“Given the many social economic cultural and religious challenges in contemporary society all over the world, your work, truly providential, is a sign of hope and an encouragement for Christian Families to be a privileged “space”, where the beauty of having Jesus Christ at the centre, and following the Gospel faithfully, is proclaimed in everyday life”. These were the words of Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the 400 representatives of the New Families Movement, received in audience by him on November 3, 2007. This is the family “built on the rock”, that chooses to transform the gospel into action, in the spirit of the meeting organised by New Families from November 1 to 6. “The secret is to really live the Gospel”, the Pope said, at a time when families often live in “difficult and complex situations”. “I am thinking”, said Benedict XVI, “of the uncertainty of fiancés when faced with definitive choices for the future, the crises of couples, the separations and divorces, irregular unions, the situation of widows, of families in difficulty, the acceptance of abandoned children”. The Pope began by sending his greetings to Chiara Lubich, thanking her, “because with wisdom and firm adhesion to the Church, she continues to guide the great Focolare family”. During the afternoon, the families gathered at the meeting hall in Castelgandolfo (Rome) celebrated their 40th anniversary via internet with the New Families of the whole world. They were moved to hear again the words pronounced by Chiara Lubich in 1967, who foresaw the birth of a huge movement for families. And it was Chiara once more with a new message who filled them with enthusiasm for their task today and their future commitment. “After the passage of forty years, and seeing the development and the fruits of New Families, the reason for that special impulse of the Holy Spirit is becoming clear”, she says. “It was a very weighty sign, not just because the family, as the primary cell of society, has an enormous importance for building a world of values and peace, but because God has modelled it on His own life, the life of the Holy Trinity”. The family has a beautiful, urgent, and at the same time demanding purpose, especially today. Chiara’s desire for the New Families is that they be “in this world witnesses of unity, of lasting love, of the Gospel lived”. “You will continue to attract many hearts to love, to the point of bringing about, with the whole Focolare movement, universal fraternity”. Afterwards, during the two hour transmission via internet, there was a deep sharing of experiences of family life, and of responses to the challenges of family life over the last 40 years, demonstrated by many practical projects of varying size and scope: from courses for engaged couples to schools for families, and the support at a distance of numerous international adoptions. For more information: www.famiglienuove.info