Clare of Assisi and Chiara Lubich: Two Charisms in Communion

Jun 12, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

On a sunny 9 June the “Clare of Assisi and Chiara Lubich Meeting: two charisms in communion” occured, It was an event that was meant to to add something to the Clarion Year which recalls the 8th centenary of Clare of Assisi’s conversioin and consecration to God. And it was also meant to attest to the timeliness of Clare’s appeal still today. Hence the desire to deepen the relationship, or better the communion between the charism of Clare of Assisi and Chiara Lubich.

There was a very interesting panel discussion introduced by Mayor Claudio Ricci and the Archbishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino, a variation on a theme in many voices. Professor P. Peter Maranesi, OFM Cap offered a passionate reflection on “Francis and Clare: One Charism, Two Faces,” dealing with its prophetic and revolutionary dimensions that challenged the customs of an era. He also underscored the disruptive innovation of categories such as “mercy” and “sharing” that emerged from Francis’ “conversion”.

He spoke of the spiritual journey of Clare who discovered her identity in the “countenance” of Francis: “… without that face I would have no face. I found God through him. “Theirs was a prophetic opening that led medieval society to discover the person as a way to reach God. The same thing but in different times, has been accomplished through Chiara Lubich. This was discussed by Professor Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A. in her “Charisms reflected in history and in society”. Charisms are not only “freely-given graces”, but they are “eyes through which those who live in disadvantage see something beautiful and great.” Then these charisms become “bulldozers that open new frontiers, pushing back the stakes” of research and involvement.

Moreover, charisms are means for the emergence of the feminine. So it was for these two Clares: Clare of Assisi was able to receive approval for her “Highest Poverty” by the Holy See. Clare (Chiara) of Trent introduced into the Church the great novelty that the president of an ecclesial movement, containing all the vocations, will always be a woman. The accomplishments of Chiara Lubich’s charism are exquisitely secular (like the Economy of Communion), showing how much the charisms of the past and present are like the flywheels, that gradually lead us to a society that is more “humane and beautiful”.

Asthetics and beauty are inherent to the action of a charism. “Chiara of Assisi and Chiara Lubich: the Communion between Two Charisms as a Source of Light” was the theme of the presentation given by Lucia Abignente from the Focolare Movement.  The relationship between these two great woman is contained in what Chiara Lubich envisioned in the charisms: a variety of flowers in the garden of the Church. Their unfolding, in unison and in response to the needs of the times, is a progressive flowering of the Word: “Christ unfolded” in time and in space.

“Holy unity and highest poverty” is the charism belonging to the first; “Unity, which has as its key the exclusive love for Jesus Forsaken”, belongs to the second.

The profound communion among the charisms of the two Clares summons us to live with faithfulness their message today.

“Clare”, “claritas”, “clarify”, words that in the jargon coined by Chiara Lubich are an invitation to inject the light of the spiritual realm into the temporal realm. This was the belief which led, during the second act, the dedication of a large street next to the Superior Basilica of St. Francis, to Chiara Lubich, in order to remind us to “widen our vision”, as the moderator of the round table discussion reminded everyone. In giving his blessing to “Largo Chiara Lubich” Archbishop Sorrentino wished that it should be a “a reminder, a call to people everywhere to consider the streets of the world as places of encounter and dialogue with all.” And Mayor Ricci saw in this “the cobblestones of Assisi, cradle of Franciscanism, coated now in another charism whose style is being family, with economic and social implications.

The day concluded at Metastasio Theatre with the Musical “Clare of God” by Carlo Tedeschi, a lively journey of music, rhythm and dance based on the life of Clare of Assisi and performed by a dance company of young people who were living witnesses of what they performed.

By Victoria Gomez

Maria Voce shares her testimony on the effects of living the Word

Jun 11, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Participants in the 50 th International Eucharistic Congress (C) CSC Media

There has been much expectation surrounding these days in Ireland, but probably no one expected the first day of the congress to have such an ecumenical tone. Yet, it has been one of the most interesting aspects of this 50th International Eucharistic Congress (Dublin, 10-17 June 2012) that has been promoted by the Catholic Church, but also – becuase of its main theme of communion – involves and openness to dialogue with all the baptized.

Already during preceeding days, during the Theological Symposium (Maynooth, 6-9 June 2012), ecumenical dialogue had entered the field in a similar context. Leaders of several Churches, including Metropolitan Emmanual (Adamakis) from France; President of the European Conferences of Churches; and Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, spoke precisely about the ecumenical vision of the relationship between  Eucharist and ecclesical communion.

 The presentation of Maria Voce one of the speakers at the event,  was framed within this same context. Her presentation was proceeded by that of Brother Alois, the Prior of Taize who, recalling the story of Brother Roger Schutz, founder of the Community, underscored how “the passion that fills their hearts” is precisely the call to work without ceasing for “the unity of the Body of Christ”. He was followed by Reverend Jackson, Anglican Archbishop of Dublin, with the Liturgy of Water and Word, recalling our common baptism.

Maria Voce’s presentation on “Communion in one baptism” were testimonial in style, beginning from her own experience of the Gospel, which began when she was a young student in Law School. She had been fascinated by other young people who had found their fulfillment in living the Words of Jesus. This experience had begun with Chiara Lubich in 1943, and had drawn in millions of others from around the world in the rediscovery of those fascinating words. Citing Luther, Maria Voce recalled: “We must be certain that our soul can do without anything, except the Word of God.” The Word transformed into life, giving witness.

Maria Voce experienced it directly during the ten years she spent in Turkey, a land with few external signs of Christianity, but one where she was able to “experience the beauty of the family that Jesus came to create on earth.” In the 70 years of the Focolare she saw how this typically communitarian and ecumenical spirituality joins those who live it in such a way that they feel like on Christian people. It is a dialogue of life: “Positions and even the most advanced agreements among theologians are not enough, if the people are left unprepared,” Maria Voce affirmed, and she even dared to say: “United by this spirituality, we would like to be leaven among all the Churches and to contribute to accelerating their journey toward the full and visible communion, including Eucharistic Communion”.

Cardinal Ouellet, who had been sent by Benedict XVI as his representative at the Congress, also affirmed that the future of the Church passes through her witness of unity and her dialogue with all humanity. Diarmuid Martin, the Archbishop of Dublin and President of the Congress offered a word to the Irish youths, adding that “the Church in Ireland is on a path of renewal.”

The ecumenical day (11 June 2012) continued with a series of workshops. Among them was: “The dialogue of life in a new phase of ecumenism”. It was conducted by Renate Komorek from the Focolare Movement, and included various guests: Rev. Bronwen Carling, Anglican; two presidents from Northern Ireland, from a Protestant school and from a Catholic school, who have had a long history of collaboration; members of the Arche Community of Corrymeela and people from the Charismatic Community.

Wandering among the stands at the Royal Dublin Society, among 20,000 visitors who have been here over these days, brings to mind the “strength” that keeps us together; to use the words of Maria Voce: “Living in mutual love, which permits the presence of Jesus among two or more Christians who are united in his name. Jesus between a Catholic and an Anglican, between an Armenian and a Lutheran. . . This is how the Church, in a certain sense, passes beyond the confines of church buildings and, in the full communion among all, draws closer to the humanity of today in order to respond to the needs and the questions with answers that only the Gospel can give”.

By our correspondent Maria Chiara De Lorenzo

For more on the Eucharistic Congress see:

The genetic code of communion da Città Nuova online

Report of Maria Voce’s testimony at IEC2012, Monday June 11, 2012 |  Download pdf

Video interview with Maria Voce

Ireland – Unity Beyond Everything

Jun 10, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

A land rich in history with deep Christian roots that go all the way back to the earliest centuries  after Christ (432), the island was evangelized through the efforts of St. Patrick. Known for its ancient Celtic traditions and its national and traditional song, with U2 and Riverdance, its great literary stars including four Nobel Prize winners, Ireland has also had some sorrowful pages among the leaves of its recent history:the drama of the independence’s war, the violence between Catholics and Protestants and the still open wounds of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

The words of Benedict XVI in the Letter to the Catholics of Ireland  (March 2010) continue to resound: “As you face the challenges of this moment, I ask you to remember the “rock from which you were cut” (Is. 51:1). It is in this context, within this process of purification and rebirth of the Irish Church that the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (10-17 June 2012) is set.

Ireland’s soil has been irrigated with the Movement’s spirituality of unity since 1969, when a woman, Margaret Neylon, on her way back from England spread to those around her the new way of life she had just discovered: based on the love taught by Jesus. She and her son Eddie, who suffered from muscular distrophy, became the soul of the first Focolare community that led to the opening of the first focolare in Ireland in 1971, followed by a second in 1976. Currently there are five focolares in the country and a formation centre has been begun at Mariapolis “Lieta”. This Mariapolis was named after an Argentine focolarina, Lieta Betono, who lovingly devoted her life to bringing the ideal of unity among many people from Ireland, until 2002 when she died of a serious illness.

Many stories intertwine as you examine the history of the Focolare’s growth in Ireland: among them is the story of Sister Anna who decided to bring a group of Catholic and Protestant youths to an international gathering in 1973, the Genfest. Among them was Sally McAllister, who would become the first Irish focolarina. Originally from Northern Ireland, she had decided to join the armed struggle.

But then she discovered the biggest revolution in the Gospel, which gave meaning even to the pain of division and of the violent fratricides of the world.

Today the Focolare Movement is spread at various levels and among persons of all callings. It works in collaboration with other Catholic movements, with members of other Churches and with members of the Sikh community. Since 1991 when the Economy of Communion was born, several businesses have joined the project, for example: Paul Connoly Optomerist, Nettrafic Telecommunications and the Language and Leisure International, English language school.

The Teens for Unity have carried out many projects in favor of peace and hope in the cities: a video documentary in which they present their projects to “colour” the dark corners of the cities; the worldwide baton race, ‘Run4Unity’ which was held in Belfast on 12 June 2012 in front of the Northern Ireland’s Parliament building. Together with projects promoting the Golden Rule through sport in many schools throughout the country, the cube of love for children and the Run4Unity have become part of the official programme in preparation for the Eucharistic Congress.

Chiara Lubich visited Ireland in 2004 when she met Sean Brady, the Primate of all Ireland, various bishops including Diarmuid Martin, the Archbishop of Dublin; Mary McAleese who was then President of the Republic; Bertie Ahern, who was then Taosieach (Prime Minister) and President of the European Union, and the Focolare community. On that occasion Chiara said: “We need to foster unity, unity among Christians who give witness to the faith in a different way today (. . . ) and I believe that this living witness of authentic family life and of the life of faith is one of the most important things that we have to offer for the future of our Land.”

In 2012 Maria Voce visit Ireland together with Co-President Faletti for the International Eucharistic Congress (10-17 June). There she has been asked to present her own Christian experience. Several of the Congress events are  presented by the Focolare: the “Chiara Luce Youth Section”, workshops on the Economy of Communion and the Church as Communion, the open meeting, an Ecumenical gathering in the Anglican Cathedral of St Ann in Belfast on 14 June, which will give a sense of ecumenical dialogue to the entire Congress.

To see Focolare contacts in Ireland visit Focolare Worldwide!

Family and Society: a time for work and a time for celebration

Jun 5, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“My name is Jay. I’m Jamaican and work as an accountant. This is my wife, Anna and she’s a special education teacher. And these are our six children, ranging in age from two to twelve.”

This is how the Rerrie family introduced itself to Pope Benedict XVI during the Festival of Testimonies that was broadcast over live TV from Milan on 2 June 2012.

For Jay and Anna Rerrie the spirituality of unity has helped them to maintain a solid relationship with each other, and it has united their family in times of difficulty.

In early 2006, when the labour market had entered into a severe crisis, Jay had to find a new job. In spite of the many obstacles, they agreed that they wanted to keep their mutual love alive, facing the moment with courage, even though Anna was expecting their fourth child and wondering how they would support the family when Jay was jobless.

They decided together that even though she was pregnant, she could return to teaching, and they moved to another city where a school was prepared to hire her.

Jay also found a job there, in  an office where he spent many hours trying to finish the four months of work that was left undone when no one was working there. His efforts gained him the esteem of his new boss.

But it wasn’t the same at home. “My wife and small children in school: a recipe for disaster!,” Jay explained. “There wasn’t enough time to be together.” Anna found it difficult to accept, having grown up in a home where the family was always together for supper. Now Jay would often return home when the children were already in bed sleeping.

Meanwhile, the company he was now working for began to have problems and, once again, he found himself jobless. Anna’s overall reaction to this sorrowful news was comforting for Jay. It resulted in a deeper experience of unity with each other. “The next  two months,” Anna recalls, “were enjoyable and unnerving at the same time. But it was fantastic to have Jay at home!”

In a few months their savings began to dwindle, but they never stopped believing. Then there was a telephone call. It was an offer of a better job, one closer to home, with hours that were compatible with the family schedule.

“I think I understand this dilemma, “ the Holy Father told them, “So I would like to invite employers to think of the family, so that the two priorities can be reconciled.  It seems to me that you naturally must be creative but, at least each day, bring some joy into the family, some attention, some giving up of your own will in order to be family together. And then there is Sunday, the feast day, the Lord’s Day, also the “human person’s day” because we are free. This comes from the Creation story, the original intention of the Creator  that one day, everyone would be free. In this liberty of being one for the other, for yourselves, you are free for God. I think that this is the way for us to defend human freedom, by defending Sunday and other feast days as days of the Lord God and therefore days for the human person. Good luck to you! Thank you!”

See THE HOLY FATHER CELEBRATES WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE WORLD

Earthquake in Italy: a river of solidarity

May 31, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“Mostly people felt very afraid and needed support to stay calm. We are all shocked. Closeness and sharing are the things we most want”. Maria Palladini and Franco Monaco, who are responsible for the focolare community in the Emilia region of Italy:  the site of the earthquake. In the space of a week a series of quakes resulted in 17 deaths, over 350 wounded and 15000 displaced persons. The situation continues to unfold with strong aftershocks. The worst hit regions are the area between Modena and Ferrara. The earthquakes caused major damage to historic buildings, factories and many churches have been destroyed or are beyond repair. Lots of remarkable stories have come to light. For example, someone couldn’t get out of their house but this saved them as a large block of the building fell outside and could have harmed them. Another person was deeply affected, suffering by the death of fellow workers in a collapsed warehouse. Someone else was evacuated from hospital. Each one experienced “the power of how everything can change in a split second” and straight after the fist shock “a network of phone calls started to find out how everyone was”. To help us understand the situation from the aspect of humanitarian help are Adriana Magnani and Stefano Masini of the New Humanity Movement. They tell us “The Civil Protection organisation is up and running now in all the towns and villages affected and has instigated accommodation in a variety of ways (reception areas, undercover shelters, some hotels) providing some 9,000 places”. Volunteers from the Civil Protection organisation have come from all parts of Italy. Adriana and Stefano outline the greatest needs: “Some psychological support, because everyone has been really traumatised; any campervans or caravans for sleeping in rather than sleeping in the street, we’re working on this in this region; there is an urgent need to check the viability of large and small companies as there is the possibility of 15,000 people being out of work…” “The priority is to have technicians who can help”. We need psychologists, doctors and engineers: however, all those who want to come and help should deal directly with the local Civil Protection agencies as they are the one co-ordinating all offers of support.” Together with a small group, it is Adriana and Stefano who are the reference point for the collection of requests and availability of help “we try to match all the needs match as much as possible with the appropriate help and co-ordinate; awareness of who, in the political or social field can help to resolve the bureaucracy that can block the start of actions”. Alongside the devastation, wounds and terrible trials the people of the Emilia region have endured through this earthquake there runs a river of solidarity. Maria Palladini and Franco Monanco confirm this: “Many people have flung open their doors to welcome the homeless. Each area has a kind of competition of fraternity and solidarity which itself is spreading like oil on water. We really understand the experience of Chiara Lubich and the first focolarine during the destruction of the Second World War: everything crumbles, only God remains, only Love.” Donations/Bank details: BANK ACCOUNT: Associazione Solidarietà BANK NAME: Cariparma Crédit Agricole IBAN: IT34F0623012717000056512688 Title: Terremoto in Emilia Romagna For payment via Credit Card or PayPal visit www.solidarietaonlus.org)

Milan 2012: 7th World Meeting of Families

May 30, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

The Family: work and celebration”. This is the theme of 7th World meeting of Families which will take place from the 30^th May to the 3^rd June 2012 in Milan, Italy. Promoted by the Holy See through the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Milan, the organization of this event mobilizes quite a number of associations, groups and movements that contribute towards the well-being of the family.

Work began on 30 May with a Congress on Pastoral Theology, with opening words from Prof. Luigino Bruni of Bicocca University of Milian. On the evening of 1 June, there was a concert at the Scala with Maestro D. Barenboim.

For Benedict XVI, this edition of the World Meeting of Families is “an opportunity to reflect about work and rest as aspects of a united family, open to life, well inserted in society and in the Church, attentive to the quality of relationtionships besides that of the household economy”.

Since the very beginning, the families of the Focolare Movement have been contributing towards the organization of this event, both as members of the Pontifical Council for the Family and also because of a longstanding presence in religious and civil institutions that contribute towards the well-being of families in Lombardy. The appointment given for Saturday morning 2nd June at Carroponte di Sesto San Giovanni will be in preparation for the evening meeting with Benedict XVI. From there they will proceed together to Bresso Airport to greet the Pope. “Relating about families while waiting for the Pope” is the programme intended for this session. Maria Voce and the couple Anna Maria and Danilo Zanzucchi, who are among those who began the New Families Movement, are expected to participate and give talks.