11 Jan 2024 | Non categorizzato
Father Adolfo Raggio, 95 years old, is a priest who is a “citizen of the world”. He says that when he met the spirituality of unity, which he likes to call “the Ideal,” his life changed. From a parish in a small town in Liguria, northern Italy, the roads of God led him to different countries, where in each place he gave life to people and communities who live the spirit of the Focolare Movement., In this video, he shares his journey, which still today keeps him active in serving his brothers. Watch the video (activate English subtitles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N66bxl2KoU
Interview: Carlos Mana Voice: Giuseppe Vetri Filming and editing: Javier García
3 Jan 2024 | Centro internazionale, Non categorizzato, Tutela minori
The Prefecture of Nanterre (France) issued an appeal for witnesses On Tuesday, 2 January, the Police Prefecture of Nanterre (France) issued an appeal for witnesses following the accusation of sexual abuse within the Focolare Movement in France by former focolarino Jean-Michel Merlin. The document states that the Prefecture is looking for ‘anyone who can provide information relevant to the investigation or who wishes to denounce facts of which he may have been a victim’. Jean-Michel Merlin,” the appeal explains, “has been accused of sexual abuse of children and adults committed over a number of years within the Focolare Movement. Many of the victims have come forward and denounced the acts committed against them. The Focolare expresses its complete availability to facilitate the work of the judicial authorities and to make this appeal known. They offer their support to the victims and their commitment to continue implementing measures to protect and safeguard children and individuals, so that the Movement can increasingly be a safe place for everyone. Anyone with information of interest to the investigation or who wishes to report incidents of which they have been a victim, in France or elsewhere, is invited to contact the French judicial authorities via the following address: appelatemoin-btpf92@interieur.gouv.fr
24 Dec 2023 | Non categorizzato
A Christmas that speaks of strength, courage and warmth, in a “family” which is as big as the world
All one! A goal to be reached.
One day heaven opened up, because the Word became flesh. Then He grew, taught, performed miracles, brought together His disciples, founded the Church and, before dying on the Cross, said to the Father: “May they all be one.”
He did not address His words to human beings: perhaps they would not have understood. He turned to the Father, because God is the bond of this unity, and he obtained this grace that enabled us all to be completely one.
We know that we are brothers and sisters, we know that a link binds us, but we do not act as brothers and sisters. We pass by each other without looking at one another, without loving each other. If that is the case, in what does our fraternity consist?
God (…) wants us to open our eyes and look at one another and help one another and love one another.
The fault is ours; we have forgotten what is essential. Our vision is clouded by material goods, activities, affections, personal ideas and egoism. We don’t let go of anything so as to give priority to God. God exists; yes, God does exist, but he is one of the many things in our lives. We think of him only in those moments when we need him.
As Christians, we should live in a different way. We must put God in His rightful place in our lives and put aside everything else.
And He will teach us how we should live, and He will repeat his words to us: “Love one another.”
Then many things will change. My family will become the whole of humanity, as Jesus said: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the Word of God.” And passing through the streets of this world, we will realize that people are not just people, but they are children of God. All one!! Let’s make the world become a single family, where the rule of every rule will be Love.
Chiara Lubich (from Città Nuova – no.24 – 25 December1972)
6 Dec 2023 | Non categorizzato
On 7th December 1943 in Trent (Italy) Chiara Lubich pronounced her yes to God. A yes that, over time, has multiplied, generating a large family, the Focolare Movement, made up of people from different continents, ages, cultures and vocations. Chiara’s “yes” was not a vow, it was a “flight”. A flight as daring as that of Charles Lindbergh when, for the first time, he flew non-stop over the Atlantic! “Have you found your vocation?” the priest had asked her as he saw her radiant expression as she came back from the shrine of Loreto that guards the house of Nazareth. “Yes,” she answered simply. “Are you getting married?” “No.” “Are you entering a convent?” “No.” “‘Are you going to remain a virgin in the world? “No.” The bewildered priest had no other alternative to propose. It was a fourth way, the one Chiara Lubich perceived. What was it? She didn’t exactly understand it herself; it was a new way to be followed, both boldly and courageously. A few years passed. Chiara heard a voice inside saying to her: “Give yourself totally to me”. How? Where? It doesn’t matter, you just have to answer that voice. The very thought of giving herself completely to God filled her with joy. “The priest challenged her, ‘If you follow this way, you will not have a family of your own, you will not have children, you will remain alone in life…’. Alone? As long as there is a tabernacle on earth,’ Chiara said to herself, ‘I will never be alone. Didn’t Jesus promise a hundred mothers, a hundred brothers and sisters, a hundred children to those who leave everything to follow him? But in that moment Chiara was not thinking about what she would leave or what she would receive in return. She only knew that she wanted to marry God. Nothing less! Athough this young girl was only 23 years old, the priest considered that she would be able take such a daring “flight”: she was really determined, she knew what she wanted. He gave her an appointment in the chapel. But he recommended that she should spend the night in prayer, almost like ‘keeping watch’, as was the custom at the time. In her little room, Chiara took the family crucifix, kissed it and began to speak to Jesus. Shortly afterwards, her breath condensed on the figure of Jesus and she fell asleep. Early the next morning she put on her best dress. The poor people – Chiara was also poor – always have a dress for a special occasion. Outside a storm was raging, almost as if someone wanted to hold her back from such a challenging step. She went out into the wind and rain, in a decisive way. In the little church she was enveloped by silence. There was Mass, communion, her whole, total, ‘yes’ forever. She shed a tear, because she was aware that a bridge was collapsing behind her, she would never be able to go back. But the whole of her life lay ahead. She had married God and could expect everything from him. This was on the 7th December 1943. 80 years have now passed. Chiara Lubich did not remain alone. Her Spouse had her travel with him, opening up Paradise to her and allowing her to share in its beauty, as she herself would later express: “My most sweet Spouse, Heaven is so very beautiful and You, as a divine Lover, after a mystical wedding …, show me Your possessions that are also mine! (…) My God, but why? Why so much for me? Why so much Light and so much Love? Chiara did not remain alone. A large family was born around her, made up of men and women from all continents, all vocations, many cultures and religions. Her yes was fruitful, because God never lets himself be outdone in generosity. After 80 years, that ‘yes’ has multiplied and still resounds today, in a thousand ways. Storms rage, the future seems uncertain, the ‘flight’ can resemble a leap in the dark, fear paralyses… Yet that voice continues to be heard in so many people, at times faintly, at times loudly: ‘Give yourself to me, give yourself to me…’. How? Each one discovers it slowly, but it calls for an immediate and generous yes. It can be a hesitant and shy yes or a decisive yes, a small tiny yes or a great big yes…. As long as it is a yes that is sincere and authentic. In this way God continues to make himself present in the world and to build its history that will blossom into the Kingdom of heaven.
Fr. Fabio Ciardi, OMI
4 Dec 2023 | Non categorizzato
On 7th December, Pope Francis will receive in audience the President of the Focolare Movement, Margaret Karram, together with those who are responsible for the Movement in the world. At 6pm, there will be a Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica of St, Mary Major in Rome, presided over by H.E. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. 7th December 1943 marks the official birth of the Focolare Movement, the day on which Chiara Lubich consecrated herself to God forever. 80 years ago, a small community was born, which amidst the destruction of the Second World War wanted to rebuild peace and unity among all, and which would soon spread throughout the world, becoming part of the reality of New Charisms of the Church. At the heart of the Focolare’s spirituality and action is the Gospel and in particular Jesus’ prayer: “That all may be one” (Jn 17:21). Today the Movement is present in 182 countries, a sign of the universality and urgency of unity and fraternity in these fragmented and tragic times. It also includes Christians of various Churches, believers of numerous Religions and people without a precise religious affiliation. On 7th December next, Pope Francis will receive in audience Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, Jesús Morán, Co-President and the group of those who are responsible for the Movement. “To be received by the Holy Father on 7th December 2023, exactly eighty years after Chiara Lubich’s first ‘yes’ to God, is an extraordinary and surprising gift for us,” explains the President. “We want to bring to the Pope the love and affection of the thousands of people around the world who live the Charism of unity and renew our service to the Church in this synodal journey, in collaboration with so many others who want to contribute to peace and love to alleviate the wounds of humanity”. At 6 p.m. on the same day, in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, there will be a Mass of thanksgiving for these 80 years of Focolare life presided over by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, together with several other cardinals, bishops and priests. Margaret Karram goes on to explain, ” This day will be the conclusion of a pilgrimage that we wanted to make to some sacred and significant places in Assisi, Loreto and Rome so as to give thanks, to ask for forgiveness and to start again with courage and hope. Focolare communities around the world will also live this anniversary with the same spirit and aims, so as to be “witnesses of proximity with fraternal love that overcomes every barrier and reaches every human situation”¹.
Stefania Tanesini
[1] Talk of Pope Francis to the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement – 6 February 2021
