Jul 13, 2018 | Non categorizzato
The Focolare recalls July 16, 1949 as the day on which Chiara Lubich and Igino Giordani made a “pact of unity” which would be the basis of the growth of the Movement. That day marked the beginning of the period of intense mystical contemplation for Chiara, which is known as “Paradise of 1949”. “[…]We were living these experiences when Foco arrived in the mountains. Foco, who loved Saint Catherine, had always searched in his life for a virgin he could follow. And now he had the impression that he had found her among us. So one day he proposed to make a vow of obedience to me thinking that by doing so, he would be obeying God. He also added that in this way, we could become saints, like Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal. In that moment, I didn’t understand the reason for the vow of obedience or this unity between two people. At that time the Work of Mary didn’t exist and we didn’t speak of vows. Moreover, I didn’t share the idea of unity between two people because I felt called to live “May all be one” (Jn 17:21). At the same time, though, it seemed to me that Foco was under the action of a grace which should not be lost. And so this is what I said to him, more or less: “It could be that what you feel truly comes from God. So we should take it into consideration. However, I do not share the idea of unity between only two people because all must be one.” And then I added: “You know my life: I am nothing. In fact, I want to live like Jesus forsaken who annulled Himself completely. You, too, are nothing because you live in the same way. “Well then, tomorrow we will go to church and to Jesus in the Eucharist who will come into my heart, which is like an empty chalice, I will say: ‘On the nothing of myself, bring about unity with Jesus in the Eucharist who comes into the heart of Foco. Jesus, bring about the bond between us that you want’.” Then I added: ‘And you, Foco, do the same.’ […]” See full text at: Chiara Lubich Centre
Jul 13, 2018 | Non categorizzato
God is not a distant person who can be approached only by queuing up. He listens with particular attention to those who are particularly poor, and particularly humble. From the volume Scelto per gli uomini (“Chosen for mankind”), p. 113. The busier I am, the more I need time for prayer. It is then that I discover one thing. When I use, or “waste” my time to remain in God, a sort of “miraculous multiplication of time” comes about. Thanks to the time given to God, I end up having more time at my disposal, or at least, quality time, more available and denser with love to donate to the others. Time becomes like a pearl necklace composed of many precious moments which I am able to live, and bring to fulfilment in meditation and commitment to others. From the volume Scelto per gli uomini (“Chosen for mankind”), pp. 109-110. We could define the “grain of salt” of Christian prayer as the point in which the distinctive characteristic of the Christian appears clearer and more evident: the fact, that in praying to God the other, our neighbour, is always included; and the fact that the praying person’s “I” always intrinsically includes a “we.” From the volume Scelto per gli uomini (“Chosen for mankind”), p. 114 At times it would be good not to say anything but remain in silence. It is only then, in fact, that we denote how many flows of thoughts, impressions and ideas cross our minds. It is as if we are immersed in a tide that intensifies and unceasingly distances us from ourselves, not allowing us to reach ourselves. In prayer it is not decisive for us to reach this absolute silence. It may even seem “right” if despite every effort, we are unable to reach it. In fact, somehow we understand that also in that indistinct, confused flow, so devoid of perfection and integrity, I am however myself, I who have been given and abandoned to myself, and I, the one who constantly slips away from myself. And so we can say: I have no power over me, and it is not I who knows and possesses myself but you in the innermost of me, and you who knows and scrutinizes me. You know who I am and what is good for me, and you answer with your “yes” and address me with the word: You. From the book Das Wort fur uns (“The Word for Us”), p. 91. Source: Klaus Hemmerle, “La luce dentro le cose, meditazioni per ogni giorno” (“The Light within things: Daily Meditations”), Città Nuova, 1998.
Jul 10, 2018 | Non categorizzato
It’s entitled “May it be done to me according to your word” and its international version was launched on 4 July. The next World Youth Day in which Pope Francis will participate will be held in Panama from 22 to 27 January 2019 and will have an official hymn in five languages. The music was composed by Abdiel Jimenez, and the Italian version was composed by Maestro Marco Frisina. Interpreters of the international version are Gabriel Diaz, Marisol Carrasco and Masciel Munoz in Spanish; Lucia Munoz and Pepe Casis in Italian; Naty Beitia in French; José Berasategui and Eduviges Tejedor in English, and Erick Vianna and Kiara Vasconcelos of the Shalom Community of Brazil in Portuguese. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlYt_JjftE
Jul 6, 2018 | Non categorizzato
Place : World Trade Center, MANILA (Philippines)
Jul 6, 2018 | Non categorizzato
After having retraced features of the youth reality in the ‘80s, emerging from the private life following the riots in the squares of different worldwide capital cities, Chiara Lubich explains how the young people “have believed in the possibility of the world’s rebirth and they have rolled up their sleeves in order to give their contribution. They have done so through a wealth of incredible initiatives.” And she continues: “They are present, walking along the different pathways in order to reach the goal of a united world. There is the pathway of unity among races, of unity among peoples; the pathway of development, of unity between the rich and the poor, of unity among generations; the pathway of unity among nations at war, in order to achieve peace; among the faithful of different religions, between people and nature; among persons of different ideologies; the pathway of unity among ethnic minorities, of unity with those who are alone or who suffer in every way. Without being concerned about what people might think of them, they have recognized this pathway in Jesus. ‘I am the way’ (Jn 14:6), Jesus said, and they have followed Him trying to live His doctrine to the letter by putting the Word of God into practice. … Moreover, in whom can young people trust if not in Him? He alone can help them to realize the ideals that they have in their hearts and that they seek to defend. They love freedom; they strive for it; they want it. Who can give them freedom if not Jesus, who said: “If you remain in my word … you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:31-32). Young people want respect for nature. In many countries, they struggle to save people from self-destruction due to pollution. Who can respond to this desire more than the One who has created nature for human beings? Young people love peace; they want peace. Who can guarantee peace more than the One who said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give it you” (Jn 14:27). Young people want human rights to be respected. Did Christ not come on earth precisely to announce the Good News to the poor, to proclaim liberty to prisoners, to give sight to the blind and the oppressed back their freedom? (see Lk 4:18). Young people ask for social justice. Where do they find the courage to come face to face with contradictions, misery and hypocrisy, the open wounds of a consumer society, if not in Him who calls blessed “…the hungry and thirsty for justice?” (Mt 5:6). Young people do not love divisions. Who can satisfy them more than the One who sees humanity as one and who came to knock down the barriers between different groups, ethnicity, cultures and peoples? Young people are attracted to non-violence. Where can they find the incarnation of their ideal if not in the One who has told us to love even our enemies, thus bringing non-violence to its extreme consequences? Young people love solidarity and the communion of goods between the rich and the poor. Jesus, who told us to give to whoever asks and not to turn our backs on whoever asks for a loan, is their model of solidarity. Just as the first Christians had understood Jesus’ requirements, so that no one kept any property as his or her own, likewise, young people find all their needs satisfied in Jesus. … Yes, young people with Christ, young people and Christ, the ways and the Way: this is the binomial which can give us true hope. … Go ahead, my dear young people, with total confidence. Go ahead with perseverance. Enlighten people with your actions. Let your faith shine forth before a humanity which often drags on with a life that is mediocre and meaningless. Show it how disunity can be avoided and how unity can be built. Speak out clearly on how this Ideal is not a utopia; indeed, only those who have great ideals make history.” (Extract from: Message by Chiara Lubich at the Genfest, Mollens (Switzerland), 24 March 1987 – Source: www.centrochiaralubich.org)
Jul 4, 2018 | Non categorizzato
Head of Department The director of our sector had for some time seemed like an engine running at full speed. Everybody tried to avoid him. One day, talking with my grandmother, she told me about my grandfather who had gone through a period of physical exhaustion during which he seemed like an unfettered horse. His recovery was facilitated by the calm atmosphere in the family. The next day I gathered my colleagues and proposed to them that we help the boss, trying to listen to him with calm and anticipating his needs. Not everyone agreed, but the majority understood. A few days later the boss confided to us the tragedy that his family was going through. He also thanked us saying: “Because of your help I never lost hope.” C. M. – Spain Change of Course I was 61 years old when I met some young people who were trying to live the Gospel. I was amazed by their harmony and serenity. I had been a sailor and knew well how difficult it can be to live together. This convinced me to want to learn more, so I purchased a copy of the Gospel. Reading it for the first time, I realized I had to change course: It wasn’t enough to be honest in order to feel that all was well with me. I had to love others, excluding no one. This involved a radical change in my way of thinking and acting, beginning with my family. Whereas with people I didn’t know I was all smiles and willing to engage in conversation, whereas at home with them, I spoke little, only when necessary and with an authoritarian tone. G. – Italy Bullying I experienced bullying for myself. When I was a teenager, several students from my school decided to beat up the first red-head who would head towards the toilets. And I happened to be the one. Now I’m a teacher. One day, before class, a student came looking for me in the teacher room. He told me that he had been charged with setting a trap for his best friend, and if he didn’t do it he would receive equal treatment. He was shaking and afraid. During the lesson, I told them what happened to me. I asked my students to tell me what they thought of what I had said and my words were followed by words and long silences. A few days later I learned that the trap was no longer planned on. H. N. – Hungary Dad’s Return The news that Dad had returned to Itay with his new wife for a period of vacation had overturned the life of me and my sister. After the separation of our parents years of difficulty followed. From the return to our country with our mother until her death from an incurable disease. The relationship between us sisters was peaceful, but the news of Dad’s arrival brought forth a lot of forgotten feelings and pain. “I don’t want to see him!” was the first impulse. Then a thought: God, our only value, reminded us to love our enemies. The meeting with Dad went well and we tried to love him. A bridge has been built between us. E. R. – Italy
