After a time of illness and retreat in Switzerland in the early 1990′s, Chiara Lubich’s engaged in a fast paced opening up to society and to people far away. The knowledge that the Movement was fully inserted in the Church, gave life to an extraordinary season of dialogue, journeys and recognition. A number of honorary degrees, citizenships and prizes in all the continents (see ‘Timeline’) demonstrated how the effect of her Ideal and influence had reached a climax.

Some of the special features of the period 1994-2004 was the start and consolidation of deep and wide dialogue with faithful of the great religions, especially in the East: a long series of events and actions, presented by the Movement, which advanced the contribution of the charism of unity in various fields (economics, politics, communication, health..); the launch of a large scale action combining politics and ecumenism “to give a soul back to Europe”…

After this long stretch of journeys, foundations and gathering of fruits, the time came when Chiara became ill. The last three years of Chiara Lubich’s adventure on earth were, perhaps, the most difficult of her life. Jesus Forsaken, her Spouse, came to her “in a solemn way”. In a darkness in which it seemed God was like the sun beyond the horizon. Nonetheless Chiara continued to love, moment by moment, person after person. She continued to serve the ‘plan of God’ on the Movement, following its development right up to the last few days, when, to her great joy, the Vatican gave the approval of the university “Sophia”.

There was only one more desire that she had: ‘I would like the Work of Mary (official name of the Focolare Movement), at the end of time, when really united, waiting to go before Jesus Abandoned – Risen, it can repeat: “On that day, my God, I will come to you… with my fullest dreams: and bring you the world in my arms”. Father, that all may be one!’

Chiara died on 14th March 2008 shortly after two in the morning. She had spent the previous month in the Gemelli Hospital, in Rome. Whilst there she still managed brief correspondence and decision making for the Movement. She also received a letter from the pope which she often re-read, giving her real comfort. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartolomeo I came to visit and bless her.

During the last days she expressed more than once her desire to go home. Her wish was granted. There she greeted each of her first companions and her closest collaborators. Then, when her condition worsened, as she faded away, hundreds and hundreds of people came to her house and, in single file over many hours, passed through her room, to see her, kiss her hand,  to say to her: thank you. There was intense emotion, but also great faith in love. The Magnificat was sung for the great things the Lord had worked in her and as a renewal of commitment to live the Gospel, that is to love, in the way Chiara had always taught.

After a time of illness and retreat in Switzerland in the early 1990′s, Chiara Lubich’s engaged in a fast paced opening up to society and to people far away. The knowledge that the Movement was fully inserted in the Church, gave life to an extraordinary season of dialogue, journeys and recognition. A number of honorary degrees, citizenships and prizes in all the continents (see ‘Timeline’) demonstrated how the effect of her Ideal and influence had reached a climax.

Some of the special features of the period 1994-2004 was the start and consolidation of deep and wide dialogue with faithful of the great religions, especially in the East: a long series of events and actions, presented by the Movement, which advanced the contribution of the charism of unity in various fields (economics, politics, communication, health..); the launch of a large scale action combining politics and ecumenism “to give a soul back to Europe”…

After this long stretch of journeys, foundations and gathering of fruits, the time came when Chiara became ill. The last three years of Chiara Lubich’s adventure on earth were, perhaps, the most difficult of her life. Jesus Forsaken, her Spouse, came to her “in a solemn way”. In a darkness in which it seemed God was like the sun beyond the horizon. Nonetheless Chiara continued to love, moment by moment, person after person. She continued to serve the ‘plan of God’ on the Movement, following its development right up to the last few days, when, to her great joy, the Vatican gave the approval of the university “Sophia”.

There was only one more desire that she had: ‘I would like the Work of Mary (official name of the Focolare Movement), at the end of time, when really united, waiting to go before Jesus Abandoned – Risen, it can repeat: “On that day, my God, I will come to you… with my fullest dreams: and bring you the world in my arms”. Father, that all may be one!’

Chiara died on 14th March 2008 shortly after two in the morning. She had spent the previous month in the Gemelli Hospital, in Rome. Whilst there she still managed brief correspondence and decision making for the Movement. She also received a letter from the pope which she often re-read, giving her real comfort. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartolomeo I came to visit and bless her.

During the last days she expressed more than once her desire to go home. Her wish was granted. There she greeted each of her first companions and her closest collaborators. Then, when her condition worsened, as she faded away, hundreds and hundreds of people came to her house and, in single file over many hours, passed through her room, to see her, kiss her hand,  to say to her: thank you. There was intense emotion, but also great faith in love. The Magnificat was sung for the great things the Lord had worked in her and as a renewal of commitment to live the Gospel, that is to love, in the way Chiara had always taught.