The horrors of the plight of the people of Gaza were not far from the minds of everyone who gathered for the GB Mariapolis, held at Harper Adams University in Shropshire from the 24th to the 27th July 2025. “We are doing something profoundly political by doing something profoundly spiritual [here at the Mariapolis],” said Callan Slipper, “and its ripples will go out. We have a chance here to begin building the alternative world, building the world of mutual love.” Slipper, an Anglican minister, was speaking during an Anglican Eucharist on the first day of the event, which had as its theme ‘Called to Closeness’.
Every morning an aspect of ‘Closeness’ was explored: closeness with God and our neighbour; closeness and suffering; and closeness and mutual love which brings God’s presence. After the reflections, the 300 + participants of all ages, had the chance to live out the theme of the Mariapolis – at the camp grounds where families had pitched their tents, in the college apartments, during the Ceilidh and pooling talents for a wonderful evening of music and celebration on the final night. Participants were drawn from many nations, giving a glimpse of the whole world in microcosm – a ‘taste of Heaven’ as one visitor described it.
Walks, games and outings, peppered with lively discussions, created and cemented bonds of friendship. “We need to celebrate our similarities but also our differences”, said speaker David Hickey, from the Focolare community in Willenhall, during a presentation on the Sunday morning. “It is a sign of entering into true dialogue which involves the polarities.” Sometimes, he admitted, “we can’t celebrate the differences between us but we can celebrate the other person as Jesus to be loved, no matter how much we disagree.”
Afternoon workshops ranged from practical skills like decorating plant pots and baking unleavened bread, to focuses on prayer, building closeness at work, ecology, ecumenism, closeness to children in an online world, inter-faith dialogue and seeking hope amidst the challenges of our world.
At the ecumenical Service for Peace, interspersed among heart-felt prayers and petitions, participants shared their own testimonies of building peace at work and in social situations.
A notable and moving feature at the Mariapolis, was the presence of multiple generations of a number of families –at least three of whom spanned four generations.
“To be honest, I came here really despairing at the state of the world, but I leave with hope and joy in my heart, determined to build the peace,” was the impression of one woman as she left the event.”
