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The Community of Sant'Egidio began in Rome in
1968 with a group of high school students who wanted to take the Gospel more
seriously. Today it is a movement consisting of over 40,000 Christian
laypeople in more than 60 countries throughout the world.
Prayer, solidarity, friendship, peace, ecumenism, and interreligious dialogue are central to the life of the Community. The services of each Community around the world develop through the fostering of intimate friendships with the poor, elderly, immigrants, and children who are our neighbors in the cities in which we live. Not only have Communities been tearing down the walls of prejudice, fear, and loneliness that separate us from one another within our own cities, but many Communities throughout the world have also realized dreams of friendship across international borders. Friendship, always at the starting point, has led to a peace agreement to cease civil war in Mozambique and to Project DREAM, an HIV/AIDS treatment program in sub-Saharan Africa. Communities have entered prison cells to discover a lasting hope and friendship that radiate past locked doors. Friendship with prison inmates has also led the Community to strongly oppose the death penalty. Communities throughout the world have set up Schools of Peace wherever children need a safe place to learn, to build friendships and strong foundations for peace.
The Vatican has officially recognized the Community of Sant'Egidio as a
public lay association.
More about the Community.
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The Community of Sant'Egidio has continued living the spirit of the Assisi World Day of Prayer, proposed by Pope John Paul II in 1986, by accepting the Pope's final invitation of that historical meeting: "Let's keep spreading the message of Peace and living the spirit of Assisi." In celebration of the 20th anniversary of that historical Prayer for Peace, the Community of Sant'Egidio, Archdiocese of Washington, Georgetown University and The Catholic University of America, are happy and honored to invite you to the International Prayer for Peace: "Religions and Cultures: the Courage of Dialogue" in Washington D.C. on April 26-27, 2006.
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The Community of Sant'Egidio has been in the United States since 1990, when
it was first established in New York City. Since then, many other
Communities have developed in cities throughout the country. Our Communities in
the United States maintain a close bond of friendship with each other, and
with many of the Communities around the world. Please click on the links below for the places where the Community gathers for prayer. All are welcome
to participate in the prayer.
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