![Pope Francis’ video message for Loppiano’s 50th anniversary]()
Nov 1, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
The Holy See Press Office released the text of a video message from Pope Francis on the 50th anniversary of the founding of Loppiano, the Focolare movement’s first “little town.” The town, located in north-central Italy, has 2,600 residents from 70 nations.
“Dear brothers and sisters, inhabitants of Loppiano, good evening to you all.
I also wish to greet all those who today populate the citadel which Chiara Lubich had created, inspired by the Gospel of brotherhood – that universal brotherhood – and all those who from every corner of the world have linked up to participate in the Loppiano’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Loppiano is at the service of the Church and the world, and I thank the Lord for this little town which is a living and effective testimonial of communion between people of different nations, cultures and vocations, and who make sure, especially in daily life to keep alive among you, mutual and constant charity.
I am glad that you chose to celebrate your anniversary on the same day in which the entire Church celebrates St Francis of Assisi, testimonial and creator of peace and brotherhood. It is really a happy coincidence also for me.”
The inhabitants of Loppiano, those who are permanent citizens and those who pass a period of training wish to become experts in mutual acceptance and dialogue, operators of peace, and generators of brotherhood,
Continue with renewed enthusiasm along this path, and I pray that you remain faithful and continue to incarnate more and more the prophetic design of this citadel which blossomed from the charisma of unity, exactly fifty years ago. All this was in harmony with the profound message which the Second Vatican Council was announcing in that period, to testify to the light and wisdom of the Gospel with mutual love towards all. Loppiano is, therefore, a school of life, where there is only one Teacher: Jesus.
Yes, a school of life, that makes the world hope once again, and that bears witness to the Gospel is truly the yeast and salt of the new civilization of love. And to do so, by drawing from the spiritual sap of the Gospel, you need to imagine and experience a new culture in all fields of social life: from family to politics, to the economy. In other words, the culture of relationships. The basics of wisdom is the sincere desire for education, and taking care of education means love. Therefore it is not surprising that Loppiano has for some years now become the seat of the Sophia University Institute established by the Holy See. There is an urgent need for young people, men and women who, besides having a qualified training in various disciplines, are at the same time imbued with the wisdom that springs from love of God.
Dear friends, my heartfelt wishes for all of you and Loppiano, to look ahead always, and aim high with faith, courage and creativity. No mediocrity! I entrust you all to Maria Theotokos, Mother of God, who embraces you all in the shrine which is the heart of the little town. And I ask you to pray for me. I bless and greet all of you.”
Video in Italian
![Pope Francis’ video message for Loppiano’s 50th anniversary]()
Oct 30, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“Meditations” (Μελέτες) (1959) is the first published collection of meditations by Chiara Lubich. Now Greek has been added to the long list of translations of that book and “Knowing How to Lose”, (Μάθε να χάνεις), a book on Mary at the foot of the Cross. In his preface to the books, Patriarch Bartholemew writes: “We hail the publication of these books, which coinicides with the 50th anniversary of the encounter between Blessed Pope Paul VI and Athenagoras I in Jerusalem, and we hope that Meditations may become a favourite that will bring benefit to all who seek the path of love and peace in today’s world. . .” I personally knew the memorable founder of the Focolare Movement for over fifty years when she had been invited by our predecessor, the unforgettable Patriarch Athenagoras, and I followed closely her sincere efforts for unity and restoration of full communion between the ancient Churches and the new Rome, in the context of the dialogue of love. . . ” Chiara’s love for the Orthodox Church is well known: from 1967 to 1972 she had 25 audiences with Patriarch Athenagoras, a relationship that continued with Patriarch Demetrios and the current Bartholemew I. 
In Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece, two events were held to make Chiara Lubich more known in the Orthodox Church and in the Roman Catholic Church in those cities. It was significant that the Orthodox Metropolitan Chrisostomos of Messinia, in charge of relations with the Catholic Church in Greece, was sitting at the same table as member of the bi-lateral theological commission, Jesuit Father Kontidis who saw to the publication of the book, Dimitra Koukoura Orthodox professor of Homeletics, and Florence Gillet, theologian from the Chiara Lubich Centre. Nikos Papaxristou, an Orthodox journalist, moderated the presentations with a bit of autobiographical detail: “The first time I heard of the Movement was from Patriarch Bartholemew.” Universality, “femininity that is of Mary,” spiritual depth, ecclesial and social renewal from the charism of unity were some of the topics discussed. Metropolitan Chrisostomos affirmed: “There is a prophecy in Chiara that has given a new start to the age of ecumenism.” “The Ideal of Chiara is at the service of humanity,” he continued, and “is an examplary living spirituality that appeals especially but not only to the laity, opening a path of faith for so many people. . . ” Cipriot, Lina Mikelliddou and Greek Orthodox Anna Kuvala, from the Focolare Movment also gave their testimony: “Knowing this Ideal,” Lina said, “my life changed: every person became a candidate for unity.” Among the attendees in Thessaloniki, Archimendrite Ignathios, representing the city’s Metropolitan Nnikiforos, Abbot of the Orthodox Monastary of Vlatadon. Also present were several professors from diverse faculties of the Aristotelean University of the city, including Dr. Vassiliadis, Deacon of the Faculty of Theology. Bishop of Corfu-Zante, Bishop Spiteris who was unable to attend, sent a message. Also in Athens: several personalities from the Orthodox Church: Father Thomas, Vicar and representative of Archbishop Ieronimo, Metropolitan of Syros, Polykantriotis, Archimendrite Sotiriadis responsible of Diakonia (for charitable works) of the Holy Orthodox Synod (episcopal conference). From the Catholic Church: Apostolic Nunzio Bishop Adams, incumbent Bishop Foskolos, and Don Rossolatos, newly nominated Bishop of Athens. Another presentation of the two books will take place on October 31, 2014, in Nicosia – Cyprus.
![Pope Francis’ video message for Loppiano’s 50th anniversary]()
Oct 25, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“When we got married we had many projects. And one of these was the great desire to have a child. It was a great disappointment to discover that there were problems hindering this conception. It was hard to accept and I was convinced that there had to be a medical solution, which made us hope for the best. I was 22 and therefore, they did not immediately suggest in vitro fertilization techniques (FIVET), but started with less invasive treatments. In the meantime, while waiting for something to happen, I turned to a priest of my parish for help and advice, and he encouraged me to consider the true value of life, the precious gift that God has entrusted to the responsibility of man. The suffering I was undergoing was caused by my strong desire for motherhood, to be achieved as soon as possible. I was torn as to the path to follow. Some doctors proposed the FIVET as the right solution. The other path was to put our trust in God. So, with great difficulty we decided to stop and not do anything anymore. It appeared to us that assisted conception itself refutes some important aspects of man. We believe that life is a gift of God and not a “product” to be manufactured in a laboratory, without the donation of love between spouses. In fact, with this technique the child is not conceived in their flesh but in a test tube. I had always considered adoption as a beautiful thing, a great act of love, but my desire to bear a child led me not to take this path into consideration. Our suffering had opened my eyes to go further and realise, as St. John Paul II said in his Familiaris Consortio, that “ married life does not lose its value but can be fertile beyond one’s capacity to procreate, and that fatherhood and motherhood can be fulfilled in a marvellous way in the many forms of relationships and solidarity towards those in need.” And so I started to consider the possibility of adopting a child, and when my husband listened to my wish and agreed too, it was then that we “conceived” in an emotional bond, the child that God wanted to give us. In the autumn of 2004 we submitted to the Court for minors, our declaration of willingness for a national and international adoption. So we waited. Our child still had not been born but was already in our hearts and thoughts. He still did not exist but we were already praying for him. Samuel was born in Vietnam and on 19 April 2007, the association we had addressed told us that a child had been assigned to us. It was the start of great, indescribable emotions. We shared this joy with our relatives and friends; we were so happy we wanted to shout it out to the whole world. We only had a photo which for us, adoptive parents, is like the first scan in which you see your son but still cannot cuddle him. After having undertaken a journey within the world of our emotions, we now had to take a real journey, get on a plane that would take us to the other end of the world to reach our son. On 29 May 2007 we held him in our arms for the first time, and it was an overflowing joy. Each year, we shall always remember this day as a second birthday because God has blessed our family with the gift of Samuel. We want to thank the Lord for all the gifts he has given us: Dorotea, adopted in 2012, and Michele, who was entrusted to our care.” (G. and G. – Italy)
![Pope Francis’ video message for Loppiano’s 50th anniversary]()
Oct 24, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Photo – EPA
![Pope Francis’ video message for Loppiano’s 50th anniversary]()
Oct 23, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
In order not to interrupt the daily activities the students organised study areas in the open in order to continue studying.
The students leaving their messages and committing themselves to live this period in peace.
![Pope Francis’ video message for Loppiano’s 50th anniversary]()
Oct 22, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
There are many ways of implementing change today. And for once it is the youth who lead the way: from Occupy Wall Street, to the Arab springs, and the “umbrella movement” of Hong Kong. The times change, along with the instruments, weapons and of course, the causes, but the biggest drive engine to improve oneself and the world, will remain forever the same. And this was the message launched last 20 October, by the students of the Sophia University Institute, during the opening ceremony of the Institute’s seventh academic year. From the general view, to a close up on this tiny Tuscan university that has made its entry into the worldwide panorama – the 115 students come from 30 different countries – Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, Cameroon and Congo. “Hot-spots,” but in search of redemption, as can be seen from the choice of many young people, who are the new assets of these nations, and last but not least, of Sophia. They are eager for knowledge, education, and the wish to prepare to work on themselves and the world they live in. With the globalisation phenomena it is undoubtedly much easier today, since there is also a Sophia Foundation that collects funds and awards scholarships that allow Indian, Brazilian and also European and Italian students to enrol and train themselves in a culture of unity. Sophia has undertaken its utmost commitment to balance the academic offer on the basis of the needs of humanity, the markets and the employment world, as the Dean, Piero Coda, underlined, though this is not all. The “gold mine,” the added value of this place is also its “human assets,” the students themselves, who had the sensibility to see the novelty behind it and the revolutionary capacity of the courses offered, whether in politics, economy or ontology. 
Samar Bandak is 30 and a Jordanian of Palestine origins. He returned to Amman more than a year ago, after completing his course in politics at the IUS in 2012. He is currently one of the directors of the National Caritas association, heading the department for the educational support of millions of refugees who have sought refuge in a country with a total population of five million. This explains his academic choices which are not really “obvious,” considering that he graduated in Nutritional Sciences: «I discovered that the principle of universal brotherhood can be a real political category alongside with liberty and equality. It is a choice, an answer that mends injustice. We don’t only study at Sophia, but give experience a central role. » Patricio Cosso, currently student representative, comes from Argentina. «Five years ago my aim in life was to specialise in Finance or Business Administration in order to work in a bank or do something similar to what they do in Wall Street,” he said. “Then in 2011, in a bookshop I found a text that spoke of Economy of Communion. This byword seemed to me, quite impossible since it attempts to conjugate egoism and sharing. How can these two realities coexist? I would never have imagined finding myself here today, trying to make professional training comply with ethical convictions. Here I have started to discover that every query receives its proper importance in the quality of brotherhood I imbue in my relationships, cultural and religious divergences, wars, and the economic crises of our peoples.” “Imagine and experiment on a new culture in all fields of social life: from the family to politics, and economy. That is, the culture of relationships: in the words of Pope Francis.” Yes, because in his overwhelming video message, in Italian, for the 50th anniversary of the International Town of Loppiano, he also mentioned Sophia, (“wisdom” in Greek), among the experiences he recalled, and confirmed that the route to follow starts from “Wisdom, sparked by the sincere desire for education” and that “dedication to education is love.”
