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Jun 11, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
«The first feast, the first trip, the first appointment, the first dance … one never forget them! We are moved when we remember the first-time events, bringing either a smile to our face, or a tear. This is what I feel when I recollect my first Mariapolis that just ended.
I had received the invitation from a dear friend and despite doubts and uncertainties, I decided to participate. When I reached Esmeraldas – a city inhabited mainly by Afro-Americans, with a special tradition, cuisine, and rhythm – I knew perhaps 10 people of the 350 who were attending the Mariapolis. Therefore I felt a “total outsider”.
I had to share a room with two strangers, praying that they didn’t snore, and then I attended meetings, round tables, moments of interaction with people I’d never seen before… but listening to their experiences, their dreams, the way in which they sought their happiness and that of their neighbours, I too got the necessary confidence to step out of myself and speak about me.
Among the various meditations, the one that impressed me most was a letter that John Paul II had written to Chiara where he invited the members of the Movement to be “apostles of dialogue”. How could we do it? By listening to and opening ourselves up to our neighbour. I remembered my father, who will soon turn 85 and is now without friends because many are already in heaven. I understood that I could be his friend, listening to the things that interested him: I can’t speak with him about the iPad or the Internet, but all the same I can love him and spend more time with him».
The title of Mariapolis read: “The other from me, another me”. A strong experience related to this was the visit to the inmates at the women’s prison, which led to the falling of many prejudices and indifferences, and to the discovery that we always have something to gift: love.
But the Mariapolis was not only about commitment and meditations. I enjoyed, as only on a few occasions in the past, the talent night where everyone displayed their artistic talents. Besides, the Afro mass was wonderful: the exact representation of the joy that exists in our hearts when we participate in a meeting with God.
When I returned to my home town, although I came back with an empty stomach for not having eaten the famous traditional fish-based dishes such as the corviches or the encocado, my heart was completely filled with love. We were told that the Mariapolis really begins when we get back home to our everyday routine. And so I have tried to put into practice what I had learned, particularly trying to see the face of Jesus in the many brothers with whom I interact during the day.
I can confidently say that Esmeraldas was my first Mariapolis, but it will certainly not be the last.
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Mariápolis Esmeraldas Flickr photostream
For information on the Mariapolis in the world, visit: www.focolare.org/Mariapoliss
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Jun 10, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
After having spoken in Buddhist temples and at the Harlem mosque, Chiara Lubich was happy to be able to address the Jewish brothers and sisters. She said, “It’s a great joy for me to meet with you today, you who are part of one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. A great joy, because [ …] I’ve never had the lucky chance of meeting in such large numbers those whom I consider, along with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, to be my elder brothers and sisters and to honour and love them as such”. The 150 people present sang Shalom, the song of peace. Everything was done in an atmosphere of ceremonial sacredness, punctuated by the Words of God from the Old Testament and from the awareness of assisting at an event that – as it was said – signified the “closing of an era and the opening of another: that of unity”. In the front, a large chandelier with 7 arms (the menorah) with the candles solemnly lit one by one: the first represented light, the second justice, the third peace, the fourth benevolence, the fifth brotherly love, the sixth harmony. Chiara and the President [of the B’nai B’rith, Dr. Jaime Kopec, editor’s note] were invited to light the seventh one placed at the centre: This is the candle of truth, the seal of God, the heart of life. As soon as it was lit, Chiara turned towards the president and proposed to make a pact of unity in that moment. And he replied: “This is a pact”. Then, in his speech, in which he addressed Chiara as “sister”, the president explained it to everyone as “a pact of loving one another, of faith in looking ahead to the future, of burying centuries of intolerance. It’s not easy, but only the brave undertake difficult ventures”. “Unity is achieved in respecting the diversity”, added Mario Burman [responsible for the B’nai B’rith’s interreligious dialogue, editor’s note]. “A new era begins”. And then directing his gaze towards Chiara, “Chiara, Argentina needs your message”. “I am here”, affirmed Chiara, “with brothers and sisters with whom we share a genuine faith in the one God and we have in common the priceless heritage of the Bible in what we call: the Old Testament. What can we do? What can we consider? If a simple Golden Rule (do unto others what you want done unto yourself) is able to gather us together with the followers of other religions in brotherly love, if not always in God, at least in the faith of a superior Being, what could happen if the Lord began to clarify that it is His will to establish even among us, Jews and Christians, a brotherly relationship? ( …) I was enlightened by many divine truths that fill your Jewish tradition and which we share. Truths that can become the bonding agent between our and your spiritual life. (…) I dreamt in this way to be able to live together these truths and to give a new hope to the world with our deep communion, with our collaboration”. Taken from “The menorah lights – with Chiara Lubich in Argentina and Brazil”, Città Nuova Ed., Roma, 1998, pp. 132,34.
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Jun 8, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
After a pastoral experience as an assistant parish priest that lasted for eleven years, my bishop, before entrusting me with the parish, gave me the opportunity to spend four months in the little town of Loppiano, at the Formation Centre for us diocesan priests. Here I found myself with around twenty priests and seminarians coming from various parts of the world to live an evangelical experience of communion, based on the spirituality of unity. In the beginning, it was not easy among us priests to communicate due to the language barrier. For example, when Yvon from Madagascar arrived, he only spoke French. In order to communicate with him, I had to translate from Italian to English, and then Peter from the US translated from English to French. It was rather laborious, but we did it in a brothers spirit and we understood each other very well. At this school of life, everything is done in harmony: praying, meditating, enriching lessons of theological, biblical, and pastoral care insights in various fields; but also work in the garden, in the kitchen, mopping the floors, translating into various languages, teaching the Italian language, playing football … 
This opening up to activities other than those typical to priests, and even doing many jobs involving manual labour, as Jesus had done for thirty years in Nazareth, makes this course a true integral school. For example, serving in the canteen on Sundays, together with the religious and the laity who also live this experience, welcoming the numerous visitors to Loppiano with a good lunch, setting the tables and then washing the pots, dishes, etc… a great number of things that one is able to do only together with the others, and with gusto. It’s only a detail of the activities that take place out here, but for me it was all new and it was a beautiful teaching. The fact of working in the carpentry section from Mondays to Fridays, made me appreciate Saturdays and Sundays in a different way, as my people did in the parish. To work in the handicrafts section (painting, smoothing, wood processing), it was necessary to learn to use well one’s senses of sight, hearing and touch; and to proportion muscular strength, otherwise you risk ruining the pieces or the machinery. Handicrafts is a school of attention and delicacy, fundamental characteristics in life, especially in that of a priest. Even daily Mass acquired a different flavour altogether. For example, to offer one’s work at the time of the Offertory is much more concrete when your back hurts from spending the morning bending to hoe the ground or to sandpaper a piece of wood… Besides, dealing with the house work all together has helped me to overcome doing things half-heartedly. There were certain things that I had always done but discussing it with the others and asking their opinions helped me discover that there was a better way to do them. It means that it is not just enough to do good, you need to do it well! I feel very enriched by these few months lived in an “integral school” of life. The manual work made me understand more the life of my people, and what it means to witness one’s faith at the workplace. And I rediscovered the royal priesthood of every Christian that must lie at the basis of my ministerial priesthood. (Article taken from Gen’s – the magazine of ecclesial life)
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Jun 6, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
“I teach the Italian language in the northern suburbs of Paris, a disadvantaged area in socio-economical terms, with a multicultural student population. There’s rampant drug peddling. Normally, teachers at the beginning of their careers come out here, and then, having gained points, ask for a transfer to less demanding schools. I could have done so too, but I decided to stay – I’m out here since twelve years – to give the children the same quality of teaching as the best schools in Paris.
It was tough in the beginning. I was insulted by the students and once they even wrecked my car with kicks. Not knowing how to react, I was on the defensive … Then gradually I learnt to accept my pupils, even through a dialogue with their families, with the certainty that school is also the place to have positive experiences that further human development. Many of my colleagues arrive unprepared into this reality: some have a nervous breakdown, others continuously send students to face the council of discipline. I try to support them.
What’s important is to help children deal with their aggressiveness and remain calm in the classroom. It takes time to communicate in an appropriate manner, to let them know that I respect them, and at the same time, setting limits, always giving special attention to those who, through an unruly behaviour, express their difficulties. I’m reminded of S. who has five siblings, one of whom is physically challenged. Since the mother works throughout the day, he needs to take care of him. He’s unmotivated at school. He knows that I’m close to him to help him overcome his grief, and to encourage him to give his best.
One of my objectives is to appreciate everyone’s participation. I set the rules at the beginning of the year. For example, no one has the right to ridicule the others. Gradually an atmosphere of respect is established, wherein each one is free to speak up. Preparing a good lesson depends on me, but also on them if they actively involve themselves.
From a didactic point of view, the interdisciplinary cultural projects are of primary importance.
They conclude each year with a school trip funded, besides the appropriate bodies (Municipality, General Council, Banks), by small self-financing activities.
It is a beautiful experience of fraternity for the boys to come out from their own environments that condition, judges and marginalizes them. They almost become different people and their positive potential comes forth. For example, Y is passive and characterless in class. Speaking with him I discovered that the teachers and his father for years told him that he was a good for nothing and he ended up believing them. He displayed a hatred for history in the classroom but while in Sicily he displayed sensitiveness to artistic beauty: has been fascinated by Greek theatre in Taormina and the Roman aqueduct in Syracuse.
I don’t know if what I do will have a positive result. I’ve learnt not to expect immediate results. Even when a boy doesn’t change, the most important thing is to continue to believe in him, without delving on what is not going right, but to recognise all the positive aspects that he possesses, thereby appreciating him and giving him a sense of gratification.
And then I have a good relationship with many colleagues. It’s important to listen, talk, and share experiences.
The same holds true while giving a sense of direction. To someone who wanted to become a chef I said: “You are lucky to have clear ideas. It’s rare. Be ambitious, and aim to obtain a good training”. He was accepted in one of the best culinary schools in Paris. Giving me the news has added: “I’ll create some recipes and one of them will be a tiramisù dedicated to you”.
(Maria Amata – France)
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Jun 5, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
“We reached Mariapolis Piero (Nairobi, Kenya) on the 10 May morning, and were welcomed as only the Africans know how: with smiles and hugs without reserve for all! This is because they place the person at the centre of their days, and we discovered this through their lives, and the stories of their tribes that were presented during the School of Inculturation. It was enriching to enter into all these cultures and to discover commonalities and things which distinguish them. Besides those who had come from the sub-Saharan Africa countries, there were around fifteen young people from countries neighbouring Kenya: Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, as well as Madagascar, Zambia, Angola, Malawi … two from South America who are living for a period of time at the small town, and 5 of us: me, Chiara, Giulia, Aurelio and Paula. They explained to us how the project was conceived and two activities were proposed: to reach the Samburu people in the Savannah and to live with them for 4 days, interviewing them and learning about their roots and understanding their cultural heritage; to help out at the various nutritional centres in Madare, in the slums of Nairobi, and at Njabini, a village 2600 meters above sea level. A group comprising 8 of us decided to take up the second activity. One the first day we were welcomed in a chapel made of tin sheet, which functioned as a Nutritional Centre by day and as a Temple of God in the evening. The reality of the slums was quite overwhelming. There’s a situation of absolute poverty, of a social degradation that’s quite inhuman, and yet the dignity of the person is elevated, it does not give up and clings to that one certainty: God is Love. Some Italian sisters, who have been missionaries to Madare since the seventies, affirmed the strong faith that was present, and how this leads to mutual help. The person responsible for the nutrition centre herself was born and grew up in the slums. Now, having embraced the spirituality of unity, she started this activity wherein, besides ensuring a minimum education and two square meals a day, she teaches children the art of loving through the dice of love. On reaching home these children lightened up the entire family, challenging one other to a competition of love, which even made life spiritually fuller. 
The following day we went to Njabini. After 3 hours of travel, we were greeted by a family composed of mama Julia, papa Joseph, Mary, Absunta and Anthony. They belong to the Kikuyu tribe. We stayed with them for 3 days, helping out in the household chores, in the fields, and with the cattle. On the last evening, during a moment of sharing, I felt that this had now become my family, and I have no longer felt a “mzungu” (white) in their midst! And mama Julia confided in us: “Before you arrived I thought I have four children. Now I feel I have 8 more! “. It doesn’t feel like I’ve returned home because I believe that the trips are one-way. Something in me has changed forever: I’m enriched with a culture diametrically opposite to mine, and more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of my way of living. One thing’s for sure, I’ve made the “Ubuntu” philosophy my life philosophy: I can realize myself as a person only in the moment I enter into a relationship with the Other and I place him or her at the centre of my life. Which, after all, refers to that love of brother preached by Someone more than two thousand years ago and which our Chiara has always reminded us of. (Elena D. Italy) (Elena D. – Italy)
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Jun 4, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
Ribeirão Preto, the new technology hub with 700,000 inhabitants. In recent years many people have migrated here from other Brazilian States in search of work. New apartments blocks are being being erected, each housing thousands of people. This was the case with the parish of Fr. Luis, where in April 2011 a large residential apartments block was built to house 4000 people. He decided along with the parishioners to take the first step toward the new inhabitants, even before they arrived, so that they had immediately someone to turn to. Fr. Luis recollects: “In those days, the beatification process of Pope John Paul II was in progress. For us, his life represented everything that we desired for our community: an openness to dialogue with all, welcoming, willing to forgive”. Therefore, they decided to entrust themselves to his protection “trying to characterize the new community on the life of the Gospel according to Chiara Lubich’s spirituality of unity”. 
Even profitable activities were initiated, such as a cooperative that collected recyclable materials. The proceeds were divided into 2 parts: for those who worked there and for the rent of the premises. Others began to sell hot dogs, giving a portion of the proceeds to cover the cost of the chapel. The pastor narrates: “The sale of hot dogs took place in a neighbourhood inhabited by drug dealers. Those who went to sell them tried to give priority to the love of neighbour above all, welcoming everyone and recalling the words of Jesus: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” This resulted in many people visiting the chapel and participating in the activities that took place therein». And furthermore, the coffee served after mass on Sunday mornings: “After mass we set a table with coffee, tea, sweets…. The people gather around and we speak on many topics. It is a beautiful moment of an exchange of experiences, mutual understanding, and the sharing of joys and difficulties”. “We’ve also started at the chapel a course of catechesis wherein we seek that the children not only know God but also feel loved by Him, even in the difficult situations of life they sometimes find themselves in. Every month we meet with those who want to participate and animate the community. They are always joyful moments of intense dialogue and brotherhood”. Fr. Luis and his parishioners’ work is demanding, but fruitful. How do they plan to go ahead? “We feel motivated to continue – concludes the parish priest – because we have witnessed an increase in mutual help and the people feel that the apartments block is truly everyone’s home”.
