Light shone out through any remaining grey clouds over Yorkshire in August at the annual Focolare Mariapolis as the theme was ‘Love is light’. This referred to the Christian search for wisdom and the light that comes from living the Gospel.
Nearly 700 people attended, including many families with small children and over 100 day visitors. The countries represented included Kazakhstan and China, Congo and Mexico, Korea and Japan, as well as Finland and other European countries.
As usual, different Christian traditions were represented: Anglican, Lutheran, United Reformed Church, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Methodist, Russian Orthodox, but there were also people of other faiths, Muslims, Hindus and a Buddhist. People who do not have a particular religious approach to life also felt at home in the Mariapolis.
A keynote talk was on the light and strength that come from the presence of Jesus in the midst of those gathered in his name (cf Mt 18:20). An illustration of this was the personal experience of a German speech therapist living in Glasgow who needed to pass a language test and find a job. It was a great struggle re-taking the exam and finding work. At the point of giving up, she was able to persevere, encouraged by the light of Jesus in the midst with her friends. And both goals were achieved.
Another talk focused on finding light in darkness, explained by the mystery of Jesus on the cross who felt forsaken by the Father. In a very moving experience, a grandmother shared how she had recognized an aspect of this suffering in the helplessness she felt when her daughter had pre-eclampsia prior to giving birth. Thankfully, both baby and mother were fine.
A teacher and a management consultant gave a joint presentation on how the light of the Gospel can be brought into the different aspects of our working life and into society. There was also a session on how the ‘Economy of Communion’, a new economic strategy developed by members of the movement, is bringing new light in businesses across the world. One afternoon, there were also seminars on the family, education, interfaith relations, economics and health.
The York venue was very popular and whether it was a guided tour of the walls or of York Minster, playing with the children in Rowntree Park, walking in the countryside or visiting Ripon Cathedral, the outings were a great success.
People went away re-charged and wanting to take what they had learnt at the Mariapolis back home with them. One participant said ‘We gained so much, fun, fellowship, and an opportunity for reflection on how we can live more fully as part of a family, in friendship and as members of society. For me, the Mariapolis strikes the perfect balance for those who seek spiritual enrichment and for those who wish to spend a week with lovely people, spending time together having fun.’
Celia Blackden