Focolare Movement
Chiara Lubich: five years on, a continuous presence

Chiara Lubich: five years on, a continuous presence

In Mumbai, India, there will be several events aiming at understanding more fully the contribution of the charism of unity to dialogue between religions. They will be like a journey that begins with Chiara Lubich’s visits to India in 2001 and 2003 and finishes with the present day. At the same time in Avellaneda, Argentina, the charism will be looked at in terms of its dialogue with contemporary culture. In Tanzania, on the other hand, at the Catholic University of Iringa the leading figures will be young people in commemorating the special relationship that linked them to Chiara. And it would be possible to outline many more events throughout the world that will commemorate Chiara Lubich (22 January 1920 to 14 March 2008) five years after her death.

There will be conferences of a cultural and academic nature, the launching of social initiatives, Eucharistic celebrations, moments of artistic expression. Across the world hundreds of events will be held to look at Chiara’s charismatic impact and to understand more of her thought. Of particular note is the international meeting that will take place in Rome, called Chiara Lubich: Life, Light and Culture. It will take place in the Great Hall of the Sapienza University of Rome on 14 March and in the hall of the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo on 15 March.

This year the anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s death takes place in a historic moment of particular significance for the Roman Catholic Church, which is focused upon the important task of choosing a successor to Benedict XVI. The Movement’s members are very aware of it and they will take this opportunity to witness still more to the vitality and effectiveness of the Ideal of Unity in every aspect of human life, in every point of the earth. It is a treasure that can be offered to the whole Church, possibly with greater decisiveness now more than ever, to put into practice what two popes, first John Paul II and later Benedict XVI, have wished for the Movement, namely to make “the Church always more the home and the school of communion.”

There will also be events of a particularly ecumenical character, for instance, in Geneva, Swizterland, where the event has the full backing of the city’s Ecumenical Centre, and in Oslo, Norway, where participants representing the various churches will come together in a spirit of communion. And, to give another example, in San Antonio, Texas (USA), on 23 February there has already been conference looking specifically at the spirituality of communion. Furthermore, in Thailand, Korea, Melbourne in Australia, and in the whole of Europe there will special occasions where it will possible to say ‘thank you’ and speak about a person who is recognized as one of the leading figures of the twentieth century, one who opened previously unexplored ways of dialogue to promote cohesion among individuals and peoples of different religions and cultures, and so promote peace and universal brotherhood.

To find out more about these initiatives across the world, click here: https://www.focolare.org/anniversary

Chiara Lubich: five years on, a continuous presence

Fraternity: Relational Principle in Politics & Law

Organized by the Sophia University Institute and another 8 European universities, the international seminar ‘Fraternity: Relational Principle in Politics & Law’ will take place on 11-13 March in Loppiano. There will be 61 speakers, among whom are 25 professors and lecturers from Brazil, 6 from Argentina, and a significant group from Africa. Academic interest in the theme of fraternity, understood not so much within the sphere of the family or as a bond within the community, but as a principle of thought and action in the public arena, has grown tremendously in the last few years at an international level, as witnessed by the growing literature on the topic. It is not a recent discovery, of course, with its long history – a story of many parts since it touches upon civilizations in all the continents which have left many and influential signs upon contemporary cultures. Moments of fraternity, for example, have characterized recent important and historic turning points (for instance, post Marcos Philippines, the peace process in Mozambique, South Africa following the end of Apartheid). But until only a few years ago there was little awareness of the fact, and its historical, social and cultural impact was not fully understood. Things are beginning to change and there is growing interest in the notion of fraternity in academic circles as a result of significant published research and scholarly conferences such as the seminar to take place in Loppiano. This seminar will consider a range of themes to do with fraternity, going from democracy (especially intelligent and participatory democracy) to international relations, from law to philosophy, from education to the world’s major cultural traditions. The international seminar ‘Fraternity, relational principle in politics and law’ is, first of all, a meeting point and an opportunity to explore more deeply for scholars already working in this field, but it is of similar interest to scholars of other disciplines and to the wider public who are also invited to attend. To book click on the following sites: www.principiofraternita.it www.fraternityprinciple.it www.iu-sophia.org

Chiara Lubich: five years on, a continuous presence

The Great Game of Life

Economy of communion, political commitment, fighting poverty. These were just a few of the “insights” that were offered by the Gen4 Congress that was held at Mariapolis Santa Maria (Brasil) on the 9th to the 12th of last February. The smallest youngest members of the Focolare Movement had a chance to experiment with some rather demanding topics, but also necessary for facing the future with hope.

The majority of the children were from poor families. The Santa Maria Mariapolis of the Focolare Movement is located in quite a degraded area. Two of the surrounding quarters have risen from “misery” to a state of dignified poverty, a change that was also officially recognized by the police in a document stating that criminal activity has decreased over the past three years. Here in the area of the Mariapolis there is a school whose teaching method is based on the “Art of Loving” that is elaborated by Chiara Lubich’s spirituality of unity. One of the students at this school, a Gen 4 whose family is now working in collaboration with the Brazilian government, shared her own experience that gave them courage and strength.

They also talked about the Economy of Communion (EoC) and the fight against poverty. The EoC businesses at Mariapolis Santa Maria were presented to the Gen4 and the girls met entrepreneurs who try to put an economic model into practice in their businesses that focuses on the human person and shares the business profits with the most needy. Using an educational method that directly joins theory and experimentation, the Gen4 worked in the small “multi-national” business “Scintilla d’amore” and they were pleased to be working for the poor.

All were involved with planning the programme: children, teenagers and adults. On carnival night, the small Mariapolis was set up as a large game park where the Gen 4 could experience daily life in a real city, but a ‘city with love” – from shopping at a supermarket to drawing up laws for the common good.

Four days of intense recreation and deepening, lived in a profound relationship with Jesus: “You are all ours,” one child wrote, “You were a great King and a great Child. Remain with the angels and protect me always day and night.”

Chiara Lubich: five years on, a continuous presence

Ubuntu: “‘I am what I am because of who we all are”

The Youth for a United World have launched their Sharing with Africa project that focuses on making known the gift that this continent is for the world, with its peculiarities and traditions. Already in 2011 some 200 youths from several African countries had met to more deeply examine the project of achieving true brotherhood. This project has been going ahead since the 1960’s in Fontem, Cameroon to see how they could also contribute to universal brotherhood. It was from here Sharing with Africa was begun with the goal of making a contribution to forming a new culture that is open to the building of a more united world by promoting the values that have created and shaped African society. The goal of the project is to create a space for communion not only among youths who live on the African continent but for youths of the whole world, and to favour cultural exchange, sharing of talents, life experiences and life challenges, through concrete projects and activities. The first stage of the project will take place in Nairobi, Kenya at the School of Inculturation. The topic will be: “The Ubuntu vision of the human person: “I am what I am because we all are.” Ubuntu philosophy presents a unifying vision of the world which is expressed in the Zulu proverb: “Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu” (A person is a person because of other people). This life concept is found at the basis of all African society, and it implies respect, sharing, trust, altruism and cooperation. It is a “communitarian” idea of the human person that identifies a person as someone in relation to his or her relations with others. A person with an Ubuntu ethic is open, available to others, supportive, aware of belonging to a greater whole. Speaking in Ubuntu terms involves a stronger sense of unity in social relations, in order to be available and willing to meet differences in the humanity of the other, as one’s own humanity is enriched: “I am what I am because of who we all are.” The Sharing with Africa project also gives participants in the School of Inculturation the opportunity to be involved in several social activities together with the Youth for a United World in Kenya. Some of the activities include being the guests of the Samburu Tribe, but also working for children living in a slum in Nairobi; others in a Nutrition Centre on the outskirts of the vast city.

Chiara Lubich: five years on, a continuous presence

Economy, politics and theology at Sophia

What are the requirements for a young person who is seeking employment today in business or politics? The most obvious answer seems to be that she or he would need to have a super-specialisation and have received unbeatable training. But Dr. Lorenzo Rosi who is vice president of Erutria Bank and was present at the Open Day of Sophia University Institute thinks otherwise: “In job interviews we ask that the candidate be able to come up with solutions to problems. We consider it the task of the company to provide further training through internships or ad hoc courses, but the most important thing for us is that candidates can use their heads. This is why I recommend Sophia to young people, because it opens the mind, forms people who are capable of dialogue, and are accepting of differences. In other words, from here, people come out who are capable of thinking and not merely executors [of someone else’s thinking].”

It was surely not a traditional University Opening Day, where professors and secretaries explain the curriculum and answer questions about registration procedures and fees – although there was also this. It was rather the students, about 80 of them from 30 different countries, and spread out among three specializations – Economics and Management, Trinitarian Ontology and Political Studies – who did the honours. They told of how they landed at Sophia, the reasons why after three years of becoming highly specialized at another university they decided to come here from such different fields and life experiences. One story said it all, the story of Rami, and Egyptian on the forefront of the revolution that two years ago brought aa breath of Arab Spring to his own land. “I slept in TahrirSquare, I protested with thousands of people in the streets, we fought for freedom putting our lives on the line. But after such a strong experience, I felt the need to be enriched interiorly, and this is what Sophia is for me. I came to the “mountain top” far from the crowd, to absorb Wisdom. No, this is not an escape from the problems. I am continuing to live the revolution at the side of my people but in a different way. I write articles that are published in Egypt as I am nourished by the Wisdom that I find here at Sophia, both in the courses and in daily life with the professors and students. I feel that I am setting solid foundations inside me that will prepare me to bring peace where there is none.”

Where are the economy and the world going?” was the title for one of the three lessons that LuiginoBruni, Professor of Economics. Together with political philosopher Antonio M. Baggio, and theologian Alessandro Clemenzia presented to the students in attendance or linked up via online streaming.

“At Sophia,” Bruni pointed out, “specific skills are reinforced by learning to look further. Study then is not a pre-employment stage but complementary to work, thanks to the stagesthat are being defined for all subject areas.”

Three professionals in the areas of enterprise, academic research and political involvement showed the added value of Sophia in three areas. One of these was Letizia De Torre (Movement for Unity in Politics), former Member of Parliament who reminded everyone that a young person cannot “enter into politics without having a vision of the world.”  “Sophia was begun to express a culture that not only looks to the interests of one party but which, by virtue of its interdisciplinary approach, is open to listening and to criticism, the ability to change a position, to change the dynamics, learning to talk. In short, do not be afraid of the differences. Sophia provides you with the tools to build the dream of a better society for all.”

Chiara Lubich: five years on, a continuous presence

Benedict XVI’s resignation: some impressions

What was your first reaction when you heard about Benedict’s XVI resignation? What aspects of his pontificate do you appreciate? What do you wish the new Pope?

Here are some excerpts from their answers.

 «In the beginning I could not believe it. Then I understood that the Holy Father had decided to take this step for the good of the Church. Since I have lived together with catholic brothers and sisters, I deeply understand that the essence of this ministry is of a spiritual nature. I want to be united with him and with the other Christians in prayer, for the election of the new Pope, so that the Church may go ahead for the good of humanity». Metta, Buddhist from Thailand

«I think it is a wise decision; since he carries out his role in the name of God, there is no doubt that God is with him. His action is unparalleled and sets an example for all humanity. His decision to retire to a monastery is also something great. My wishes for the new Pope are that with the help of God, he may be even more inspired, and that he does not get disheartened by ill-intentioned criticism». Abdou, Muslim from Algeria

«The Pope’s renunciation concerns us all. But nothing will change the things we have at heart. He has continued John Paul II’s work, and there is no way back. On the contrary, we go further ahead in mutual understanding and collaboration ». Enrique, Jewish, from Uruguay

«I think that (the announcement of Benedict XVI’s resignation) constitutes a very important precedent. I appreciated the Pope’s humility and his sincere allusions to the causes of his resignation, and the difficulties in the Vatican curia. With his decision I feel (I hope) that he has paved the way for an increased collegiality in the Church. What do I wish the next pope? Courage! He will have to bear a heavy cross, but he will be able to and have to share it more with his people». Armando, Italian with non religious convictions.

«We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw Benedict XVI announcing his resignation. Then we were filled with a deep understanding and sympathy for him. Not even a Pope can escape human limitations! Joseph Ratzinger had the courage and sincerity to publicly acknowledge this. Our wishes for the future pope is that he continue along the path of openness towards other Christian denominations, towards other religious traditions, as well as people of different convictions». Donika and Luan, Tirana – Albania

«I think that he has taken a wise decision, though certainly not an easy one! Even this is an act of responsibility. I would like to thank him for all that he has given us. What I expect from the next Pope is that he may have always this consideration for brotherhood, this openness towards the other creeds, religious traditions, to build a world of universal brotherhood». Racim, Muslim from Algeria