Named after a church dedicated to a hermit saint (called by another name in English), this much-admired organization was founded nearly 40 years ago by teenagers. Religious in inspiration but firmly dedicated to ecumenism, the award-winning membership has devoted itself to the homeless, to relieving poverty, and to worldwide peace initiatives. It has also spread beyond the borders of the country in which it was founded. What is it?

peasypod

This is the Community of Sant'Egidio. (St Giles) formed in 1968 by high school students in Rome, Italy. It was named after Sant'Egidio in Trastevere, Roma, and the interior chapel features a lovely painting by Cristoforo Roncalli (il Pomerancio) depicting the saint with the deer that bought him his daily milk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_of_Sant%27Egidio Sep 21 06, 6:38 AM

lanfranco

That's the one, peasy, so a silver mace to you! Some people are critical of the organization, regarding it as a sort of junior version of Opus Dei, but that hasn't been my experience -- and I'm not even a Catholic. A large number of affluent young professionals are involved, and they do impressive work. Sep 21 06, 6:56 AM

peasypod

Grazi tanto. I'll take it with me now to bed so I can cuddle it to sleep. Sep 21 06, 7:17 AM