Evangelization and formation in the light of Christian hope was the focus of the annual meeting of ecclesial movements and associations convened by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life from 4 to 6 June in the Vatican on the theme ‘Hope lived and proclaimed. The gift of the Jubilee for Ecclesial Communities’.
The President of the Teresian Association, Gregoria Ruiz, and two members of the TA Governing Council, Carmen Aparicio and Elisa Estévez, participated in this meeting, which was attended by some 250 people from 115 associations or movements.
Communicating hope
The meeting began on the afternoon of Wednesday 4 June, in the New Synod Hall, with an introductory greeting from Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery, who, referring to the theme of the meeting, said:
‘Today too, your groups are called to offer the men and women of this time the opportunity to find in Christ the true hope that illuminates life.’
Luigino Bruni, economist and vice-president of Economy of Francesco, and Andrea Riccardi, historian and founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, then shared a presentation on What are the challenges for movements today?, followed by questions and discussion.
The day concluded with a liturgy of reconciliation in St. Peter's Basilica, acknowledging the errors and omissions of movements and pastors, and invoking the Spirit asking the grace of an authentic personal and community conversion.
Adequate formation
The second day, Thursday 5 June, focused on the foundations of Christian hope, which must be proclaimed and witnessed with formation adapted to the reality in which we live.
The morning Eucharist in the Basilica was presided over by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. Then, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, had a dissertation in the hall on the theme ‘Rethinking mission in the light of hope’. This was followed by the testimony of two members of Communion and Liberation from Chile.
Next, Professor Donna Orsuto, Director of the Department of Moral Theology and Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and co-founder of the Lay Centre, spoke on ‘Being people of hope’ and the formation of members of ecclesial associations. This was followed by several testimonies of formation experiences from different groups and places.
There was also time for participants, in working groups, to discuss ‘how the time of grace of the Jubilee is for all ecclesial groups an opportunity for missionary rebirth, a privileged moment to rediscover their own call to be signs of hope for the Church and the world.’
Papal audience and Jubilee
On the morning of 6 June, Pope Leo XIV received the participants in this Annual Meeting with Moderators of International Associations of the Faithful, Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, in audience. The Pope asked for collaboration:
‘Unity and mission are two cornerstones in the life of the Church and two priorities in the Petrine ministry’.
And with regard to mission, in addition to sharing some of his personal experience in Peru, he said:
‘Always keep this missionary fervour alive among yourselves: movements still play a fundamental role in evangelisation today.’
For many of the participants, the meeting continued on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, the feast of Pentecost and the Jubilee of Movements, Associations and New Communities.
More information and the text of some of the speeches can be found on the Dicastery's website.
TA Info.
Photos DLFV.
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