{"id":32224,"date":"2026-08-06T17:49:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.loppiano.it\/?p=32224"},"modified":"2026-08-31T11:33:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T09:33:15","slug":"what-i-would-like-to-be-and-do-in-my-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.loppiano.it\/en\/2026\/08\/06\/what-i-would-like-to-be-and-do-in-my-life\/","title":{"rendered":"What I would like to be and do in life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The second edition of \u201cQuo Vadis?\u201d (Where are you going?) has come to an end for thirty young people from four continents. From 10 to 19 July, they were in Loppiano to embark on a journey of vocational discernment, supported by around twenty tutors and mentors. From \u201cgiving of oneself to discover one\u2019s true self\u201d to the search for one\u2019s \u201clife plan\u201d.<\/h3>\n

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by Paolo L\u00f2riga<\/p>\n

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\u201cOn this final morning, I invite you to embark on an inner journey\u201d<\/strong>, began Dar\u00eco, a Colombian from the International Gen Centre, addressing the thirty young people from twenty countries<\/strong> across Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Sunday 19 July marked the final day of the ten-day experience in Loppiano, open to all young people aged between 25 and 35<\/strong>, entitled \u201cQuo Vadis?\u201d (Where are you going?)<\/strong>, now in its second year. Letizia, from the organising team, then retraced the programme\u2019s journey back to the meaning of the title. \u2018The apostle Peter was fleeing Rome to avoid being killed. The Christians who had remained in the city had advised him to flee. Just outside Rome, he met a man who asked him: \u201cDomine, quo vadis<\/em>?\u201d (Lord, where are you going?). \u2018I am going to be crucified a second time,\u2019 replied Jesus himself. Peter turned back and went to give his life.\u2019 A profound silence fell. Letizia continued: \u2018Now it is our turn. We are about to set out on our journey<\/strong>. Perhaps at the station you will meet someone who will ask you: \u201cQuo vadis?<\/em>\u201d\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Finally, as a parting gift, three symbols were given to the participants: a compass, a suitcase and a thought.<\/strong> And the young people opened their hearts. \u201cIt was an opportunity to be free through this great love of God and of others\u201d<\/strong>. \u201cI met people who had found fulfilment, whereas before I didn\u2019t know many like that. The journey of meditation and prayer<\/strong> with all the young people was a great help.\u201d And again: \u201cIt was a space to ask the deepest questions<\/strong>.\u201d \u201cThrough conversations with the tutors and the young people, I realised I was living in a bubble from which I now want to break free.\u201d The microphone was passed from hand to hand: \u201cI\u2019m leaving with more questions than before, but also with answers that have shed light on my life and strengthened my faith<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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They arrived on Friday 10 July, invited by participants from the first edition, through the Focolare media, by people from the Movement, or via social media. Their expectations varied greatly (not all were members of the Focolare), but their desire to explore their present situation and look into the future<\/strong> was identical. \u201cThe aim of these days,\u201d explained Irene and Gianpaolo, a married couple acting as facilitators for this edition, \u201cwas not necessarily to find answers to the questions, but to embark on a journey to learn to \u2018live with\u2019 the questions.<\/strong> It was about learning to recognise the stirrings of the heart and to choose what helps us grow in Love<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"\"Tutors and facilitators<\/strong> \u2013 around twenty in total, with different vocations, ages and professions \u2013 supported the thirty participants (a limited number), having also provided preliminary preparation. Then, over the ten days, various themes were explored (always in Italian and English) based on closeness to God, to oneself and to others.<\/strong> It was clear to everyone that such a journey of \u2018vocational discernment\u2019<\/strong> did not lead to highlighting a consecration to God, but to recognising the signs of one\u2019s own vocation in life.<\/strong> Particularly effective were the engagement with the Word of God through Lectio Divina<\/em>, personal and communal dialogue,<\/strong> prayer, sharing, Eucharistic adoration, a visit to the Fraternity of Romena,<\/strong> as well as games and theatre, music and walks under the stars.<\/p>\n

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\u201cGiving of oneself to discover oneself\u201d<\/strong> was one of the guiding mottos from the outset, with the aim, according to the organisers, \u201cto re-examine one\u2019s own story in the light of the Word<\/strong> and rediscover the value of having been created as a gift to become a gift for others<\/strong>\u201d. In short, a pedagogy that begins with loving others and God in order to come to know oneself, drawing on the \u201cwake-up call\u201d from Pope Francis<\/strong>: \u201cLet us not waste time asking ourselves: \u2018But who am I?\u2019, but rather ask yourselves: \u2018For whom am I?\u2019<\/strong>\u201d. The programme was enriched by the distinctive features of Chiara Lubich\u2019s charism<\/strong>, with a shared experience of the spirituality of communion<\/strong> within the context of Loppiano and a constant commitment to mutual love. These were the foundations for experiencing the grace of Jesus present amongst the participants, in the discovery of the mystery of Jesus Crucified and Forsaken<\/strong>, as the architect of unity and peace.<\/p>\n

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At the end, the participants placed in their rucksacks those concrete steps<\/strong> they had identified to take. There also remains the possibility of continuing to be supported by tutors and mentors<\/strong> from \u201cQuo Vadis?\u201d and of finding those close to their own world. The journey, in fact, can continue within their own communities <\/strong>or within the Focolare Movement, or through specific vocational pathways. There is undoubtedly greater clarity now. As confirmed by those who are already on their way to catch the train: \u201cThe testimonies have given me the courage to continue hoping and to look with confidence towards my future choices<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Photo gallery<\/h3>\n

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A few snapshots<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Foto by Cris Machado e Dennis Ng<\/p>\n

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