30 Mar 2023 | Non categorizzato
In union with the universal Church, the Church in Africa celebrated the Continental Synodal Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 1st-6th March 2023. Here are some impressions from those who participated in this very important moment for the family of the People of God. “Understanding the synodal process means opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit who speaks to us, and listening to each other in order to better carry out the Church’s mission”. With these words, Archbishop Lucio Muandula, Vice-President of SECAM (Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), opened the work of the Continental Assembly that began in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) at the beginning of March 2023. Over two hundred delegates, including cardinals, archbishops, bishops, consecrated people, lay people, seminarians and novices, together with representatives of other faiths, gathered together to reflect on the document of the continental phase of the Synod on Synodality. They experienced the joy of listening and the beauty of feeling part of the “family of God”. Markos Gebremedhin, Apostolic Vicar of Jimma-Bonga (Ethiopia) and friend of the Focolare Movement, said: “We discussed various themes and identified the calls of our synodal journey to prepare a final document that represents the authentic voice of Africa. It was an experience of true synodality, a moment of deep dialogue, mutual listening and discernment, between local churches and with the universal Church”. The continent of Africa is blessed by rich principles and values, the fruit of many cultures and traditions. It is rooted in a sense of community spirit, family, solidarity, inclusion and hospitality. Mons. Gebremedhin continued, “These principles and values are good, healthy seeds which can enable a truly synodal Church in Africa, in which all vocations must be valued, to grow. With great charity, the assembly empathized with the pain and suffering of our sisters and brothers in Africa. This family walks with those who are most affected, in particular by war, ethnic strife, religious intolerance, terrorism and all forms of conflict, tension and anguish”. The topics addressed included a reflection on the fundamental role of young people who are a source of energy, passion and creativity for the Church, and on African women, the backbone of communities. Their talents, their charisma and the great contribution they bring was recognized and valued. Don Giacomo Costa, consultant of the General Secretariat of the Synod guided the participants through the working method of the “spiritual conversation” which was expressed in three moments: taking the floor, making room for others and building together. Guy Constant, one of the Focolare Movement’s “Volunteers of God”, told us “I participated in the Assembly as an adult Catholic appointed by the Bishops’ Conference of Benin. We met in small groups to discuss our personal experience of the path of synodality during the first year of the synod. The reports of each group were then presented in plenary. This was followed by the presentation and reflection on the synthesis document prepared for the continental phase. One of the most beautiful aspects of this was the invoking of the Holy Spirit, praying that He might guide the process and the intervention of each person. This made it possible to readily accept the proposals of others, instead of wanting to impose our own. A second aspect was experiencing a working atmosphere of true unity among us, priests, bishops and cardinals without distinctions. There was a lot of humility in welcoming everyone’s interventions.” This path of synodality seems to have awakened the thirst of a Church that wants to take into account the thoughts and feelings of each member, which does not walk alone, but which learns from others. A vital Church that aims at being an “us”. Fidely Tshibidi Musuya, focolarina from Congo recounted, “I participated in the Continental Assembly for the Synod in Africa as a youth assistant. It was truly a unique experience to hear that I too have a voice that can be heard. For the first time I truly felt a child of the Church. I was born into a Catholic Christian family and many things were obvious to me but this experience made me take on a new awareness of my belonging to the Church, which is not only for bishops, priests and men and women religious, but is truly the Church for all.”
Maria Grazia Berretta
29 Mar 2023 | Non categorizzato
The Domus Project was set up to help some Argentinean families who wanted to see their right to own their own home fulfilled. This dream came true thanks to the participatory self-building housing project, launched in the town of Lincoln (Argentina) in 2019. People of all ages joined forces and, with the help of professionals, were trained in the art of construction, generating reciprocity, citizenship and fraternal community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJfry9kxJjA&list=RDCMUCgObNLrbHTnFoc42UOhE-Nw&index=4 Copyright 2023 © CSC Audiovisivi – All rights reserved
27 Mar 2023 | Non categorizzato
Loving your neighbour does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes it is enough simply to look to the other person attentively to discover that responding to their needs with joy costs nothing. From that sowing of love, soon we all reap beautiful fruit. At the bus stop I meet Karim at the bus stop. I hardly know him, I don’t even know what country he’s from, although I think he is North African, and while waiting we chat. I’m headed to the city, he to the seaside, and certainly not for swimming (this is evident from the meagre assortment of beach items to sell that he carries with him). I notice, however, that he doesn’t have a hat to protect himself from the sun, an indispensable accessory in this scorching summer for those who, like him, will spend a few hours on the sunny beach. ‘I forgot it at home,’ he replies. I spontaneously offer him mine. I bought it recently, but it doesn’t matter: ‘Take it, I have two others. Where I’m going I can find shade, but you…’ Bewildered, Karim looks at me almost incredulously. Several times he insists not to take it, then finally relents seeing that I do so wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, my bus arrives. We say goodbye. ‘Have a good day at work, Karim!’ ‘Thanks again for the hat!’ Only then does it occur to me that I gave that gift to Jesus in him. The fact is, that episode of the hat enlightens my whole morning. Saverio, Italy The umbrella From the Gospel I had learnt that behind the poor and the marginalised it is Christ who asks to be loved. I remember a simple episode. In the bar near my home, I noticed a poor man, nicknamed Pen, who was soaking wet because it was raining that day. Knowing that he had had tuberculosis, and overcoming some resistance to be seen in his company, I invited him home to find him something dry. My parents were surprised. ‘Santa, we could use some clothes…’ At first my son did not seem very enthusiastic, but then he found a pair of trousers, while I got a jacket. But the rain showed no sign of stopping. ‘What if we gave him an umbrella too?’ An umbrella was also found. Happy the poor man, but I was happier too, because we had collaborated to help him. But it didn’t end there. Days later, Pen came back to return the umbrella. Actually it wasn’t the one we had given him – it was better. Ours had been stolen and someone had given him another one. He wanted to reciprocate that way. Francesco, Italy
Edited by Maria Grazia Berretta.
From “Il Vangelo del Giorno,” Città Nuova, year IX, no. 1, March–April 2023.
24 Mar 2023 | Non categorizzato
“Together – Gathering of the People of God” is the ecumenical prayer vigil to be held on 30th September 2023 in Rome in advance of the Synodal Assembly in October. Damian, a Polish Catholic, and Masha, a Russian Orthodox, are two young people from the Focolare Movement who recently participated in the preparatory meeting for the event, which was followed by a private audience with the Pope. Praying together gathered under the same “tent”, to discover each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the idea at the heart of the ecumenical prayer vigil that will take place on 30th September 2023 in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis announced the event during the Angelus on 15th January 2023, to entrust to God the work of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, on the theme of Synodality, which will take place in October 2023. It will be a genuine gathering of the People of God, which will extend an invitation, as the title given to this occasion indicates (“Together”), to walk together, which is also expressed by the verse of Isaiah (cf. Is 54, 2) chosen for the occasion: to “widen the space of your tent”. The Taizé Community will lead the vigil, which will be attended by Pope Francis and representatives of various Christian Churches, as well as many realities and organizations. It is open to everyone, especially young people who are invited to attend from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, and will be welcomed for a weekend of true sharing. 
Damian Skłodowski, from Poland, and Masha Iasinskaia, from Russia are two young people from the Focolare Movement who are part of the team that is organizing “Together”. At the meeting held on 12th-15th March 2023, they had the opportunity to meet the whole team and to begin the work of preparation. Masha, how did the meeting go for you? This preparatory meeting was a very strong experience for me. I was pleasantly impressed to see so many people belonging to different Churches and to various confessions working together. I am Orthodox and, having been part of the Focolare Movement since I was born, I have always lived in an atmosphere in which dialogue between the Churches is normal but I was happy to be surprised on this occasion. I have discovered that many, each in their own reality, feel this need for brotherhood and work hard to achieve this goal in their communities. Damian, how did you share out the tasks from an organizational point of view? The “Together” weekend will be a journey made up of several parts. On the morning of 30th September, there will be itineraries and workshops on various themes in different areas of Rome. This will be followed by a time dedicated to prayer for all the young adults in the city centre and then there will be a procession to St. Peter’s Square. This preparatory meeting was certainly a way to get to know each other, brainstorm a little on the topics and understand how to share the work between us. Masha and I will take care of preparing one of the morning workshops. Masha, in this context what does the word “Together” say to you? The first time I felt I was living this “together” fully was in Hungary, during the 2012 GenFest, a gathering of the young people from the Focolare which takes place every 5 years. It’s a different kind of event from the one we are organizing now but I will never forget the mandate that was given to us to be “bridges”. A bridge represents something that unites, which creates a bond between us, between our countries, our churches, our differences and the more united we are the more unshakeable this bridge will be. I think this being “together” is essential, especially for me, for my country. I am lucky because I had the joy of receiving this mandate, but we have to bear witness to it, to truly become bridges and this vigil offers a wonderful occasion. Damian, what do you think is the starting point for establishing true relationships of communion? The starting point is to really go to meet others, to put the person at the centre, to get to know each other and ask “how are you?” You have to build that relationship. Yes, it is true, we are different, there are differences between the various Churches, between denominations, between religions but also between people in general. Before finding solutions or giving great speeches, what is important is listening. I, a Catholic and Masha, an Orthodox, are already experiencing this in sharing this work and also during the lunches and dinners of these days of preparation. It was nice to meet the others in such social moments without too many pretensions, with great simplicity. Even when Pope Francis welcomed us in a private audience, he thanked us for our availability and repeatedly used the word “synodality”. This is the path of God’s people: we walk, we open our hearts, our ears to listen, our eyes to see and little by little, we go ahead together.
Maria Grazia Berretta
17 Mar 2023 | Non categorizzato
The Word of God, incarnate, lived concretely and in our own times, gives us the possibility of making our life a source of light capable of illuminating every darkness, bringing our contribution to every activity. A new look at things that paves a path of hope for us and for those around us. A peace that brings light It all started when my son had the first symptoms of muscular sclerosis. As a mother I had always dedicated myself to my children and to my grandchildren, but not being able to do anything to stem such a devious evil was terrible. One day I was in church, crying. On the high altar the sculptures of the crucifixion with John, Mary Magdalene and Our Lady at the feet of Jesus caught my gaze. Imagining how Mary felt in front of her Son reduced to such a state, I saw myself as she was, powerless and crushed by pain. I did not have the strength to pray but I remained there to contemplate, to think… and an unusual peace reassured me. From that day on, whenever anguish grips my heart, I return there and it seems that Mary repeats to me: “Stay with me, welcome the mystery and participate with me in the Redemption”. I try to give the peace I derive from this closeness to the family. One morning when my son was getting up, he noticed new limits on what he could do. He phoned me to say: “Mom, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring but supported by your strength I feel I can thank God for everything he has given me.” It was like a balm for me. (T.F. – Italy) The reins of the future A reunion among former students, fifty years after graduation. White hair or none at all, walking sticks, illnesses, disappointments… but also the great joy of being together again. How could we not remember those of us who had passed on to the next life? Then the speeches touched on hopes and projects, young people, children… and then came the punctum dolens from which the same serious question arose: “Where did we go wrong? What future have we built?” One of the group, who had consecrated his life to the service of the poor, speaking of the various solitudes encountered, said he was convinced that in this sick world, as Pope Francis says, young people are at risk because they breathe an air of indifference and no longer realize reality. And he concluded: “It is up to us to take charge of the reins of the future.” We said goodbye with the feeling (we later said to eachother) that that meeting had uncovered a new obligation for us, a task, according to the conditions and possibilities of each one. As for me, I am committed to communicating to my grandchildren what their own parents fail to convey. (L.A. – Spain)
by Maria Grazia Berretta
(taken from The Gospel of the Day, New City, year IX – n.1- March-April 2023)
