After the Council, in a moment of crisis for priestly vocations, Chiara Lubich felt inspired to focus on the seminarians who in various nations were already in contact with the Focolare Movement.
Seventy seminarians met for the first time at Easter 1968 at the Centre of the Movement at Rocca di Papa. “It would be marvellous”, said Chiara Lubich, “if the Lord brought to life a group of seminarians who, with the spirit of unity, would not only safeguard their own vocations, but might also during their time in seminary be such a source of unity, that other young men would be attracted.”
It was the beginning of a new expression of the Movement, addressed to young men called to the priesthood.

In a special way the spirituality of unity helps them :

• to make God the fundamental choice of their lives, as a basis for their priesthood;
• to live the Word of God with intensity, in order to  be credible witnesses to what they proclaim;
• to pattern their lives on Jesus crucified and forsaken as a model for priests;
• to be builders of unity both in the seminary and the diocese;
  
• to open themselves to all, with the art of loving that comes from the Gospel.

Gens 3 Movement

Drawn by this style of life, seminarians in middle and high school, and others moving in that direction, found a light to help them on their way. And so the Gens 3 movement came to life in 1980: a third generation of the Movement for priests.

Actions

There have been many actions inspired by the Gens movement to encourage and practice a more communitarian and family style of life in seminaries; sharing of experiences of the Gospel lived in little local groups, regional meetings, work camps, and holidays together.
At an international level, Congresses are held, while news and experiences circulate through Gen’s, a magazine of Church life.