The General House of the Focolare Movement in Rome hosted an important meeting of general moderators from new communities, associations, and Catholic Church movements. The gathering, held on Tuesday (June 3), is the fruit of a fraternity that began in 2016 and has grown over the years, promoting dialogue and communion among various charisms.
Participants included familiar names such as Moysés Azevedo (Shalom Catholic Community), Margaret Karram (Focolare Movement), Frei Hans Stapel and Nelson Giovanelli (Fazenda da Esperança), Chiara Amirante (New Horizons), and representatives from the Emmanuel Community.
This year, new participants were invited to join the group: moderators from the Canção Nova Community, Saint John XXIII Community, Communion and Liberation, Schoenstatt Movement, and Sant’Egidio Movement.
Representing the Shalom Community were Moysés Azevedo, Fr. Saulo Dantas (general assistant), Angélica Teixeira (formation assistant), Fr. Silvio Scopel (international assistant), and two Italian youth, Chiara Rondoletti and Emilio Cosentino, who gave testimonies about their personal encounters with Jesus through the community’s evangelizing work.
The day was marked by prayer, reflection, fraternity, and the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Fr. Alexandre Awii from the Schoenstatt Movement. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of bringing Jesus — our peace, joy, and life’s meaning — to the world like Mary, especially to the youth.
During the meeting, Chiara Amirante reflected on the challenges and evangelization of youth in today’s society. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Community, addressed the theme of world peace, sharing testimonies such as that of a young Rwandan who spoke about experiencing peace even amid war.
Coming Days: Vatican-Sponsored Gathering
From June 4 to 6, moderators will participate in a second meeting, this one organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. The initiative brings together up to three representatives from each community and charism to deepen the Jubilee theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.”
The program includes moments of prayer, formation, fraternity, a visit to the Vatican Museums, and an audience with Pope Leo XIV scheduled for Friday (June 6) at 10 a.m. in one of the halls of St. Peter’s Basilica.
