The Focolare Movement and religious men and women share a bond that originated at the beginning of the Movement’s history: a thick web of relationships between Chiara Lubich, founder of Focolare and consecrated people of various religious families. An array of women and men dedicated to God through the most varied spiritualities that inspired and supported Chiara in the early years of the Movement. All this is revealed in the book entitled A Magnificent Garden. Chiara Lubich and the Religious (1943-1960) edited by Father Fabio Ciardi and Elena Del Nero.
Let’s start with the title: “A magnificent garden”. Can you explain it to us?
Elena Del Nero holds a PhD in History and Philosophical and Social Sciences from the “Tor Vergata” University of Rome. She works at the historical section of the Chiara Lubich Centre in Rocca di Papa (Italy). She is the author of essays and books on the history of the Focolare Movement.
Elena Del Nero: “The evocative image, used by Chiara Lubich as early as 1950, refers to the Church, in which, over the course of history, charisms have flourished. Each of them is precious in its own particular beauty, rooted in the Gospel word that inspired it and yet, together, they compose a harmony of shades, which enriches and illuminates the Church”.
The book consists of a historical reconstruction and a theological-ecclesial reflection. What do they cover?
Elena Del Nero: “The historical reconstruction focuses on only two decades, from the birth of the Focolare in 1943 to 1960. These years are particularly rich in documents and material relevant to the theme under study. The theological-ecclesial reading, on the other hand, ranges in a more extensive temporal dimension, extending its remit to the most recent magisterium reflections. In this way, we believe the panorama offered is wider and more complete “.
The presence of religious has always been part of the Work of Mary, from the very beginning. What is the meaning of the presence of religious in the Movement?
Father Fabio Ciardi: “To rekindle unity in the Church, in response to Jesus’ prayer ‘That all may be one’ (Jn 17:21), was the ideal to which Chiara Lubich felt called. Her Movement continues this great mission of fostering communion and unity among all. But what kind of unity would it be if religious were missing? They express the Church’s charismatic richness and keep alive the experience of the great saints. Chiara wanted to involve them in her ‘divine adventure,’ as she wanted to involve all people, of all vocations”.
What benefit did religious and their orders gain through dialogue with Chiara Lubich and the spirituality of unity of the Focolare?
Father Fabio Ciardi is an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, emeritus Professor at the Pontifical Institute of Theology of Consecrated Life (Claretianum) in Rome; he is the author of numerous publications; since 1995 he has served as a Consultant of the Vatican Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Society of Apostolic Life and since 2022 as Consultant to the Vatican Dicastery for the Clergy.
Father Fabio Ciardi: “From the beginning, religious of different orders were attracted by the evangelical freshness witnessed by Chiara and the first members of the nascent Movement, which brought them back to the radicality of their original choice: they felt a new love for their vocation, they understood it in a deeper way, they felt involved in a communion that reminded them of the first Christian community described in the Acts of the Apostles”.
What effect has the closeness of the religious had on Chiara Lubich from the beginning of the Movement?
Father Fabio Ciardi: “Their presence proved providential for Chiara, because it allowed her to engage with the great Christian spiritualities that emerged throughout history. This encounter helped her to understand her own vocation more profoundly, enriching it through the communion of the saints. Thinking of the saints of whom the religious are witnesses, she wrote, “It seems that they have approached our Work to encourage it, enlighten it and help it.” On the one hand, the relationship with the saints confirmed certain aspects of the life of the Work of Mary. On the other hand, the comparison with their lives and their works highlighted the full originality of this new and contemporary work of God”.
Is the presence of religious in ecclesial movements a source of mutual enrichment? Or does it risk bringing confusion and loss of identity?
Father Fabio Ciardi: “There is no interference in the life of religious families. Chiara Lubich wrote that she approached them ‘on tiptoe‘, in the awareness that they are ‘works of God’ and with that deep love that led her to discover in each of them ‘the beauty and that something ever new that they safeguard. At the same time, she was aware of the contribution she was called to make: ‘We must only help circulate Love among the different Orders. They must understand, know, and love each other as the Persons of the Trinity love one another. Among them there is a relationship like that of the Holy Spirit who binds them together, because each is an expression of God, of the Holy Spirit. It is in this circulation of charity that every religious deepens their identity and can make a specific contribution to unity”.
In conclusion, why read this book? Who would you recommend it to?
“Because it recounts a wonderful page of history that helps us to understand the beauty of the Church. It is not a book for religious only. It is a book for those who want to discover a Church that is completely charismatic”.
“We went to the Pope this morning to share with him the life of the Movement and to listen to what he had to say to us,” said Margaret Karram and Jesús Morán, President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement at the end of a private audience with Pope Leo XIV. “It was a meaningful, personal and fraternal meeting. He was interested to hear about our work for peace, for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, for the dialogue with cultures and, especially, for communion between ecclesial movements. He encouraged us to continue spreading the charism throughout the world.” “At the end,” says Margaret Karram, “I asked him if we could bring his blessing to all those belonging to the Movement. ‘Certainly!’ he replied.” If you would like to follow Margaret and Jesús’s “live coverage” of this event, tune in tomorrow at 6 p.m. Italian time for the Link-up (the worldwide video conference call).
The event will take place on Monday, 22 September 2025 at 7.30 p.m. (Italian time) in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome (Italy). A video link from Jerusalem with Cardinal Pizzaballa is also planned. Follow the live broadcast here.
François-Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân was born in Huê (Vietnam) on 17th April 1928 into a deeply Catholic family. Ordained a priest in 1953, he zealously dedicated himself to the formation of seminarians, distinguishing himself as a professor, rector and spiritual guide. Appointed Bishop of Nha Trang in 1967, he promoted a missionary ministry, close to the poor and attentive to the apostolate of the laity.
In 1975 Saint Paul VI chose him as Coadjutor Archbishop of Saigon, but only a few months later he was arrested by the communist regime. He spent thirteen years in prison, nine of them in solitary confinement. During that trial he knew how to unite himself intimately to the crucified Christ, transforming suffering into an offering and solitude into communion with the Church. During those years his “Thoughts of Hope” were born, which became a real spiritual testament, capable of illuminating the faith of millions of people around the world.
A decisive moment in his life was, towards the mid-1970s, when he met Chiara Lubich and the spirituality of the Focolare Movement, whose charism of unity and focus on Jesus Forsaken – Jesus who experienced the abandonment of the Father on the cross, the maximum expression of love – became a source of strength for him, even in the darkest moments.
Released in 1988 and exiled, he settled in Rome, where Saint John Paul II called him to serve the universal Church as Vice-President (1994) and then President (1998) of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. In this role he tirelessly proclaimed the Gospel of peace and justice, traveling throughout the world.
In 2000 he was invited by St. John Paul II to preach the spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia. Created Cardinal in 2001, he lived his final period marked by illness, with serenity and total abandonment to God. He died in Rome on 16th September 2002, leaving behind a spiritual legacy of unshakable faith, luminous hope and merciful love.
Today his figure continues to speak to the Church and the world: his life, shaped by the cross and hope, testifies that the love of Christ can transform every night into dawn.
Hope Thoughts of François-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan written during the first months of imprisonment (*)
979. You want to bring about a revolution: to renew the world. You will be able to carry out this precious mission that God has entrusted to you, only with “the power of the Holy Spirit”. Every day, wherever you live, prepare a new Pentecost. 980. Commit to a campaign that aims to make everyone happy. Sacrifice yourself continually, with Jesus, to bring peace to souls, development and prosperity to peoples. 981. Remain faithful to the apostle’s ideal: “to lay down one’s life for one’s brothers”. Indeed, “no one has a greater love than this” (Jn 15:13). 982. Proclaim only one slogan: “All one”, that is: unity among Catholics, unity among Christians and unity among nations. “As the Father and the Son are one” (cf. Jn 17:22 -23). 985. Stick firmly to a single guiding principle: prayer. No one is stronger than the person who prays. 986. Follow one rule: the Gospel … It is not as difficult, coFmplicated or legalistic as others: on the contrary, it is dynamic, gentle and inspiring. 994. For your apostolate use the only effective method: personal contact. With it you enter into the lives of others, understand them and love them. Personal relationships are more effective than sermons and books.
(*) From: The Road of Hope. Witnessing the joy of belonging to Christ, Città Nuova, 6th ed., Rome 2004.
The annual meeting of the Moderators of Lay Associations, Ecclesial Movements and New Communities took place in the Vatican from the 4th to 6th of June 2025. This event, held on the eve of the Jubilee of the Movements, gathered the various ecclesial realities in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Leo XIV. The Focolare Movement was represented. At a time when the world is deeply divided and even polarised, the participants shared a common desire to unite their charisms and contribute to the Church’s journey toward greater unity. Below are some interviews with presidents and founders of movements or communities who highlight the urgent need to feel part of one family going along this journey. They also express their gratitude that they can work together to increase a sense of hope in the world.
The annual meeting of the Moderators of Lay Associations, Ecclesial Movements and New Communities took place in the Vatican from the 4th to 6th of June 2025. This event, held on the eve of the Jubilee of the Movements, gathered the various ecclesial realities in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Leo XIV. The Focolare Movement was represented. At a time when the world is deeply divided and even polarised, the participants shared a common desire to unite their charisms and contribute to the Church’s journey toward greater unity. Below are some interviews with presidents and founders of movements or communities who highlight the urgent need to feel part of one family going along this journey. They also express their gratitude that they can work together to increase a sense of hope in the world.
