Formia, Italy. The members of the General Curia of the Claretian Missionaries held their annual retreat from September 22nd to 26th, 2025, in the coastal town of Formia, about two hours from Rome. This year’s gathering carried the theme “Pilgrims of Hope on the way of peace” and was enriched by the participation of brothers from the Juridicum Community and the parish community of the Basilica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Rome.
The retreat was preached by Fr. Edgardo Guzmán, CMF, from the Claretianum Community, who guided the participants through a spiritual journey marked by prayer, Eucharistic celebrations, and profound reflections. His meditations drew from Sacred Scripture and the writings of St. Anthony Mary Claret, inspiring the missionaries to embrace their vocation with renewed hope and courage.
Throughout the retreat, the participants were invited to moments of gratitude, self-emptying, and recognition of their call to witness in today’s world. Extended periods of silence and personal reflection allowed for deeper communion with God, while the serene natural setting of Formia provided an atmosphere of peace and contemplation. The shared meals and fraternal conversations further strengthened the bonds of community life.
A particularly moving gesture concluded the retreat: each participant presented a stone at the altar, symbolizing their personal trust in God and their commitment to continue the journey as pilgrims of hope and peace. This symbolic act highlighted the collective desire to begin the new community year 2025–2026 with spiritual renewal and missionary zeal.
The annual retreat remains a vital tradition for the Curia community, offering not only time for personal encounter with God but also a collective moment of preparation for the year ahead in service of the Congregation and the wider Church.
Source: Mathew Mmuo, CMF, Curia General, Rome
