The African continent is made up of 54 States. It is crossed by the Equator and the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, so much of the territory is located in the torrid zone and is characterized by deserts, savannahs and rainforests. It is the continent with the largest area affected by arid and warm climate. Thirty million km² with about one thousand four hundred million inhabitants.
Jesús Morán, Co-President of the Focolare Movement, accompanied by some members of the International Centre, visited some countries in the east and west of the continent from 13th January-9th February 2025. Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, joined live via video link on nine occasions, especially for the days dedicated to meetings with local communities.
Jesús Morán said, “It is a trip we will remember for a long time.” Margaret Karram added, “This journey which many have called ‘historic’ has remained in our hearts“. Even though I was connected by video, I can still see their faces, their smiles and their commitment. I was deeply moved by the testimony of the communities of the Movement which live the Gospel radically. I think we have a lot to learn from them. ”
The trip included stops in Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi but many other people from various other African countries participated in many of the meetings.
It is impossible to summarize the intensity and richness of life found in each community. You can see here a part of the Link Up Conference Call of 15th March 2025 which included a report on this journey which was truly an immersion in the life and culture of the African continent.
I am from India from the State of Goa – a former Portuguese colonly and lliberated by India in 1961. I learned Portuguese language at the primary level in a rural setting and then continued English education under Jesuits iln Mumbai,India graduating in Science and later in technology at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai – travelled and worked abroad in Iran – 5 years, and then in UAE in the Arabian Gulf for nearly 30 years and returned to native Bangalore in Karnataka State since 2004 and closelly connected with Focolare in my retirement. I shall be 90 in a few months and my family is also actilvely participating in our Parish Small Christan Community of Sacred Heart Church Parilsh and have oppotunity to share our Focolare charism with the members, taught to us by our foundresss Chiara Lubich & the leaders.