International Consiglio Meeting
September 23-20,2023 in Rome, Italy
The International Council, also known by its Italian name Consiglio, held its first meeting in October 1996 in Rome, Italy. Sofia Cavalletti saw its founding as an important step in the development of our work to support the “co-involvement” of many — young and old — in the atrium (“The Founding of the International Council,” 1998 Journal).
For the twenty-one people who came from seven countries where Catechesis of the Good Shepherd had become widespread, the aim of the Consiglio was to “be a sign of unity,” joining representatives of associations around the world in a special friendship. Such friendship sprung “in a deep and spontaneous manner right from the first and did not allow them to be discouraged by the differences in ages or by the different settings where people lived or even by the separation of an ocean.”
The greatest importance of the Consiglio’s identity is point #2 (of the 32 Points of Reflection) – The International Council (Consiglio) of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a sign of unity of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which is present in various countries through the Associations which have been formally established according to the guidelines of the Consiglio. Francesca stated during a session on Organizational Issues that “we cannot overstate enough the greatest importance of unity.”
Our representatives from the United States are Mary Mirrione and Karen Maxwell. Rebekah Rojcewicz serves as one of four members of the International Board (Giunta). Join us in praying for the members of the Consiglio, for their work, and for their safe travel.