Since 2009 a group of the CFD have been meeting weekly in Shaftesbury and 4 members of our parish (and a number from surrounding parishes) are now consecrated members of the community.
The Comunità dei Figli di Dio (CFD, Community of the Sons and Daughters of God) is a religious order that was founded in 1946 in Italy. What makes the community distinctive is that it is monastic in character, and includes monks, religious and lay people, but its members live in the wider community. The comunità is committed to a contemplative life, with particular devotion to the reverent celebration of the Mass, fidelity to the teachings of the Church, prayer (including the Divine Office), and study of the Bible and the Early Fathers of the Church. Unlike other monastic communities, its members are mainly lay people - men and women, married and single - but includes priests as well. The comunità was originally established in Florence, and its members commit themselves to attending weekly prayer meetings, monthly one-day retreats, and an annual week of spiritual exercises.
Peter Wardley is the Shaftesbury Family Assistant (group leader) and can be contacted here
If you'd like more information about the CDF:
GoogleTranslate their Italian website here
or view their Australian website here