“A journey of family, closeness and hope“—this was the theme of Mariapolis 2025, which took place at the Qawra Palace Resort & Spa on the first weekend of March, in a year when the universal Church is celebrating the Jubilee of Hope and when the Focolare Movement is delving deeper into the theme of closeness to God and to our neighbours.

For many, the Mariapolis is an annual event, but this time, too, there were those who participated for the first time—including a family from China and some families from Pakistan who live in Malta. From the very start of Mariapolis, one could feel an atmosphere of family, where people of all ages and from all walks of life found themselves together in an environment that felt removed from daily life and closer to what the heart truly longs for.

The significant number of children and teenagers who took part in the program designed especially for them also played a valuable role in building the full experience of the Mariapolis. This simple yet profound experience strengthened the sense of family, where one could continue discovering the beauty of the art of loving and gain new strengths to look ahead with hope.

The beautiful singing, the music, the faces of the people, and the welcoming environment all contributed to transforming the Mariapolis hall into an oasis of serenity, where one could also perceive that sense of expectation that every Mariapolis brings with it.

Highlights of the Mariapolis Program

The short introduction on the first day served as a link in a chain, connecting some of the history of the Focolare Movement’s beginnings with the reality of the world we live in today. It also inspired those present not to be afraid to continue dreaming of the ideal of a united world, where we can all truly live as brothers and sisters—as one family.

Participants were invited to take part in a “Human Library” where they had the opportunity to join one of eight groups and share experiences on various aspects of life. This was, in a way, the first step on the journey of these days—one that strengthened bonds and increased hope. It was a step that led us to further discover that, throughout our lives, we can weave a story that is both human and divine at the same time.

Saturday morning was entirely dedicated to closeness with God and neighbour. The morning began with a powerful moment of reflection, enriched with thoughts, moments of silence, personal experiences, and music, all reminding us in different ways how God draws us closer to Him and to each other. A highly appreciated contribution came from David Hickey, a Focolarino from Ireland, who lived the Mariapolis experience with us. He led the second part of the morning by sharing his own experience in the light of this theme.

The Saturday afternoon program was entirely focused on the Celebration of the Jubilee of Hope. After an introductory explanation in preparation for this celebration, the participants began a pilgrimage from Qawra to the Church of St. Agatha in Rabat, where they also took part in the Holy Mass, celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio, Msgr Savio Hon Tai-Fai SDB. It was a solemn moment in which the reality of a Church journeying toward Ut Omnes… – that all may be one – was deeply felt.

Following the Sunday Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Bishop J. Galea Curmi, a panel of young people and adults shared various ideas and experiences that demonstrated how a commitment to closeness can be a remedy for a world wounded by loneliness, indifference, and individualism.

“Closing our eyes before our neighbour makes us blind even before God… Love is the only light that can illuminate a dark world and give courage.” These words of Pope Francis, quoted by Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, in her reflection on “Closeness”, were also cited in the conclusion of Mariapolis, along with other key points from this theme.

When you have lived such a beautiful experience and the Mariapolis comes to an end, it is almost instinctive to ask: And now that we are leaving here, what will happen? A brief moment of reflection was enough to find the answer in what we had just experienced throughout the weekend. I felt a voice within me urging me to keep walking close to others and together with them: “Keep walking, I am with you!” And I remembered that we were created to be a gift to one another, called to be people of hope, and above all, that we have the golden opportunity to love Jesus in all those we encounter along our path!

By Vivienne Attard

English translation: Mario Falzon
Photo credit: Anthony Dimech

“Joy and hope – is there space for these in our life today?” – this was the theme of Mariapoli 2023, which took place at the Seabank Hotel in Mellieħa Bay, Malta, during 17-19 March.

The Focolare Movement organises Mariapolis gatherings every year all around the world. The participants are invited to experience for a few days what it’s like to live together as a community by putting the Gospel into practice.

One might say: who nowadays dares to talk about joy and hope in a world filled with so much trouble: wars, natural disasters, hunger, poverty, heartbreak, injustice…?

Talking about joy and hope today is a challenge, but it is a challenge that also translates into an opportunity, and I think that was the experience of Mariapolis 2023 for the 250 people who took part in it, which included some people from Pakistan, the Philippines and from Africa.

Since the early afternoon, Friday March 17, families with children, teenagers, adults and the elderly began to gather in the hotel foyer. People who are well acquainted with the Focolare were happy to find themselves together again for this experience, which had not been held for two years due to Covid-19, while others who came to Mariapolis for the first time, very quickly felt welcomed. There was an air of anticipation among everyone right from the start!

The Mariapolis program started with a mass, led by His Excellency Archbishop Savio Tai-Fai, the Apostolic Nuncio for Malta. His greeting in Maltese stole many hearts. Her Excellency, President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca together with her husband, were also present at the opening of this Mariapoli. After the Mass, the message that Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare, sent to Pope Francis on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his Pontificate was read out.

The program for the rest of Mariapolis was all focused on hope and joy, and offered us an opportunity to stop and reflect, to discover that which is beautiful and positive, and to be strengthened in the energy needed to believe and hope.

The words full of wisdom of Mr Joseph Bonnici, an associate member of the MUSEUM Society, who gave a very uplifting talk about hope, the beautiful and valuable experiences of people coming from various areas of life, the music and songs which imparted a message that moved our hearts, the moments of sharing, even during various workshops, the enthusiastic participation of the young people and the presence of children … all helped to create a wonderful atmosphere, an atmosphere of a family. But above all they were an opportunity to discover or rediscover that “in all the thorns of life … life emerges, in all its determinaton, never defeated, and that “Each day in our world beauty is born anew, it rises transformed through the storms of history.” (Pope Francis: Evangelii Gaudium n. 276).

During a walk in the countryside on the last day of Mariapolis, we had the opportunity to not only admire the beauty of nature, with the green pastures on one side and the calm sea on the other, but also to get to know each other more. Along the way I had the chance to talk to a person I didn’t know before. She shared with me some experiences that’s she’s living and I could appreciate how much good is done in silence, and how much we can truly be witnesses of hope and joy.

The Mariapolis came to an end with a concelebrated mass led by Msgr. Joseph Galea Curmi, Auxiliary Bishop His presence among us was a blessing that continued to instill that sense of one Church which is on the journey, a journey of hope and joy, while preparing for the Jubilee 2025, for which Pope Francis chose the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”.

The air of expectation that was there at the beginning was brought to fulfilment: I breathed a strong sense of community, of hope and joy. I lived a powerful experience of God’s love which filled me with new courage and enthusiasm. I realised that we have received a treasure trove of life and love which never deceives us, and I felt more determined than ever before to persevere with others on this journey which is open to a future of hope, unity and peace. In my heart I thanked Jesus for having given to me this wonderful experience.

Anna Caruana Colombo

See also:  Joy and hope – A Maltese Mariapolis, New City Magazine (UK), July 2023 – N.579 issue

What is this flurry of activity at the Focolare Centre in Kappara? There is a new excitement and a sense of expectation after the silent period of Covid-19 quarantine. It is due to the preparations for this year’s Mariapolis!

What is the Mariapolis?

The Mariapolis is an experience of community comprising persons of all ages, from all walks of life who are invited to come together for a weekend and to share an experience of true Christian living.

The theme for this year’s Mariapolis is: “Joy and Hope – is there space for them in our life today?” A series of talks, workshops and activities, all dedicated to this theme, form part of the weekend’s program.

The Mariapolis will be held at the Seabank Resort and Spa, Mellieħa Bay Bay, Mellieħa Bay, from Friday 17th March, from 6pm, until Sunday 19th March, up to 1pm.

God makes all things new. May this Mariapolis renew us all in preparation for Easter.

Anna Caruana Colombo

Enquiries: focolare.malta@outlook.com

The European Mariapolis 2022 was held from 24 to 28 July. The event, entitled A Path to Peace, was held at the Mariapolis Luminosa Centre (Las Rozas de Madrid) and brought together almost 200 participants, with a high percentage of young people and representatives from different European countries: Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Malta, Portugal, Italy and, of course, Spain.

Some online connections made it possible to welcome in the auditorium, virtually, but with warmth and participation, other contemporary Mariapolis in Portugal, Italy, and Slovakia, where was present a large group of refugees from Ukraine.

The aim of this Mariapolis has been to strengthen the links between the different peoples of Europe, starting from the citizens and civil society, in order to make a real contribution to the fraternity of the continent and to peace.

A series of round tables, dialogue, workshops, sharing of testimonies, trips, and musical and recreational moments, took us all on an inner journey, building relationships of Peace with the help of the great Spanish mystics: St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross, as well as Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement. The title of the Mariapolis was “Journeying from the Inner Castle to the Exterior Castle”. The Archbishop of Madrid, Carlos Osoro, said after his time spent in the Mariapolis that this motto is “revolutionized by the putting the Gospel into practice”. The inner spiritual life is defined by St. Therese as the Inner Castle. The experience the mystics bring to us is that God dwells within us and in our midst. Chiara Lubich said in one of her meditations: “Here is the great attraction of modern times: to penetrate to the highest contemplation while mingling with everyone, one person alongside others”. Chiara refers to this as the Exterior Castle.

“Look how they love each other…”, is the expression that best reflects the experience of these days, as is said of the first Christian communities,” commented a young man from Oviedo, recently ordained deacon. And then he added: “I have been convinced, through concrete, everyday events, that this has nothing to do with the running of a company, but with the life of a family”.

The testimonies gave a strong ecumenical dimension, such as that of Wim and Elma from the Evangelical Church in Holland; also inter-religious openness through Mardía, a Sufi Muslim, accompanied by her family; the concrete commitment to an integral ecology; the responsibility to build a United Europe evidenced by the Project Europe underway in Brussels with the collaboration of people from Eastern and Western Europe, a journey also highly appreciated by Luis Manuel Romero, Director of the Episcopal Commission for the Laity, Family, and Life of the EEC.

The video of Dr M. A. Shomali, Director and founder of the International Institute of Islamic Studies in Qom (Iran), summed up the meeting as having been a multi-coloured mosaic that filled all those present with hope: “Each one of us is like a tile, which together with others builds universal peace. May God be with you!”

Source: Focolare Movement Website Great Britain

We find ourselves connected in new ways – discovering close neighbours and distant friends, finding new points of dialogue and facing global challenges. How do we build a more united world together?

Our heart, our home, our world

Saturday – Sunday
October 2-3

Mariapolis is an annual gathering organised by the Focolare Movement, whose inspiration comes from Jesus’ prayer ‘That all may be one’ (John 17:21). People from all walks of life and expressions of faith are invited to join and explore a society built on fraternity, peace and justice. There will be moments of reflection, sharing of real life stories and time for relaxation and fun together.

The Mariapolis will be an opportunity to hear about and engage with the many activities that have flourished over this last year – in the field of interfaith dialogue, ecumenism, environmental action and more.

This year, as in 2020, the Mariapolis will be online which means that the whole world can join us. Do join us!

Bookings are now open!  Book here