Mariapolis 2017

April 29-May 1, 2017

Every year, the Focolare Movement holds its summer gathering called Mariapolis, where participants try to live the words of Jesus 24 hours a day to merit His presence “…where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in their midst.” (Mt. 18:20)

The Movement envisions a world as one family in a communion of diversities and wants to contribute to the unity of persons, groups and peoples. This gathering is therefore to be a “miniature society” to show how the world can be if we all live the Gospel where reciprocal love is the only law that guides every member.

This year’s Mariapolis was held at IGB Training Center in Island Garden City of Samal, IGACOS participated by 230 people from different parts of Mindanao (Butuan, Cotabato, Bukidnon, Mati, Banay-banay, Digos, Samal and Davao) and some representatives from Manila and Tagaytay. There were some local administrators of different barangays in Samal, some faithful of other churches and religion. Indeed, it was an occasion to rest and recreate in the atmosphere of a family typical of the Movement, and it was dedicated in a particular way to deepen our relationship with Jesus Crucified and Forsaken whom Chiara Lubich, the foundress of the Focolare, understood Jesus Forsaken-Key to Unity!

In the dynamic and light program, we presented like “little pearls” God’s love, the Word and the prayer of Jesus on unity, the theme of Jesus Forsaken followed by the rich and profound experiences. It is in this new relationship with the “abandoned” Jesus whose passion, death and resurrection won for us the Father’s forgiveness, we believe, is the key in building communion in the family, in the neighbourhood, within the parish and wherever we are. The games, tour, and the recreation night contributed to create a big spirit of family. There was also a brief updating on the 50th anniversary of the New Families (one of the branches of the Focolare Movement) and the launching of the upcoming Genfest 2018 (International Youth Festival) in Manila on July 6-8, 2018.

Here are some of the participants’ impressions: “Before the Mariapolis I felt like a nobody, joining the Mariapolis I feel like somebody”, “When I arrived I thought that the non-catholics like me are not welcomed, But here I feel the love that welcomes all”, “In this place I found love and unity”, “For me, as barangay captain the Mariapolis is a big help to put peace especially when there are conflicts between people in the barangay”, “The Mariapolis is an instrument of which one can start to build unity”, “I thought that the Mariapolis is like an activity of the government, instead the Mariapolis was a beautiful program for me; love and unity are important, a guide for my family, with my relationship with the brother but specially in my barangay”, “I feel that the Mariapolis gave me a big push to go ahead to live unity even though I am far from my friends of the focolare, loving Jesus more deeply.”

Together we discovered and renewed our commitment to choose to love Jesus Forsaken, bringing Him in our own respective environment so that we can be protagonists in building that beautiful mosaic of universal brotherhood where the Lord has placed us.