From November 3rd to November 5th, 2023, Florence played host to the 43rd national gathering Convention of the Italian Pro-Life Movement (MPV).
This significant event saw the participation of MPV members, volunteers, and friends, as well as representatives from Help for Life Centers, Welcome Homes, Sos Vita Services, and many more. At the heart of this gathering, the spotlight shone on the “Heroes for Life” exhibition by One Of Us, a striking tribute to seven individuals who have passionately advocated for the sanctity of life from the moment of conception to natural death.
The seven heroes celebrated at this exhibition are Sophie Scholl, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Saint Pope John Paul II, Carlo Casini, King Baudouin of Belgium, Venerable Jerome Lejeune, and Mother Teresa. Each of these remarkable men and women has left an indelible mark on the pro-life movement, standing firm in their commitment to the beauty and sanctity of every human life.
Marina Casini, President of One of Us and the Italian MPV, underscores the essence of these heroes’ message, stating, “These heroes recognize that the beauty of human life is for everyone. It is an important message, especially for young people who have their future ahead of them and who, as encouraged by Pope John Paul II, want to make their lives a masterpiece.”
The exhibition was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, particularly by the youth and various pro-life associations present in the convention. Their engagement and appreciation for the exhibition’s message and the legacy of these heroes demonstrated the resonance of the pro-life movement with the younger generation.
The “Heroes for Life” exhibition serves as a cornerstone of this year’s convention, which is themed “A journey into beauty : From origins to the future, on a mission for life.” The theme seeks to draw inspiration from the legacy of Carlo Casini, emphasizing the joy and wonder that come from contemplating the value of human life. This perspective offers transformative strength that doesn’t confine us defensively but rather provides the motivation for courage and illuminates the future, ultimately delivering a positive message and a promise of hope.
The exhibition commences its European tour in Florence, a city laden with symbolism as the birthplace of one of the heroes for life, Carlo Casini. It is also where he opened the first center to support pregnant women in 1975.
This backdrop sets the stage for the 43rd national convention, which encompasses a rich program of meetings, workshops, discussions, and roundtable sessions. Marina Casini aptly summarizes the convention’s essence as not just a moment of gathering and communion but also an opportunity to foster a more engaging, constructive, proactive, and effective volunteerism that can infuse the culture of life into society and meet the challenges of our complex times. The convention’s central message is clear: the heroes for life provide a guiding light on this collective journey to protect and cherish every precious life.
