Italy/2: A people born from the Gospel

30 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

“You are a people born from the Gospel, Chiara was born from the Word; she was that ‘Here I am’ of Mary; ‘Let it be done’ coloured her life. She let herself be led by God, the humble and willing key for penetrating the Gospel”. These were the words of the Archbishop of Cosenza, a town in the southern Italian region of Calabria, at a mass celebrated for Chiara’s third anniversary.

The region of Calabria paid homage to the Focolare Movement’s founder in 10 of its cities including Aiello, the hometown of the current Focolare President, Maria Voce. The Bishop of Vibo commented: “Chiara is a living Gospel, she penetrated its core: The New Commandment. She is a marriage between humanity and spirituality”.

In Teramo, Abruzzo, the provincial and town councils dedicated a garden to Chiara. At the conclusion of the event Bishop Mons. Michele Seccia celebrated mass in the city’s cathedral.

The southern Italian town of Foggia in Puglia wanted to dedicate two important events to Chiara. “With the naming of a kindergarten and a park after Chiara the city found a way to remember this important figure in the course of time”, underlined the Councillor for Public Education Morlino, “Lubich left an immense legacy of values based on love of neighbour and respect for each person.”

In Bari, another city in Puglia, an event for reflection on women’s dignity and mission, reviewing the female status throughout the centuries right up until John Paul II’s Encyclical Mulieris Dignitatem. The climax of the meeting was the viewing of a video where Chiara outlines the birth and development of the Marian Profile in the Church alongside the Petrine Profile.

Amongst the many and varied initiatives throughout Italy was the 4th “City of Benevento Fraternity Award” organised by the local Focolare communities of Campania, Puglia, Basilicata and Albania, by the City Administration, by the “La Pace” (“Peace”) centre and Focus Association, sponsored by the President of the Republic, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic and by UNESCO. There were various Forums in the program where people of various confessions, religions and cultures engaged in exchange on different topics including: “Dialogue and Fraternity: Chiara Lubich’s Legacy”.

Inauguration of the "Chiara Lubich School"

From South to North: On the 3^rd June 2002 Chiara received an honorary citizenship in the North Italian province of Cuneo, Piemonte. This year a kindergarten in Bandito, one of the region’s most densely populated districts was named after her. To mark the occasion, a convention entitled “A city for brotherhood” was held in the school. “Chiara lives together with us” were the words with which the local mayor Bruna Sibille opened the festivities.

The last of this report’s list of events is the concert entitled “Festival of peace and brotherhood, a homage to Chiara Lubich” organised by the Cities for Brotherhood Association, by the town councils of Rocca di Papa and Castelgandolfo (Rome). There were 160 performers and assistants from three U.S. states and from four choirs from Rome and the near by area of Castelli Romani. The mayor of Castelgandolfo Maurizio Colacchi was present at the event along with Mayor of Rocca di Papa who reflected:  “I ask myself, does Chiara need our tribute? It is perhaps we who still need a gift from Chiara and so I turn to her in asking that the social foundation of Brotherhood may develop more and more”

Amazonia: School of formation for young workers in politics

29 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

A group of well informed young people came together on a Saturday morning to discuss politics. This could seem a run of the mill event but it happened on Saturday 12^th March, in Manaus, oneof the most important cities in North Brazil, the working capital of the Amazon State, on the River Amazon. This area has natural riches as well as a wealth of folklore, and is the starting point for the fabulous world of the Brazilian Amazonian region.

At 9am the ‘Hehoch Reis Forum’ held the opening lesson of the second cycle of the ‘Escola Civita’, a different way of giving formation held biannually and promoted by the Movement for Unity in Politics. This course is for young people aged between 19 and 29 to help them gain a better understanding of citizenship and an informed approach towards public life.

The students do not hold strong religious views or political interests. One student, Itagicara Jacauna,  explains why this course is important to them: “This chance for formation gives the chance to get to know and understand local politics better” another student, Vitor Kaleb, “we want to understand the future political plans for the new generations and I really hope there will be a big change on what is currently happening”.

Ten teachers representing different topics, 4 tutors and 20 students: this is the make up the new learning community that started in Manaus. Amongst the teachers there were also some politicians, such as the State Member Jose Ricardo and Ambassador Socorro Guedes.

At this event apart from the national president of the Movement for Unity in Politics, Sergio Previdi, there was Bishop Mario, the vice rector of the Federal Amazonian University, Hedinaldo Lima, politicians, professionals, and some ex students from the previous cycle of the ‘Escola Civita’ ( begun in 2007, with a total of 25 students).

The ‘Escola Civita’ in Manaus is one of the 11 held in 10 Brazilian States, there are more than 100 participants. The programme includes formation modules, local action projects and seminars. Themes centred on the actual socio-political situation in Brazil and the geo-political position in Latin America are the focus for discussion. The course runs with weekly sessions in the Federal Amazonian University in Adrianopolis.

This school run by the Movement for Unity in Politics also happens in other nations (Argentina, Korea and Italy). In each place the socio-political-cultural context is respected but there is one common objective: to deepen and practise a politics as service of unity for humanity.