Rediscovering and proclaiming hope again

Card. Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, welcomed the approximately 250 participants, moderators and representatives of the 115 aggregations recognized by the Dicastery, to the Annual Meeting 2025 (June 4-6, 2025) on the theme “Hope Lived and Proclaimed: the Gift of the Jubilee for Ecclesial Communities.”

Cardinal Farrell introduced the opening session by inviting all to continue experiencing and proclaiming hope to the women and men of our time. “We will reflect,” he said, ”on the two great themes of mission and formation, so that what you have experienced can also be transmitted to new generations.”

Offering the men and women of this age the opportunity to find in Christ the true hope that illuminates life

Recalling the needs of our age, the prefect invited reflection on some important points to work on during these two days of the Meeting: “Today, too, your groups are called to offer the men and women of this age the opportunity to find in Christ the true hope that illuminates life. Today, too, missionary initiatives must arise from your groups to communicate to the world the hope they have encountered. Today, too, young people must be trained to become men and women of hope in a world often crushed by despair and cynicism.”

After the opening remarks, participants listened to a talk given by Prof. Luigino Bruni and Prof. Andrea Riccardi on “What Challenges for Movements Today?” which was followed by questions and debate. 

The penitential liturgy: errors and omissions of movements and pastors, invocation to the Spirit for true conversion

The first day's work will continue with a penitential liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica, during which the listening to the Word of God will be followed by two moments: the recognition of the failures, errors and omissions of the movements and pastors with respect to the charism, with respect to the persons and the mission of the Church itself; and the invocation to the Holy Spirit so that he may guide all aggregations of the faithful to the necessary conversion, in fidelity to their mission of bringing the Gospel to the women and men of our time.