Once again this year, on June 4-6, 2025, the annual meeting of the Moderators of International Associations of the Faithful, promoted by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, was held at the New Synod Hall in the Vatican. 234 members attended, representing 115 associations of the faithful, ecclesial movements, new communities recognized by the Holy See, and the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.). The M.I. Delegation was comprised of the International President Miquel BORDAS PRÓSZYNSKI; the International Vice President, Margherita PERCHINELLI; and the Delegate of the International Assistant, Friar Gilson Miguel NUNES.
In keeping with the 2025 Jubilee Year, the theme of the meeting was: “Hope Lived and Proclaimed: The Gift of the Jubilee for Ecclesial Groups.” The meeting consisted of two intense days of listening, discussion, and sharing, marked by the joy of reconnecting with some participants and forming new relationships with others.
On Wednesday, June 4 at 2:00 p.m., His Eminence Cardinal Kevin FARRELL, Prefect of the aforementioned Dicastery for Laity, opened the meeting by greeting and thanking all those present. He introduced the meeting’s theme, stating that we must walk for the Church and with the Church, but also together with Peter and all the people of God as the Church of Christ. Each of us has a unique identity and purpose, and these characteristics must be protected. For this, we need support along the way. Consider the issue of child protection, on which Pope Francis worked so hard. The Cardinal FARRELL explained the meaning of “Hope Lived and Proclaimed,” emphasizing how many people, upon encountering our charism, have discovered hope after a life marked by sadness and disappointment.
A joint presentation followed, titled “What Challenges Do Movements Face Today?” by Andrea RICCARDI, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, and Luigino BRUNI, Vice President of the Economy of Francesco.
Andrea RICCARDI stressed the importance of memory—without which there is no future—but also urged that we pay attention to the signs of the times and recognize the challenges while avoiding the mistake of becoming stagnant. The challenge is to live the Gospel without ignoring those who are suffering. Globalization has occurred, and now we find ourselves in a fragmented world, facing a terrible scenario. We must confront the challenge of war, but we must also pray for peace. The opposite of peace is not war, but selfishness, which leads to dangerous choices.
Luigino BRUNI, in turn, emphasized internal challenges. Every movement since the 1980s has undergone a renewal, but today they face a crisis similar to that of religious Orders. He stated that vocations have not disappeared, but we struggle to attract them. He spoke of an anthropological reduction: people are the true resource of communities, but often “whenever a person is reduced to a single dimension, there is violence” (Amartya SEN).
This was followed by a penitential moment and an invocation to the Holy Spirit at St. Peter’s Basilica. The day ended with a visit and dinner at the Vatican Museums.
On Thursday, June 5, the day began with Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro PAROLIN. This was followed by a talk from His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim TAGLE, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, on the topic: “Rethinking Mission in the Light of Hope.” It was followed by a lecture on “Being People of Hope” by theologian Donna ORSUTO from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and co-founder of the Lay Center.
Cardinal TAGLE emphasized that it is appropriate for associations/movements and communities to rethink mission in the light of hope. To illustrate what this mission should look like, he drew inspiration from Christian hope and presented four images:
1) The Door (something that connects the outside and the inside): The Holy Door, through which the grace of faith and service flows and through which the stories of the world are welcomed.
2) Sitting at the Table: The Church is like a big family table, where everything is to be shared.
3) Songs of Lament and Joy: Music is one of the ways to convey messages and create communion. A missionary Church sings praises to God.
4) Cultural and Human Intelligence: We are often inclined to judge those who have different cultures. We must break down divisions with the light of Hope. The Church is called to be an instrument of unity.
Theologian Donna ORSUTO focused on how to form people of hope, recalling the invitation to reimagine our mission starting with a phrase by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who stated that we all need each other. In this earthly exile, the Church is still a pilgrim, and that all the members of the various associations of the faithful are a gift to Her.
During the day, there were two group sessions divided by language, one from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the other from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The twenty-three groups discussed two questions:
1) How can your Association/Movement/Community bring hope to people today?
2) In your Association/Movement/Community, what aspects of formation contribute to forming members as people of hope? The results of the work were reported in the plenary session.
On June 6, at 10:00 a.m., the participants were received in audience by Pope Leo XIV in the Clementine Hall. In his address, the pope thanked them for the service of guidance and leadership that each one performs within the associations, movements, and communities. He then invited them to be a leaven of unity; to collaborate faithfully and generously with the pope and to keep the missionary zeal alive by putting their talents at the service of the Church’s mission, whether in places of first evangelization or in parishes and local ecclesial communities, in order to reach many who are far away.
The Jubilee meeting concluded with the International President and the Delegate of the International Assistant, participating in the Pentecost Vigil Mass on Saturday, June 7, 2025, and the Mass of Pentecost on Sunday, June 8, both presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
Margherita PERCHINELLI
International M.I. Vice President
