{"id":160292,"date":"2026-03-01T18:54:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T17:54:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focolaremalta.org\/?p=160292"},"modified":"2026-03-03T16:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:48:14","slug":"english-general-assembly-2026-official-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focolaremalta.org\/en\/english-general-assembly-2026-official-opening\/","title":{"rendered":"News 1 – General Assembly 2026: Official opening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>\u201cI hereby officially declare open the Ordinary General Assembly of the Work of Mary, convened in accordance with the methods established by the General Statutes.\u201d<\/em> These were the words with which Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, opened the proceedings today, 1st March 2026.<\/p>\n

There are 320 participants at the Assembly. Representatives of eight Christian Churches and of various religions and cultures are present. <\/strong>Unfortunately, some participants have not yet arrived due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting flight ban. Thoughts and prayers of the entire Assembly immediately went out to this region of the world.<\/p>\n

Karram continued her opening address saying, \u201cAfter a long period of preparation, it seems to me that I don\u2019t see only you here present today, but all our communities around the world: from the Gen 4 to bishops, adherents, young people, and all those who are currently offering their sufferings for many different reasons.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cI arrived here this morning,\u201d<\/em> she confided, \u201cwith immense joy in my heart and, at the same time, I feel in my soul a sense of trepidation for the sacred and important moments we are about to begin. These will certainly be challenging days, but above all, my deepest wish is that this time will become a profound experience of God for all of us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The meditation, led by Sergio Rondinara<\/strong>, member of the Abb\u00e0 School, focused on how to read and interpret the \u201cPremise to every other rule\u201d in the light of Chiara Lubich’<\/strong>s experience. This is the premise that precedes and introduces the General Statutes and also guides the various norms contained therein. These words are also the premise and rule for the proceedings of the Assembly: \u201cMutual and constant love, which makes unity possible and brings the presence of Jesus among all, is, for those who are part of the Work of Mary, the basis for their life under every aspect: it is the norm of norms, the premise to every other rule.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Throughout the whole of today, the necessary formalities for conducting the Assembly are scheduled. We began with the appointment of two moderators, chosen from among the participants, and of the Electoral Commission who are called upon to oversee the proper operation of all the aspects of the election. This was followed by the approval of the regulations and of the program of the Assembly.<\/p>\n

Stefania Tanesini
\n<\/em>Focolare Media & Communications Unit (Rome)<\/p>\n

Photos: \u00a9 CSC Audiovisivi<\/em><\/p>\n

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