The Adventure of Unity: Chiara’s Final Days

2 Feb 2014 | Non categorizzato

Following a period of illness and retreat in Switzerland in the early 1990′s, Chiara Lubich engaged the Focolare in a rapid opening to local society and to faraway peoples. Certainty that the Movement was fully inserted in the Church spurred an extraordinary season of dialogue, journeys and public recognitions. A number of honorary degrees, citizenships and prizes on every continent (see timeline) showed how her Ideal and its influence had reached a high point.

The period between 1994-2004 saw the start and consolidation of deeper and expanded dialogue with faithful of the Great Religions especially in the East; a large series of activities promoted by the Movement that advanced the contribution of the charism of unity in the fields economics, politics, communication, health, and more; the launching of a large scale effort engaging politics and ecumenism in giving a “soul” to Europe.

Following this long period of journeys, foundations and new frontiers, Chiara’s health began to fail. The last three years of her life on earth were perhaps the most difficult. Jesus Forsaken, her Spouse, presented himself to her “in a solemn way”, in a darkness where it seemed that God was “like the sun when it sets and is lost beyond the horizon”. Nonetheless, moment by moment Chiara continued to love person after person, one person at a time. She continued to place herself at the service of God’s design on the Movement, overseeing its development until the very last days of her life when, to her great joy, Sophia University was instated as a Pontifical University Institute.

She had spent her final month in Gemelli Hospital, in Rome. From there she still managed brief correspondence and decisions for the Movement. She also received a letter from the Pope which she re-read often because it gave her great comfort. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I visited her in hospital and gave her his blessing.

During the final days she more than once expressed a desire to return home. Once there, she said goodbye to her first companions and close collaborators. Then, as her condition worsened and she began to fade away, an endless line of people passed by her bedside, to see her, kiss her hand, to say thank you. The emotion was intense, but so were the faith and love. The Magnificat was intoned in thanksgiving for the great things the Lord had done in Chiara, and as a renewed pledge to live the Gospel, to love in the way Chiara had always taught and done.

Chiara passed away on March 14, 2008 just after two o’clock in the morning. The news quickly spread to the members of her spiritual family around the world, who were united in prayer.

In the days that followed thousands of people, from plain working men to political and religious leaders began to arrive in Rocca di Papa to honour her. The funeral was held in the Roman Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, but was unable to hold the huge crowd that had arrived (over 40,000 people). Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone presided at the Eucharistic Celebration which was con-celebrated by 9 cardinals, 40 bishops and hundreds of priests. Cardinal Bertone read the message sent by Benedict XVI in which the Pope described Chiara as a “Woman of intrepid faith, a meek messenger of hope and peace”.

Some words spoken by Chiara resounded among the crowd: On your day, my God, I shall come to you. . . . I shall come to you, my God. . . . with my wildest dream come true: to bring you the world in my arms. That all may be one!”

The Philippines: the faith of the littlest ones

1 Feb 2014 | Non categorizzato

Micha Jane and Ryan, live with their family in Tacloban, the capital of the province of Leyte, an island in the central southwest of the Philippines, among the cities most affected by the typhoon of November 8, 2013. Among the 200,000 inhabitants, more than 10,000 have been estimated to have died. These two teens who, with their family are members of the local community of the Focolare, still retain vivid memories of the tragedy: “I can’t tell you how many times we recited the holy Rosary with the whole family – Ryan shared: after the typhoon passed our house had only it’s roof that was damaged”. And Micha Jane: “My father told us to hide in the bathroom because it was the only place that had cement walls; everytime the house trembled and the things slammed against the outer walls I felt as if I was the one being hit. So I tried to concentrate more on my prayers and I felt that my fear slowly disappeared.” After the typhoon passed, night came: “We heard people talking about homes being ransacked, people killed; once again we found the strength to ask God for help and, at the same time, we felt that we must be prudent and watchful”.. The days that followed were really difficult. The very strong wind blew away the roofs, houses, trees, and caused an ocean surge that in a matter of minutes submerged part of the city. There was no eletricity, water, there was no way to communicate with anyone, not even through cellular phones; the first telephone contacts were made possible only after many days. Micha Jane continues to share: “We would hear occasional gunshots, the nights were extraordinarily silent. Most of our neighbours and friends were evacuated to Cebu or Manila by military airplanes. Some relatives wanted to convince my father to do the same. Instead, my parents decided to remain. They explained to us that they wanted to take on the responsibility of helping those in need. As the days passed, we helped my father and mother to distribute the relief goods that were starting to arrive and we also visited the survivors of the typhoon”. Ryan continues: “I thought that I would be overwhelmed by the lack of internet, television … And yet I realized more and more that there is joy and life in meeting people and loving them”. Micha Jane confirms: “Our life became even more simple. My brother mops the floor, I fold the clothes that my mother has washed. We have made a schedule for washing the dishes and my turn is after breakfast and my brother after lunch. We found true joy in helping out. Our days are always more full and satisfying. I understood that true happiness lies in loving”. Up to now the emergency situation in the zones most affected has not ended: after the wave of emergency aid had passed, with the support of the AMU (Action for a United World) and the AFN (Action for New Families, onlus) of the Focolare Movement, the project to repair and reconstruct around forty housing units has begun. The faith of these families, starting from the littlest ones, in the strength of the Gospel lived and in prayer done together will do the rest. For anyone who would like to contribute financially: Associazione Azione per un Mondo Unito – Onlus presso Banca Popolare Etica, filiale di Roma Codice IBAN: IT16G0501803200000000120434 Codice SWIFT/BIC CCRTIT2184D Causale: emergenza tifone Haiyan Filippine AZIONE per FAMIGLIE NUOVE Onlus c/c bancario n° 1000/1060 BANCA PROSSIMA Cod. IBAN: IT 55 K 03359 01600 100000001060 Cod. Bic – Swift: BCITITMX MOVIMENTO DEI FOCOLARI A CEBU Payable to : Emergency Typhoon Haiyan Philippines METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY Cebu – Guadalupe Branch 6000 Cebu City – Cebu, Philippines Tel: 0063-32-2533728 Bank Account name:  WORK OF MRY/FOCOLARE MOVEMENT FOR WOMEN Euro Bank Account no.:  398-2-39860031-7 SWIFT Code:  MBTCPHMM Payable to:  Help Philippines– Typhoon Haiyan Email: focolaremovementcebf@gmail.com Tel. 0063 (032) 345 1563 – 2537883 – 2536407

Loving & Serving in Japan

31 Jan 2014 | Non categorizzato

“I work as a civil servant in the area of fisheries and marine resources. During my 22 years of marriage I’ve moved 5 times to different regions of Japan because of my job,” recounts Nagatani Hiroshi. He is a married focolarino with three grown children. He was born into a Buddhist family but later followed his wife in being baptized a Catholic. “I thought that by doing so I would be providing my children a single religious reference in a social context that is quite diverse spiritually.” In 1993 Nagatani and his wife met the spirituality of unity and felt urged to live the Gospel by placing themselves at the service of others, especially by contributing to the spiritual formation of the laity in their parish. Family life was still filled with moves and “this brought an element of adventure. One time we went to live on the island of Tsushima where there is no Catholic church. At first we felt totally lost, but then we became friends with an Anglican priest on the island, and would attend the Anglican liturgy on Sundays. Thanks to this friendship, when a Catholic priest began coming to the island to visit us, the Anglican priest was quite willing to place the church at the disposal of the Catholics for Mass. Thus all the Catholics on the island began to unite and we were able to contribute to their spiritual growth.” Recently Nagatani and his wife were invited to join the Diocesan staff that runs marriage preparation courses for young couples. They were entrusted with the lessons on procreation and life. “My wife is a midwife, so she dealt with the technical side. I dealt more with the family relationship side, that is, the variety of issues that are involved and how they could be dealt with as a couple. In carrying out this service I find myself conveying to the young people an idea of Igino Giordani, which was particularly helpful to me. Igino Giordani would say that all the time a couple does not live out mutual love is wasted time.”

Ecumenism: A Week as Brothers and Sisters

30 Jan 2014 | Non categorizzato

This is a special year for ecumenism. Fifty years have gone by since the publication of Unitatis Redintegratio, the Second Vatican Council Decree on Ecumenism, which promotes unity among all Christians. The document denounces division, which openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature. Many steps have been made by Christian Churches during these 50 years: asking for forgiveness; recognizing each other as brothers and sisters; efforts to overcome the thorniest issues even from a theological point of view. These 50 years have been a dialogue of life. This year’s Week of Prayer, which was prepared by Christians from Canada and celebrated in many great and small ways, acquired significance and power when considered in this larger context. Paco and Pilar, Catholics from Spain: “In Caceres we held an hour of prayer with brothers and sisters from the Evangelical Church. It was so beautiful to unite in praying the Lord’s Prayer. A grand experience!” Jacqueline Reyes” “Here in Ecuador we had an octave of ecumenical celebrations. There was a strong spirit of brotherhood and joy. This is a path of hope.” In Pozzuoli, Italy, it was an intense moment of encounter between Catholics and Evangelical Christians from the Baptist Church, with the unexpected participation not only of the Pastor, but also the congregation. We were all ‘the people next door’, people who knew one another from the market, the hospital, the workplace . . . it was so simple and triggered a relationship of trust. Music was provided by musicians from the various groups who formed a single orchestra, learning and playing the hymns of each other’s churches. The Offertory was very inspiring: the presentation of a Bible representing the Word; a bouquet of flowers representing the harmony and beauty of unity in diversity; a scroll with the words of Jesus’ Testament; a TAO and apron representing service.” In Sardinia, Italy, pastors and representatives of all the Churches in Cagliari gathered in St. Helen’s Greek Orthodox Church. There were Lutherans, Baptists, Adventists, priests from Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and Romanian Orthodox Churches. Throughout the octave these Churches held prayer meetings according to the style of their liturgical traditions. The Baptists presented a Bible study on the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians; the Adventists a moment of reflection and song that had been proposed for the Week of Prayer; Catholic seminarians from the regional seminary did the same. The Orthodox prepared vespers and the common ecumenical celebration that had been prepared by a mixed group of members from all the Churches was held on Sunday, January 19. Anna and Vittorio write: “It was a week in which personal relationships grew among representatives of the Churches, even relationships that had been going ahead for many years.” Who knows what other (extra)ordinary things happened elsewhere in the world during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. You are invited to write us your story at: www.focolare.org!

Faith and Reason: Two Doctorates for Dialogue

28 Jan 2014 | Non categorizzato

© University of Notre Dame

Simplicity and professionalism are evident in the elegant but simple Great Hall of the Rome base of the American University of Notre Dame du Lac. Here on 27th January Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, received honorary Doctorates in Law.

The American scholar Thomas G. Burish, Vice Chancellor of the prestigious university, opened the ceremony. He emphasized that honorary degrees are conferred on those who have given a contribution never seen before.

The President of the University, The Revd John Jenkins, giving the honorary degree to Maria Voce. Photo © University of Notre Dame

Caridinal Tauran and Maria Voce, in their respective fields, offer something unique to people today. The citation conferring the degree upon Maria Voce says: “…because of your extraordinary leadership of the Focolare Movement, and as a recognition of the incredible witness and inspiration of the Focolare Movement itself.  Your work to advance the cause of unity, especially through a commitment to dialogue and friendship, is truly a salve for the wounds of a fractured world”.

Present at the sober and meaningful ceremony were various dignitaries and the entire Administrative Council of Notre Dame. ‘The Doctorate conferred today on these two persons is an award for what actually is theirs already, and so it does not add anything to them. Rather it is an honour for us who are granting it,’ Prof. Burish said.

His Eminence Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran. Photo © University of Notre Dame

Cardinal Tauran’s speech put into light Europe’s difficult progress to recognizing the separation of faith and reason. He said, ‘The God who has been put aside has reappeared today in a world where people continue to ask themselves the big questions of life and death.’ In Cardinal Tauran’s analysis dialogue is obligatory. As he put it, ‘It is a risk because you have to accept challenging questions from someone else who believes and thinks differently.’ The key words are, therefore, identity, otherness and dialogue: a threesome that allows us not to give up our own faith, but to choose to walk together towards the truth.

During the meal offered by the university, Maria Voce gave a reflection, followed by a prayer. She said, ‘I was always fascinated by academic work. During my last year studying law I met Chiara Lubich and her charism of unity. It bowled me over and I immediately got involved, which meant that I adopted a gospel style of loving in my life. In front of me was a good carrier, as the first woman lawyer belonging to the court of Cosenza. But suddenly I was overwhelmed by the powerful call of God to follow him in the Focolare community. A week later I left everything, and I have never regretted it. I remember that some years later, when by chance I was called to give witness in a trial, I felt again all the fascination of the world I’d left behind and, the same time, the joy of being able to give something beautiful to God.’

© University of Notre Dame

She then remembered one of her university professors who called law ‘a system of limits’. Starting with this definition, Maria Voce offered a significant reflection upon the Law. ‘In the logic of gospel love lived out, a limit is the chance to experience the true being of a person who is fulfilled in giving, in self-giving, in making a gift of self. It is only in this way that we can reconcile individual liberties as part of a higher synthesis that leads to communion, in and through which the identities of persons can be protected, indeed can have their potential realized. Communion, unity – in which we can see God’s project for the human family – is not something that annihilates the person, but something whereby the person is fulfilled. And this is why being in relationship is constitutive of human beings.’

And, at the end, she prayed, ‘You came into world thanks to a young woman; in all we do, help us to be, like Mary, instruments of your love for the world. In particular make it possible in our work together, in our universities, in our communities, in all our projects and meetings, that like Our Lady we should give birth to your presence and witness the fulfilment of your promise to be with us wherever two or three are gathered in your name.’

Roberto Catalano and Michele Zanzucchi