… Which word is it that the Holy Spirit imprinted like a seal on this house, on our Movement, when God first thought of it and started forming it here on earth?
We know what it is. The word is “unity.” Unity is the word that sums up our entire spirituality. Unity with God, unity with our neighbours. Or rather, unity with our neighbours in order to reach unity with God.
The Holy Spirit, in fact, revealed to us a way that is distinctly ours, a fully Gospel-based way to unite us with God,
to find God. … We seek God and find him by passing through our neighbour, by loving our neighbour. We find God when we strive to bring about unity with our neighbour, with every neighbour, if we establish the presence of Jesus among us. Only in this way are we guaranteed unity with God and we can find him alive and beating in our hearts. It is this unity with God which then, in turn, urges us to go out to our neighbours, and helps us to ensure that our love for them is not pretence, nor insufficient, or superficial, but rather is radical, full and complete, given substance through sacrifice, always ready to give our life, and capable of bringing about unity.
Our Statutes place unity at the basis of everything, as the norm of every norm, as the rule to be
observed before every other rule. Unity is the word for us; it is the rock.
We have no meaning in life except in this word, where everything acquires meaning – our every action, every prayer, every breath. And if we concentrate on living this word, if we live it as well as we possibly can, everything will certainly be safe, we will be safe and also that part of the Movement entrusted to us will be safe.
Perhaps, in the future, the Work of Mary, both as a whole or in some of the zones,
will go through quite different times from what we are experiencing now, when we have so many consolations, fruits, light, fire.
Moments of darkness or despair may well arise, there might be persecutions
or temptations. … There might be misfortunes or disasters… But if we stand firm on the rock
of unity, nothing can touch us, everything will go ahead as before.
Chiara Lubich in “Conference Calls – Conversations via Telephone and Satellite Connections”, 2022 New City, pages 342-344
At the launch of the website of the “Co-citizens of Loppiano”, Roberto Brundisini told us that returning to Loppiano after many years reawakened feelings and dreams and inspired the idea of starting new projects.
“One day I went back to visit Loppiano, where I had previously lived for some time. I realized that I felt at home there. I was surprised that I had stayed away for so long and I thought of many others who, like me, had lost touch with this reality. I expressed my thoughts, that this is the home not only of those who live there but also of those who love it. And I know there are many.
Foto: Horacio Conde
The word spread, dormant circuits were reactivated and, as if from a long hibernation, old and new faces were awakened. Loppiano exists, it’s there, it’s still there! The dreams that had fallen asleep come alive again, with a humble determination. Because the dreams that remain in the drawer grow mould.
So, what should we do? Where can we start first?
Then it hits us, maybe we can establish an energy community. “Yes,” someone replied. Maybe we could set up an alternative agriculture. Fantastic! Contribute to the urban and environmental reorganization of the Little Town according to the criteria of Laudato Sì.
What a dream! Why don’t we organize a welcome centre where people can spend a few days relaxing and re-educating themselves regarding nature and human relationships? Fantastic – someone else continued – I would love there to be a hub, a meeting space for cultural exchanges between young people and perhaps also between artists. Sounds exciting! What if we set up a Web-radio with a universal outlook, given the variety of skills, experiences and knowledge that many of us, scattered across the globe, have acquired over the years? Another dream (…)”
During a recent visit to the International Centre of the Movement, we interviewed the President of the Association, Alessandro Agostini and one of the councillors, Nicola di Settimo.
Turn on subtitles and choose your desired language
Interview Anna Lisa Innocenti e Carlos Mana Editing: Joaquín Masera.
“In order to hold on firmly to your faith, you must choose the Road of Hope followed by the disciples of Christ”. This is one of the 1001 thoughts addressed by the then Archbishop François Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận to his faithful during his long years of imprisonment for his faith: a collection of reflections, warnings, and encouragements, later collected in the book “The Road of Hope”, considered the “spiritual testament” of the Vietnamese Cardinal, declared Venerable by Pope Francis.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the book’s publication, the Cause for Beatification of Cardinal Văn Thuận and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which is acting as the promoter of the cause, together with the Dicastery for the Clergy, the Città Nuova Publishing House, and the Diocese of Rome, wish to honor the memory of the Vietnamese Cardinal by celebrating a conference entitled “François Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận. Witness of Hope ”.
The event will be held on March 25 in Rome, at the Sala dei Trattati Lateranensi, in the Palazzo Apostolico Lateranense, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ms. Élisabeth Nguyễn Thị Thu Hồng, sister of Cardinal Văn Thuận, will be present.
Through the testimony of those who knew him, and with excerpts and music from his writings, the conference aims to highlight the relevance of Cardinal Văn Thuận today: a faithful pastor who was able to transform his experience of imprisonment into a space of prayer, forgiveness, and sacrifice, showing how the light of the Gospel can overcome all darkness. His words convey a message of hope, a universal spiritual heritage.
His Eminence Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, will open the proceedings. Speakers will include His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Dr. Waldery Hilgeman, Postulator of the Cause for Beatification of Cardinal Văn Thuận; His Eminence Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy; His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Don Carlo Seno, priest of the Diocese of Milan and director of the “Vinea mea” Spirituality Center, will perform on the piano.
The meeting will be moderated by journalist Alessandro De Carolis of Vatican Radio – Vatican News.
During the conference, the Italian edition of the new biography of Cardinal Văn Thuận, written by his sister Élisabeth and published by Città Nuova Editrice, will be presented, with a preface by Cardinal Michael Czerny.
The event is open to the press, upon request for accreditation at the Holy See Press Office, and will be available via streaming in Italian, with simultaneous translation into English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Vietnamese.
By the Cause for the Beatification of Cardinal Văn Thuận
The life, works, and spirituality of Cardinal Văn Thuận are also illustrated on the website dedicated to him, in several languages, at https://www.cardinalvanthuan.va/it.html
The arrival of Pope Leo XIV was greeted by a warm applause from the 320 participants at the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement, who had been received in audience at the Vatican. “With that applause,” said the newly elected Co-President, Roberto Almada, “we wanted to express our joy. I was struck by his appreciative and encouraging gaze towards all those who are part of the Movement: priests, families, young people and focolarini.
Right from the outset, Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the root of the charism: “Each of you has been drawn to the charism of the Servant of God Chiara Lubich”. He emphasised that unity remains at the heart of the gift that the Holy Spirit offers to the Church and to the world today.
A people of peace called to be a shield against barbarism
The topic of peace featured prominently in the Pope’s message. He acknowledged that “also through you, God has, over the past decades, prepared a great people of peace”, who are called today “to act as a counterbalance and a shield against the many people who are sowing hatred, who are dragging humanity back into forms of barbarism and violence”. These words confirmed the work of the Assembly, which reflected on how to contribute more effectively to mending social bonds, overcoming polarisation, and promoting dialogue and fraternity in the areas where the Movement is present.
Margaret Karram, re-elected as President of the Movement, commented: “The Pope has once again emphasised how, today more than ever, there is a need for unity in a divided and war-torn world. He has placed even greater emphasis on the need to live out our vocation to fraternity more fully and more effectively. I was also struck by the Pope’s appreciation for the Movement’s work in the ecumenical and interfaith contexts, as well as in other areas.”
The responsibility of the post-foundation phase
A particularly significant point concerned the historic moment the Movement is currently going through. Pope Leo XIV recalled that: “You have been entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the charism of your Movement alive in the post-foundational phase”, a phase that does not end with the generation immediately following the foundress, but which “extends even further”. He urged the Movement to distinguish, with clarity and honesty, between what belongs to the essential core of the charism and what may change over time. He clearly stated that it is necessary to discern “which aspects of your community life and your apostolate are essential, and therefore must be maintained” and “which instruments and practices, although they have been in use for some time, are not essential to the charism… or have presented problematic aspects and therefore should be given up”.
The Pope’s words on transparency – a “prerequisite for credibility” and a right for all because the charism is a shared gift – have confirmed and reinforced a direction that had already developed in the Assembly. A Movement that adopts greater shared responsibility is the necessary step towards living out unity today.
A shared process of renewal: the guidelines for the next five years (2026–2031)
The reflection on the challenges and critical issues raised by the General Assembly has highlighted that at the root of many of the movement’s current problems lies an immature understanding of unity, the founding core of Chiara Lubich’s charism; for this reason, a process of re-evaluation and deeper reflection has been initiated at all levels.
In this context, the aim is: to work towards overcoming divisions and polarisation through the efforts of communities of the Focolare Movement living in local areas and on the “peripheries” of the world, in partnership with those who share the Gospel-based principle of unity through dialogue and collaboration; to support networks committed to promoting peace and education to non-violence; developing a integral vision of care for the planet and for people; strengthening families and communities as places of closeness and mutual support. Alongside this, it is essential to promote the ethical and responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence, involving people of all generations, and to value the contribution of young people and the richness that stems from the coming together of different experiences and sensitivities.
With an approach based on the quality of relationships, on transparency, on participation and on shared responsibility, the Movement renews its commitment to work so as to ensure that every place becomes a space for encounter and collaboration, at the service of the common good and of peace.
Today, the 20 general councillors of the Focolare Movement were elected; during the new term of office, they will support the President of the Focolare Movement in her role.
In accordance with the General Statutes, they, together with the President and the Co-President, are responsible for representing the entire Movement and expressing its unity.
They will be called upon to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the President, in particular overseeing the practical aspects of the life of the Movement (summarised in the “seven colours”) and the support of the geographical subdivisions (the “zones”). Each one, in their own role, will have at heart the unity of the entire family of the Focolare Movement, safeguarding and promoting it at every step.
They will be called upon to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the President, in particular overseeing the practical aspects of the life of the Movement (summarised in the “seven colours”) and the support of the geographical subdivisions (the “zones”). Each one, in their own role, will have at heart the unity of the entire family of the Focolare Movement, safeguarding and promoting it at every step.
Stefania Tanesini with the Multimedia and Linguistic Services Communication Team
