Chiara Lubich: “Do you know where we are?”
“Here is a summary of the event (of the 16th of July) that Chiara offers us, restoring its enchanting Gospel-based inspiration. When Igino Giordani (Foco) suggested (to Chiara Lubich) that they ‘bind themselves closely’ to each other in order to follow Jesus more closely – as Saint Catherine did with her followers – Chiara felt prompted to respond by inviting him to make a ‘pact’, in faithfulness to the Gospel principles to which she had learned to conform her life [1]:
“You know my life: I am nothing. I want to live, indeed, like Jesus Forsaken, who annihilated himself completely. You too are nothing because you live in the same way. So then, we will go to church tomorrow and I will say to Jesus-Eucharist who will come into my heart, as into an empty chalice: ‘On the nothingness of me may you seal a pact of unity with Jesus-Eucharist in Foco’s heart. And, Jesus, bring about between us the bond which is known to you.’ … ‘And you, Foco, do the same.’” (Translation of the Italian – verses 24 and 25 of the text of Chiara Lubich published in “Paradise ‘49”, Città Nuova, Rome 2026).
The narrative is concise and extremely simple. The event that then came as a gift, once the pact had been made and had borne witness, exceeds all human expectations. And in this form, it is also unprecedented in the history of Christian experience.
We could try to discern its meaning from what Chiara first of all tells Foco, in order to “explain to him” – as she wrote – what had happened. “Do you know where we are?” She begins with this question, inviting him to join her in opening the eyes of his soul to the scene that has unfolded through the pact. It is clear from this that the pact prepared the conditions for God’s grace to be made manifest: the mystical perception of the presence of Jesus in Chiara and Foco (and immediately afterwards in those to whom the pact is extended) becoming “one” – brought about in Jesus and by Jesus, through the lived Word and through the Eucharist. And it is so in each of them. Certainly, the lived and perceived identification of Chiara with Jesus, expresses the extraordinary grace common to all authentic mystical experiences attested to throughout the history of the Church. But what comes to light in the experience described here, is that this takes place for Chiara in the unity in and through Jesus, that she lived with Foco, and then gradually with the other people to whom the experience is communicated. To such an extent that they too are drawn into it.
Piero Coda
(Translation of the Italian text taken from Paradiso ’49 [Paradise ‘49], Works of Chiara Lubich, edited by Piero Coda – Alba Sgariglia, Città Nuova, Rome 2026)
Photo: Baita Paradiso. A cottage in Tonadico, Italy, where Chiara Lubich and some of her first companions
stayed during the period known as ‘Paradiso ’49’. © Jesús María Zamora
[1] Here we have a specific description of the Christian experience brought about by the charism of unity: the “pact”. Whatever its origin in Chiara’s thought and practice, it is clear that the dynamic of “sealing a pact”, implies sharing with those involved in it, the fundamental focus of one’s existence in God and the decision to carry out his will together. In this way, the pact, among those who live it, becomes an expression of the pact with which God himself established a covenant with his people in the Old Testament, and as “once and for all” renewed it eschatologically in Jesus. Therefore, we see this as a “fundamental” aspect of the experience of Revelation. “Before then,” Chiara recalls in a footnote, “we had lived other pacts, such as the pact of mutual love. This had brought about a qualitative leap in our life, making us experience the presence of Jesus in our midst with the gifts of the Spirit he brings with him: peace, joy, light, strength. Then the pact of mercy (as we called the pact by which we focolarine took the commitment to see each other new every day, without remembering each other’s defects, as if we were meeting each other for the first time) helped us in perfecting our love for one another” (footnote 30). The pact of unity, inspired by Foco’s request and lived out according to the method described by Chiara, brings about a further and decisive “qualitative leap” – in keeping with the unfolding of the charism of unity as a gift from God – namely, that of the identification given and experienced with Jesus, and of finding oneself in the Bosom of the Father.
Gen Movement: 60 years of life
“Young people of the world, unite”: this is the invitation that Chiara Lubich extended to the younger generations 60 years ago, so that each one could answer God’s call to live for unity in a practical way. Today, this mission remains as relevant as ever and, in these extremely troubled times, continues to be a way ahead that often goes against the current. It refuses to let hatred and division have the last word. It means to journey as a family with hope and action, with a constant desire to live for a united world.
What’s UP? Let’s get started!
A new space created to get to know one another and to share in a direct and informal way. A moment dedicated to sharing news, stories and initiatives, so we can discover what’s happening at the International Centre and in different parts of the world and we can also strengthen our sense of community.
In this first episode, we’ll start at the International Centre (Rocca di Papa, Rome), the heart of the Focolare Movement’s governance, and after a few interesting facts, we’ll get to know some of the Councillors better – those who have completed their term of office following the General Assembly in March 2026.
Let’s get started!
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From Caracas (Venezuela): solidarity becomes tangible
On Wednesday, 24th June 2026, at 6:04pm, Venezuela changed forever in less than a minute. Two earthquakes, magnitude 7.1 and 7.5, separated by just 39 seconds, struck the north-central part of the country. The epicenter was located near Morón, in the State of Carabobo, but the most devastating impact was felt in La Guaira, Caracas and the surrounding areas, where many houses and buildings collapsed. The toll of casualties, missing and injured continues to rise as rescue operations proceed. Specialized teams from many countries are arriving to join the search for survivors, bringing humanitarian aid and essential supplies, as part of an international response that is growing by the hour.
The aftershocks have given no respite; there have already been over 100. Some are barely noticeable while others force us to flee our homes repeatedly. We are living in a constant state of alert. We sleep little. Fatigue weighs heavily on us, as does fear. Added to this are the difficulties of a city trying to continue functioning: the telephone signal and internet connection work intermittently, electricity supplies fluctuate constantly and, in many buildings, the supply of gas has been suspended as a precaution. Even the simplest decisions require enormous effort: organizing ourselves, carrying out practical tasks, coordinating teams, or simply contacting loved ones to know if they are safe. Everything becomes more difficult when the earth keeps reminding us that it has not yet stopped shaking.
Venezuela is dealing with this earthquake from a condition of vulnerability. Many buildings were built without the earthquake-resistant standards that are now the norm in other regions and some have suffered from years of wear and insufficient maintenance. This emergency is unfolding with an already challenging socio-economic reality, which makes the response process even more complex.
However, in the midst of this fragile reality, we are also discovering an immense strength that comes from communion.
As the Focolare Movement, we have opened our homes – the Focolare centres that, fortunately, have not suffered any structural damage – to welcome those who have had to abandon their homes. Some families can no longer return home, because their buildings are at risk of collapsing; others have lost everything. We have offered accommodation, food, clothing and whatever else that can alleviate the most urgent and immediate needs.
Sadly the tragedy has also touched our family very closely. A volunteer from the Movement lost several family members due to the collapse of the buildings in which they lived. Only one granddaughter survived and has already been treated in the hospital. Like them, many families wait anxiously among the ruins for news; others mourn their loved ones and many continue to cling to the hope of finding those still missing alive.
Solidarity is part of our identity and these days it becomes tangible. From the very first hours after the earthquake, journeys between Caracas and La Guaira multiplies: private cars, volunteers, parishes, organizations and neighbors bringing water, food, medicines, clothes and tools. Entire communities from other regions of the country that experienced the earthquake very lightly, have spontaneously organized collection centers, sorted donations and prepared the aid that continues to reach the worst affected areas through the Church. Every small initiative, every phone call, every package prepared with care, every person who offers their time, weaves a network of fraternity that supports those who need it most today.
We are also deeply moved by the number of people, both within and outside Venezuela, who wish to help. We haven’t been able to respond to all the messages we have received. Family, friends, members of the Movement and people who simply want to know how we are or ask how they can contribute. We are activating every possible channel so that this enormous generosity can find concrete expression and reach where it is most needed.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to all of them. Thank you for the prayers, for the messages of closeness and for the concrete gestures of solidarity that are already being put into practice. In moments like this, we experience vividly what Chiara Lubich has left us as a guiding horizon: “Be a family”.
Perhaps the biggest challenge is to live in the present moment. Not to anticipate the fear of the next tremor or to remain paralyzed by the magnitude of the suffering. Remaining in the present is, now more than ever, the way to discover what Love asks of us in each moment.
Living the charism of unity, in this context, means giving a concrete response: being bridges where there is isolation, offering fraternity where fear created division and sowing hope where uncertainty seems to prevail.
There’s still a long road ahead. The emergency is not over and reconstruction will take time. Yet amid so much loss, we are also witnessing a humanity that refuses to give up, that organizes itself, that shares the little or much that it has and that reminds us once again that, even when the earth trembles, love can remain the firmest ground on which to rebuild hope.
The Focolare community of Caracas
Photos: © fotospublicas.com
To make a donation: Earthquake emergency in Venezuela