In the Protomoteca Hall: Memory – Today – Prophecy
A Europe that remembers, that questions, that looks to the future and that prays: this is the vision that emerged at the event ‘Europe between memory and prophecy – 75 years after the Schuman Declaration’ promoted by Together for Europe that took place in the solemn setting of the Protomoteca Hall in the Capitol. The initiative, supported by the European Commission Representation in Italy and the Municipality of Rome, brought together scholars, young people, institutional representatives, representatives of the Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, Waldensian and Catholic Church for an in-depth dialogue on the present and future of the continent.
The conference was opened by researcher Federico Castiglioni, who moderated the intense programme. After the Hymn of Europe, journalist Carla Cotignoli introduced the path of Together for Europe, born from the desire to combine European identity with shared spiritual values.
The programme was then divided into three moments: Memory, Today, Prophecy. During the first part, dedicated to Memory, young Carmine Maraio and historian Maria Pia Di Nonno offered a lucid look at the construction of a European identity. Particularly touching was the video remembrance dedicated to David Maria Sassoli, an emblematic figure of an open and solidarity-oriented Europe.
In the Today segment, Vaticanist Riccardo Cristiano and Megalizzi Foundation ambassador Giulia Covalea presented new European initiatives with a focus on youth participation and intergenerational communication.
A musical interlude provided by flutist Giulia Valenti gave the participants a moment of artistic reflection.
The third and final moment, Prophecy, aimed to cast our gaze into the future. The speeches by Angèle Mulibinge Kaj and Prof. Alberto Lo Presti evoked the need to rediscover Europe as a space of spirituality, welcome and responsibility.
Prayer time in the Basilica Santa Maria in Aracoeli
The atmosphere became more intimate and profound with the ecumenical prayer in the nearby Basilica Santa Maria in Aracoeli, led by representatives and ministers of different Christian denominations.
From the biblical texts read by Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic voices, to the interdenominational prayers, from the songs of the ecumenical choir composed for the occasion to the evocative ‘Sign of Light’ brought by the young people, this moment bore witness to a possible spiritual unity that transcends borders and differences. At a time marked by fractures, wars and uncertainties, the message launched by the event is clear: building a Europe of peace, solidarity and justice is not only necessary, but also urgent.
The event culminated with an interfaith blessing and a choral song: a symbol of communion between peoples, languages and faiths, in the knowledge that Europe can only find itself ‘together’.
On 6 May, in the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, we took part in the usual Taizé prayer.
The prayer was for Europe, with about 50 people present: it was very solemn and ecumenical, with representatives from different Churches. The intentions were prepared and read by us, at the request by the young organisers. A young friend of our network, who is now a candidate for the national parliament, was also present.
We came from four Movements: Schoenstatt, Sant’Egidio, Chemin Neuf and Focolari.
The prophet Jeremiah had a clear idea of what it means to seek good in the environment in which we live and dwell. He knew that God’s people prosper when they do not shut themselves off, but put themselves at the service of society. In this way it creates space for life and hope for future generations.
We have been experiencing for years that God wants to gather his people. We are aware that the gift-charism that He has given to each Movement and Community is destined to be ‘light and salt’ in the society in which we live. In the midst of the profound crisis that we are experiencing today, let us seek together ‘the Good’ in the challenges and possibilities of our time.
The initiative in Munich is meant to be an experience of friendship and inspiration. Together we want to celebrate God and live in unity and reconciliation. TOGETHER FOR EUROPE.
On Friday 27 June, the idea of ‘TOGETHER’ will be further explored: there will be a guided tour of the city, followed by a snack and an evening programme.
Saturday 28 June it is the turn to have a closer look at ‘FOR’: An in-depth study of the text of Jeremiah 29:7 will be followed by moments of exchange. In the afternoon there will be thematic groups: prayer for the city, social initiatives, youth, marriage and family, spreading the Gospel, migration and others. The evening will come to an end with a moment of praise.
Sunday, 29 June will be dedicated to ‘EUROPE’ with an ecumenical celebration.
For more information and booking see the national website: www.miteinander-wie-sonst.org. The event will be in German, and no translations shall be provided.
Mukacevo: I had never even heard of that town in western Ukraine when I arrived there in September 2024. It borders Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. I arrived there one fine September day, with the intention of supporting the small focolare community in this country tormented by war. Ukrainian friends had told me: ‘When the bombing of Kyiev started in 2022, the whole world was following us. Now the interest has waned and we are beginning to feel abandoned.’ This realisation – not without bitterness – set something in motion within me: Yes, I too want to give a sign of solidarity. As Pope Francis puts it: I want to make myself close to an experience that seems so far away from my life. My choice is facilitated by the fact, that I speak Russian – a language with which one can understand Ukrainians. I have decided, therefore, to make myself available for a certain period of time.
The airspace over Ukraine is closed. It took me two days to travel from Holland, where I live, to Mukacevo. When I arrived there, I had a totally new experience: air-raid warnings followed y bombardments, e.g. on the power station of Mukacevo. With each warning, people – consciously or unconsciously – fall into a ‘state of shock’. A friend came up with a drastic comparison to explain what happens on a psychological and spiritual level: ‘It is like unplugging a switched-on computer several times in a row. When you plug it back in, the system suffers. Our physical and mental health are severely rattled. In Ukraine we have been living like this for three years.’
I was strongly impressed by the women, many of whom nurture a solid faith in God. War meant that many men were at the front, wounded or dead. Others have fled and are hiding somewhere. The focolarine explained to me: “We stayed in Ukraine to share with the people an experience of God among us. He gives us the strength to resist”.
It is said that Ukrainians are very tenacious, and do not give up easily. I felt I can learn a lot from them. Oleksandra runs a family furniture business. Before the war it was a flourishing business; now, however, the men who used to work there have all been called for military service. This means that the income to support her family was no longer available. I was impressed by Oleksandra’s faith in God that helps her to face such a precarious situation with courage and creativity every day.
Irina is a woman like many others in Ukraine: her husband is at the front in the Donbass region. They often communicated by phone and he tells her many horrible things; nevertheless, he also tells her about the solidarity and hope among the soldiers. Although he does not identify with a specific religiosnl he too started to pray. “At the front”, he says, “there are no atheists. There are moments when everyone is praying”.
Tanja fled from an occupied city with her two daughters, aged 10 and 12, She hid them in the car among her suitcases. While queuing at a checkpoint, someone got out of the car and got shot, dying instantly. Tanja was terrified, but at that moment she was only thinking about pressing the accelerator in case she was hit so as to get her daughters to safety.
I only stayed a few months with these people. When I returned home to the Netherlands, I realised that something inside me had changed profoundly. The months spent in Ukraine taught me a ‘life lesson’: an unshakeable faith in God and the dignity of always being able to persevere, without any complaints. Indeed, it was Ukrainian women like Tanja, Irina and Oleksandra, who taught me with their lives that it is worth believing in a God who never abandons his people.
In 2024 the Friends of Together for Europe (TfE) will meet in Austria
It is wonderful (even if challenging!) to feel “called” to live and work in a reality greater than oneself: one does so, with joy and an ever-new impetus, on a well-founded Hope! Because, when God calls, we can always count on his grace that leads, accompanies, gives strength… And it is even more beautiful to discover that others, too, have received the same call – but with different tones and concrete expressions. This is how it is when different charisms meet! Converging in great freedom, discovering the myriad things that unite us, amplifies the beauty of each, refines and strengthens common goals.
Last year, in Timisoara/Romania, the Friends of TfE once again experienced being called to unity, an unforgettable experience, which filled their hearts, minds and souls.
Now their next meeting is approaching; this year it will be hosted by the TfE network in Styria, in Seggau, near the regional capital Graz/Austria.
Despite the fact that the world – including Europe – seems to be crumbling, there is a growing number of people who have been walking together for 25 years, experiencing the generative power of peace in going with an open heart towards the different, in welcoming each other even when it costs, in serving the Church and society together. These people know that the word ‘hope’ is not something that only refers to the future, but something already alive among them. “Called to Hope!” Hence the choice of this title for the meeting in Graz.
In and around the picturesque Hotel Schloss Seggau there will be time for getting to know each other, for dialogue, for making plans together for the good of our Churches and societies, and… also for an ‘ecumenical walk’ through the city of Graz, which is full of history in this respect. There will be opportunities to meet with leaders of local Churches and civil society. And, of course, there will be times for learning more about our charisms and for prayer.
We look forward with joy and full of renewed HOPE to this appointment – open to the surprises that its human-divine potential holds in store for us!
