In May 2026, the Centro Mariapoli Chiara Lubich in Trent marked its 40th anniversary with a series of events that brought together young people, civic leaders, artists, Church representatives and local communities around one central idea: generating social beauty.
Located in Cadine, just outside Trent, the birthplace of Chiara Lubich, the Mariapolis Centre has, since 1986, been a place of encounter, formation and dialogue inspired by the spirituality of unity. Strongly desired by Chiara herself, the Centre was created to foster relationships across cultures, generations and beliefs, in a city already known historically as a meeting place of dialogue through the Council of Trent.
The anniversary celebrations, held from 22–24 May, were intentionally designed not as a nostalgic commemoration, but as what organisers called “a living workshop” for the future. The theme, Generare Bellezza Sociale (“Generating Social Beauty”), reflected the conviction that authentic relationships can transform society and create spaces of trust, fraternity and peace.
The programme unfolded through “four places, four challenges, one vision.” One of the highlights was an artistic workshop led by Gen Verde, involving around one hundred young people aged 14–20. Through music, percussion, dance and performance, the workshop became a practical experience of teamwork, listening and intercultural encounter.
Another significant event took place within the Festival of the Economy in Trent, where New Humanity, the NGO linked to the Focolare Movement, organised a public dialogue entitled “Denied realities: between news and opinion, towards disarmed and disarming language.” Journalists, communicators and social leaders reflected on how language can either deepen division or help build understanding in today’s polarised world.
The anniversary culminated in an Open Day at the Mariapolis Centre itself. Civil and ecclesial representatives from across the region gathered to reflect on how communities can become places of welcome and participation. Urban planner Elena Granata spoke on the theme “Generating Beauty for Everyone,” while local civic and Church leaders joined discussions on building a society enriched by diversity.
Present for the occasion was Margaret Karram, recently confirmed for a second mandate as President of the Focolare Movement. In an interview with the Italian Catholic newspaper Vita Trentina, she reflected on the continuing mission of the Centre in today’s fragmented world. She emphasised that the charism of unity must increasingly be lived in “concrete relationships” and not remain only an ideal. The Mariapolis Centre, she said, can continue to be “a house open to everyone,” helping to generate a culture of peace through daily encounters and mutual listening.
Speaking during the anniversary events, Karram also highlighted Trent’s particular vocation for dialogue: “Trent can still speak to the world today by living a fraternity that becomes culture, style and practice.”
The celebrations also included outreach to places where relationships are often most fragile, including artistic initiatives involving the women’s section of the prison at Spini di Gardolo.
More than 1,000 people participated over the three days. Yet perhaps the deepest significance of the anniversary was not in the numbers, but in the renewed sense of mission. In a time marked by war, social fragmentation and growing fear of difference, the Mariapolis Centre sought once again to offer a space where dialogue becomes concrete and fraternity becomes visible.
Forty years after the opening of the Centre in Cadine, the message from Trent remains simple yet challenging: social beauty is born wherever people choose encounter over division, dialogue over indifference and fraternity over fear.