A French artist Michel Pochet's vernissage of "God of Mercy" began the EoC weekend in the BOX of Augsburg, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the project
by Andrea Fleming
The aim of Michel Pochet's exhibition that opened the EoC weekend on 27 May in the Box is connecting the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church in progress to social and economic reality. The opening of the exhibition was attended by about 100 people, including representatives of various associations of entrepreneurs, the Deputy Mayor of Augsburg and guests and friends from nearby. There were some very deep and interesting interventions on the links between beauty - social realities - economy. The paintings of Michel Pochet will now remain in the BOX for a few weeks.
Participants staying for the entire weekend included a nice group from Switzerland, a significant representation from Austria and a mixed group of young and not so young people, EoC experts and lay from Germany: to be emphasized is a living presence of other movements that have come into contact with the EoC through the „Together for Europe“ initiative.
The whole day of Saturday was dedicated to the theme "Mercy, Business and relationships". Four presentations were followed by a spontaneous exchange: Herbert Lauenroth from the Ottmaring Ecumenical Centre shared the thoughts of theologians and philosophers, Johannes Grill, professor of economics at Mannheim highlighted the ties between some guidelines of the book by Luigino Bruni and the 
analysis and currents of commercial economics which was much liked by the youth. Melanie and Ulli Grauert from Switzerland reported the thoughts of Pater Kentenich and of the spirituality of Schönstatt about mercy in enterprises, and finally, the experience of the BOX was shared by EoC entrepreneur Thomas Hüttl who is its co-founder.
In the evening, there was a wonderful barbecue on the terrace of the BOX with wonderful sunshine and live music. At one point, one of the participants exclaimed: "This is precisely living with all your senses! Starting from a beautiful environment, to the food, the music and light and profound conversations..!"
On Sundays a guided tour in Augsburg took place with a visit to the neighbourhood of the "Fuggers" - the oldest model in the world of social housing.
This weekend the idea was born among the Swiss participants to organize a regular "breakfast of entrepreneurs" 
in Baar - for interested entrepreneurs of various movements.
Some of the participants' echoes say something about what this weekend was like:
"There is a really special atmosphere coming from you and your BOX which invites one to stay, to remain there. We felt completely at home and we leave here with so much joy and new strength". (Ulli and Melanie Grauert, Schoenstatt CH)
"At one point I felt a strong presence of Chiara Lubich and Pater Kentenich among us. They were here, and they were probably happy about what we experienced. We have really become a single family of the economy of communion! Many greetings from our "workplace shrine"! (Alois Hirschmuggl, Schoenstatt and EoC Austria)
