Focolare Movement

Synod: The New Evangelization and the Focolare Movement

Oct 18, 2012

Maria Voce's speech at the Synod of Bishops on 17 October. She highlighted a few pathways pursued by the Focolare Movement in living out the New Summary of Maria Voce’s words to the Synod of Bishops on 17 October. Continuing education, Gospel life, ‘environmental cells’, Mariapolises, dialogue, immersion in contemporary culture are just a few of the ways the Focolare follows on the path of the new evangelization.

The Focolare Movement – with members of all ages, present in the 5 continents, in 194 nations, at every level of society, in religious and lay environments, often in challenging situations – together with the whole Church has been involved in evangelization with new urgency and ardour.

Convinced of the importance of being evangelized so as to be able to evangelize, it pays attention to the formation of its members so they can be light, leaven and salt. ‘Environmental cells’, made up of two or more people in the same place, bring the living presence of the ‘Risen One’ everywhere, into families, factories, places of public administration, hospitals, schools and  universities. At the local level, it builds relationships of fraternity inspired by the Gospel through  ‘local communities’ within suburbs and towns.

Following its charism which is the unity Jesus prayed for the night before he died (Jn 17:21), the Movement prefers to give a communitarian witness, especially through international days or meetings, the annual gatherings called ‘Mariapolis’ and the Movement’s little towns where the law governing all is Jesus’ new commandment of love for one another. The Focolare also uses the press, such as the magazine and publishing house Città Nuova, and the new media and social networks.

It gives special emphasis to dialogue: Christian ecumenism, among believers of different religions, with those who do not have any specific religious conviction and with contemporary culture where the Movement offers its contribution to illuminating society’s various cultural spheres with a Christian light.

___

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

10 years after Laudato Si’ the ‘Amazonia project

10 years after Laudato Si’ the ‘Amazonia project

24 May marks 10 years since the publication of Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Laudato Si”. A moment of celebration, verification of what has been done and to take it up again and make it known to those who are still unaware of its content. Aware that ‘there can be no renewal of our relationship with nature without a renewal of humanity itself’ (LS, 118) we present the ‘Amazonia Project’, as told by two young Brazilians during the Genfest 2024 held in Aparecida, Brazil.

Brussels: 75 years since the Schuman Declaration

Brussels: 75 years since the Schuman Declaration

Accompanying Europe to realise its vocation – 75 years since the Schuman Declaration, in the European Parliament building in Brussels, a panel of experts, representatives of various Christian Movements and young activists gave voice to the vision of European unity as an instrument of peace. A meeting promoted by Together for Europe and MEPs.