Luis Fernando Figari - Christian Life Movement

The Founder of the Christian Life Movement, Luis Fernando Figari, was born in Lima (Peru), on July 8, 1947.

His parents were Don Alberto Figari (1902-1990) and Mrs. Blanca Figari (1909-1995). Both were Peruvians.

He studied in the Immaculate Heart of Mary school until he was 10 years old. He then studied in Holy Mary High School.

When he was 7 years old, he received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation. Presiding over the Liturgy was Archbishop Juan Landazuri, O.F.M., who would have an important role in the approval of the Sodalitium, as well as of other societies Luis Fernando established.

After finishing High School, he studied Humanities and Law in the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Later he studied Theology in the Facultad de Teología Pontificia y Civil de Lima.

He has published articles and books. Actually, he is considered one of the main Catholic thinkers in the Americas. He has strongly backed the ideal of reconciliation, as well as the organization of congresses on several occasions on the issue of reconciliation. He is fully convinced that the lay members of the Church, flowing from their rebirth in Lord Jesus, must answer the gift of Baptism and, according to their condition, actively assume their specific role in the mission of the Church and strive in their lives towards sanctity.

After participating in politics and searching answers in philosophy, he began to walk through the path of the faith. His conversion process finds a culminating point in the foundation of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, in 1971. He calls that moment "baptism of a search". In 1997, Sodalitium was approved by Pope John Paul II as a Society of Apostolic Life for laymen and priests.

In 1974, he had begun the Immaculate Mary Association for women.

After having participated in the first World Youth Day, in 1984, having pronounced the "Catechesis on Love", in Saint Paul Outside the Walls, he founded the Christian Life Movement (CLM). It was in the year 1985. In 1994, the Holy See approved CLM as an International Lay Association of Faithful of pontifical right, also known as ecclesial movement.

In 1991, Luis Fernando founded the Marian Community of Reconciliation, for women that discovered in their lives the call to a lay consecrated life. In 1995, he founded a Confraternity, Our Lady of Reconciliation. Years later, in 1998, he founded another religious association for women, the Servants of the Plan of God.

All the members of these institutions share a common spirit and goals, and form a spiritual family: the Sodalit Family (Familia Sodálite). It is constituted by men and women of every age, and is extended throughout the Americas, as well as in some countries of Europe and in Philippines, in Asia.

In 2002, Pope John Paul II named D. Luis Fernando Figari as Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

He attended the Funeral Ceremonies of dear Pope John Paul II.

He was also present in Saint Peter's Square when the Habemus Papam! announcement was made.

Also he attended the Inaugural Mass of Pope Benedict XVI's Pontificate.

He was appointed by the Holy Father and participated as an auditor to the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, which took place in October 2005.

In 2006 he was chosen to pronounce the conclusive words to the Holy Father at the Encounter of Pope Benedict XVI with the Ecclesial Movements in Rome. In the presence of more than 250 thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square, L.F. Figari addressed to the Pope words of gratitude, and expressed in name of the members of the ecclesial movements and new communities the commitment to contribute in communion with Peter and under Peter to the great mission of the Church: to proclaim the Lord Jesus to the world and to invite to the transformation of humanity and all earthly realities according to the divine Plan.