More than 400 participated in this year’s Mariapolis, "Love: Wellspring of a New Culture." Every Mariapolis is special, but the beauty, harmony, and wisdom of this year’s made everyone feel a bit of what "on earth as it is in heaven" means.

The new Haare Union building at Valparaiso University provided a beautiful, peaceful backdrop for the four days of the Mariapolis, devoted to the four ways of obtaining wisdom.

Each day began with the Mariapolis News, presented by two "big city reporters," John "Ace" Jackson and Lori "Stu" Pendous, who by the end of the Mariapolis were transformed by what they discovered.

A new way to find wisdom was discovered each day

The first way, asking God for wisdom, was illustrated with powerful experiences and a presentation by the New Families.

The second, seeking wisdom through our neighbor, was demonstrated in dialogue with our Jewish and Muslim friends,

and in presentations by the youth of the focolare, called the Gen for new GENeration.

The third, seeking wisdom through love for Jesus Forsaken, presented the Inundations as the answer to the dark night of contemporary culture, particularly the Economy of Communion, which was mentioned prominently in Benedict XVI’s recent encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate."

In the afternoon, break-out sessions by profession - to see together how to bring wisdom into the "dark" places of our fields.

That evening featured a "Mariapolis Fest" in which young people and families showed what a new culture of Wisdom would look and sound like. Some of the highlights:

Indigo Man Group

Gen Boy Rappers

A classic Mariapolis skit reminded us in a humorous way of the bumps we might encounter as we leave this temporary City of Mary and make our way back to our homes, schools and work places and how Wisdom could guide us thru those moments.

The last day, devoted to Jesus in our midst as the fourth way to seek wisdom.

A few impressions

"The spiritual education was first class!"

"I felt the sense of a real family from the beginning to the end."

"I am struck with the total atmosphere, a perfect way to teach the meaning of focolare "love and learning at its best!"

"Even though Mariapolis isn’t a vacation, I came away feeling renewed."

"I have spent a great amount of time getting to know the people of the focolare. Being at the Mariapolis conference for five days, I finally realized on a deep level that the focus isn’t really about focolare lingo and culture, it isn’t even really about Mariapolis, those are just side effects.  The point, focus, source and summit of it all is loving Jesus in the midst.  Now I recognize that I feel lighter after an encounter with the focolare because I am leaving that encounter with Jesus in the midst."

"I intend to leave here and bring home to live our "piece of heaven", our "new culture" wherever we go."

"The talks were inspiring. I found the spirit of Chiara Lubich both helpful to a practical contemporary spirituality and a Christian outlook.  The residents were very respectful and a wonderful example of the focolare way of living."

There Would be More to Say

There would be much much more to say, the evening of family unity games out doors, the picnic, the children and youth programs, etc. but to tell you the truth, you have to experience the Mariapolis for yourself to really understand.

We hope to see you there next year!