EUROPE/ITALY - 31st National Charismatic Convention, May 1-4: “Reborn through the Word of God”

Rimini (Agenzia Fides) - From May 1 - 4, the 31st National Convention for the Groups and Communities of Renewal in the Holy Spirit (“RnS”) will be held at the “Fiera di Rimini” (Italy), with the theme: “Reborn through the Word of God” (1 Pt. 1:23). Over 20,000 people will participate in what is now a spring tradition in the Movement, which in Italy alone has over 200,000 members, distributed among 1,900 groups and communities.
“In this upcoming Convention in Rimini, the Charismatic Movement will promote a sincere daily commitment, as individuals and as a community, in returning to the Word of God,” the Movement’s National President, Salvatore Martinez, said. “We want to continue listening to the Word of God, praying, loving and serving the Word! It is a Word that has not lost its creative and miraculous power of attraction, its extraordinary contemporaneity and relevance for our times. It is a Word that benefits all people, that offends no one, that can improve every person’s life, that can save all people.”
The intense itinerary for the event includes various moments of prayer and liturgical celebrations on a daily basis. Many special guests will attend the event, including Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and Cardinal Angelo Scola; Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, and Bishop Francesco Lambiasi of Rimini; Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Pontifical Household preacher; Father Rufus Pereira, Vice-President of the International Association of Exorcists; Michelle Moran, President of ICCRS (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services); and Father Ibrahim Faltas, parish priest from Jerusalem.
Two afternoons will be dedicated to study sessions. On May 2, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of John Paul II’s Meeting with Ecclesial Movements and New Communities in Saint Peter’s Square on May 30, 1998, RnS will dedicate a special time to recalling this event, with the theme: “The Church counts on each one of you.” The afternoon session the following day will be dedicated to formation with workshops and group discussions on the renewal of the Church and society, with the themes: Family, Youth, Priests, The Culture of Pentecost, and Group and Community Coordinators of RnS.
During the National Convention for adults, there will be another for young people, also at the same location of “Fiera di Rimini.” For children from 3-5 years of age, there will be a “Meeting Baby” on “Your Word, Lord, renews my life and my heart.” “Come to B-Beauty Farm” is the title of the “Meeting Bambini” for younger school-age children. For older school-age children, there will be “Meeting Ragazzi,” with the theme, “Less chatter...the ‘Word’ is enough.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 30/4/2008; righe 36, parole 424)