Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Is 43:19)
The 50th National Convention of CLC in Italy centered on the topic of recognizing God’s work in our current history and nurturing the new life He is springing forth.
From April 30 to May 3 over 300 members — including young families and Jesuit assistants — gathered in Rimini for four days of prayer, dialogue, and communal discernment. The gathering was a joyful opportunity to revisit the community’s charism and define its path for the coming years.
The community identified several priority areas for its future mission:
- Formation: Strengthening the pillars of community life and Ignatian spirituality.
- Pastoral Care: Renewed attention to youth, families, the elderly, the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who are separated or divorced.
- Apostolic Action: Deepening the partnership with the Society of Jesus and taking responsibility for social peripheries, including migrants and those in prison.
The Assembly looked beyond national borders, reflecting on the journey of the universal Church and the World CLC. Contributions from Fr. Giacomo Costa SJ (General Secretariat of the Synod) and Cecilia Martinez (CLC World ExCo) helped frame the local experience within a global context.
The vitality of the community was further celebrated during a Mass presided over by Fr. Ronny Alessio SJ (Provincial of the Euro-Mediterranean Province) and 10 members made their temporary or permanent commitment to the CLC.
The event concluded with a ‘Peace March,’ crowning a journey begun in late 2024. By walking the equivalent distance from Kyiv to Gaza, the community transformed a symbolic link into a tangible, physical commitment to peace.The march ended at the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini with a final Eucharistic celebration, sending participants home as witnesses of hope and reconciliation.
