There were representatives from 12 movements: the Antioch Community, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Chemin Neuf, Communion and Liberation, Divine UK, Emmanuel Community, Focolare, Jesus Youth, Neocatechumenal Way, Schoenstatt, Sion Community and Youth 2000. Madonna House and Teams of Our Lady were not able to attend on this occasion but remain keen to keep in touch. Fr Jan Nowotnik came to represent the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
The programme began with an overview of the history of this gathering, beginning with the fundamental meeting with Pope John Paul II in St Peter’s Square in 1998. Whilst each movement is very different, there was an immediate unity in ‘being’ together.
There was a discussion about Agenda 2033 (also called Global 2033) – an international initiative working towards marking the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s death in 2033. More a journey together than setting specific targets, the initiative emerged from – and has been taken up by – Christians of different churches and expressions to live the next decade with and for God.
One of the Agenda 2033 proposals is that at 8.33pm (20.33) each evening, to stop and pray “Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven. Come, Holy Spirit.”
All the participants recognised how enriching it is to learn from one another. As one representative commented, “It has been a good gathering – encouraging, broadening, uniting and informative”.
