On June 22, 2023, the World Apostolate of Fatima attended the annual meeting of moderators of international associations, ecclesial movements, new communities, and other entities, promoted by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, in Rome. The theme was: On mission with Peter: Apostolicity, the heart of the movements’ identity.

Prof. Michael Ogunu, the International President of the World Apostolate of Fatima and Mr. Nuno Prazeres, the Director of the International Secretariat participated in the annual meeting of the Vatican’s Dicastery, with some other 150 people from 85 movements, from all continents.

The meeting recalled the 25th anniversary of the first International Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities.

The meeting, held at the General Curia of the Jesuits, began with the celebration of the Holy Mass, followed by the introduction remarks of Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery. In the introductory remarks, he emphasised that the movements should not forget the universal mandate of the Church, which is evangelization. Besides, the challenge of apostolicity today is not to look so much at what we have achieved in the past but to look at what can still be achieved in the future. The scope must be “transmitting the faith, bringing Jesus closer to everyone and to everywhere”. This must be done by rediscovering creativity to proclaim the Gospel, install new style, new methods, so that the message reaches out to people. The best way to evangelize is through life witness, in the family, and in the fellowship with others. There must be a special love for the poor and the disadvantaged, he said.

After the Cardinal’s introductory speech, there was a talk by Fr. Paolo Prosperi, stressing some challenges the movements face. He reminded participants that “apostolic movements are an expression of the missionary essence of the Church”.

During lunch break, participants interacted with each other and came to know better the various realities of the movements. After the break, the work resumed with a session devoted to the testimonies of the participants, to share how in these years they have welcomed and lived the challenge of apostolic life, in charity and service.

The meeting ended with a word of encouragement by Card. Kevin Farrell to all: “Do not be discouraged by the challenges. We need to install a new life, a new missionary spirit in the Church, through our movements”.