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31 Oct 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
More than two months of continuous rain, more by far to what is forseen every year, are beating Thailand and around eight million persons. The worst hit provinces are those of Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Sawan, where the level of the water has gone beyond four metres high. Some members of the Focolari, who live in Bangkok, write to us: “ The consequences of what has happened are before the eyes of all: whole villages evacuated, industrial zones invaded by the water with the loss of tens of thousands of places of work, schools closed for an undetermined period. Years will be required to recover what we have lost.” But even in the midst of this situation, there are facts taking place that speak of still possible hope, of the desire for new birth stronger than sorrow. Thus, they continue to write from Bangkok: “What nobody expected, at least under these dimensions, is concrete love, the help that very many people are giving to who is suffering. A reporter from CNN has defined as “an incredible social effect” what is happening in Thailand. And it is so. All help each other, all try to do something for for those who have been hit; thousands of volonteers have worked 24 hours on 24 to prepare 1,200,000 sand bags to mend or raise the banks of some important canals in the zones of the floods.Those working are in the majority young people, who wanted to contribute to save what can be saved.” The work of the Focolari to bring material, spiritual, and moral help, forms part of this common work that involves the whole country, encouraging fraternal experiences that make every hope credible. Amongst the many testimonies that are reaching our editorial office, we have chosen that of S.C., university teacher, who thus relates: “I have tried to understand together with my students what to do for the victims of the floods. The youths consulted each other and decided to gather money approaching the people on the street, going up on the trains. It required a bit of courage, and yet…Around twenty of them agreed to meet each other in front of the big shops, equipped with large posters, a box and two guitars. They are all young buddists convinced of the importance of doing good to others. I encouraged them to first of all live in fraternity amongst themselves, offering difficulties and weariness for the good of the country. The collection went beyond what was expected, 17,700 bath, a large sum for our economy. But most of all, it contributed to widening the hearts of the youths on the needs of others. This commitment of theirs continues to give fruit.”
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30 Oct 2011 | Non categorizzato
A gathering in the Dolomite Mountains in the beginnings of the Focolare.
Some time later, conscious of the divine boldness of such a program, which only God could bring about, we knelt around an altar and asked Jesus to realize that dream of his using even us if he wished, it were in his plans. Often, in the beginning, faced with the immensity of the task, we became dizzy and, seeing the crowds that we should gather in unity, we were taken by shock. But, little by little, gently, the Lord made us understand that our task was like that of a small child who throws a stone into a lake. The tiny stone causes rings to be formed which continue to extend, reaching wider and wider, and they can seem to continue forever. And so we understood that we would have to create unity around us, in our own surroundings, wherever we found ourselves. Then, when we went to Heaven, we would be able to look down and see the circles widening still more, becoming gigantic, until the end of time, when the plan of God would be accomplished. Right from the first moment, it was clear to us that this unity had only one name: Jesus. For us, being one meant being Jesus. In fact, only Christ make two into one, because his love is the emptying of self, it’s non egoism, it makes us enter deeply into the hearts of others. The things I wrote during those times betray our wonder before such a sublime and supernatural reality: ‘Unity! But who could dare to speak of it? It’s ineffable as God! You feel it, you see it, you enjoy it, but. . . it’s ineffable! Everyone rejoices in its presence, everyone suffers in its absence. It’s peace, joy, love, ardor, an atmosphere of heroism, of the highest generosity. It’s Jesus among us!’”
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29 Oct 2011 | Non categorizzato
One year has gone by since her beatification, attended by more than twenty-thousand young people who travelled to Rome for the occasion, and viewed by many more youths around the world via internet. . The powerful testimony of Chiara Luce Badano, the Gen from Genoa, Italy, who the Church declared blessed, seems to have made holiness fashionable again. Her “nineteen years full of life and love and faith,” (Pope Benedict XVI), awakens in youth and adults alike the desire to spend their lives for something great. They discover that holiness can be lived in daily life. Chiara Luce has shown us that we can also love always and unconditionally.” This was said by a Brazilian youth during one of the many evening presentations of the “Life Love Light” Musical which are spreading around the world: from Italy to Spain – during the WYD – and in other European countries; from the Middle East to Asia; reaching the Americas, Australia and many African countries. Her parents, Maria Teresa and Ruggero Badano have received numerous invitations to share their story. Everyone feels a living relationship with Chiara Luce Badano who is still alive. But, as one youth explains very well: “Chiara Luce has taught me something very powerful: I can’t become a saint on my own, we need to become saints together.” And Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare spoke the following words when she presented the young blessed: “The final goal of the Focolare Movement is to cooperate with the Church in realizing the testament of Jesus, ‘that all be one.’ While she was still a small child, Chiara Luce already discovered that sufferings are like precious pearls that can be gathered throughout each day. Therefore, she lived her life with Jesus and with Him she transformed her passion into a wedding song. Yes, Chiara Luce is a fulfilled Gen, a modern living testimony of our Ideal which came to maturity in her when she was 18 years old.” Her story is being spared using every means: over 30,000 copies of the book “Io ho tutto” and over 15,000 copies of “Dai tetti in giù” already translated in several languages. Then there are thousands of DVD and musical CD’s about her life and beatification. But it is mostly the internet that shows how many people know here, or discover her in unimaginable ways and want to live like her. Her Facebook page has numerous fans who share, post comments, photos. The “Life Love Light” website has become a reference point for many people to share their personal discovery of the reason for Chiara Luce’s life and the happiness that she expressed with her dying words: “Mamma, goodbye. Be glad, because I’m happy.” Direct Link to Chiara Luce profile on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChannelChiaraLuce
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27 Oct 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
Video of the trip "In the Footsteps of Jesus"
Watch video of the trip on Vimeo
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25 Oct 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
“It was an inspiration,” Maria Voce, president of the Focolare told the Roman Observer newspaper, “an inspiration that will certainly mark a new acceleration and depth in living one’s personal religious convictions in the service of peace. This is especially urgent today when the absurd fear of religion is spreading. Religion, which by its very nature is a vital source of peace, is being blamed as the primary cause of many conflicts, tensions, phobias, intolerance and religious persecutions that are teeming around the world.” The numerous and high profile delegation will leave from Rome by train on the morning of 27 October with the Pope. Maria Voce will also be on the train with leaders of all the major religions of the world. She will represent the Focolare Movement which is founded on the charism of unity of Chiara Lubich and has always been deeply and naturally involved in dialogue. The Movement includes members from 350 Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities. Because of the universal expansion of the Movement, there is now an open dialogue with the major world religions, and not only with individual followers or religious leaders but with leaders and followers of vast movements: like the Buddhist movement of the Rissho Kosei-kai, which has six million adherents in Japan; with the Afro-American Muslims in the United States and with various Gandhian movements in South India. Thousands of followers of other religions live, inasmuch as possible, the spirit of the Focolare Movement and actively collaborate in working for its goals. Dialogue also began with persons of no religious faith like the agnostics, the indifferent and the atheists. This dialogue develops between believers and people who not have a religious faith but who share the common desire to work together for the brotherhood of the human family. From this point of view, it is quite emblematic that Benedict XVI wished to invite a group of non-believers to the Assisi event, who “though not professing to be religious, they feel that they are on the seeking path for the truth and they feel a common responsibility for the cause of justice and peace in our world.” Four invitees have accepted the invitation of Benedict XVI. They include philosophers, historians and professors from various countries in the world. Among them is Walter Baier: Austrian economist, General Coordinator of “Transform! Network,” a European research group that includes magazines and leftist think tanks. He is a member of the Austrian Communist Party, but also a collaborator with the Focolare’s international center for dialogue with persons of non-religious convictions. “A world-city truly appears on the horizon, shining with hope.” This is what the upcoming event in Assisi 2011 foreshadows. “Today,” says Maria Voce, “dialogue between religions cannot be limited to the leaders, researchers and specialists. It should be a dialogue of the people, and this will be more and more essential for peaceful coexistence in our cities and countries as we find ourselves elbow to elbow with Muslims and Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs. It is a chronicle that will have to be discovered and perhaps invented, without allowing ourselves to be discouraged by the rumors of violence and intolerance. It’s the daily testimony that opens the way.”
