Jan 11, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
“We’ve just completed our journey that took us from Bobo-Dioulasso to Dorì, the most northern city of Burkina Faso; and then it was on to Niamey in Niger. The objective was to respond to the community that has gathered in the Focolare spirit to share experiences and the first fruits of life that have begun to spread in these lands of the Sahel.” This is how focolarini Aurora and Pascal from the focolare in Bobo Dioulasso begin their recount. Bobo Dioulasso is the second largest city in Burkina Faso and the headquarters of the local Focolare Movement . Burkina with its 17 million inhabitants (50% Muslim, 30% Christian and 20% traditional religions) is one of the poorest countries in the world, along with nearby Niger. “We reached Niamey, the capital of Niger, where we were welcomed with much joy by the community, including Archbishop Laurent Lompo who became a priest, he says, because of the first Mariapolis he attended. Archbishop Lompo is a real shepherd, close to his people and very concrete in his love. He shared with us his many experiences of friendship and dialogue with Muslims who make up 93% of the population of 10 million people. The relationship of the Christians with the Muslim world is a challenge, especially after January 17, 2015 when Islamist extremists burned more than 70 Christian churches following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.” “Archbishop Lompo suggested that we also visit a woman in Hawa who had once attended Focolare events but now, for family reasons, had become a Muslim. Surprised and moved by our visit, she told us about her family and the beautiful hours together in the Mariapolis. When she heard that there would be another Mariapolis in the area, she promised that she would start preparig to be there. It was so beautiful to see in her and so many other Muslims that we met, their joy at being able to live in the City of Mary (Mariapolis) the experience of mutual love.” “Lastly, we visited a small community in Niamey; such deep people, desirous to live the Gospel and go forward in the experience of unity. Maybe our visit encouraged them on that path. One of them said to us in the name of everyone else: “It’s true that here in Africa we have to live so many difficult situations, but with the spirituality of Chiara Lubich we learn to love others, taking on their suffering and pain. How much I want this ideal of brotherhood to invade the Church and our country’s society!” Aurora De Oliveira and Pascal Pontien Ntawuyankira
Jan 7, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
An enriching evening of classical, dance, pop, contemplative, jazz, a musical and a buffet. The fourth edition of the benefit concert was promoted by the Focolare’s Youth for a United World in Vienna and by young people from Mor Efrem of the Syro-Orthodox community. Two hundred people showed up in spite of the freezing night temperatures of December, to support Syrian refugees. The “Singing Voices Choir” comprised of young people that included some Spanish speakers wished everyone a “Feliz Navidad” with song and dance. David Watzl presented Aktion Weitblick, a project that offers aid to refugees inside Europe and on its borders. He had spent two weeks at a refugee camp in Turkey where, with a group of volunteers from Aktion Weitblick, he organized afternoon games for children, classes in hygiene and many other activities. The Ishtar Syrian Dance Group brought the concert to a close with lively eastern dance that got the whole audience moving. Afterwards, a tasty buffet provided an opportunity for actors, visitors and refugees to mingle and know one another, and to plan future projects. The evening ended in a warm and fraternal atmosphere. Compiled by Young for Unity, Vienna, Austria
Jan 4, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Per raggiungere Gan Gan, un villaggio che dista da Trelew poco più di 300 km, occorrono, bel tempo permettendo, 6/7 ore di viaggio. Si devono infatti affrontare i pendii della meseta di Chubut, che qui sono particolarmente impervi. In genere sono in pochi a visitare Gan Gan, che con i suoi 800 abitanti, a maggioranza indigeni mapuches e tehuelches, si è tristemente guadagnato la fama di “villaggio dimenticato da tutti”. Il 19 e 20 novembre scorso, proprio a Gan Gan si è tenuta una missione, con la partecipazione di persone venute da parrocchie e da realtà associative di Trelew. Durante il viaggio, la comitiva approfitta per rinsaldare la conoscenza reciproca e riflettere sul significato di questo spingersi verso i più poveri in risposta all’appello di papa Francesco. Ad attenderli, la festosa accoglienza della gente, con i suoi canti tipici, mentre un sacerdote li introduce nella realtà di questo tratto di altopiano dove sono ancora presenti miniere che vengono lavorate a cielo aperto, con gravi conseguenze per la contaminazione dell’ambiente. A fare gli onori di casa è un’anziana del villaggio, che nella sua lingua mapuche dà il benvenuto e presenta mons. Croxatto, vescovo ausiliare di Comodoro Rivadavia anch’egli venuto per la missione. Si inizia con la celebrazione di 5 battesimi. «Il sogno di uno di questi bambini, che ha già 4 anni – racconta una focolarina che fa parte della comitiva –, era di essere battezzato da papa Francesco. Il vescovo, ornato da tutti i paramenti, con grande amore gli spiega che il Papa è impossibilitato a venire fin quassù, ma che aveva conferito a lui il mandato di battezzarlo. Alla cerimonia è seguito un pranzo con cibo generosamente portato dalla gente e condiviso fra tutti». Poi i missionari iniziano a percorrere, in preghiera, l’intero villaggio: «Una processione che per gli scenari che si presentano ai nostri occhi – racconta un’altra focolarina presente – sembra una Via Crucis. La gente è disposta lungo la strada e racconta drammi di abbandono, solitudine, violenza, mancanza di giustizia: dalla mamma cui hanno ucciso il figlio, a quella il cui figlio è desaparecido, dalla poverissima casa di ricovero per anziani, alla cappella in desolante abbandono. Ciò che fa più impressione sono i volti della gente, anzitempo solcati da rughe di dolore e di stenti. Impressionante anche la quantità di persone che desiderano confessarsi. I sacerdoti ascoltano ininterrottamente le loro confessioni mentre la processione procede silenziosa. Altro momento forte è la messa della prima comunione con la cresima a 15 persone, alcune adulte e addirittura già nonne. A vedere come i sacerdoti si prodigano in questa realtà socialmente così lacerata, a come cercano di farsi vicini ai problemi della gente, tornano alla mente le parole di papa Francesco quando dice che i pastori debbono avere addosso l’odore delle loro pecore». Nel viaggio di ritorno viene creato un gruppo whatsapp perché tutti vogliono che l’esperienza della missione non finisca qui. Molti dicono che a Gan Gan bisogna tornare, colpiti dall’esperienza forte e profonda di essersi sentiti – pastori e laici – un unico popolo di Dio. E per aver vissuto, insieme, l’esperienza di “uscire” come Chiesa per incontrare i più deboli. Toccante l’esperienza condivisa da uno dei sacerdoti che durante il pranzo comunitario era andato a far visita ai parenti di una signora di Trelew nativa di Gan Gan. «L’impatto è stato molto forte – racconta –. Erano due fratelli di 83 e 81 anni ambedue sordi: la signora al 90% e il fratello, non vedente al 100%. Vivono in una stanza di due metri per due, con i due letti disposti a L. La porta è quasi inesistente e il pavimento di nuda terra. Il freddo che entra dalla porta e quello che affiora dal pavimento, non fa che accentuare l’artrosi di cui soffre la donna. Nel cuore mi è rimasta una ferita. Penso che la missione, che pure è andata bene, non avrebbe senso se non facciamo qualcosa per dare dignità a questi indigenti». Alla sera già arrivano le prime risposte via whatsapp al parroco: «Abbiamo trovato i soldi per rifare la porta. Mandaci le misure». Fonte: Focolares Cono Sur online
Dec 30, 2016 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Download brochure with program Streaming event 11 March, 16:00-18:30 (CET, UTC+1)
A path of life and thought to be shared throughout the year, at all latitudes. 50 years after its founding, there will be, in 2017 various local events and initiatives in various countries worldwide. A roadmap of life and thought in various phases will highlight the anthropological and universal value of the family in the perspective of “universal brotherhood,” and testify to the richness of social and cultural diversity, together with the ideal of unity concretised in family life. The central event will be held in Loppiano from 10 -12 March 2017. About 800 people from all over the world are expected to attend. The families will immerse themselves fully in the reality of the international town of the Focolare, and bear witness to Chiara’s dream in all the continents. In the morning there will be workshops for adults, youth, teenagers and children, held in collaboration with the parish movement, the gen3 and gen4 centres, the no-profit AFN and AMU. In the afternoon the meeting in the Auditorium will be aired via live streaming and will highlight the experts of family themes, who will be participating in the Cultural Seminar to be held at the Sophia University (10 -11 March 2017). This seminar with its characteristic universal outlook will give rise to the future Study Center on the family, with the objective of enhancing the contribution of the spirituality of unity to the family in the challenges it has to face today. For information: www.famiglienuove.org famiglienuove@focolare.org
Dec 28, 2016 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Rocco Femia, Director of the Radici cultural magazine
Fifty artists performed for free, confirming the strong sympathy is being felt for those who have suffered great loss. Artists included the OCCITANIA Chamber Music Ensemble, with music of Bach; the popular Italian song group, Incanto, which travels around the world with its musical titled ITALIANI, when we were the immigrants; The DALTIN Trio; Vicente and Rafael PRADAL from Spain; flemenco virtuoso guitarist Kiko Ruiz; the NACCARATO Jazz Trio; mandolin player Julien Martineau; the musical poems of the great Faber, performed by the Fabrizio DE ANDRÈ Band; the unforgettable music from the Italian films and the great finale and standing ovation for Cécile LIMAL who led La vita è bella… by Roberto Benigni. The music alternated with lively presentations by Rocco Femia, Director of RADICI magazine and by television journalists Marina Lorenzo and Patrick Noviello. In his thank-you speech, the director of RADICI did not want to forget anyone, conscious of the deep personal commitment of each person to the success of the event: from the technical crew to the artistic director, to the sound director, to the lights. Then there were the Deputy Mayor Francis Grass, the Italian Console to Toulouse, Fabrizio Mazza, the sponsors, benefactors, the media, and so on. Everyone “won the battle” together. And that is what I experienced as I shared a supper with the artists and technical staff after the concert. There is a strong bond among us, comprised of mutual trust, esteem, shared talent and solidarity – and a strong desire to make the world a more beautiful place. And I joyfully realized that this bond also included me and UWP. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if I discover that what I just experienced is only the beginning of a long and beneficial relationship of collaboration. In fact, when presenting the United World Project (UWP) during the concert, Rocco Femia highlighted the slogan of the RImPresa Project, to sum up what everyone seemed to be feeling: Hope vibrates; the future isn’t trembling.” Gustavo Clariá
Dec 22, 2016 | Focolare Worldwide
They are the Gen4, the children in the Focolare Movement, explain their idea of Christmas not only as a colourful celebration, filled with enchanting imaginary characters created by persuasive businesses and a frenetic race to sell and buy gifts: We should put Jesus back into the centre of Christmas, it’s his day,” they explain. The Gen4 made the small figurines of the Holy Child with much patience and love and then gave them away to passersby. They report from New York City: “While visiting the city with some friends, in the midst of the crowd, your small table drew my attention … Those words, “They’ve Evicted Jesus” resounded inside me! I’d like to transmit your message to others! This is has been my most beautiful Christmas, you’ve filled my heart with warmth.” Maria Helena Benjamin and Pep Cannoves who are responsible for the Gen4 worldwide, recounted how these little ones are particularly sensitive to evangelical love. They learn to concretize it in their daily actions, real factual gestures of fraternity. They discover that when love is mutual it brings the presence of Jesus among them. Thus they come to know Him and create simple and direct relationship with Him. They manage to involve their friends at school, their families, their parents and their teachers with their disarming simplicity, and they enter into the heart of each one of them. Pep Canoves recalled how Chiara Lubich deeply cherished these little ones, giving them a special place in her heart, going to visit them during their international congresses, sending messages to them, answering their questions. And it was to them that she extended the invitation to prevent Jesus from being banished from Christmas: “Let Jesus be born in your midst through your mutual love; then it was always be Christmas! […] We can offer Jesus, Jesus in our midst to the whole world. We can take this love of ours, Jesus in the midst, our joy, into the streets, into the schools, to young and old … anywhere!” The Gen4 also have their Advent Wreath activity. They fill the days before Christmas with many concrete acts of love that are appear simple, but in their smallness are quite revolutionary. The Gen4 are involved in many projects, especially for the most poor. “During the year,” Maria Helena Benjamin continues, “we receive lots of news from around the world about their projects for the marginalized, like the story of five year-old Sonia from Romania who became friends with a Roma girl that had just joined her class.” “We received news from Madagascar and from Indonesia. Also from Syria which these days is in so much trouble and at war… Pep recounts: “From Aleppo they even sent us photos: in these conflict situations we carry on living with them, continuing with them to believe in love.” Once, while answering to a question from one of the Gen4 boys, Chiara had given them a special assignment: “Do you know what real happiness is? It’s the happiness you have when you love. Try it! Whenever you love, you’re happy. If you love all the time, you’ll be happy all the time. What should you do in the world? Give happiness to people, teach everyone to love.” And they really do teach us, with their purity and simplicity, how to put evangelica love into practice, the secret to happiness. Patrizia Mazzola
