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13 Jun 2011 | Non categorizzato
“When someone weeps, we must weep with them. And if they laugh, rejoice with them. Thus the cross is divided and borne by many shoulders, and joy is multiplied and shared by many hearts. Making ourselves one with our neighbour is the way, the main way, of making ourselves one with God. (…) Making ourselves one with our neighbour for love of Jesus, with the love of Jesus, so that our neighbour, sweetly wounded by the love of God in us will want to make himself or herself one with us, in a mutual exchange of help, of ideals, of projects, of affections. Do this until establishing between the two of us those essential elements for the Lord to say, ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt. 18:20.) Until, that is, as far as it depends on us, the presence of Jesus is guaranteed, so that we walk through life, always, as a little Church on the move – Church whether we are at home, at school, in a garage or in Parliament. Walking in life like the disciples of Emmaus with that Third among them, who gives divine value to all our actions. Then we are not the ones acting in our life, we who are miserable and limited, lonely and suffering. The Almighty walks with us. And whoever remains united with him bears much fruit. From one cell come more cells, from one tissue many tissues. Making ourselves one with our neighbour in that complete self forgetfulness which is possessed (without realizing it or specifically trying to do it) by someone who thinks of the other, their neighbour. This is the diplomacy of charity, which has many of the expressions and aspects of ordinary diplomacy, hence it does not say all that it could say, for this would not be liked by others or be pleasing to God. It knows how to wait, how to speak, how to reach its goal. The divine diplomacy of the Word who becomes flesh to make us divine. This diplomacy, however, has an essential and characteristic mark that differentiates it from the diplomacy spoken about by the world, for which to say diplomatic is often synonymous with reticence or even falsehood. The divine diplomacy has this greatness and this property, perhaps a property of it alone: it is moved by the good of the other and is therefore devoid of any shadow of selfishness. This rule of life ought to inform every kind of diplomacy, and with God it can be done because he is not only the master of individuals, but king of the nations and of every society. If all diplomats in the exercise of their duty were inspired in their actions by charity towards the other State as to their own, they would be enlightened by the help of God to such an extent as to contribute to the establishment of relationships among States as they ought to exist among human beings. Charity is a light and a guide, and the one who is sent as an emissary has all the graces to be a good emissary. May God help us and may we co-operate, so that from heaven the Lord may see this new sight: his last will and testament brought to life among the nations. It may seem like a dream to us, but for God it is the norm, the only one that guarantees peace in the world, the fulfilment of individuals in the unity of a humanity that by that point would know Jesus. Chiara Lubich (an extract from Meditations, New City London, 2005)
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13 Jun 2011 | Non categorizzato
9 June 2011 “We write these notes while on our return flight from Strasbourg. Just a few hours ago we were in the ‘Low N 3.4’ Hall of the European Parliament where a seminar was held, entitled: ‘Europe and Dialogue. A political value for a globalized world’. It was promoted by the Political Movement for Unity Thirty-two participants, seven of which were from the European Parliament and members of three different parties (PPE, S&D, Green) – five Italians, a German and an Austrian – along with three representatives of NGOs at the European Council and some parliamentary assistants. The meeting was significant: taking into account the typical “nomadism” of the European Parliamentarians who joined us in that small room of just 40 seats; they acted with true conviction; and deputies from other nations also desired to be present via email or by sms, regretting that they could not be physically present because of other committments. This revealed their searching and their interest and their esteem for this political community inspired by the charism of Chiara Lubich. Now it appears possible to start a small network of parliamentarians at a European level, corresponding to the membership of various national parliaments, particularly in view of the project ‘Together for Europe’. Each part of the programme was important in providing a sense of dialogue among the diverse identities, and it was all supported by a common belief in fraternity. 
Paolo Giusta (official of the European Union in Brussels) was the moderator, intoducing the program and presenting the guidelines of the Movement for Unity in Politics. This was followed by Marco Fatuzzo who shared some of its concrete implementations, dwelling, in particular, on the “laboratories of fraternity”, launched for some time in the national parliaments of Italy, Brazil, and South Korea. The keynote speaker was Jesús Morán, in charge of the Focolare Movement’s theological activities, who discussed some of the cultural and anthropological aspects of dialogue. Another valuable gift was the presence of Gérard Testard and of Severin Schmidt, both from the orientation committee of ‘Together for Europe’. They described the journey of ‘Together for Europe’ and the appointment in Brusells, following the thread of this extraordinary experience with Stuttgart 2004 and Stuttgart 2007 as the milestones. Italian MP Silvia Costa concluded: “. . . we are very interested in this dialogue and I’m certain that those who are ‘non-believers’ will also feel engaged by the Project that has been presented to us.” Austrian MP Ulrike Lunacek, from the Green Party, spoke saying that she had already known about the ‘Together for Unity’ project in Austria, and that she already considered herself invited to the 5 May 2012 event in Brussels. We will go back to the Parliament of Strasbourg, aiming solely for unity as our possible goal, so that the institutions of Europe might be ever more open to the power of the “charisms”, and certain that this meeting will be one of the engines for universal brotherhood for which Chiara Lubich spent her life. Indeed, as she would often say: “If a small group of people will be united, then the world will be one!”. Marco Fatuzzo Chairman, Movement for Unity in Politics
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11 Jun 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
Isabella Barbetta
I bought her medicines, and then I asked Fausto to visit her. We took him to the hospital where she was on drip. During the night I went to take her out of the hospital and back to the sisters, together with her husband who stayed in the waiting room. They still hadn’t found work. Winter was coming and, instead of returning to Bulgaria, as they were planning, the went back to sleeping on the streets. I brought them some candies that I had prepared with lots of chocolate, so they’d be more substantial. Christmas drew near. One night the temperature was 2° below zero, Fausto and I went by the supermarket. Valentina and Michele were seated on a carton, numbed by the cold. We tried to convince them to go somewhere where they could spend the night in warmth. Michele didn’t want it. Fausto asked them why they hadn’t returned to Bulgaria as was there intention. The answer was simple: “We don’t have money for the tickets.” Fausto and I looked at each other: If the problem is money, we thought, we will make do with a little less this Christmas. We asked when the bus would be leaving for Bulgaria: the next morning from the Tiburtine Station. We returned home and as Fausto fetched the money, I prepared a sack bread bread, cheese, ham, fruit, some sweets and water, which they could snack on during the two-day-long trip. We left with Valentina and Michele and arrived at Tiburtine Station at one-thirty. We exchanged addresses, glad that it would also be a happy Christmas for them in the company of their family. But the next day Valentina telephoned to say that the bus was already full and they would be forced to return to Aricccia. But they bought tickets for the following Friday. Valentina said to me: “Italy doesn’t wish, Bulgaria doesn’t wish, only you wish us well.” The sisters were happy to take them in, having experienced for themselves their courtesy and politeness. On Friday morning at six, Fausto took them to Rome – this time with an abundance of sacks filled with groceries, and a warm winter coat to replace the dirty and ice-covered coat of Valentina. I wasn’t able to provide my friends with a job, but I’m sure I provided them with a bit of love.” Editor’s note: This story was shared by Isabella in January 2008. We offer it again today, because of its timely significance.
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10 Jun 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
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“Let’s get together again please!” wrote a German girl on her Facebook account, expressing the longing of many of the fifty participants of the Media Education seminar, which was aimed at young people and their coordinators. The course, sponsered by trade associations from six countries and prepared in detail by NetOne and the Charism Community Projects (UK), received financial support from the Youth in Action programme of the European Commission.
The course provided a theoretical part – three lectures held by the Media Education Professor Luciano Mele from the International Telematic University of Rome (UNINETTUNO), who were the external project partners; evenings with professionals in the areas of communication: social networks, journalism and advertising , and four creative workshops for the remaining of the day. The quality of content was much appreciated by the young people as well as the creativity in the experimental groups on multicultural living.
Arco-Iris, the Focolare’s little town at Abrigada proved to be quite the suitable place for hosting the seminar, not only for the environment but also for the great hospitality and attentive service.
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9 Jun 2011 | Non categorizzato
“You represent an important component in the peace process that humanity is waiting for.” Maria Voce joyfully welcomed diplomats gathered at the International Centre of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa, on 8 June 2011, the same centre which was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Thirteen ambassadors attended and five diplomats representing their respective embassies. There were also representatives from some dicasteries of the Roman Curia, as well as the president of the Focolare and members of the General Council of the Movement. 
The recent beatification of Pope Wojtyla encouraged the Focolare and the Embassy of Poland to the Holy See to promote the meeting, in the desire to express their deep gratitude to John Paul II, who followed the Focolare with such great love ever since he was a bishop in Poland. This meeting follows a previous one directed to the Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, which was held in 2010 on the second anniversary of the death of the Movement’s founder, Chiara Lubich. “We see you engaged in dialogue – continued Maria Voce, who was returning from a long trip to Eastern Europe -. immersed in a society characterized by tensions, conflicts, threats, and even wars, you play an invaluable role.” She also pointed out the “similarity” between the work of diplomats and that of the Focolare Movement: In fact, the Movement’s “precise purpose is to contribute to the realization of Jesus’ dream: ‘That all be one’.” 
Among the speakers, Ms. Anna Kurdziel, First Secretary of the Polish Embassy, underscored the affinity between John Paul II and Chiara Lubich, two extraordinary figures of the 1900’s, in an evangelization which starts from love. The Italian ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Maria Greco, recalled the legacy of John Paul II for Italy, not least the importance he gave to the ecclesial movements, a cohesive force in the country and a moralizing strengthener of ethical standards in social life. Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, urged everyone “to know and appreciate the charism of unity as a very great sign of hope for today’s world. ” The voice of a direct and authoritative witness was also heard. Eli Folonari shared what the relationship of John Paul II and Chiara Lubich was like. There was the first invitation to a Mass in his private chapel a few days after his election to the papacy, the 30 hand-signed letters, the inevitable telephone calls of congratulations which always arrived on the feastday of Saint Clare (Santa Chiara), the 9 invitations to dinner … “Chiara wanted a confirmation (from the Pope), but above all, she wanted to give him joy.” And so it was, since several times the Pope remarked that at every meeting with her or with the focolarini he felt “a great consolation.” (www.centrochiaralubich.org) 
Two young people also offered their testimony on the meetings of John Paul II with the younger generations, and the Zanzucchi couple shared from their direct personal knowledge of the Holy Father, about his encounters with families. And space was also given to Chiara Lubich’s commitment to the communion among movements, as she promised to the Pope in Saint Peter’s Square on Pentecost 1998. Gabriella Fallacara, who worked in ecumenism for many years, then presented “Together for Europe” the path taken up by Movements and ecclesial communities in and for the European continent. It will take place again in Brussels on 5 May 2012, with simultaneous links to many European cities. Monsignor Vincenzo Zani, undersecretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education together with the secretary Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès, asked, as a conclusion to the meeting, to share about the significance of this encounter: “I’m reminded of the meditation of Chiara Lubich entitled “Diplomacy”. Chiara spoke of “the diplomacy of love, which, because of its simplicity is able to give a soul and start the flow of blood in the structures of social and political life, which so often feel like superstructures. Today, here, there was an expression of this structure of social and political life which the embassies and diplomats are called to be. If there is love, you understand that the world needs this invisible network – hidden, but at the service of the common good, at the service of unity.” [nggallery id=50]
