By Roberto Carnevale – CLC in Italy (original in English)

This is the question that has been beating in my heart for months. We are in the midst of a profound global process: revising our General Principles. This is not a simple editorial exercise. We are being asked to listen to the Spirit, to each other, and to the voice of our world, to shape the spiritual DNA that will guide and inspire the next generation of our community.

This process has asked us to do one thing above all: to leave our comfort zones and truly listen.

The World as Our Workshop

The core of this “first stage” has been a series of international workshops.

Delegates from every corner of the world gathered virtually to enter into a common discernment on three fundamental ideas:

1. How do we define ourselves as “One Community” in a world that is both hyper-connected but deeply divided?
2. How do we define membership? What does it mean to belong to this global body?
3. How can we develop and deepen our concept of apostolic life for today’s realities?

The experience was electrifying. By mixing groups with people from diverse continents, cultures, and contexts, we were able to touch the true richness of our global family. The discussions were deep, honest, and profoundly “Ignatian”.

Difference was not a barrier; it was the starting point for a deeper vision.

This was not just a discussion; it was true common discernment. It struck a chord with so many of us, enriching the dialogue between local delegates and the International Commission guiding this process. We were not just sharing opinions; we were building a shared understanding.

From the Global to the Local: The Italian Experience

This global spirit was mirrored in our own local process. Here in Italy the revision of the first document sparked interest and energy. Our journey was meticulous. We first worked to elaborate on the text, translating the summary of the corpus of documents to ensure everyone who spoke only Italian could fully participate.

We then shared it widely, requesting a first round of feedback. After processing these initial responses, we asked for a second round of feedback by the end of September, which we integrated with observations from our own National Executive Committee.

The participation was a sign of a community that is alive and engaged. We received active responses from seven different local communities, several individuals, and our entire Executive Committee. This final, integrated “Italian voice” was then re-shared, approved, and finally sent to the World Committee. It felt like we had truly spoken as one.

The Heart of the Matter: A Personal Reflection

For me, this journey has been personally transformative. Through my work as “Eurolink”, my vision of CLC had already expanded, but this process has stretched my heart to embrace the entire world.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I feel, in my own small way, that I am helping to “make the history of CLC” with this revision.

But the greatest gift has been the call to leave my own “comfort zone”. Listening to the stories from our brothers and sisters outside of our comfortable and beloved Europe was humbling. Hearing the struggles, the challenges, and the heroic faith of all my companions in any place around the world live out just to carry our mission forward… it puts everything in perspective.

This first stage of discernment is complete. The dialogue has been opened, our hearts have been stretched, and our vision has been widened. We are not just writing a document: we are becoming the “One Community” we are called to be.