Useful information to know spazio + spadoni
This section contains clarifications and practical indications to better understand the missione di spazio + spadoni, its activities and ways of participating.
The answers provided here are intended to offer initial guidance, maintaining a clear and transparent style, respecting the values that guide our work.
For further information or specific needs, contact us.
Index
spazio + spadoni
spazio + spadoni is a Catholic-inspired movement which is born for inhabit the present time through the mercy, making it visible, concrete and shared.
It is not a single project, but a community journey that involves people, congregations, dioceses, and territories across five continents.
The heart of spazio + spadoni è OPERA M, the main path through which the movement promotes the reEvolution of the works of mercy.
OPERA M It does not limit itself to multiplying initiatives: it re-reads the works of mercy including spiritual, relational and transformative acts, capable of generating dignity, proximity and hope in the concrete contexts of life.
The name holds a symbolic and spiritual vision
- space indicates the place that opens, that welcomes, that lets others in
- spadoni it is not an abstract concept, but a proper name, linked to the founder's history, and recalls the action that impacts reality with responsibility and courage
Between the two words is placed the crucifix, a central sign: it shows that Christ is the center of the movement, the origin and measure of every choice, project and relationship.
The inspiration of spazio + spadoni è explicitly Catholic.
The movement recognizes:
- since Face of Christ the source of the mercy
- nello Spirit the strength that makes meeting and fidelity possible over time
Every journey, project, or gesture arises from a shared Christian vision.
THEhandprint it is an identifying sign of the movement.
Recall a mercy that:
- invokes
- listen
- meets
- opera
- floods
It is not an operational scheme, but a spiritual form of action, which combines interiority and concrete responsibility.
Lo flock it is a living metaphor of spazio + spadoni.
It indicates a movement made up of different people who they do not walk alone, but they support each other, orienting themselves together.
In the flock:
- no one drives alone
- no one is left behind
- the movement grows through relationships, not through imposition
spazio + spadoni looks like habitable movement, not as a traditional association.
You enter for walk, not through formal membership, and one grows through progressive responsibilities.
Anyone who feels the desire to:
- inhabiting one's time responsibly
- let yourself be shaped by mercy
- walking together with others, in a community style
Participation takes different forms, depending on the time and vocation of each individual.
No.
spazio + spadoni it involves lay people, consecrated people, priests, young people and adults, local communities and ecclesial realities, each according to its own place and time.
A style:
- sober and essential
- deeply human
- spiritually inhabited
- communitarian and never individualistic
A style that generates processes, not isolated events.
The symbols are visible signs of a lived path.
They tell of a sense of belonging that matures over time and accompany the formation and responsibility of different roles.
Let's start meeting, listening, participating.
There is not a single door, but one threshold, which each person goes through in their own time.
OPERA M
OPERA M is the supporting heart of the movement spazio + spadoni.
It is a path that accompanies people, communities and local Churches to live the works of mercy as a spiritual experience, a living relationship and shared responsibility.
OPERA M It offers a reEvolution because it invites you to:
- go back to spiritual root with works
- inhabiting relationships as a meeting place
- generate processes that transform the way mercy is experienced
The reEvolution unites faithfulness to the Gospel e reading the present tense.
OPERA M takes shape through:
- Forum of the reEvolution of works of mercy
- Via Misericordiae
- differentiated training paths
- storytelling and sharing through MISSION
Each element contributes to making mercy visible, habitable and widespread.
I Forum of OPERA M they are community spaces of listening, discernment and shared vision.
They bring together bishops, consecrated persons, lay people and pastoral workers to:
- reread together works of mercy
- recognize what already lives in the territories
- open new, coherent and shared paths
Forums generate orientation and co-responsibility.
La Via Misericordiae is a path chosen by the community, traced by 14pm works of mercy, spiritual and corporal.
It is not an imposed itinerary, but a inhabited street, that:
- respects the times of people and territories
- accompanies spiritual and community growth
- makes works a lifestyle
In OPERA M, works of mercy they are enriched with spirituality.
Action is illuminated by interiority, and the relationship becomes a place of testimony.
THEhandprint expresses this style: a mercy that invokes, listen, meets, opera e floods, keeping faith, responsibility and proximity together.
OPERA M walking together with the local Churches.
When the path matures, it favors the birth or strengthening of the Diocesan offices of the works of mercy, as places of:
- pastoral coordination
- shared training
- ecclesial discernment
These offices are fruit of a journey, not a starting point.
The training in OPERA M:
- it is progressive
- it is differentiated
- accompanies people and communities over time
Form one spiritual gaze, a relationship style has always been concrete responsibility.
MISSION it is the space of narration e diffusion of the path of OPERA M.
MISSION:
- tells the stories of his experiences
- brings the territories into dialogue
- makes the visible mercy in place
È translated into over 30 languages, so that mercy can circulate, inspire and generate communion.
MISSION it is an integral part of the path OPERA M.
People and communities who want:
- live the works of mercy as a vocation
- walking in a community way
- take on progressive responsibilities
Each participation has a time, a form and a role.
You enter for meeting:
through a Forum, a community, a shared experience.
The journey begins by crossing a threshold, with freedom and awareness.
OPERA M – Bishops and Diocesan Offices
OPERA M is a ecclesial path which accompanies the diocese to reread, to live e spread the works of mercy as a shared pastoral style.
It does not introduce a new scope, but offers a unified vision which runs through catechesis, charity, formation and community life.
OPERA M it fits as transversal path, capable of:
- to enhance what already exists in the parishes and in the works
- offer a common language
- promote co-responsibility between offices, communities and ecclesial realities
Mercy becomes inspirational axis, not separate sector.
The reEvolution proposed by OPERA M accompanies the diocese to:
- go back to evangelical root with works
- recognize it spiritual and relational dimension
- make them form of testimony in the present time
The works are enriched with spirituality and become path of evangelization.
I Forum of OPERA M are spaces for listening and ecclesial discernment.
They promote the meeting between:
- Bishop
- presbyters
- consecrated
- committed lay people
The Forum opens a shared process, helping the diocese to recognize priorities, resources and possible steps.
La Via Misericordiae is a route chosen by the diocesan community, traced by 14pm works of mercy, spiritual and corporal.
In the diocesan context:
- promotes unity of vision
- accompanies the growth of communities
- respects the times and specificities of the territory
It is a pastoral path livable e progressive.
OPERA M accompanies the organization to find a shared soul.
Through the 'handprint - invokes, listen, meets, opera, floods -
le works they integrate into a common style that unites:
- inwardness
- responsibility
- proximity
The structure lights up with spirituality.
- Diocesan offices of the works of mercy can be born as ripe fruit of the journey OPERA M.
They are places of:
- pastoral coordination
- lifelong learning
- ecclesial discernment
They foster continuity, communion and vision over time.
OPERA M accompanies the diocese to networking what already exists, valorising people, experiences and works present.
The path grows for discernment e co-responsibility, according to the real possibilities of the territory.
The path OPERA M finds space for narration in MISSION, sharing platform translated into over 30 languages, that:
- tells the diocesan experiences
- promotes exchange between Churches
- makes the visible mercy lived
MISSION supports the size missionair e universal of the diocese.
A diocese that embarks on the journey OPERA M experiment:
- greater pastoral unity
- renewed spiritual depth of the works
- co-responsible involvement of clergy, consecrated persons and laity
- a credible testimony of mercy in the territory
The journey begins with:
- a time of listening
- a diocesan meeting or forum
- discernment shared with the Bishop
OPERA M accompanies you step by step, respecting Story, times e vocation of the local Church.
Forum
I Forum of OPERA M are diocesan meetings for dialogue, training and sharing, born for spread the reEvolution of the works of mercy and make them a concrete, spiritually inhabited and pastorally shared way.
The Forum is not an isolated event, but the beginning of a process.
The aim of the Forums is activate a structured diocesan path which allows the works of mercy of:
- to be experienced as common ecclesiastical style
- cross the entire pastoral
- become a shared language between communities, parishes and different realities
The Forum helps the diocese to moving from recognized value to lived experience.
The Forums:
- are born from the vision of spazio + spadoni
- are supported by the movement in their setting, accompaniment and continuity
- are created together with the diocese, respecting the local context
The Forum is always the result of ecclesial collaboration, never on autonomous initiative.
The Forums are open to the entire diocesan community, with particular involvement of:
- presbyters
- consecrated men and women
- committed lay people
- pastoral workers
- educational and associative realities
Where the context allows, they also promote interreligious and social dialogue.
The Forums are held in two or three days and include:
- moments of listening and reflection
- testimonies of concrete experiences
- in-depth workshops
- spaces for community discussion
The structure is designed for involve all segments of the population and make the works of mercy practicable in everyday life.
A Forum of OPERA M is meant for generate concrete and lasting fruits, Including:
- la establishment or strengthening of the diocesan Office of works of mercy, as a place of coordination, training and discernment
- the start of Via Misericordiae, path chosen by the community and traced by the 14 works of mercy
- la widespread diffusion in the parishes, through languages, tools and trained people
- un replicable model that can inspire other dioceses in the country
The Forum opens a path that the diocese is called to inhabit over time.
The Forums do not remain at the central level.
They are designed for gradually reach the parishes, so that the works of mercy become:
- ordinary pastoral style
- criterion for reading reality
- concrete path of local evangelization
Yup.
The Forums of OPERA M have already been experienced in various dioceses in Italy and in various African countries, with broad and motivated participation.
These experiences show the widespread desire for a faith embodied in works, capable of responding to the challenges of the present time.
The experiences born from the Forums are also shared through MISSION, translated into over 30 languages, to promote:
- the dialogue between dioceses and territories
- the circulation of good practices
- an ecclesial dimension and missionwide open air
Communication becomes like this integral part of the work.
Yup.
You can start a comparison for evaluate feasibility, time and resources together, with the aim of building a Forum that involves local realities and accompanies the diocese in the reEvolution of the works of mercy.
spazio + spadoni makes himself available to collaborate in discernment, planning and accompaniment.
Why Forums:
- they open the way
- they connect people
- generate stable pastoral structures
- make them works of mercy shared ecclesial path
I am a tool for sow the works of mercy over time, in a simple, concrete and profoundly evangelical way.
Via Misericordiae
The Via Misericordiae is a universal path traced by the 14 works of mercy, meant to be locally incarnated in the forms, languages and materials specific to each community.
It is not a uniform aesthetic project, but a way of meaning that takes flesh in real life.
No.
The Via Misericordiae he doesn't have a prototype to copy, nor one form better than others.
Every creation is unique, as each community is unique. Unity is not given by form, but by guarded sense.
The fixed elements are very few.
Each stage must contain only:
- il title of thework of mercy, as recognized by the Church
- a external location, accessible to all
- a clear belonging to the Via Misericordiae
- a chromatic differentiation between spiritual and corporal works (recommended)
Nothing else is mandatory.
It is left very to local freedom.
Each Church, association or community can express the stages through:
- different materials (stone, wood, iron, ceramic, plants, light, earth...)
- different languages (artistic, symbolic, narrative, abstract, minimal, popular)
- own styles (traditional, contemporary, essential, street)
- direct involvement of the community (artists, schools, young people, artisans)
La local culture is the form itself that the Way is called to assume.
Yup.
Exists a single criterion, valid everywhere:
This sign helps people to recognize awork of mercy as part of real life, and not as an abstract idea?
If the answer is Yup, the shape is correct.
THEHandprint (Summon - Listen - Guarda - We operate - Let's spread) Is present at all stages, so essential, discrete e repetitive.
It is not necessary to explain the works, but a teach how to live them.
It's together:
- internal criterion
- way of life
- training tool
With full freedom.
It may appear:
- engraved on stone or wood
- small print next to the title
- represented symbolically (5 signs, 5 lines, 5 visual elements)
- integrated into the artistic work
- repeated identically in all stages
The only important thing is that the the same five words always come back.
As:
- they cannot be explained
- they are learned by walking
Why the works of mercy they belong to real life.
The external location makes the Street:
- accessible to all
- visible in everyday life
- not reserved for those who already attend
The Way is public, as is lived mercy.
No, and it's a conscious choice.
The Via Misericordiae:
- avoid the cultural colonialism
- avoid thestandardized aesthetics
- save the global translatability
- protects the action of the Spirit
- leave room for creativity of peoples
The unity of the path does not cancel the plurality of forms.
Yup.
Every local project can be accompanied by this sentence:
The Via Misericordiae preserves the unity of meaning and leaves full freedom to the plurality of forms.
The Via Misericordiae is one of the more visible and concrete fruits di OPERA M.
Transform the works of mercy in:
- community path
- shared language
- training experience over time
It's a way that you live in, not a project to be realized.
Diocesan Office of the Works of Mercy
THEDiocesan Office of the Works of Mercy it is a ripe fruit of the journey promoted by OPERA M, within the movement spazio + spadoni, in full dialogue with the Bishop and the Curia.
It is a place of custody, discernment and pastoral vision, which accompanies the diocese to live the works of mercy as a concrete way of evangelization, generated by the Spirit and embodied in the real life of communities.
The Office holds a vision in which the works of mercy:
- are simple means to be merciful
- arise from the action of the Spirit
- generate relationships, conversions and responsibility
In this sense, the works are distinguished from solidarity alone, because they do not stop at aid, but they inhabit people's hearts and lives.
The Office recognizes in the works of mercy spiritual a privileged place for the maturation of the ecclesial journey.
They:
- guide the style of corporal works
- they help to read reality with an evangelical gaze
- make the action of the Spirit visible in relationships
Spiritual works accompany the entire pastoral ministry and guard its soul.
The Office is born when the path is already inhabited: after i Forum of OPERA M, the start of the Via Misericordiae and the progressive diffusion in the parishes.
It is the sign of a diocese that chooses to take care over time of the reEvolution of works of mercy.
The purpose is to preserve the unity of meaning with works of mercy, so that they remain:
- imbued with Spirit
- rooted in real life
- shared as a common pastoral style
The Office helps the diocese to live the works as shared ecclesial language.
THEHandprint (invokes - listen - guard - we operate - we spread) and the spiritual and educational guidance of the path.
The Office assumes it as:
- criterion of discernment
- way of life
- instrument to accompany the reEvolution of the works of mercy
It teaches how to experience the works, not how to organize them.
The Office:
- accompanies the Via Misericordiae, traced from 14pm works
- promotes diffusion in parishes and territories
- supports the roles (especially Consol and Ambassador)
- keeps the spiritual dimension of the journey alive
- offers continuity and pastoral vision over time
It is a service of care, accompaniment e integration.
The Office operates in listening e sharing with the Bishop.
It offers a stable space of reading, Incoming orientation e discernment, at the service of pastoral responsibility and diocesan choices.
The Office is staffed by people who they inhabit the path of the works of mercy, in particular figures of Console, with the contribution of volunteers and ambassadors, according to the needs of the diocese.
The service is experienced as ecclesial co-responsibility.
The Stop Wasting Food Denmark movement spazio + spadoni supports the path:
- offering vision and accompaniment
- networking experiences already lived
- promoting dialogue between Churches and territories
Through MISSION, translated in addition 30 languages, diocesan experiences can be shared, made accessible even to the least fortunate and placed in dialogue with different ecclesial contexts
Over time the Office:
- strengthens the pastoral continuity
- preserves the spiritual dimension of the works
- makes the re-evolution of the works of mercy stable and generative
- offers the diocese a inspiring model for other Churches in the country
It is a sign of ecclesial maturity of the path.
HIC SUM
HIC SUM is the project missionario which expresses the heart of spazio + spadoni.
"Hic sum" means Here I am: a free and responsible response to the call of the mercy, experienced through concrete and shared choices.
Activate 72 projects of mercy in the world, capable of generating communities, works, relationships and self-sustenance, in the evangelical spirit of the 14 Works of Mercy.
The project was born from the meeting between:
- an Italian Association
- a religious congregation missionfeminine air
- the coordination of spazio + spadoni.
A nun from the Southern Hemisphere spends a period of training and experience in Italy (from 3 to 12 months), becoming a living presence in the community.
The nun is supported by:
- a tutor identified in the Association
- a structured support path by spazio + spadoni.
The support concerns both the operational aspects and the relational and human dimension.
The nun founds a new local Association, composed of people who live at least one of the 14 Works of Mercy.
A is born stable twinning between the Italian Association and the one in missione.
It is a Social Enterprise that produces an essential good for the local community.
One part supports self-sufficiency, one part is donated to the poor as a concrete sign ofWork of Mercy Feeding the hungry.
The number 72 recalls:
- i 72 disciples sent by Jesus (Lk 10,1),
- the universality of peoples according to biblical tradition,
- the holy Name of God in Hebrew gematria.
It is a symbol of missione, universality and diffusion of the Word.
Associations, communities, congregations and people who wish to live in the mercy as a choice of life and testimony.
MISSION
The online magazine of spazio + spadoni.
You can learn more on the dedicated page Mission: the voice of mercy and missione.
The contents here come from voluntary contributions from missionairs, journalists, communications workers and people close to the world of spazio + spadoni.
By filling out the dedicated form in full.
You can enter text into the dedicated box and attach images. Alternatively, you can create a PDF with both text and images and attach it to a short presentation of the content.
We recommend entering a text of at least 400 words.
We recommend writing the text in Italian or English, we will take care of the translation into other languages.
However, we do not assume responsibility for the quality of the translation.
Textual content can have simple formatting (e.g. bold or italic). While it is mandatory to have a title and a subtitle.
We'll take care of the layout.
The images you attach must have these characteristics:
- JPG or PNG format
- ratio of 3:2 (e.g. 800×600 px)
- max 72 dpi
- weight not exceeding 2 MB
Given the usually large size of video files, the best way is to upload it to an online storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) and send the download link via this form.
If you want to send us content, first make sure that there are absolutely no photos or full names of people you do not have permission to distribute. All this to avoid privacy issues.
However, it is best to leave only the first names, without the last name, and it is also important to limit the number of photographs that portray them as much as possible.
In any case, for all the contents that will be sent, the author confirms that all obligations have been fulfilled regarding the collection of consents and authorizations for the use of the image of the subjects portrayed and regarding the acquisition of licenses for the use of third-party contents inserted in the works.
We cannot publish copyrighted material without specific permission.
It is therefore not possible to insert, for example, texts, book chapters, homilies taken from printed texts or even scanned pages from books or magazines without having had explicit authorization. It is, for example, possible to insert content covered by a Creative Commons license, respecting the terms of that license.
In any case, if the contents that will be sent are covered by copyright (including Creative Commons licenses), you will have to cite the source and attach the documentation to demonstrate that you have the authorization to publish these contents on Mission.
We receive a lot of material and our editorial team tries to do everything possible to check and publish the content received.
If it's been a really long time and you haven't received any email response, try sending the material again.
Scarf
A simple sign that accompanies the journey in spazio + spadoni.
Willingness to inhabit time and space by letting oneself be crossed by mercy.
To the universal call to Works of Mercy.
Red:
Life given and passion for the next face.
Pearl Grey:
Sobriety, balance, listening in everyday life.
White:
Inner space where the Spirit guides.
A conscious gesture that marks an inhabited time.
According to personal paths and local realities.
In service, in training, in meetings and in Forums.
Sign of presence, faithful service and belonging to the flock.
