At the opening session, Bishop Nunzio Galantino, Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference (IEC), declared that «The spirit of the Episcopal Conference is to start from those involved,» underlining how this is also proven by the meeting which saw the participation of all the ecclesial organisations operating in the social fields. «The ecclesial congress of November will start in Prato, the ideal periphery of Florence and home to Chinese immigrants, and where the Pope is scheduled to make his pastoral visit.» In an interview, Prof. Coda summarised the objective of the two-day work session. «We want to reflect and offer our testimonial through the experiences of some dynamic groups of the Church in Italy, that are working in the frontlines of service to the poor and homeless and in creating an open dialogue in all spheres.» The preparatory meeting delved into the theme on “The Servant of the Lord and the humanity of mankind” (15-16 May), organized by the Abele Group and their magazine, “Il Regno,” with the cooperation of the Italian Catholic Action, Carits, CNCA and the Networks of Charity and the Focolare Movement. “Together with the others, Piero Coda continued, these experiences «open out to all the existential frontiers of society, as Pope Francis says.» Furthermore, «in Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis uses a beautiful expression: we must say “yes” to all the new relationships generated by Jesus. All the groups involved in this event actualise in various ways, this “yes to new relationships” with the cultural and social divides, marginalisation of all sorts, the world around us, and the home common to all Creation, precisely as an expression of this reality of relationships.» Maria Voce’s presence underlined the Focolare’s adhesion to this preparatory path which aims above all to highlight the life of those who give all their energy every day to creating this “new humanism.” «The Church breaks through the confines of the building of religious rites, and in full communion between the clergy and laity, comes closer to present day humanity,» she affirmed in her speech. This Convention «targets the start of a new season in the life and mission of the Church in Italy: not only with regard to the pressing need for “pastoral conversion” but also for the role and public conduct of Christians in facing the social, economic and political realities of our country and keeping an open attitude toward Europe and the world.» She then referred to the challenges of pluralism and the need to harmonise the multitude of diversities in the public field. «This new season stands for the transformation of the world, starting from the radical conversion of our hearts and minds in order to be ready to meet Jesus in each person. God cannot receive us alone, he wants us to go to him with our brethren… To give the Christian name of fraternity to social relationships means committing ourselves to harmonizing the weft of relationships, recognising our mutual belonging and the bonds of responsibility implied, and orienting personal and collective efforts towards the common good.» This is why «we must give a voice and dignity to those at the periphery, extend the spheres of inclusion, and heal and rebuild the frayed social fabric. It is primarily the youth who wish to give their own contribution. So many initiatives have started up locally, in the heart of numberless fragments of “fraternal” civil life!» As a confirmation of Maria Voce’s words, were the almost 200 members of the Focolare Movement attending the meeting, and involved in many ways in the ecclesial organisations, and active in various fields: interreligious dialogue, reception of immigrants, politics, culture and legality, schooling, and the real opening of worksites for the good of Italy. It is a participation which demonstrates their concrete commitment, together with many other active groups.