![Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan]()
Sep 4, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
The unexpected news confirming the audience arrived in late afternoon on Tuesday, filling the Focolare members with joy as they concluded the events of the past few days. Here are some of the first impressions shared by Maria Voce following the audience.
Maria Voce: “His Majesty welcomed us warmly, saying that he was honoured by our visit. He wanted to know how our work had gone on here in Jordan. Then I thanked him for the welcome we had been given by the country, underscoring that the reason for my visit was precisely to bring him my thanks and the thanks of all the Movement’s members. I was then able to inform him that we came from several countries, Christians and Muslims, all joined by the spirit of universal brotherhood. I thought it was important to highlight the fact that it was possible to hold a series of such meetings here in Jordan, precisely because of the spirit of openness and tolerance that characterizes this land.”
What was King Abdulla II’s reaction?
“He asked: ‘And us, what can we do to continue this work?’ He expressed his concern over the situation in the region, the great challenges, and he didn’t hide his concern for the Christian communities. But, above all, he told me that we had to face these crises and uncertainties together.”
Did he mention anything about his recent visit with Pope Francis?
“I told the king of our joy at seeing him in the photograph with the pope in the press. And he immediately stressed that it was one of the most beautiful visits that he has had in these years. Referring to the pope, he said: ‘We felt that we were brothers.’”
How did the visit conclude?
“I thanked him on my own part for having received me in audience and providing some visibility to our presence here. On his part he said that we could always turn to him at any moment and for whatever reason. ‘Ask for anything and we are at your disposal. I am your brother and I place myself at your disposal.”
By Roberto Catalano
![Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan]()
Sep 3, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
When John Paul II visited the island in 1988 he stated: “Let Cuba open to the world and the world open to Cuba.” Nowadays many Cubans would add: “Let Cuba open to Cuba,” almost echoing the words of José Martí: “To be great, it is enough to strive for greatness” [our translation].
For some time a project has been underway for creating businesses in several locations in Cuba, according to the model of a Sustainable Social Economy (ESS) and the Economy of Communion (EoC). This project is called “Training in the culture of brotherhood, assistance and support for small businesses and socio-cultural projects.”
Patricia Silva and Marisol Cuadrado from Argentina have put together a manual that is adapted to a Cuban context, intended for trainers and business owners. Marisol and Carolina Carbonell from the National EoC Commission of Argentina travelled to Cuba last July.
“They were beautiful days, intense and beautiful. You don’t come back the same as when you left,” Carolina recounts. “Together with Cuban economists, Ernesto and Kike who are passionate about the EoC, we held a series of workshops in Havana, Camaguey and Florida. These last two cities are located in the centre of the country.”
“We thought we would be talking with the business owners about business, but when you understand Cuba you immediately realize that you must begin by taking a few steps back and begin with the dreams and building relationships based on trust. For this reason the workshops always began with a lively self-presentation in pairs. Everyone had a few minutes for getting to know the other, listening and then presenting. The experiences that emerged from this sharing turned out to be quite beautiful, as if everyone had always been accustomed to this kind of communion.”
“In the work groups on the experiences of the first entrepreneurs of the Economy of Communion, the origins of the EoC were examined, and also how these business owners had decided to take the risk of organizing their businesses according to the principles of the EoC.
Carolina surprised everyone: “The dynamic of our workshop turned out to be a game: a treasure hunt. Through different stages we helped one another to discover our dreams, talents and the greatest treasure of all, the project for our life. We had a strong experience in Florida with a wonderful group of farmers.”
“We certainly uncovered Cuba’s best side: its people who are far more beautiful than the splendid beaches that draw so many crowds,” Carolina remarked. “We saw that the culture, warmth and generosity of this people have no cost attached, nor limit. It often happens that a business owner risks his own business in order to save a neighbour’s. They have our same dreams: freedom, equality, development and the best capital to succeed.”
“During our stay on this island,” she concludes, “we haven’t found friends, but brothers and sisters.”
![Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan]()
Sep 2, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
September 1, 2013: Pope Francis’ heartfelt plea for peace in the Middle East.
August 30 – 31: Meeting with 500 adults and young people, laity and priests, religious and bishops, representing the Focolare Movement in this area of the world. They came from Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, Iraq. Persian Gulf countries and the Arab Emirates. These are difficult times for these lands, and many had to overcome impossible obstacles to join Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti on their visit.
A letter from Syria was welcomed by thunderous applause: “You know that we are going through a difficult time (. . .) in the midst of the pain we carry on building bridges of love and unity with others (. . .) we sow hope in the people who are suffering all around us, we fill their sorrowful hearts with the presence of God, we do everything possible to bring love to others. (. . .) Today we pray with you today for Peace, which is being so threatened in the world and in the Middle East, especially Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq – that God’s love may triumph everywhere in the world.”
There were Christians from a variety of Churches (Catholics, Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholics, Maronites, Armenians, Chaldeans, Syro-Orthodox and Syro-Catholics), and also a substantial representation of Muslims from Algeria, but also Morocco, Turkey and Jordan. A cross section that makes you think that unity is not a dream, as Maria Voce remarked: “Looking at you, how could one have doubts about a united world!” For two days there was an atmosphere of true brotherhood.
Chiara Lubich had visited Amman in November 1999, but already in 1969 had said that “there are hotbeds of war everywhere in the Middle East, such that peace is always in danger. What should we do, since our ideal is unity? We should help these brothers and sisters to love one another, this body must heal. The health of humanity must be brought to bear here.”
The experiences from different countries underscored how the steps taken by the Focolare have been aimed towards this goal: to bring dialogue as a pathway to peace. Algeria and Turkey began by sharing how the dialogue developed with Muslims, and the ecumenical dialogue with Orthodox Christians. It wasn’t an easy process. Quite the contrary! Everyone involved in this experience has no hesitation to mention the criticisms, but also the firm decision to bring the experience ahead. Ever since February 2012, when she visited Tlemcen, Maria Voce gratefully confirmed the presence of Muslims in the Focolare in Algeria.
No less prophetic were the small but great stories of how the Movement began in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, the Holy Land, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Egypt. These are lands that have all at one time or another been torn by war, where, in spite of the difficulties, this spirit has found development often through social assistance projects that have brought healing to deep and painful wounds. As the Nuncio to Jordan and Iraq, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua pointed out, dialogue is a risk, but it also builds relationships of mutual trust that are cemented over time. Muslim professor, Amer Al Hafi, vice-director of the prestigious Royal Institute for Inter-faith Study of Amman, affirmed: “Dialogue is a grace from God for us. Through dialogue I understand the greatness of God who allows us to savor the diversity.”
During the discussion with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti some problems were mentioned that are currently being faced by this region of the world . . . problems that affect everyone, daily difficulties and death, problems for families and their future. Some barriers also emerged that exist among countries in the region, as well as the relationship between Muslims and Christians and the role of Muslims within the Focolare.
Maria Voce concluded by inviting everyone to a moment of silence, asking for the gift of peace: “Placing ourselves in front of God so as to place ourselves at his service, asking him to use us as instruments of peace (. . .) in these lands.”
Compiled by Roberto Catalano
Photo: Claude Gamble
![Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan]()
Aug 30, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
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The increasingly critical situation in Syria requires a thorough examination of all political and diplomatic instruments at the disposal of the international community for its resolution. In the first place, we believe that all remaining possibilities for negotiation should be urgently explored, along the lines of what was begun in Geneva; this approach, if successful, would have deeper effects both for internal stability, and for relations between the countries of the Middle East. In the second place, the investigation into who was responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be carried out with the rigor appropriate to the seriousness of the offense, in the most transparent manner, by independent organs with full empowerment and effective access under the UN mandate. In any case, there must be no intervention without a specific mandate of the UN. Any initiative outside this framework cannot be considered legitimate. Besides, any intervention which is not accompanied by a comprehensive strategy based on national reconciliation, transitional justice, and political and institutional reconstruction, agreed by all the agents involved internally and internationally, would be contradictory and counterproductive. It is precisely the complexity of the Syrian crisis that reinforces the necessity of a regional agreement on the resolution of disputes and tensions before they become serious conflicts. This process has to be encouraged and supported in all possible ways, in every political and diplomatic institution. The development of peaceful and constructive relations in the entire area of the Mediterranean and the Middle East that foster inter-independent paths of fair, pluralist and balanced growth for the peoples of the region demands a responsible approach to the bilateral and multilateral relations of these countries involving all governments, societies and citizens. We therefore address a strong appeal to all bodies of the international community and to all parties involved to do everything possible – with urgency and with full awareness of the consequences of their actions – to ensure a just and lasting peace.
![Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan]()
Aug 29, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
«My company, Tecnodoor, designs and manufactures automatic and manual doors for industrial and civil use in Isera, Italy. I have belonged to the Economy of Communion (EoC) since 1994, basing the company on this new way of doing business: renewing relationships, maximizing collaboration at all levels, both internally among staff and members and outside with clientele. The current economic crisis affected us precisely at the point which is the life and stability of the company: loans. After a careful evaluation of defaults, we decided on countermeasures to bring things back into balance, trying out new strategies to recover our debts. Over the years we had done honest work, but mostly we had built faith with our customers. What were we to do now in order not to ruin these relationships, by asking them to settle their debts? One night I just couldn’t sleep, so many thoughts were running through my mind. The basic question was: how should an entrepreneur like me act who wants to remain consistent with the EoC Project, when it comes to recovering legitimate claims? I thought about what the key points were that I should never let go of. Little by little a mode of operation began to become clear to my mind: a) manage “credit recovery” not as if it were my own thing, but as an assignment I’ve been given; b) don’t break relationships, but try to strengthen them; c) listen fully to the suffering that the other company or the customer is experiencing; d) objectively explain the “suffering” of our own company and the possible consequences. 
After that sleepless night I wanted to give my reflections a try. With a heart as much as possible detached from the not so easy task, and believing that every neighbour – whether creditor, employer or supplier – was a brother or sister, I began. I listened deeply on the phone or during personal meetings. The result was that we began to receive payments in whole or by instalments. But the most important thing is that we never severed or even damaged any relationships, but strengthened everyone’s personal confidence and trust in us». By Pietro Comper Source: EoC Insert Città Nuova n.13/14 – 2013
![Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan]()
Aug 28, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
The encounter with other charisms is fascinating to me, and doing it in the place where Chiara Luce Badano had radically lived the Gospel, has given it a sense of newness and youthfulness.” So writes Alessandro, a young religious from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is one of 22 young people who met in Sassello, Italy, the birthplace of the young Blessed, between August 19, 2013 and August 23, 2013. The meeting “From Light to Light – Chiara Luce for Young Consecrated Religious” was an opportunity for young men and women religious from different charisms to take part in a workshop in which they uncovered what they share in common and asked about their young calling to consecrated life. They were from 7 congregations: Friars Minor, Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, Missionaries of St. Paola Frassinetti, Franciscan Missionary Brothers and Sisters, Little Brothers of the Risen Jesus of the New Horizons and the Missionaries of Joy. “It was a powerful experience,” writes Friar Andrea. “We let ourselves be ‘swept away’ by the Spirit who was pushing us to create communion among our charisms to make the face of the Church shine with its beautiful new young face.” “It was a splendid opportunity to share as a young consecrated religious who is close to the spirituality of the Focolare,” commented Sr. Cinzia from the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. “A very enriching experience of communion and a fine training, an occasion for reflecting on holiness in daily life to which we are all invited. I truly experienced that if we live in a relationship of love and mutual knowledge among different charisms, we draw close to God.” The workshop was structured according to the three-word slogan from the Beatification ceremony of Chiara Luce: “Life, love, light.” 
On the day dedicated to “life” Fr. Theo Jansen showed how the life of Christ, which enlivens the Church, has blossomed in the various charisms and how it now pushes for communion and mutual love. In the work sessions we explored how the charisms respond to Jesus’ mission: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). In front of the disadvantages and problems of youth, and the economic crisis, two illuminating experiences were offered: Matteo Zini from New Horizons showed how the charism of joy, as abundant life, leads to Resurrection and to the underworld of the streets (drugs, alcohol, prostitution, and criminality. . . ); and Livio Bertola, a businessman from the EoC showed how the Gospel also renews the world of economy. In the evening everyone vented their talents: a cute talent show, with games, comedy and song. On the day dedicated to “love” Fr. Andrea Patane spoke of the discovery of love and it implications, as it was intuited and lived by Chiara Lubich and her companions; Fr. Jacopo Papi related the experience of Chiara Luce to that of young consecrated religious; and Fr. Donato Cauzzo, Secretary of the Prefect of the Congregation for Religious, highlighted the power of the Spirit which pushes the charisms to live in communion so that the face of Christ shine even more. 
On the day dedicated to “light” there was the testimony of Silvia who had lived the Gen experience together with Chiara Luce: the experience of Lorenza from the New Families group; the experience of Giuliano, the bar man at the coffee bar and great friend of Chiara Luce; and a moment of intense prayer at the tomb of the young Blessed. Friar Andrea, from the Franciscan Missionary Brothers, offered a summary of the 5 days together: “It was a moment of Heaven that was much more than expected. How the Lord and Chiara Luce have transformed us during these days! And lively was the communion among us, in spite of the diversity of our callings!” They left with this desire for communion, to carry to many the “torch” that Chiara Luce wanted to hand on to the youth. Their next appointment is for Loppiano 2014.
