity the Lord has embedded in religious life. And he believes in this and invites us to be faithful to the project the Lord has made us a part of, for the good of humanity»; the various linguistic editions of Unità e Carismi, will dedicate an issue of 2015 to this theme. An article on www.focolare.org will highlight this year’s main events on this theme, and will write about the life of many religious persons who give witness to the brave choices they have made.

The letter poses a query as to the specific contribution the Holy Spirit is suggesting for this Year of Consecrated Life, addressing all the religious who know and live the spirituality of unity. This specific role is expressed in the two challenges that call for «imagination and creativity, concretely expressed in the lives of the single religious or groups with particular focus on the young religious.»

We need to «give a new impetus to the spirituality of communion pointed out St. John Paul II in his “Novo Millennio Ineunte,” in order to give «an ulterior contribution, though a more hidden one, but certainly more effective and appreciated,» of entering «into all the sores of consecrated life today» and recognising the presence of Jesus Forsaken, and «embracing Him, making these sores our very own.»

In this particular time in which the whole Focolari Movement is invited – following the orientations given by the General Assembly and the programme launched by Pope Francis – to go all out, together and be well prepared, the religious are all set to live this spirit in the new step we are asked to take this year. «We want to start with this attitude – the letter ended – and participate in the opening of the Year of Consecrated Life together, with one heart and one soul.»