Rome (Italy). On 17-18 November 2018, at the headquarters of the Christian Schools, in Rome, a meeting was held to renew communion and to continue the journey of formation as Charismatic Families.
The theme of this meeting “Creative Fidelity for Prophetic Service” was developed in two moments: “How to narrate a charism in our times” and “Youth, vocation, and Charismatic Witness”.
Some members of the School of Higher Formation of Art and Theology of Naples accompanied the discovery of “How to narrate the charism in our times”, introducing the methodology proper to story-telling. It was not just a theoretical discourse, because the presentation was followed by workshops, where it was possible to implement what had been presented.
Responding to a need repeatedly expressed by the various Families, that is to involve young people in the experience, and welcoming the Synod message, the day of Sunday 18 was led by some young people, consecrated and lay, who shared with a broad and involving breadth their belonging to their charismatic Families.
Participation was numerous: 185 presences on the first day, 214 the second, with the presence of young people, representing more than 40 Charismatic families. Present from the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians were: Sr. Maria Luisa Miranda, General Councilor for the Salesian Family; Sr. Leslye Sandigo, World Delegate of Salesian Cooperators; Sr. Gabriela Patiño World Delegate Past Pupils; Mrs. Mariella La Mura, FMA Past Pupil; Mr. Italo Canaletti and Marco Pappalardo, SS.CC. The novices of the International Novitiates of Castelgandolfo and of Via Appia, Rome also took part on the second day along with their Formators.
The climate breathed at the meeting was of serene and joyous collaboration: family relationships were created, supported by mutual esteem, as well as by the common passion for communion to be lived and built within each Family and among the various Families.
As always, the meeting had intense moments of prayer: at the beginning and at the end of each day, and in the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr. Gino Buccarello, Osst.
The sense of Church has grown within the Families, built up by everyone and highlighted by the presence of many Senior Directors, a member of the Council of the World Conference of Secular Institutes, and by the visit of Sr. Elisabetta Flick who brought greetings from the President of UISG, Sr. Carmen Sammut.
Thinking of the development of the charismatic families of today and tomorrow, the awareness that is being created is striking: “the center is not the Institution or Association (of consecrated persons, laity or priests), but the CHARISM to live and witness to in communion and collaboration, managing it not as owners, but as servants of the Gospel in the Church”.
