The lay religious movement, Rinascita Cristiana-Malta was founded about 40 years ago following a visit to Malta by the Marchesa Immacolata Salviati who was then at the helm of the Italian movement. The movement in Malta has retained strong links with its Italian counterpart ever since and is also an active member of MIAMSI (the International Apostolic Movement of the Independent Social Miliex) which today has 35 member countries in four continents.

In the 1930s, Mgr Giovanni Montini – later to become Pope Paul VI – was instrumental in the formation of Rinascita Cristiana in Italy. At around the same time, Marie Louise Monnet, the sister of Jean Monnet who was one of the founders of the European Union, founded ACI (Independent Catholic Action) in France. They had both realised that, among the large number of Catholic organisations exercising the apostolate, a movement for lay men and women whose position in life could enable them to exert strong moral and spiritual influence on modern society was missing.

Soon after, MIAMSI was formed to bring together, from all parts of the world, movements and organisations having the same mission. It is recognised by the United Nations Organisation as an NGO with consultative status to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). A General Assembly is held in a different member country every four years.

The European movements of MIAMSI are represented at the ‘European Relais’ which is a meeting that takes place once or twice yearly mostly in Paris or Rome (both cities in which the organisation has premises) and occasionally in some other member country. RC – Malta has participated many times in various countries over the years. A ‘European Relais’ was last held in Malta in 2005.

At present, RC Malta, the Maltese branch of MIAMSI, is made up of 10 groups consisting of not more than 10 members. Most groups meet every fortnight and one or two meet once a month. After meditating on the Word of God in the Gospel and relating it to their daily lives, a subject of current or individual interest is discussed. A different topic is chosen for each year and is studied and debated according to the method of “See, Judge and Act” and in the light of Catholic teachings and beliefs.

Rinascita Cristiana – Malta was first represented at a MIAMSI General Assembly when it was held in Rio de Janeiro as well as in Mexico in 1996 and also at the European Assemblies in Strasbourg and in Fatima. The next general assembly is taking place in Malta from 24 to 29 October. The theme of the assembly is: ‘Migrations: an opportunity to build bridges’, a subject which is of great current interest both locally and globally.

Maltese organisations with a particular interest in the subject are invited to participate in the Assembly and the general public is cordially invited to the opening ceremony and Eucharistic celebration which is to take place at the Cathedral, Mdina on Friday, 24 October at 6.30pm and also to the closing ceremony, which is to be presided over by Archbishop Mgr. Pawl Cremona O.P. and is to be held at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta on Tuesday, 28 October at 6.30pm.

Nicolette Zammit Lupi

Floriana