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The first "work" of the Community of Sant'Egidio is prayer. By reading the Scriptures and putting them at the core of their lives, those young people were challenged to live a more authentic life: they discovered the invitation to become His disciples, which Jesus addresses to all generations. It is a call to conversion, giving up living just for oneself, and beginning freely to be instruments of a wider love for everybody, men and women, and above all the poorest ones. Living and listening to the Word of God as the most important thing in one's own life means accepting that one should follow Jesus, rather than oneself.
The most authentic picture is the praying community, gathered to listen to the Word of God. It is like the family of disciples gathered around Jesus. A unanimous and devoted prayer (Acts 2: 42) is the simple way, offered and required of all community members. Prayer is a pathway to becoming familiar with Jesus' words and with his prayer, with former generations' prayer, like the psalms, presenting to the Lord the needs of poor people, our own needs and the needs of the whole world.
That is why, in Rome and in other cities of Italy, of Europe and of the world, the communities gather as frequently as possible to pray together. In many cities there is a common prayer open to everybody. Each member of the community is also expected to find a significant space for personal prayer and for reading the Scripture in his/her life, beginning with the Gospel.
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Personal prayer |
CHANGE LANGUAGE
Solidarity Actions of the Community of Sant'Egidio are made thanks to volunteer work and are financed by collections, contributes, donations, both public and private. 
