{"id":32732,"date":"2026-09-07T17:44:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T15:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.loppiano.it\/?p=32732"},"modified":"2026-09-16T15:47:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T13:47:58","slug":"loppiano-is-our-galilee-where-it-all-began","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.loppiano.it\/en\/2026\/09\/07\/loppiano-is-our-galilee-where-it-all-began\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cLoppiano is our Galilee, where it all began\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

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For this reason, the hundred Focolare members who have been in the Focolare for five years chose Loppiano to hold (18\u201329 August) their gathering to reflect on and renew their commitment to their vocation and mission.<\/h3>\n

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

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When we say: \u2018To have a clear sense of purpose\u2019, it is always a pleasure to see this in a person. To observe this in around a hundred men and women from various cultures and different backgrounds is surprising<\/strong>. And this is precisely what happened with the Focolare men and women<\/a>, who gathered from 36 countries in Loppiano from 18 to 29 August for the so-called \u2018Fifth Year School\u2019<\/strong> \u2013 that is, for those who have been part of the Focolare communities for five years following their period of formation in Loppiano. These are people \u2013 mostly aged between 35 and 40 \u2013 who have responded to the call to consecrate themselves to God within the Focolare.<\/p>\n

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Everyone wanted to take part in the School and had made their expectations clear: it had to be held in Loppiano; men and women of the Focolare had to take part together; and married members had to be present as well. Furthermore, rather than a course providing useful information, it was to be a workshop, characterised by the experience of seeking answers to questions together, in constant communion amongst all. And so the wealth of proposals was welcomed by the international centres of the Focolare men and women as a significant innovation.<\/p>\n

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On the afternoon of 18 August, 100 people arrived<\/strong>, plus around thirty people from the two respective international centres and the technical team responsible for production and the ten translations. The first part of the programme had a more personal, intimate feel, with time set aside for moments of reflection, silence and Eucharistic adoration. \u2018Thanks also to the experts, I have taken a fresh look at my life to come to terms with the wounds and the blessings I have received<\/strong>,\u2019 commented one Focolare member. The second part focused on the demanding life of community, on relationships within the Focolare, and on living with older brothers and sisters. Of particular significance was the pilgrimage to Monte Senario<\/a>, just beyond Florence, where, in 1245, seven Florentines founded the community of the Servants of Mary; they were all canonised together and are known as \u2018the seven founding saints\u2019. This is undoubtedly a point of reference for the Focolare members, inspired by the communal spirituality of Chiara Lubich\u2019s charism. \u2018It is together that we manage to remain faithful to His call<\/strong>\u2019.<\/p>\n

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The concluding session focused on the \u2018mission\u2019. The many challenges were reflected upon in the light of \u2018walking together\u2019. \u2018It was an opportunity to fall in love with God all over again and to live the life of unity with greater enthusiasm<\/strong>\u2019, some Focolare women confided. With regard to the fields of mission, it was decided to draw on Pope Leo XIV\u2019s address delivered at the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement last March. The Pope had, in fact, thanked the Focolare members for their commitment to young people, families and the Church.<\/p>\n

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The approach adopted was to set out three perspectives from which to view reality: the present, with all its questions and the risk of stagnation; the vision dreamt of at a personal and community level to transform reality; and that which can be realised by uniting dreams and reality.<\/p>\n

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After a week-long programme, the married couples set off, whilst the Focolare members living in community remained for a further four days. For both groups, the setting of the Loppiano played a precious and unique role<\/strong>. They had chosen Loppiano<\/a> because it is felt to be the \u2018Galilee\u2019 of their own existence. Yes, just like the Galilee of the early days of Jesus\u2019 life, where he called fishermen to become his apostles. In his homily for the Easter Vigil in 2014, Pope Francis suggested \u2018returning to Galilee, where our love story with Jesus began, where we experienced his new and luminous gaze upon ourselves, upon reality, and upon the mystery of life\u2019. And indeed, that is exactly what happened. \u201cLoppiano represents a special time in my life,\u201d was the common view, just as the conclusion at the end was unanimous: \u201cLoppiano is our home and it always speaks to us<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

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As they set off on their return journey, everyone carried with them an overflowing sense of gratitude and a deepened awareness<\/strong>. \u201cWe felt a greater shared responsibility to live for unity in an authentic way,\u201d was one of the conclusions. \u201cSuch openness, such freedom, such authenticity, such transparency in everything!\u201d \u201cThe themes of affection, sexuality and emotions in relationships have strengthened our chastity and fidelity.\u201d \u201cIt was an experience of communal discernment and profound communion unlike anything we had ever experienced before.\u201d Finally, the rediscovery of a mandate: \u201cWe set out with a renewed heart for our vocation and a fresh perspective on the mission that awaits us. And also with great courage.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Some photos from the School<\/h3>\n

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