Magnificat Community: a new Association recognised by the Dicastery

The number of international associations of the faithful and other entities recognised by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life has risen to 117. Last Friday, a ceremony was held to hand over the Decree by which the Dicastery recognised the Magnificat Community as an international association of the faithful, approving its statutes ad experimentum for five years.

The ceremony was held in the Dicastery’s Aula Magna in the presence of the Secretary, the Under-Secretaries, the Moderator of the Magnificat Community, Maria Rita Castellani, and numerous other local leaders, as well as some of the initiators and some guests.

A 'charismatic' Community

Magnificat Community began in 1978 in the city of Perugia, Italy, within the current of grace of Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which at that time was developing across Italy through prayer groups and communities. Magnificat was canonically recognised by the Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve in 1995. At the beginning of the new millennium, it began to spread to other countries, and today it is present in Romania, Turkey, Argentina, Uganda and Pakistan.

The Dicastery's Decree of recognition bears the date of 8 December 2023, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a date that recalls that 8 December 1978 when a group of lay people, namely the families of Tarcisio Mezzetti and his sister Agnese, and some young and adult people, formally started the Community in the Perugia parish of Elce.

Evangelisation, promotion of community life, Eucharist

All the members of the Community commit themselves through a ‘covenant’ to live a community life of evangelisation, sharing and service. The main aims of the association are - in addition to evangelisation, which they carry out through  New Life in the Spirit seminars, retreats and training courses - the promotion of community life and Eucharistic life. Charitable works are supported by the Community through Magnificat Foundation Ets.