Feb 9, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
I was about to finish high school. I have been fascinated by Africa ever since I was a child, and especially when I would listen to the tales of my uncle, a missionary in Congo. I didn’t like the bourgeoisie lifestyle of Belgian society, and the poverty and social injustices diffused in the world. I was interested in the philosophy of Julius Nyerere (whose beatification process is now underway), the first President of Tanzania. His concept of Ujamaa (in Swahili meaning ‘being a family’) was at the base of the socioeconomic development policies which in Tanzania had brought about the construction of a pacific coexistence between tribes and ethnic groups, after Great Britain had granted independence. His thoughts were based on African traditions and examples of the first Christian communities described in the Acts of the Apostles. I applied to enter the White Fathers congregation, not so much due to a vocational choice, but because they worked in Tanzania. We agreed to do a year of acquaintance. Once I got to their mother house at the Lovanio University (Belgium), without their knowing it I had started to take part in an extremely leftist Maoist group. We would organize initiatives in favour of the third-world countries and for the independence of Angola and Mozambique. During a demonstration, the police found my name on one of the fliers and came to interrogate me. I thought that it would be better to change my path completely. Furthermore I was disappointed in my friends, since only I was paying the price of our actions. Instead, the spiritual director invited me to stay and meet a group of students that held monthly meetings in the convent. I had seen them fleetingly, and they seemed to have their minds in the clouds; they spoke of Jesus and the Gospel. But I accepted the invitation. The first time I participated in one of their meetings, I listened in silence. They recounted of how they tried to put the Gospel into practice. In the end they asked me what I thought. «The Gospel has existed for two thousand years, and the world is still full of injustice, exploitation and oppression.» One of them answered: «If you want to change the world, start from yourself.» I didn’t know how to reply. I asked, «From where?» He put the “Word of Life” of that month in my hand: «Do not judge and you will not be judged.» The next day, as much as I tried, I found myself always judging the others. This was not my piece of bread. I went back to meet them, to say that it was impossible not to judge. They exhorted me not to get discouraged and to try again after every failure. I returned home, and prayed to Jesus in the Eucharist: «If You want me to live in this way, help me, since I can’t do anything alone.» When the school year passed, I was sure that the Fathers would ask me to leave. Instead they told me that they had noticed a change in me, and if I wanted, I could start in the novitiate. Through frequent contact with those youths, the gen who lived the communion of good among themselves, and with the help of the Focolare director in Belgium, I found my path and became a missionary. Living for the others gave immense joy and this was how I discovered the great ideal of unity of Chiara Lubich and the Movement. Before leaving for Africa in 1982 I was ordained a priest. The biggest challenge was that of seeking deep dialogue with the local people and practising the art of “making yourself one.” I studied their language and the local culture, to make the people’s customs my very own. I experienced that in the light of the Gospel, all that is beautiful, good and true is raised to a higher level, and the rest slowly disappears.
Feb 8, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
From Onitsha, Nigeria, a report about a prayer service that was held in the churchyard of the Basilica of the Most Blessed Holy Trinity, on January 23 with over a hundred Evanglicals, Pentecostals, Catholics and members of autonomous churches, along with two bishops and several priests of different churches in Nigeria. The event was promoted by the Focolare and included representatives from the CCN (non-denominational churches), OAIC (churches and organisations begun in Africa), PFN (Pentecostal churches), CSN (Catholic Church) and ECWA/TEKAN (Evangelical Churches from the west of Africa and Ghana). Some gathered with the music groups, others prepared the programme booklet and others decorated the churchyard. The teaching was given by an Anglican Pastor who like a “clarion call that would wake up the Christians of Nigeria from their sleep” invited us all to “live as the followers of Christ and to work of unity in diversity.” “We prayed with one soul and one mind,” one girl commented. “I felt the warmth of the Spirit in our midst.” A young man: “Watching people from different churches praying together for unity and peace gave me the certainty that unity will happen, because Jesus himself had asked the Father that all would be one.” From the Focolare’s ecumenical town in Ottmaring, Germany, on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a gathering was held that included 7 Swedish Lutheran pastors, 4 Anglicans, one English Reformed pastor and 7 Catholic priests. The theme was presented by Lutheran bishop Ake di Skara from Sweden, who highlighted how today Jesus is still drawn to the wounds and darkness of humanity, in order to bring it light. With this in mind everyone moved to the nearby Nazi concentration camp of Dachau, which is an emblematic symbol of the mystery of Jesus Forsaken. There were also several visits to significant sites for the Lutheran faithful in Augsburg, concluding with a break at the Catholic church dedicated to St. Moritz, with its striking image of Christ the Saviour who illuminates the world’s darkness. In an atmosphere of such deep sharing, the liturgical celebrations throughout the week took on an altogether unique sacredness. In the end there was a unanimous desire to: “return to the world where Jesus Forsaken is waiting for me.” “The Church has to be where the wounds of the people are to be found.” “When I get home the first thing I’ll do will be to visit the Lutheran pastor next door.” In Matera, Italy, we met up with Cinzia who, since she embraced the spirituality of unity, has been promoting an ecumenical process in her parish in collaboration with a Lutheran pastor: “They’re beautiful evenings and filled with much joy,” she recounts, “in which what comes to light is not what divides us, but what unites us. An ecumenical choir was born from the 1997 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which accompanies the different cultural and humanitarian projects we do together. This year, in collaboration with the associations and movements in the city, we held a march for peace and unity with 300 people from different Christian denominations and from other religions. It was another opportunity to experience the ecumenism of life and to express that deep desire for brotherhood that goes beyond the distinctions.” The parish of Santa Maria in Pesaro, Italy, shares an ecumenical friendship with the Orthodox Cathedral of Resita, Romania, thanks to the parish priests and several lay people who live the spirituality of unity. “This year,” one Romanian Orthodox teenager recounts, “we wanted to take a further step. The young people wanted to be involved in the formation of the children, so we began a course in Pesaro for Catholic and Orthodox animators together where we experience our unity in diversity.” In Cochabamba, Bolivia, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was also celebrated by the different movements, including the Focolare. Members of the Anglican, Methodist and Catholic Churches took part in an ecumenical prayer service, with the emeritus bishop who remembered the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and invited everyone to embrace mercy and a renewed commitment to work for unity. See also: Ecumenismo: Settimana dell’unità Settimana dell’unità a L’Avana
Feb 3, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
It has been a month since central south Chile has been gripped by wildfires that have swept away half a million of hectares of forest land. Eleven have died and 1,100 have been displaced. Thousands of homes have been burned, mostly in Santa Olga 500 km south of Santiago, a region of 5000 inhabitants that was completely destroyed. The causes of the catastrophe vary: a heat wave with historic temperatures, the dry weather, the intense drought and the winds that have fed the hundreds of fires that broke out in the Andes, backbone of the Americas. It happened within the mountain chain between the Pacific and the Andes that makes the geography of this land very difficult to travel. Some forty air tankers and helicopters and more than 4,500 fire fighters were not able to control so many fronts. Two fully equipped air giants are also at work against the fire: a Boeing 747 Supertanker capable of spreading about 70,000 litres of different liquids, and an Ilyushin-76 that was made available by the Russian government and is capable of launching 30 tons of water. Fire crews have been sent from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Spain, Portugal, France and Venezuela. The number of natural disasters between 2010 until now has been striking, beginning with the 8.8 earthquake followed by a tsunami that caused 535 deaths and millions of Euros in damage. At least three large volcanic eruptions followed all that. In 2015 a new earthquake registered 8.4 on the Richter scale . . . In 2014 and this year wildfires struck the areas around Valparaiso, a port city 115 km from the capital. There were many victims and damages into the 4 millions. It seemed impossible, but in 2015 there was the flooding of the Atacama Desert, the most arid place on earth. The mire carried away entire villages, roads, bridges and 28 people. And now there are more wildfires fanned by the drought… There will be time for investigations into the cause and, in some places, fraud has not been ruled out. But now is time for action. The flames have not been able to devour the solidarity that has been set in motion in so many ways: collections of basic goods, the Hogar de Cristo organization that has launched a 1.8 million dollar fundraiser for rebuilding, and others who have taken on the cost of the Supertanker. One mother who coordinates a collection among families said: “They’re our brothers and sisters, we have to help.” Only a few houses have been left standing in Santa Olga, but a Chilean flag appears over the smouldering rubble, an unfailing sign in the midst of the destruction. It stands for rebuilding and turning to nature again for a place to live, work and fulfil dreams. These souls will work hard with that age old patience of those who create their own history with sweat and tears, enveloped in a natural environment that has nothing to offer them. Alberto Barlocci Latest news from Focolare communities in regions that were hit by the wildfires Marilyn and Juan report: “It’s already been 19 days since, with the help of countries from around the world, we have been fighting against wildfires in south central Chile where many Focolare communities are located. Now, after a superhuman effort, because of the strong winds more than 80 wildfires that are still burning are reigniting fires that had already been put out. Several villages where many Focolare families are found have been completely evacuated. For several nights locals along with firefighters and volunteers keep watch in order to keep the fire from growing. There are so many experiences of solidarity especially for people who are on the ground, like Manuel and Silvia, Volunteers from the Focolare who live in Chiguayante, an area completely surrounded by the fire. They were forced to evacuate their house because of the impending danger. Together with their children and neighbours they risked their own lives to “clear” the land so that the fire wouldn’t be able to spread. Even though the situation is now under control, there is always a danger that the wind will change direction. Victoria, Jorge and their three children live in Tomè which is also in danger. With their children and other young people they collected basic goods to share with people who have lost everything, and took those goods to the most isolated regions where it is difficult for help to arrive. Father Alex from the Russian Orthodox Church and a great friend of the Focolare, lives in Hualqui, a small village. He celebrates the Holy Mass in Chiguayante where his community is located. The fires took his village with great force and blocked the roadway so that he had to return on foot to assist the people who were still gripped by fear. There have also been experiences of solidarity in the Focolare communities that are far from the fires. The linked up on whatsapp and in just a few days truckloads of help arrived. We are seeing the great capacity of the people to respond in the face of difficulty with resilience and very touching acts of solidarity. It’s powerful to see the beaming smiles of all the people who have helped, and to feel that there is truly “more joy in giving than in receiving.”Before every action, we renew the unity among ourselves so that we will be more prepared to love the people that are in need. Every night at 22:00 we united in prayer to ask for the miracle of rain, and many others unite with us in this prayer.”
Jan 23, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
I came across a letter of Fr. Christian de Chergé a few days ago, on his 20th death anniversary. Christian was the Prior of the community of Trappist monks of the monastery of Nostra Signora dell’Atlas in Tibhirine (90 km from Algiers). In 1996, he and six other monks were kidnapped and then killed. On 1 August, Bishop Pierre Claverie, the Bishop of Orano was killed. That was really a “black decade,” as people called the civil war that exploded in the1990s. The monks were French and like the other “foreigners” were the direct targets of the “ mountain brothers,” name that referred to all those who had gone into hiding to take up their arms following the annulment of the 1992 elections. The Islamic Salvation Front, a political party that was dispersed and declared illegal, was about to win the elections. In my mind I often see their smiling faces, during those moments we lived together. We all took part in that particular vocation of the Church in that country, to which we felt we had been sent to testify to the Gospel, at the service of those people. It was a simple, poor Church, but its testimony shone in the hearts of many friends, mostly Muslims. Already then in Algiers, 99.99% of the population followed Islam. The Archbishop of Algiers, Paul Desfarges, said that, “The Church is for the people, a Church of Encounters.” But going back to the letter of 3 December 1994, it seemed to me like meeting Christian once again, or one of the monks in our focolare house in Tlemcen, where they used to spend a night, to then resume the journey towards the monastery they were about to found in Fèz, Morocco. Those were evenings of intense dialogue and joy of getting together, feeling like brothers and of sharing and understanding, in this mutual commitment toward the people that hosted us. Even if we had different callings, our hearts beat in unison. That atmosphere of danger surrounding us, encouraged us to go ahead. In fact, there was talk about a possible momentous departure of the members of the focolare of Tlemcen, which then did not occur. And Christian had written: «We all thought that you would stay longer to testify to a convivial offer, a boundless sharing of life, and a friendly openness that enables our hearts to vibrate in unison beyond the barriers of religious affiliations. You made the message of the Gospel your very own and you have deeply imprinted this message among us. And we rejoice with you for this greater humanity which your Charism has given to our Church. It was such a joy to meet at your “focolare” house. Many monks were able to make use of your hospitality when they passed through on their way to Fez. All of us still savour the thought of experiencing it all again! In these times we all need to be able to count on this “fire” kept alive in the common room. It will be a bit colder at Christmas if you will no longer be here… Our lives are in God’s hands… and our motives to remain, conform to those that have allowed us to live here. For you, as for us, the situation has not changed. THANKS once again to each of you and our fraternal communion today and for always. Christian». We had talked about the courage to remain… but for those who, like us had lived that harsh situation in person, I would rather speak of the courage to remain faithful to a calling and share it with a section of humanity, which we already felt an integral part of. It was a Fidelity of love. In the hearts of those who knew the monks, Bishop Claverie, or the other nuns and religious killed in those years in Algiers, they continue to speak to us of the Gospel lived and deep friendships with a people they had made their own. Giorgio Antoniazzi
Jan 17, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
«These were days of ‘fire’, with the three monk-friends coming from Thailand: Phramaha Thongrattana Thavorn, Ajarn Suchart Vitipanyaporn, Bhikkhu Jayabhinunto and Mr. Khamphorn who accompanied them», Marcella and Luigi, Christian friends recounted, about the second week of December spent with the Buddhist monks in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Our friends stressed how «the atmosphere we breathed in these days was one of great openness and new horizons.» And continued by saying: «it was like living in a fable, so to say.» Some historical notes. The meeting of the monk, Phramaha Thongrattana Thavorn with the spirituality of unity goes back to 1995. He had come to Rome to accompany his disciple, Somjit, who was living for a short period in the community of monks before his marriage, as is the tradition of young Buddhists. Phramaha Thongrattana, which means ‘fine gold,’ and on that occasion had met Chiara Lubich and was strongly impressed. She too was impressed by him and on his request gave him a new name: Ardent Light. From then on this monk did his best to live and announce forcefully and with enthusiasm the ideal of universal brotherhood, the ideal of “mummy Chiara” (as he still calls her today). At the funeral of Chiara Lubich, in 2008, Ardent Light declared his wish to tell the Buddhists «how much good Chiara did to my life as a monk. I feel that she continues to give me an interior drive and the strength to bring the ideal of fraternity to all. She no longer belongs to you Christians, but now, she and her ideal are the legacy of the entire humanity.» To go back to December 2016 in Ho Chi Min: «The first surprising fact – they said – was the bond of friendship that came about between Ardent Light and the Most Rev. Thich Thien Tam, monk in charge of the Pho Minh Pagoda, representative of both Theravada Buddhismo and of Mahayana in Vietnam. The latter is a personage who represents all aspects of Buddhism in Vietnam at international level. As a consequence of the trust and friendship generated between them, Rev. Thich Thien Tam had asked the competent authorities permission for the three monks to stay in the temple instead of a hotel as according to protocol. ». Various interreligious (and not only) events were held, such as their visit to two Christian communities, including lunch. The monks also took part in the Christmas feast, usually held for the local Christians, but they were welcomed with great joy by everyone. Then followed the two visits to social projects brought ahead by Christians inspired by the spirituality of unity. And then, the interreligious meeting at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre of Ho Chi Minh City, attended by representatives of five religions. On that occasion, Ardent Light spoke of his friendship with the Pope at that time, John Paul II and with Chiara Lubich. He explained about what she used to call “the art of loving”: a love that addresses everyone, and one that takes the initiative, that is able to be the other’s “neighbor,” that even goes to the point of loving and praying for one’s enemies… Marcella and Luigi recounted that «The eyes of some of the leaders present filled with tears – and to tell the truth, also those of our community.» The two hours of true dialogue concluded with the visit to the Archbishop emeritus, Cardinal J. Baptiste Phan Minh Man, who had so strongly worked for the creation of the interreligious dialogue at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. The last day was dedicated to the visit to some temples, and acting as guide was Fr. Bao Loc, priest in charge of interreligious dialogue for the Diocese of Ho Chi Minh City. «Now new, unexpected horizons have opened before us, It is now up to us to continue the experience we have lived these days. Chiara’s legacy, of being always a family, is a reality that touches the hearts of everyone, when it is really lived.» By Gustavo Clariá
Jan 13, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
One of my acquaintances, years ago said: “wherever there are the poor, money also abounds.” I was young then and didn’t believe in those words: after 26 years in Asia, I realised to my dismay, that this is true also in Mae Sot. Notwithstanding any type of sustainable development or minimum respect for man and nature, paths are paved, and projects are springing up to bring the big industries, relocating them from where they find difficulty in being productive or are kicked out because it is illicit and dangerous for people’s health. All this is because there is a “work force” at low cost, very low, if not at zero cost; and on the other hand, there are the very wealthy people, ready to exploit the situation. The poor cross the border from Myanmar to Thailand, to escape from hunger and the discomforts of a country that is still struggling to reach social equality and protect the less fortunate classes or those of other religions. People are continuously expelled at the checkpoint and there are shooting incidents, with the children bearing the brunt of it all. There is a growing number of orphans, disabled and abandoned children, or those left alone at home while their parents are at work in the plantations. It is really sad to see children suffering! And Mae Sot is full of them. This is why we are trying to do something for them through our project. Every time we go to that area, we find our “special spots”: the orphanages, isolated homes in the countryside, and our little school Goccia dopo Goccia (Drop by Drop) with about 60 students: the places where you see so many of those kids with big black eyes that mark your soul indelibly. Our project is now in its 6th year (even if we have been helping the Karen people for decades) and reaches about 250 people in three countries (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam). All are direct and concrete micro projects for families often living below the minimum subsistence threshold. Their needs? Certainly food, clothes, but above all, love which means care, a smile, a bit of attention, in short: someone who says “how are you?” That means meeting people who know how to share the sufferings of a migrant population that is worth very little in the eyes of the rich, and is thus exploited. This is what we are trying to do: helping them, staying by their side, and giving relief, hope and warmth. Through our local contact person our aid reaches them monthly. Every three months we do the rounds of our projects, visiting them to make them feel that they have not been abandoned. They often say, “The fact that you travel so far to come and visit, gives us the strength and determination to go on living.” Those black eyes and unsmiling faces say more than a thousand words. They remind us of the works of Chiara Lubich who inspired our project: “Bring to me all the lonely people.” And we feel that these lonely people are all “ours” because they are images of the face of Jesus who continues to cry out on the Cross asking for all the love we can give. This is the sense of our project, but even more, it is our intimate joy. By: Luigi Butori For those who wish to join in the project: Banca Cantonale dei Grigioni, 7002 Coira IBAN-Nr: CH19 0077 4010 2957 6490 0 Goccia dopo Goccia Residenza Ragazzi 196a CH 7742 Poschiavo, Svizzera e mail: gica.ceccarelli@bluewin.ch oppure gocciadopogoccia.ms@gmail.com Association recognised by the tax administration of the Grigione district. Donations can be detracted from taxes..
