In the mid-20th century, Fr. Zeno Saltini founded the Nomadelfia community , groups of families who share everything like brothers and sisters.
DON ZENO
Founder, Nomadelfia
“Nomadelfia can be de fined as a population founded on universal brotherhood, which is why this brotherhood is law. Thus, they're are no masters or servants. There are never masters of anyone, no employers, never workers under us.”
As the most important thing in Nomadelfia is brotherhood, everything is shared, and they live off of what they produce. They also have their own schools, but not everyone is required to stay.
Paolo lives in one of the two Nomadelfia communities that is close to Rome.
PAOLO
Nomadelfia
“The idea is creating a small Christian, Catholic society that takes the Gospel literally. Whoever is born in Nomadelfia is not obligated to stay. Don Zeno wanted each person to decide for himself or herself. When I became an adult, I went to college and when I finished my studies, I decided to stay in Nomadelfia because I couldn't say 'no' to a call, God's call to live this life.”
Nomadelfia is currently composed of more than 300 people, and its largest community is in Grosseto, more than 60 miles north of Rome. Pope Francis will visit this community on May 10, though he won't be the first pope to enter into this reality.
JOHN PAUL II
“Your reality is perhaps a small seed, but as a small seed, must grow and become larger.”
May 10 will be a long day for Pope Francis. Not only will he visit Nomadelfia, but also Loppiano, in Florence, where the international center for the Focolare Movement is located.
