The 340 participants of Mariápolis 2024 have left Oviedo for more than forty cities they came from. The four days spent "on the road to the meeting" have provided exercise, learning, and discovery, providing depth and motivation, offering a compass for the daily life that each of them now returns to in their home city.

Practice accepting others with their differences and peculiarities; create a family with anyone inside and outside the Mariapolis; practicing dialogue based on listening, acceptance, and esteem; sowing brotherhood by facing difficulties and practicing reconciliation. These have been the incentives offered to move forward..

And miles have been covered, many traveling back and forth between accommodations, the Convention Center, workshops, or on excursions through the city's magnificent surroundings. But the miles haven't been just physical…

Intergenerational and creative

Every moment of Mariápolis 2024 was enriched by the mix of people of different ages. According to one young philosopher, “it was very interesting and showed that we understand each other.”

The children had their own specific program. Among other activities, there was an afternoon at a nursing home, where they brought their joy with songs, dances, and drawings alongside the elderly; and a workshop where they were surprised by creating animals using materials from nature, learning even more: "A child ruined my animal, but I didn't destroy his. I happily set about making a new one."

The group of teenagers walked through the streets of Oviedo in an interesting scavenger hunt, practicing helping others and discovering some of the city's treasures, such as the story of the child martyr Saint Pelayo, whose remains are preserved in a monastery.

The presence of young people has proven significant and of quality, with several interventions on stage and a workshop in which the spirituality of unity was presented to those who wanted to know more about it. Newcomers from Brazil also participated after the Genfest international; a unique experience that they wanted to share with the whole Mariapolis.

Testimonials and projects

Many testimonies were shared: at the Congress Palace, on the city streets, during meals, on excursions, and in the 22 workshops. And not just testimonies, but also knowledge, skills, and insights along the path of dialogue.

An approach to people with disabilities

The Oviedo press has echoed and given space, in particular, to Carmen de Jorge's journey, as described in her book: Change the look.

An unquestionable testimony supported by the Councilor for Social Policies, María Velasco Muñiz, and Enrique Rodríguez, Director General for the Promotion of Personal Autonomy and the Elderly of the Government of the Principality of Asturias, who valued the strength and richness of her story and her contribution to changing society as a whole's view of disability. At the same time, "caring and being cared for is a reciprocal experience that enriches both parties, in a true interdependence that goes beyond dependency," since, in the words of the lawyer and author of the book: "we are all capable of loving and being loved, which is where true happiness lies."

International projects

The project Living Peace has generated great interest. More than thirty people have wanted to join its active network in Spain and 130 other countries. Its tools are well-known and have also borne fruit at the Mariapolis. Practiced especially by the little ones: the "Peace Dice," six faces with phrases inspired by the "art of loving," and "Time Out," a brief daily moment of silence, reflection, or prayer for peace.

We also had the opportunity to get closer to the project through a video “MEDITerraNEW: Mediation, Emotions, Dialogue, Interculturality, Talents to foster youth social inclusion in the Mare Nostrum”, in which the Igino Giordani Foundation acts as an associated entity, together with 8 others from 5 countries (Italy, Spain, Croatia, France, Lebanon and Egypt) of the Mediterranean basin. For more information, see the web or the podcast from LAR magazine.

Conclusion

In conclusion to these days, a legitimate question was: have the initial objectives been achieved, and to what extent?
From the Mariapolis? The answer came from those present. A good number of them from the stage, passing the microphone around naturally (for many, it was their first Mariapolis).

). They arrived loaded with expectations and curiosity, with life's disappointments, with the desire to discover the secret of that happiness captured in friends, family, and coworkers.

A sample:

“I had heard about you superficially, but here I have met you in concrete ways. I have found a family, a great family, who has opened their doors to me during meetings, excursions, exchanges… I have not only discovered the love of God and the trust I can place in Him. Now I am aware of that deep love that has taken up residence within me.” (from Seville)

“I have tried to live these days in Mariápolis by giving myself to others, which I understand is the way to live a Mariápolis. I am satisfied to have done so; I believe that it is the way for people like me, with non-religious convictions, to feel truly and totally integrated” (from Barcelona)

“You welcomed me, and a miracle happened… These days you've given me smiles without me even asking for them… The garden of my life was dry; here it has been watered again and will be able to flourish once more. A wonderful experience.”. (Venezuelan in Germany)

“My life journey has been abrupt… I came here because I trusted a friend and because I was eager to know what she could offer me. I had not been in a church for 20 years and here I have heard five masses. I am delighted, grateful! (from Madrid)

“I have to thank you because you have allowed me to discover words that bring about a change in my life... And not only that, you have given me the tools to walk, from now on, the path I have started here.”. (from Barcelona)

“These days have gone from less to more. The fact that we were 340 people from all over Spain was already good news because I love to cross borders… From here I take with me the relationship with “vitamin people”, of all ages, also very old and very young, and many healthy young people: a great family. I will tell my friends about it. Thanks also to my father who motivated me to come.”. (young man from Badajoz)