25 Nov 2017 | Non categorizzato
The “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” was established by the UN in 1999. It occurs every year on November 25 and governments, international organizations and NGOs are committed to raising awareness about the issue and thus creating public opinion. 18 years have passed since its establishment. Much has been done but it’s far from enough. There’s no need to look further afield where violence against women is concerned. It can happen right next door to us and go undetected.. . The words of St John Paul II resound very strongly in his Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem (MD, August 15, 1988), underlining that “God created man and woman in his image, not just as individuals but, in their commonality as the as ‘unity of the two’. The man and woman, therefore, are essentially the same, both persons called as such to participate in the intimate life of God and to live in mutual communion with one another, in love, on the model of God who is Love, who is unity in the Trinity, and to mirror in the world the communion of love that exists in God (MD 7). ” It is a milestone which needs to be faced daily as individuals and as a society.
24 Nov 2017 | Non categorizzato
“Have I really been transferred here?” Francesca asked with a pounding heart as the jail doors –a series of about ten big iron gates – opened out for her. Someone had described it as “a descent into hell.” After attending a course for jail teachers, Francesca entered the classroom for the first time. “I thought I would be assisted by a jail policeman, instead the only agent on shift had to monitor around ten classrooms and also perform other tasks at the same time. On the second day I said to myself: “It can’t go on like this! If I am afraid, it is useless that God has sent me here!” From that moment on I felt I was free to love.” In trying to see in the jailees only persons inhabited by Jesus, a journey began for Francesca. It was not so much the going to and returning from a place without limits to a place of reclusion, it was the going to the heart of many stories imbued with real humanity, errors, fear, and anguish, and also to the decision to take one’s life again into one’s hands. It was the start of a deep dialogue, with each side respecting the role of the other. “I tried to prepare the lessons very well, to make them attractive. I knew that Jesus came with me even in jail. During science lessons I started to explain about anatomy and the relations between organs and systems. Subsequently some jailees started to cut down on cigarettes, gradually abolished the use of tranquillizers, and sunbathed during out-of-cell time.” “Besides the difficulty of teaching students with different educational backgrounds – Francesca says – there other types of problems, the clanging of the gates, the irregular attendance of the students, and continuous transfers to and from other jailhouses. That is why whoever stood before me in that moment became even more precious. I might not have seen him again.” Ermal, is Albanese and a remarkably intelligent boy to whom Francesca had given the article of Pope Francis’s interview with prisoners. From that day on, a deep dialogue started about God and prayer. In a short time, Ermal reached brilliant results in school. “Professor, excuse me, I can’t write anything, I’ve got too many problems!” A young Tunisian held his head in his hands in front of a blank sheet for a class exercise. “I received the permit to bring him earphones for the PC and watch a film in his language. Slowly he relaxed, started to practice sports, made an appeal and is now hoping for a reduction of his term. Now when I see him, he greets me with a smile from behind bars.” «At Christmas –Francesca continues her story – we were invited to participate in the Christmas Eve mass. I was the only one since the other teachers had gone to the one celebrated for the “protected” jailees. We had not decided together. There were also Muslims among those present, others without any religious creed, and some jailees who had committed serious crimes. The Bishop started by saying: “You are not the crime you have committed, you are human beings. The crime regards the past; now let us look ahead with hope.” «In January Ermal obtained house arrest. But in that period he was approached by the gang which was the cause of all his problems. We could not keep contact with him, and couldn’t even get his address. Every day I entrusted him to Mary, asking her to let him return to school. After two months, due to evasion from house arrest, Ermal returned to jail! For us it was “good news” and the occasion for him to continue his studies. In a short time he brilliantly passed the High School exam. The President of the Commission told him: “Do you realise that you’ve got brains? What are you planning for the future?” “I want to study,” he said – “to prepare for University.” «After a year in school, I must say that I have come to know another world, almost like a parallel universe. My heart has expanded, and my way of thinking has changed. Many things that seem necessary “outside” are no longer so when you live a life of privation, where they are seen in the right perspective.” But the change God operates in people’s hearts goes beyond the bars or limits.
23 Nov 2017 | Non categorizzato
The Sophia University Institute is pleased to invite you to the Inauguration of the Athenagoras- Chiara Lubich Ecumenical Professorship that will be chaired by His Eminence Gennadios Zervos, Orthodox Archbishop of Italy and Malta entitled: The Partriach Athenagoras and Chiara Lubich, protagonist of unity. Maria Stella Giannetti: Communication – External Relations Istituto Universitario Sophia Via san Vito 28, Loppiano – 50064 Figline e Incisa Valdarno (FI) Tel. +39.055.9051521 – Cell. +39.349 62 72 045
23 Nov 2017 | Non categorizzato
From 26 November to 2 December, Pope Francis will embark on an apostolic voyage to Asia, stopping in Myanmar from 27 to 30 November and in Bangladesh from November 30 till December 2. It will be the first visit of a Pontiff to Myanmar, while in 1986, John Paul II visited Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated and poorest countries of the world. Pope Francis will travel to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. During his stay, he will meet with prominent political and civil authorities, as well as young Muslim and Hindu religious leaders in order to address major issues such as climate change, migration, the refugee crisis, the future of young people, all in view of renewed hope. The members of the Focolare Movement will be accompanying this intense week long schedule in Asia with prayer for harmony and peace. A video message recorded by Pope Francis in view of the apostolic visit to Myanmar
23 Nov 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
Paolo Balduzzi, TV journalist, presents the “Youth for a united World” during the live worldwide transmission.
It’s that great idea that was launched by Chiara Lubich in 1987, the idea she bequeathed to the new generations. That year, the Focolare foundress stood in front of a vast crowd of young people and explained to them the reason for the Genfest: “An explosion of fires, not artificial fireworks, but real fires, the fire of God’s love. The goal of ut omnes (“Father, may they all be one” [Jn 17:20-23]) draws near. Jesus wins over and draws people along, leaving behind everything that doesn’t move, like a stream of fresh water that leaves to the sides all the things that can’t be carried ahead in its limpid waters.” Chiara added: “You’ll see the miracles of God’s grace, because God is with us, God is in our midst. He’s the only Powerful One.” Standing among the young people was the current president of the Focolare, Maria Voce. “I’d like to say a huge thank you to the young people.” They’ve made a great act of courage “which seems like the answer of today to the appeal Chiara has launched ever since 1960: ‘Young people of the world unite!’ This appeal still resounds right now, not only for you, but for everyone. The goal of a united world has not yet been reached. The first generation couldn’t do it alone. The second won’t do it alone either, because its purpose is so vast. The idea of a united world has to be passed on from one generation to the next, and all of them united together can hope to bring it to fulfilment.” 
She went on to say: “The Genfest isn’t something that only regards the young, but everyone. That’s why I want to go, and I hope there will be many of us.” Everyone can do something. “Some may say: but I’m sick, I can’t… Offer your pain! Let’s all of us step up. You can help by offering hospitality; you can help the young people to prepare their programmes; you can give financial support for the young people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend. Let’s do all we can, whatever it takes. The Genfest is mine, it’s ours!” Before signing off, young person from the Philippines leaves everyone with a triple task: “First: organize a local Genfest. Second: do a concrete project to help at least one young person go to Manila. Third: Buy the T-shirt with our logo.” Find all the details at: Youth for a United World website, and remember this acronym Y4UW. See also: www.focolare.org/en/genfest-2018/
