Was I born at Vallo or in Romania?
Claudio, Antoanetta, Marinella, Giorgio
Vallo Torinese
Don Vincenzo
Sophia: A Path through Politics and Theology
The course of study he is concluding at Sophia presents various points of interest. What is the reason for your enrollment at the IUS? It was a decision that matured gradually. I already had some knowledge about Sophia and of what it offered, and at a certain point, this idea crossed paths with my studies. On bringing home with me a degree in International Relations, I felt the need to step beyond the confines of political theories and to explore the future of humanism. After more than four and a half years at university, I was finding myself…… with a great thirst: I was seeking where and how to answer my own questions. What some of my friends were telling me about Sophia where they themselves had studied, helped me understand that the IUS could be the right place for me to find answers. Why did you choose to specialize in Trinitarian Ontology since your studies had been in the Political field? What relationship is there between the two? It’s true, I arrived at Sophia thinking of following the same specialization in politics; it was the most natural choice for me. But after a couple of months, two impressions came to my awareness. The first was one of wonderment: the wonder of coming to know who Jesus is, perhaps for the first time in such a personal way, especially during the course on the Gospel of Mark. The second put me before a new understanding of myself, which happened gradually on the occasion of a seminar on theological topics: I felt ‘able’ to get close to Jesus’s thought, to that which Paul calls “our Christ”. Not out of some ambition of knowing the meaning of everything, at arriving to possess the logic of reality, but of a discovery of a place wholly human from which to read the world and its challenges, while respectful of its languages and reasons. And what better place would there be for God Trinity to manifest Himself? 
You are enrolled in the second year: have you started work on your thesis? Yes, I already have the topic for it, the phenomenology of the ‘stranger’, if one could say it this way, a theme of great impact in politics, but which I want to analyze starting from its philosophical foundations. I am finding myself therefore having to deal with politics once again, but my looking will be of a different kind, because I will treat migratory fluxes crossing contemporary societies to help one see the emergence, from a viewpoint of knowledge inspired by reasons of love, of new political and cultural variations. The questions I have are still many, there’s no doubt. Every time I think of having gotten an answer, I realize I have only taken the first steps. You have been at the IUS for two years now: how would you define the time you have been living here? I would like to continue using the metaphor of the ‘place’: 
Sophia is above all a place from which to look…..at the numberless, various human realities starting from fraternity, from a deeply innovative idea of sociality. Furthermore Sophia is giving me the tools to reflect with, but also to act concretely keeping the individual at the centre in the richness of his relationships. I know that there will be many other moments of ‘wonder’ waiting for me, of the philosophical wonder that anticipates and unveils knowledge, and together with the other students and all of the IUS community I feel ever more directed in my journey. Source: Sophia University Institute
Asia: training in interreligious dialogue
“Discovering the Scriptures of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity and how they contribute to peace and harmony” is the title of the course that gathered together 290 members of the Focolare Movement from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Australia and many others from different regions of Thailand. It was a real cross-section of Asia, whose goal was to deepen knowledge of the world’s Great Religions from the East and to be trained for mature dialogue. The meeting was highly anticipated, following the last one that was held in the Focolare’s “Mariapolis Pace” in the Philippines, in 2011. The course was opened by the president of the School of Dialogue with Oriental Religions (SOR), Archbishop of Bangkok, Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithanavanij who stated in his opening remarks: “The different religions consider their scriptures to be sacred in different ways. But there is one thing they have in common, and it is basic: they are all fonts of wisdom.” Competent presenters included: Dr. Seri Phongphit from Bangkok for Theravada Buddhism; Dr. Donald Mitchell for Mahayana Buddhism; Professors Adnane and Mokrani for Islam; Philipp Hu for Confucianism; Stephen Lo for Taoism and Luciano Cura for Hinduism. Bishop Roberto Mallari from the Philippines presented his reflections on the Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini. And as a summary of the main theme of the course, Andrew Recepcion, president of the International Association of Missiologists (IACM), offered an illuminating lesson on the New Evangelisation in Asia, in relation to interreligious dialogue. 
The fact that the SOR was held for the first time outside the Mariapolis in Tagaytay permitted the participants to immerge themselves in Theravada Buddhism which is typical of Thailand and of the entire South East Asia. The approach toward Buddhism was not limited only to delving into its Scriptures at an academic level, but entered into concrete life, thanks to the experiences of Metta and Beer, two Buddhists who have been in friendship with the Focolare since 1980. Deeply moving were the video clips in which Buddhist monks shared impressions concerning their personal relationships with Chiara Lubich, accompanied by personal experiences which they lived after encountering the ideal of unity. It was inspiring to everyone. Professor Donald Mitchell, who could not be present personally, presented his lesson via Skype, linking the SOR of Bangkok with Purdue University in the United States. The atmosphere of communion enabled participants to understand the lessons not only intellectually, but spiritually as well. Many said that they had understood interreligious dialogue on a much deeper level, as a lifestyle and not as an activity to be carried out. The “SOR 2013” was particularly significant for Asia in this Year of Faith; and interreligious dialogue turned out to be a bridge not only to an understandin
g of other religions and cultures, but an encouragement to understand one’s own Christian faith. Fr. Vicente Cajilig O.P. underscored how the interreligious dialogue of the Focolare Movement offers concrete answers in different ways to the deliberations of the Federation of Asian Bishop Conferences (FABC). The participants returned to their homelands grateful for the ideal of unity that leads them to live their Scriptures, the Word that makes them discover the “true self”. They left committed once again to living the charism of unity more intensely so that they might be a gift within the Church.
Aotearoa (i.e. New Zealand)
It would be difficult to imagine a more liveable place than Wellington. We are here now in the summer, the sun shining and the temperature ideal. In this city that is considered the windiest in the world after Chicago, the wind is not so impetuous. This weekend there is the Sevens Cup, the country’s main rugby tournament. The spectators use masks for this occasion, and this pleases the photographers. Wellington is truly enchanting in every way. At St. Mary’s College in the capital, just above the Catholic and Anglican cathedrals, more than 200 people of the New Zealand Focolare community have gathered this weekend, coming from the two main islands that comprise the country. They are both non-indigenous and members of the Maori population which is the minority. This is the reason for the name “Aotearoa” (the land of the long white cloud). Unlike Australia where co-existence between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples has presented serious problems, here in New Zealand inter-ethnic relations are much less problematic thanks to the combined efforts of civil and traditional authorities. The country now presents itself as a real example of peaceful co-existence. 
The visitors from Italy were welcomed by the popular anthem and dance of the karana. Choral refrains were accompanied by loud shouts of challenge and welcome as we have also heard from the best ambassadors of New Zealand, the fabulous All Blacks, the most powerful rugby team on the planet. There was a brief but helpful review of history – done in pictures – sounds, dances and testimonies. All of it enabled both local and guest to value and better understand the story of a diverse but united people that thanks to the Christian presence was able to achieve true social cohesion. It is this that has always allowed them to boast of their enviable quality as a people without enemies, who are able to be accepting of others. It is quite instructive, no doubt about it, especially in these times when immigration is so common, also here, arriving mostly from Asia. “Welcome home!” the band sings, joining European sounds and local rhythms in a suggestive mix. 
The brief history of the “populace born from the Gospel” of Chiara Lubich, began with words of the psalm: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Ps. 2:8). And here we are at the anitpodes of Trent, the ultimate limits. The history began with a Dutch man, Evert Tross and a young New Zealander, Terry Gunn, who had made the decision to live according to the Gospel, following the example of the little school teacher from Trent (Chiara Lubich). The history later continued with the opening of a focolare, with the blessing of Archbishop Tom Williams, now cardinal emeritus of Wellington, who came to know the charism of unity in Rome, 1960, during the Roman Olympics. Later this charism spread to several main cities of the country and to many rural regions. Bill Murray, an elder, a senior member of his tribe, the Ngati Apa testified that: “After having known the focolare I changed quite a bit in my life and in my way of being an elder. The love of Jesus is now an integral part of the way I do things. Every judgement and decision is based on the love that I have learned from Chiara.” The current Archbishop of Wellington, John Dew also recognised the importance of the Focolare for New Zealand: “Amidst the current wave of secularisation, the Holy Spirit has bestowed some charisms for making the message of the Gospel ever new. Here in New Zealand I see that the Focolare has understood the people and their needs, and they know how to act with imagination and courage.” Then Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti offered some words to the community that had gathered from all the cities of New Zealand, from the extreme North of the country to its southernmost tip: “The trips that I’ve taken have allowed me to know the beauties of many peoples. Imagine you, who live in such beautiful country that is so rich in humanity,” the president began. As happened in Australia, here too the influence of secularisation and multiculturalism has had a strong influence. 
The youths in the audience brought up existential issues such as the existence of God, the salvation brought by Jesus, a person’s freedom to sin, the strength to change oneself, helping those who are without work or a place to live. . . These are the children of Christian families who bring up these topics, once more highlighting the vast horizons of the New Evangelisation. Maria Voce suggested that finding answers means working together, not asserting prefabricated answers. Such answers point to the love of God as a credible answer and to the life of sharing, of unity, as the method for never falling under the weight of such questions. Other topics included the unbelief and the difficulties of educating people in the faith. Here again Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti tried to give encouragement, suggesting the power of unity as an answer, as a united and adequate testimony for these times and situations. There was another demanding topic: “God seems to be irrelevant in the lives of the majority of people. Therefore we tend not to talk about God. We know that the first step is to love our neighbours, but is it enough? Shouldn’t we also talk? Giancarlo Faletti offered his response to this comment: “We should see Jesus in each individual and therefore every person should be loved as if we were speaking with Jesus. This is basic. After we’ve done this, we’ll feel a need to speak to each person in a way that is appropriate to him or to her.” But there’s more: “We have to discern and choose the correct ways of acting, not doing certain things, or even leaving certain situations. Then we need to explain ourselves in some way. We should be able to see in our life a proclamation of Jesus and of God’s love.” “In the Movement I can somehow see the Church as it should be. What can we do then so that everyone will experience Jesus in the midst (Mt. 18:20)?” asked one of the Movement’s adherent members. Maria Voce offered some thoughts: “John Paul II once asked something similar about the Focolare: “I see the post-Conciliar Church in you.” What can we do then so that all of mankind can experience Jesus in the midst? We don’t know when, but it will happen because Jesus wanted it by asking unity from the Father (Jn. 17:21). But He asks us to help Him to make this dream come true. Our task is to establish small fires in the midst of the human family, small groups of people who are united in the name of Jesus. There might be only two people, but together: in a school, a hospital, a band, even on a cricket team. Two people only, a small fire. But all these small fires at some point will meet up with the other fires. And then the fire will become larger and larger, even though we will never be exactly sure we’re the fire has caught on. One thing is certain: God is at work. Well, let us also collaborate with Him then by lighting these small fires and keeping them burning.” At least for today, Wellington has become the heart of this “populace born from the Gospel”, no longer the last frontier. By Michele Zanzucchi
Men Religious: “Yes, we live the Gospel!”
The participants from the different religious families were about 150, coming from all over Europe and as well as from Lebanon, Peru and Brazil. This convention for the men religious, organized by the Focolare Movement, was held at the Mariapolis Center at Castelgandolfo at the same time as the convention for the priests and deacons who take part in the life of the Movement.
Giancarlo Faletti, co-president of the Focolare, who was travelling in those days with Maria Voce to Indonesia and Oceania, made his presence felt with a message, in which he highlighted the important role of the religious for the diffusion of the spirituality of unity in those nations: “Once again, I strongly felt a great and deep sense of gratitude towards our religious, who have brought the Ideal of Unity to these faraway lands, sowing the seed of what, with time, has become the family of the Focolare”.
The program was quite intense: the participants met with some representatives of the Focolare International Centre: with Msgr Piero Coda, Dean of the Sophia University Institute, and Marco Tecilla, the first focolarino. Besides, Father Fabio Ciardi from the Abba School (the Movement’s Studies Centre) and the journalist Paolo Loriga from Città Nuova gave their contribution to the program.
A particularly important moment was the exchange with the new generations. The Youth for a United World presented the United World Project, which was conceived and launched during the Genfest, and is now entering a very dynamic stage.
The project for the Meetings in 2014 generated great interest. Entitled “Yes we live the Gospel”, this global project for the new generations in the consecrated life will take place in various parts of the world. It has three objectives: to make known the charism of unity, to make visible the young face of the consecrated life, and to help experience the beauty of the communion among charisms.
Fr Theo Jansen explained the title, “Yes, we live the Gospel”, as follows: Yes, that is the Yes to the Ideal of unity; We, to emphasize that it is done together, not individually, and finally Gospel: the plurality of charisms that many religious families display by their very existence, charisms that flourish again in the garden of the Church when they are together. Maria Voce gave the participants of the congress a slogan, inspired by a well-known writing from Chiara Lubich, which was in tune with this program: “Look at all the flowers. The other is a flower from our garden.”
Bishops and the path of the neighbour
The Synod on the New Evangelisation closed its doors three months ago. It had been a universal collegial experience from which to look at and face challenges that modernity poses to the witness and proclamation of the Gospel. The fruits of that Synod have been a great stimulus for the 32 Bishop Friends of the Focolare Movement who gathered in Rome on January 29-31. At the general audience of Thursday, January 30, they received the “special greeting” and encouragement of Benedict XVI. His words truly hit the soul of the bishops as he assured them of “my prayer” and best wishes “that the charism of unity that is especially dear to you may support and animate you in your apostolic ministry.” As in all family gatherings, this was followed by a personal greeting for each bishop and a joyful group photo as a greeting that Pope Benedict wished to extend to the bishops who will “take part in other such meetings that are to be organized in several areas of the world.” This year, in fact, the usual meeting at the beginning of the year will be taking place in other cities as well, including Melbourne (Australia), Beirut (Lebanon), Seoul (South Korea), Buea (Cameroon), Ambatondrazaca (Madagascar), New York (USA), San Paulo (Brazil) and Berlin (Germany). These are occasions to meet among bishops from neighbouring nations and respond to the needs of the local Churches. For this reason the bishops attending the meeting in Rome were primarily European, mostly from Italy, with representatives from Spain, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia and the Republic of Moldova. The presence of two bishops from the Middle East was very meaningful, expanding everyone’s hearts and bringing down prayers on that suffering region of the world. 
The three days were woven together by the spirituality of unity, reflection and testimonies embedded within the current life of the Focolare Movement in today’s Church. Topics included the Year of Faith and love for Jesus in our neighbours; the New Evangelisation and challenges of the European continent; the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the prophetic dimensions of the charism of unity. Significantly in this regard was the analysis of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Archpbishop Nicola Eterovic, who deepened the awareness of the crisis in the Old Continent and the need of finding new paths for transmitting the faith. His remarks were echoed by the fruits of Gospel commitment in the community of the Movement in the heart of Europe.Another reflection that added to the mutual exchange was that of theologian Fr. Hubertus Blaumeiser, on the Church in its transition seen from the prospective of its duty of being “sacrament of unity” as the Second Vatican Council states. The bishops enjoyed the group of young people who brought a breath of hope and courage to the gathering, from what they had experienced at the Genfest in Budapest: “something unusual, because it is usually the youths who sit listening to bishops; but they wanted to hear what we had to say.” Another testimony that the bishops listened to with great interest within this wave of the New Evangelisation was that of the Gen Rosso Musical Group and the impact they are having among children and young teenagers in many schools in several countries.
One novelty of this year’s gathering were the many interviews performed by journalists from various news agencies. When asked about the meaning of the central meaning of the Focolare Movement’s central theme for the year, on love for Jesus in each neighbour, Bishop Anton Cosa, Bishop of Chisinau in the Republic of Moldova spoke the following words into the microphones of the Vatican Radio: “I learnt that there is no other path for evangelising, for creating bridges, for offering hope. Living alonside the brother or sister that the Lord places beside us is a challenge, but every neighbour that you meet, that you listen to is a way of living the Gospel, [it’s] an act of faith. And this is also what this Year of Faith asks of us, that we allow our faith to grow – but without love there is no faith. First we must believe that He has loved us and then we need to take our step. I as a bishop would no longer be able to fuflill my minstry if not by taking this path: the path of the neighbour.”