My soul magnifies the Lord
Luke 1:46-48
and my spirit rejoices in God, my savior,
because he has looked upon the humility of his servant
The history of the Magnificat Community begins in the mid-1970s, with the advent in the Church of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which, officially, was welcomed into the Vatican by Pope Paul VI on May 19, 1975, at their Third International Congress.
From there on, through many vicissitudes, accompanied by the pastors of the Church – first in Perugia, then in Rome – the Community witnessed a cascade of grace: conversions, healings, deliverances, vocations… as the number of Fraternities grew and spread throughout Italy and other nations.
This page reports the essential news of the Community’s history.
Rome, 1973.
Pope Paul VI receives some leaders of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
May 18: On the Solemnity of Pentecost, the World Congress of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is held in Rome. In the aftermath, a group of lay people together with the parish priest of San Donato all’Elce in Perugia feel a strong desire to start living this experience begun with the brothers of the Mary Community.
Dec. 21: Agnese Mezzetti and her daughter Valentina Bettelli receive the Prayer of Effusion in the Maria Group of Rome.
In the first months of the year several family members and acquaintances of Agnes and Valentina join the experience; among them is Tarcisio Mezzetti with his entire family. A prayer meeting begins at the parish of San Ferdinando
November: Jacqueline Dupuy and Alfredo Ancillotti begin, in Rome, the Comunità Maria to which the charismatic reality that arose in Perugia also adheres.
Tarcisio, a university professor, begins an extensive evangelization activity among his students; this activity is experienced with tension by the leaders of the Maria Community. The prayer meeting moves from the church of Santa Giuliana to the chapel of the Bishop’s Palace. At the parish in the university district – San Donato all’Elce – an effusion seminar is held for more than a hundred young people.
February: out-of-town mission to Papiano parish, where a good number of young people begin their journey.
March 9: Agnes, Tarcisio and Fr. Leonello Birettoni, pastor of St. Ferdinando’s, are excluded from the Maria Community; the pastor of St. Donato all’Elce, Fr. Nazzareno Bartocci, decides that the prayer meetings begun following the previous year’s effusion seminar should not be interrupted, entrusting Agnes and Tarcisio with their care.
March 10: During an intense moment of personal prayer, Tarcisio Mezzetti has a prophetic experience accompanied by the words, “With Jesus, on Jesus, build“, later recognized as basic and prophetic for the Community.
July: following various signs believed to be prophetic – occurring between Lourdes and Perugia – it was decided to give the new reality the name “Magnificat Community“.
Dec. 7, on the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Magnificat Community was formally founded at the parish of San Donato all’Elce in Perugia during a Eucharistic celebration.
Feb. 22: Archbishop Ferdinando Lambruschini of Perugia-Città della Pieve, Archbishop Ferdinando Lambruschini, approves ad experimentum the first stringent Statutes.
Between spring and fall on several occasions the Lord gives prophecy about the San Manno complex near Perugia, which-following an intricate and wonderful history-will become the Community’s headquarters.
End of July: Tarcisio, in the church of San Donato all’Elce, received the words, “I want from the Community four promises: poverty, permanent forgiveness, love building and service“.
August: during the community camp held in Paestum, in two separate tents, the Lord speaks to both groups about the four promises: the Community thus recognizes the words heard the previous month by Tarcisio as prophetic and accepts them as the basis of its commitment.
In the same year, the two specific charisms received, to be exercised as a priority, are recognized: Eucharistic adoration and evangelization.
Tarcisio Mezzetti gives a teaching during a community day in 1987.
Dec. 8: Celebration of the first Community Feast, with theAct of Entrustment to Mary.
During the VI National Convocation of RnS Animators in 1982, the first issue of the magazine was distributed. Come and See, entirely produced and edited by the Community.
Following missionary and evangelization activities, some new community foundations began in other cities-Cortona, Salerno and Turin.
The new Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve, Monsignor Cesare Pagani, asks the Community to draw up a Rule that better specifies its life and aims. The community realities of the other cities, along with that of Perugia, consider themselves “sisters”: there is a strong communion of purpose among them but no formal bond yet.
Oct. 15: In the little church of Our Lady of Light in the center of Perugia, granted by the Archbishop to the Community, perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins, inaugurated (two days earlier) by a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Raniero Cantalamessa.
Feb. 11: The experience of theAgnus Dei: Vanda Rossi and Ginette Girardet, sisters in the Community, begin a life together.
March 10: During a community day at the Franciscan Cenacle in Santa Maria degli Angeli (PG), Tarcisio gave the famous catechesis “Dreaming the dream of God“.
In late spring the Magnificat Community experience was joined by the reality of Foggia.
June 12: In Prepo (PG), the first Alliance by those responsible alone.
Dec. 8: First public renewal of the four pledges, at St. Anthony’s Oasis, Perugia.
Feb. 23: Thirteen brothers and sisters are elected to coordinate the Magnificat Communities who will make up the service ministry.
Sept. 10: The Curia of Perugia gives the San Manno complex on free loan to the Community.
Dec. 8: Renewal of the four vows in the presence of Archbishop Monsignor Cesare Pagani.
Nov. 29: At the Franciscan Cenacle in Santa Maria degli Angeli (PG) one hundred seventy-one brothers and sisters from all the Magnificat Community realities in Italy make the four promises and sign the Book of the Covenant.
Perugia, October 15, 1995.
In the center of the photo Monsignor Ennio Antonelli, apostolic administrator of Perugia – Città della Pieve, on the day of the delivery of the Rule of Life, with some community leaders
At the initiative of the Foggia Community, a journey of discernment begins for the Magnificat Community to become one.
April: discernment begins on the figure of the elders Community.
June 8-9: During a retreat at the Don Orione Institute in Rome for Magnificat Community leaders, discernment has an acceleration that will lead to the decision that the Magnificat Community be one, under the leadership of the elders.
Oct. 12-13: The Magnificat Community becomes one and four elders are elected as leaders: Antonio Vella, Oreste Pesare, Stefano Bagianti and Tarcisio Mezzetti. They are to remain in office until an approved statute is drafted.
The four elected elders experience profound difficulties that reverberate in the community, especially those gravitating around Perugia; the four elders’ experience of exhaustion.
Dec. 20:Covenant is celebrated in individual areas.
In the Perugia area of the Community, ministerial activity is halted and there is–from then on, in that area–a sharp decline in the number of allies.
Jan. 14: Archbishop of Perugia, Monsignor Ennio Antonelli, establishes a commission to draft the Rule of Life.
September: a “staged” walk is experienced for the first time in Perugia.
December: the Zones of Foggia, Perugia (formed by the Fraternities of Cortona, Marsciano and Perugia), Salerno and Turin are established; at the same time, elders are appointed in each of these realities and, for each, the first leaders are elected.
Oct. 15: Monsignor Ennio Antonelli recognizes the Magnificat Community as a private association of the faithful of diocesan right and approves its statutes ad experimentum for three years.
Dec. 17: In Sacrofano (Rome), at the Fraterna Domus, five general managers, to whom the whole Community responds, one for each zone: Oreste Pesare (president), Daniele Mezzetti, Giancarlo Giordano, Luigi Montesi, Simona Manzoni; the general spiritual adviser is Fr. Gernaldo Conti.
April 17: By decree of Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Magnificat Community is recognized as an effective member of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities, an international association of Pontifical Right.
Oct. 12-13: First Extraordinary Chapter of Community Elders.
The Fraternity of Cortona separated from the Perugia Zone and became the first embryo of the future Tuscany Zone.
Montesilvano, Jan. 4, 2005, General Convention.
Moderator General of the Community, Stefano Ragnacci addresses Monsignor Giuseppe Chiaretti, archbishop of Perugia – Città della Pieve and Monsignor Gualtiero Bassetti, bishop of Arezzo – Cortona – Sansepolcro, on the day of the handing over of the Statutes just revised by the Community and approved on December 24, 2004.
Jan. 8-9: The first general convention of the Magnificat Community is held in Fiuggi, Rome.
January: with the resignation of one of the general managers, the crisis begins that will lead almost all of Foggia’s reality to form another Community.
Jan. 1: Archbishop of Perugia Monsignor Giuseppe Chiaretti, who succeeded Antonelli, appoints a new commission to review from the Statute. It includes brothers representing each zone.
Oct. 25-26: Community chapter approves new text of bylaws.
Nov. 12: The Foggia area (excluding twelve allies) announces the birth of another Community, called Magnificat Dominum.
In this year the first planting of the Magnificat Community in the city of Bucharest in Romania began, which would lead in the following years to the establishment of various fraternities throughout the country.
Following charitable experiences aimed at helping children in need in Romania, Operation Little Brother was born, which later became an NGO aimed at various types of welfare activities in various countries around the world.
Dec. 24: Monsignor Chiaretti approves the new statutes.
January 4: During the General Convention held in Montesilvano (PE), Monsignor Chiaretti delivers the new Statute to the Community; also present is the Bishop of Arezzo – Cortona – Sansepolcro Gualtiero Bassetti, who, in 2009, will in turn become Archbishop of Perugia – Città della Pieve and thus a new reference for the entire Community.
Sept. 23: The small church of the St. Manno monument complex reopens for worship, with a Eucharist celebrated by Monsignor Chiaretti.
In the city of Istanbul, Turkey, an evangelization effort is begun that will give rise to a Fraternity, composed almost entirely of people converted from Islam.
Nov. 25: The Community Chapter approves the drafting of the Bylaws, which implement the Statute.
May 10: Monsignor Chiaretti writes a letter to the bishops of Romania to introduce them to the Magnificat Community.
May 30-31: First national conference of the Magnificat Community in Romania.
Ciofliceni, Snagov (Romania), Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, June 8, 2019.
Eucharistic Adoration during the national conference of the Magnificat Community in Romania.
A Community Mission is born in Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina, which will give rise to a Fraternity in formation in that city.
Sept. 3: Archbishop Juan Alberto Puiggari of Parana writes a letter of blessing on the initiative to establish a Magnificat Community Fraternity in his diocese.
Dec. 31: Monsignor Bassetti approves the Regulations of Consecrated Persons for the Community.
Jan. 5: At the Community’s General Convention, two sisters make their final promise of chastity for the Kingdom for the first time in the Magnificat Community.
Feb. 9: Monsignor Bassetti delivers to the Community the Guidelines for spiritual accompaniment.
Mar. 15: Monsignor Bassetti writes to Cardinal Ryłko, then president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, because he thinks “the time is ripe for the initiation of the paperwork for a Pontifical recognition.”
July 23: The Tuscany Zone was established, consisting of the fraternities of Bibbiena, Cortona, Magione-Agello, Marti and related missions.
Oct. 10: The Community initiates a phase of revising the Statute to meet the new demands of international development, and the Archbishop specially appoints a commission.
April 14: To manage charitable activities in the best way and with complete transparency, The Community establishes a Foundation, recognized as a non-profit organization.
April 25: The General Ministry of Novitiate is established.
May 6: The General Ministry of Discipleship is established.
May 31: The house purchased in Romania by the Community, in Popeşti Leordeni, begins to be inhabited.
June 23: Adoration begins – Monday through Friday, day and night – at St. Manno’s little church.
April 25: First “official” meeting between elders of the Magnificat Community and the Magnificat Dominum Community since the breakup in 2003.
It began in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, a community journey that would be consolidated in the following years.
The Romania Zone is established, including the Fraternities of Alba Iulia, Shalom în Bacău, Misericordia in Bucharest, Betleem in Popești-Leordeni and Râmnicu-Vâlcea.
In Faisalabad, Pakistan, begins a mission followed by the Community which, in collaboration with various priests, will give rise to various initiatives to implant the Magnificat experience in various locations in that country.
March 17: Tarcisio Mezzetti, one of the initiators of the Community and probably the best known member in Italy for his tireless evangelization activities, especially with the healing seminars and spreading community spirituality; two days later, a solemn funeral is held in Perugia Cathedral, celebrated by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, in the presence of a crowd of people.
Sept. 3: The Magnificat Community and the Magnificat Dominum Community experience the Jubilee of Mercy together in Rome.
Feb. 20: The community decides to hire an Executive director-general.
April 10: The text of the new Statute is delivered to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life (which replaced the Pontifical Council for the Laity), thus beginning work on refining the text for approval.
June 17: Meeting in Foggia between elders of the Magnificat Community and the Magnificat Dominum Community during which they recognize that “the work of the Lord is taking place that impels us to unity. This commits us to a common journey of rediscovering the meaning of this unity and a renewed understanding of each other “.
July 31: A free loan agreement is signed for the use of theHotel Rossano in Agello (PG), which, later on, will be named Tabor House of Prayer; this facility will be used for various general activities of the Community, given the possibility of accommodation.
Fall: begins a mission in Ethiopia, in Debra Marcos, in communion with local Bishop Lisane-Christos Matheos Semahun.
Dec. 8: At Fraterna Domus in Sacrofano, the Community celebrates its first 40 years of existence; Father Raniero Cantalamessa gives the day’s catechesis. A delegation from the Magnificat Dominum Community is present.
March 19: The Zone of Sicily is established, with fraternities in Syracuse, Agrigento and related missions.
May: the first issue of the information bulletin “With Jesus, about Jesus, build” in five languages: Italian, Romanian, Turkish, Spanish and English.
June 4: A delegation from the Community is received at the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell and Undersecretary for the Laity, Dr. Linda Ghisoni. The cardinal affirms that he recognized in the Community the necessary requirements (the signs of the Spirit and the effective internationality of the community experience) to be able to continue the work aimed at refining and approving the text of the Statute.
April 30: With a “Certificate of Registration” signed by the Moderator of CHARIS(Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service), Jean-Luc Moens, it is certified that the Magnificat Community “shows the Community’s willingness […] to live in communion with the whole Catholic Charismatic Renewal.”
The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
In 2023, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life officially recognized the Magnificat Community as an International Association of Faithful and approved its Statutes ad experientum for five years.
April 13: The reality of Floridia (SR) is officially recognized as a Fraternity of the Magnificat Community.
Sept. 7: The House of Common Life is established in the Fraternity of Popeşti-Leordeni (Romania), inhabited by three sisters, allies of Agnus Dei: Agneza Țîmpu, Constantina Udrea and Mihaela Dincă.
Oct. 23: After a substantial period of formation, the realities of Apiro (MC) and Pila (PG) are recognized as Fraternities of the Magnificat Community.
Dec. 14: At the end of the formation period, the reality of Râmnicu-Vâlcea, in the area of Romania, is recognized as a Fraternity of the Magnificat Community.
Feb. 13: For the first time it is a woman to become Moderator General of the Community, she is Maria Rita Castellani who, as part of the election of general managers for the three-year period 2022-2025, is elected by the general assembly gathered at the Tabor House of Prayer in Agello (PG).
Feb. 24: The Moderator General, Maria Rita Castellani, signs before a notary in Perugia the deed for the establishment of the community publishing house, named Magnificat Editions.
Dec. 8: Cardinal Kevin Farrell – Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life – signs the Decree recognizing the Magnificat Community as an International Association of the Faithful and approving ad experimentum for five years the Statutes.
Jan. 19: At the headquarters of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, the Prefect, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, delivers the Decree of Approval to Moderator General of the Community Maria Rita Castellani.
Feb. 4: In the presence of the bishop of Paraná, Province of Entre Ríos, Argentina, as well as Maria Rita Castellani, general moderator, 12 brothers and sisters for the first time in that nation, pronounced their first Covenant Commitment, at the Merciful Jesus Church.
Aug. 26: The final work needed to permanently renovate the north wing of the St. Manno complex, home of the Magnificat Community, begins: a guest house capable of accommodating a dozen brothers and sisters who can experience moments of community life will be built.
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