We live in a society that is fast becoming one of virtual reality. We see photographs that are not real but made up to present a more pleasant picture. We chat with people on social media whom we may never have met, and create artificial relationships. At home we watch films on TV that present life stories which are imaginary, that do not reflect the true life of ordinary human beings.

Yet, we all yearn for the real thing. We wish to build real relationships, have true friends on whom we can rely and watch films that give us the true picture of life.

The Mariapoli/s is about the true life. When I first attended the Mariapoli, several years ago, this was my uppermost feeling, I had found true friends. We were not perfect, but we were trying our best to live in an authentic way, to live for one another, to create unity which Jesus prayed for: “that all may be one”.

The Mariapoli is an annual meeting organised by the Focolare Movement. It originated when the movement’s founder, Chiara Lubich, went for holidays with her friends in the Dolomites, Italy. They were followed by several people and together they lived this Christian reciprocal love as a community.

Here in Malta, we too, live out a weekend break, where a varied community of people of all ages and backgrounds get together and make this experience of living for each other.

The programme consists of reflections, workshops  and festive moments aiming at achieving unity in diversity through reciprocal love.

If you yearn for the real thing, why not come and try this out? The Mariapoli is being held from Friday evening, November 3, to Sunday afternoon, November 5, at the Ramla Bay Resort Hotel, Marfa. Further information may be obtained   from the Centres of the Focolare Movement:

Stellaelise, Triq il-Huttaf, Kappara SGN 4333, tel: 2138 5801, e-mail. focfmt@go.net.mt.