Focolare Movement

Together for the Care of Creation

Jan 25, 2024

From Mexico City the story of a meeting between Christians of various Churches in which the local Focolare community also participated

From Mexico City the story of a meeting between Christians of various Churches in which the local Focolare community also participated “Silence is essential in the journey of Christian unity. Indeed, it is fundamental to prayer, from which ecumenism begins and without which it is sterile.”[1] Pope Francis expressed himself in this way on September 30, 2023, in St. Peter’s Square, surrounded by Christian brothers and sisters of various denominations who had come for the ecumenical vigil that preceded the Synod. And this is the spirit that also animates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18-25, 2024, celebrated around the world, invoking unity among all Churches and ecclesial communities. But unity is not to be sought only this week; it is a commitment to be lived throughout the year. This is well known by the friends of the Focolare Movement community in Mexico City who, a few months ago, organized a day of dialogue among Christians of various Churches linked to the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in collaboration with the Integral Ecology Commission of the Archdiocese of Mexico City. After an initial time of prayer in the beautiful chapel of the Archdiocesan Minor Seminary, participants went on an ecological walk led by some women from different indigenous communities. Indeed, these communities have a deep relationship with Creation, which they manifest with symbols, songs and prayers in their languages. Particularly, it became evident how water is an essential element for the life of all living beings without distinction. And the symbol of flowing water – an ecological, life-giving and synodal image – was echoed when, thirsty after the walk, the leaders of the Churches present – Anglican bishops of Mexico and priests of the Orthodox Church of America – took earthenware jugs to serve drinks to each of those present, also in small earthenware cups. The concluding fraternal agape was a time of exchange and closeness, sharing of dreams and possible future plans. Among those present were the Anglican Primate of Mexico, the Catholic Bishop of Mexico City, an Anglican deaconess, some members of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, Catholic priests from the diocesan offices for Ecumenism, Youth Ministry and Care of Creation a group from the Community of Sant’Egidio, some members of the Commission for Integral Development of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Mexico, the Mexican Institute of Social Doctrine, and the Pastoral Care of Indigenous People. It was a moment of great unity in which everyone could see that it is worthwhile to spare no effort to help generate a dialogue of life in Mexico and everywhere.

Lorenzo Russo

[1] Pope Francis, Ecumenical Vigil for Peace, St. Peter’s Square, Sept. 30, 2023. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/homilies/2023/documents/20230930-vegliaecumenica.html

___

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

In the same boat: a journey toward peace

In the same boat: a journey toward peace

8 months of navigation, 30 ports, 200 young people. The ship for peace, ‘Bel Espoir’ set sail in March 2025 from Barcelona (Spain) and will continue its voyage until October. Its route will link five shores of the Mediterranean. On board, eight groups of twenty-five young people of various nationalities, cultures and religions that share a common desire to build a better world. They will live together and get to know each other, amid debates and personal experiences, tackling new issues at each stop. Among them are traveling twenty Living Peace ambassadors and other young people from the Focolare Movement. Bertha from Lebanon shares her experience. She is involved in the MediterraNEW project which works for the education of young people, predominately migrants in the Mediterranean.

Argentina: commitment in intercultural dialogue with indigenous peoples

Argentina: commitment in intercultural dialogue with indigenous peoples

Agustin, Patricia and their two children are an Argentinian family. After following a course at Sophia ALC, the Latin-American branch of the university institute that is based in the international little town of Loppiano (Italy), they began to research their roots among the indigenous peoples, and this gave rise to a strong commitment in intercultural dialogue.