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Apr 14, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide
‘The charism of unity in dialogue with contemporary culture’ was the theme of Focolare president Maria Voce’s recent meeting in Buenos Aires on 13 April. In fifty years of the Movement’s activity in Latin America, its members’ life has touched many cultural environments. This was the context of what Maria Voce said to a hall packed with more than 300 people at the University of Buenos Aires’ Faculty of Economic Sciences.
Quoting Chiara Lubich, she recalled that ‘the powerful contradictions that mark our age need an orientating key as powerful and effective as they are. This mean a set of categories and activities capable of inspiring individuals, as well as entire peoples, with its patterns of economic, social and political life. Such a universal idea exists. It is showing itself able to meet the challenge of our times: universal fraternity.’ She went on to say that ‘the idea of fraternity is acquiring academic credibility. It is an effective cultural category with a single source, the charism of unity, and with multiple impact as it comes to be accepted in the most varied cultural contexts, promotes a wide range of values and has various practical and social applications.’
Several of the distinguished people present took Maria Voce’s words as a starting point for their own reflections. Marta Oyhanarte, a member of the UN’s Social and Economic Council, emphasized that ‘a new social contract based on fraternity needs to be formulated, not just in the political and economic spheres, but in all fields, a 360 degree dialogue.’ Cristian Cox, Dean of the Catholic University of Chile, referred to how the idea of fraternity could influence educationally: ‘Our study programmes do not offer an education in how to establish relationships with those who are different, those who are distant culturally and socially. In all sturdy programmes fraternity ought to occupy an equivalent place to that which till now has been occupied by the idea of the nation.’ Rafeal Velazco, Rector of the Catholic University of Cordoba, referred to the development of a theology of fraternity that, to give a convincing witness of the gospel message, must take an option for the poor, for those marginalized from history. He said: ‘God does not look down from above, but from the margins, from the edges.’ He finished by asserting: ‘A theology of fraternity is born with the new commandment, which when it is lived radically generates unity and has an amazing result: Jesus himself, the Risen Lord, who comes to be present among us.’
At the end of a brief series of questions, referring to how to dialogue within plural and complex context like Latin America, Maria Voce affirmed: ‘Latin America can be a gift to humanity precisely because of its deep cultural roots. It can give an example of building a new society where diversity is not a problem but becomes a richness. I say this as a European, I ask you to give us this experience, the world needs to see this realized in a specific place and I think that these lands are suitable for this.’ Words like these have tremendous weight in a region that has always felt it suffered from discrimination, from exclusion. The enthusiastic applause that met her words expressed the desire to change history.
By Alberto Barlocci
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Apr 13, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide
A fair economy, integration of refugees, the marginalized and families for a more humane society: these are some of the emergency situations facing today’s Europe that will be spoken about at the Together for Europe’s main event in Brussels on 12 May 2012. And the popular demonstration will be repeated on the same day in many cities across Europe. One of these activities will be that of the teenagers, which will be held contemporaneously with Together for Europe: the 2012 Run4Unity, a worldwide relay race promoted by Teens for Unity of the Focolare Movement. The basic objectives have been summarized in a series of “Yes” (to peace, to solidarity, to life and the family, to creation, and to a fair economy), which have been creatively expressed by the teenagers through mathematical signs. In many spots during the relay race the teenagers will become a flash mob that composes the word “Yes!” in several languages. Outline of the 12 May gathering at Brussels Square Meeting Centre Following a welcome from Brussels to the 150 cities that will be involved in the single European event, Together for Europe – how it began and what it can offer today’s Europe – has been entrusted to the president of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce. Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, will give a presentation with reflections on the Contribution of Christian Movements and Communities to today’s Europe. Then the word will be given to European university students, followed by an overview of the emergency situations in Europe today including the defence of life and the environment, peace and citizen participation. The second part of the programme, beginning at 5.00pm local time, will be transmitted via internet and satellite, in connection with other local events. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio and Italian Government Minister for International Cooperation and Integration will speak, and space will also be provided for the teenagers and their creative involvement in the vision for Europe. Representatives of European institutions will be present, including Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, with a video message, and Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament. At the conclusion Thomas Römer (YMCA, Munich), will present the “Brussels 2012 Manifesto”. The event was awarded the medal representing the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, and was held under the patronage of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Comission; Thorbjørn Jagland, General Secretary of the European Council; Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO. Official Together for Unity website Download the program
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Apr 12, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide
Yesterday evening’s meeting with a large group of people from several Jewish communities in Argentina and Uruguay was the first appointment in a series of appointments which will take place over the next few days with the president of the Focolare, Maria Voce as she visits various sites of the Movement in the Cono Sud. The appointment was held in the magnificent Golden Hall of the San Martin Palace, which is the Seat of the Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry. Here there were authorities from the Secretariat for Religious Affairs who welcomed Maria Voce. The external context could have made you think of a formal reunion, but the long friendship that has been established over the years with the Jewish community in Argentina immediately transformed the evening into a family gathering for dialogue and discussion among brothers and sisters. The under secretary, Ambassador Juan Landaburu, concluded his remarks by underscoring that Argentina has made interreligious dialogue a real and true politics of the State. There followed a series of presentations recalling the different stages of the friendship between the Focolare with members of the different Jewish communities in these lands. “Here are your Jewish brothers and sisters presenting themselves before you, with our faces, our stories, and our willingness,” began Rabbi Silvina Chemen. Paul Varsawsky, pointed to the need to gather around the message of the Bible and mentioned the role that the “Golden Rule” (Do not do to others what you would not want to be done to you) assumes for the three great monotheistic religions. Additional presentations underscored the importance of four Jewish-Christian symposiums that were held for twelve years at Mariapolis Lia, 250 km from Buenos Aires; as well as the figure of Lia Brunet, one of the first companions of Chiara Lubich, who gave a strong push to this dialogue of the Focolare. One event that was several times mentioned as an essential part of this friendship was Chiara Lubich’s visit, in 1998, to the B’nai B’rith during one of her visits to Argentina, where she formulated a pact of mutual love together with those who joined her as she lit the Menorah. A few questions for Maria Voce gave her the opportunity to discuss a few different topics. How will the Movement carry on without Chiara and with Maria Voce? “Chiara was the bearer of a collective and communitarian spirituality. . . you need at least two people to live it, because it requires reciprocal love, which is both given and received. I never felt alone in succeeding Chiara, because I felt that the entire Movement was with me. And all of you are also contained in this commitment, and I feel that, together, we can walk along the path that was opened by Chiara.” What can we do so that the dialogue among us is not limited to a circle of specialists? “We need to look to the neighbor beside us as a brother or a sister. In this way we will begin a never-ending chain. In this way we will be able to reach everyone, and overcome prejudices and the difficult situations that have arisen in history. Finding it possible to have trust between us, we must abolish suspicion and sincerely love one another. . . this will help us to reach all of society.” We belong to the same family because we are children of God and we must always turn to Him, but we have to arrive together.” The meeting ended. Everyone joined arms and sang: “Hine ma tov umanaim, Shevet ajim gam iajad (How sweet it is when brothers live in unity), from Psalm 133. Then it was time to say goodbye. . . as brothers and sisters often do. di Alberto Barlocci
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Apr 9, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide
With an area of 2,8000,000 square kilometres, the Republic of Argentina has a great variety of climates, from tropical heat to Antarctic cold. Between the Andes mountain chain and Atlantic shores lies an endless fertile plain: Las Pampas, that famous “breadbasket of the world”. The variety of landscapes makes them tourist destinations for many visitors.
Argentina is a nation open to the many immigrants who have made this country their home and contributed to its development. Forty million inhabitants, concentrated in large cities, who can trace their origins back to many different parts of the world, the majority Spanish and Italian.
The history of Argentina is presented as a series of conflicts that are still reflected in the present: the battle between the provinces and the central government of Buenos Aires, coups (the last dictatorship being the hardest, between 1976 and 1983), the war that was lost to England for the Falkland Islands in 1982, the 30% of the population that lives below the poverty level.
The majority of the population claims to be Roman Catholic, with a presence of other Christian denominations. Then there are groups of Jews and Muslims, and a minority of faithful of other religions and people of no religious belief.
Cultural environments such as the arts and sport have produced world famous figures.
When Chiara Lubich visited Argentina in 1998, she had the opportunity of having different meetings in which she appreciated the cultural, religious, political and social richness and diversity of this people. When she met with 8000 Focolare members, she left them with a charge: “Here I suggest a 360° dialogue; so love everyone… And in order to reach this 360° dialogue, you must begin from the first point of the art of loving. This is what I would ask of you, then: love everyone.”
The Focolare Movement arrived in Argentina in 1957 through a priest who had attended a Mariapolis in the Dolomite Mountains, Italy. A first community began in Santa Maria de Catamarca (in the northeast), which is rich in ancient culture.
Towards the end 1958, Lia Brunet, Marco Tecilla and Ada Ungaro arrived in South America, with an itinerary that included Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. In October 1961 and in February 1962 the first focolares were established in Buenos Aires, to animate the growing community.
The spirituality of unity appeared like a new way for this young population, and spread quickly. The Mariapolis multiplied and, in 1963 Ciudad Nueva Publishing House was opened. The next few years were fundamental for the Focolare in Argentina. Chiara Lubich visited this land three consecutive times (1964, 1965 and 1966). In 1966 she placed the first stone of the Mariapolis Center in Jose C. Paz near Buenos Aires.
Like a beacon for Argentina and its neighbors, in 1968 Mariapolis of O’Higgins was born in the province of Buenos Aires (today it is known as Mariapolis Lia). It has become an important formation center for members of the Movement, and of spreading its spreading among thousands of people who visit it every weekend. Since 1968 more than four thousand youths from around the world have spent time in this Mariapolis, trying to become true witnesses of this lifestyle in their places of origin.
In 1980 a Social Research Center was begun to explore the Social Doctrine of the Church and its implementation in the Argentine political and social setting. Then came the School for Ecumenical Training for Focolare members who are invovled in the Church’s dialogue with different Christian Churches. Many of them now belong to the Ecumenical Councils of their diocese.
The dialogue among the Movements and ecclesial communities has produced abundant fruits for the Church in Argentina.
A stable dialogue of mutual knowledge, understanding and very strong collaboration has been established with faitful of the Great Religions – Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others.
There are also groups of people who share in the spirit of the Focolare, without holding any particulare religious faith.
Chiara’s proposal of a 360° dialogue is taking root in several social settings through people and structures of the Focolare Movement.
In 1991 the Economy of Communion was also begun inn Argentina and “Solidaridad” Industrial Park was opened in the O’Higgins Mariapolis. Fifty-six businesses and economic initiatives currently belong to the project.
Because of a deep political and economic crisis, in 2001 the Political Movement for Unity was begun, which promotes several training projects, reflections and activities. Political dialogue groups were formed and a Political and Social Training School for young people, with twelve centers in the country. As a result of this involvement in social issues, a Political Society and Fraternity Chair was established at the National University of La Plata. It was the beginning of the University Network for the Study of Fraternity (RUEF).
The Focolare Movement in Argentina has 7,000 involved members, 42,000 adherents, thousands of sympathizers, a Mariapolis town with 200 inhabitants, Ciudad Nueva Publishing House, three Mariapolis Centres for formation training, focolares in major cities, communities spread throughout the country social projects and participation in several political, social, cultural and ecclesial environments. There are many other people who have come into contact and remain connected to the Movement’s many expressions in this land.
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Apr 5, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide
“The Mariapolis town will become more and more of a reference point for your peers if the youths of the Movement manifest their friendship with Chiara Luce Badano. She will speak to the hearts of these young people, telling of her friendship with Chiara Lubich, her relationship with the spirituality and charism of unity which led her to holiness in our own day.” These were the final remarks made by Giancarlo Faletti, co-president of the Focolare, at the conclusion of his visit to “El Diamante” Focolare town in Mexico. The Mariapolis town is located at a distance of 50km from Puebla and 170 km to the southeast of Mexico City. Fifty-five permanent residents live here and there are always many others who visit for extended periods of time. Several meetings were organized for the occasion. There was a deep dialogue between Giancarlo Faletti with some thirty priests who live the spirituality of unity. They exchanged experiences on the effects of living out the charism in their lives as priests and in building communion in the Church. In keeping with Giancarlo Faletti’s desire for inculturation, he could not go without making a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Morenita. There, on 28 March 2012 he and a few others who accompanied him were welcomed by the shrine’s Rector Msgr Enrique Glennie. The visitors were given the privilege of going into the private room where the tilma of Juan Diego can be viewed up close. The tilma is the piece of fabric on which the image of Mary was left impressed. The Rector then invited those present to page through the Album of Honour, which contains the signature of many honored guests, from John Paul II to Mother Teresa. The album also contains the signature of Chaira Lubich: “My heart remains here with La Morenita,” she wrote. It was 1997. One hundred and eighty youths from all over Mexico then joined Giancarlo Faletti at El Diamante. They brought up many of the issues in their hearts: city violence; social breakdown; among their peers, a total apathy toward great ideals; competition for success at any cost; homosexuality and conditioning by the mass media that is all in the hands of a few people. Faletti concluded: “The modern challenges give us more work to do, they call for interdisciplinary knowledge and ongoing study, but this is the life of Jesus in 2012. What remains basic is understanding together and as deeply as possible what we are living as sons and daughters of Chiara, and why.” A meeting with more than 1,200 people including some from as far away as Torrion (16 hours by bus), was interspersed with dance, song and a variety of traditional dress. Maria Voce was connected via Skype from where she was staying in Guatamala. It was the family of the Focolare in Mexico. At the conclusion Maria Voce told everyone: “I say thank you again. I hope that by witnessing to the charism of unity you may transform the environments in which you live and as a Movement contribute to renewing Mexico.”
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