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Be promoters of a culture of encounter

Be promoters of a culture of encounter

10 May 2018 | Non categorizzato

Foto © D. Salmaso – CSC Audiovisivi

“I want to raise my gaze towards the horizon and ask you to do it with me, and with trustful fidelity and creative generosity, look to the future which today has already begun.” Pope Francis is the first Pontiff to visit Loppiano, the town of the Focolare Movement close to Florence. In this first visit, the Pope launched a challenge to the community present, the universal Church and the entire humankind: “Build a shared culture of encounter and a global civilisation of alliance.” It must be a culture that responds to the divisions of these times, marked by growing poverty and the drama of forced migration. “In the changing epochs we are undergoing” – the Pope observed, “in fact – we have to commit ourselves to the tracing of new paths to pursue together, and we need men and women, youths, families, and people of all walks of life and professions who can measure up to this task.” From the front stairs of the Church dedicated to Maria Theotokos, Mother of God, where 7,000 people were present, being spiritual sons and daughters of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare, the Holy Father proposed the challenge of a “creative fidelity: being faithful to the original inspiration and also open to the breath of the Holy Spirit, and undertaking with courage the new paths he suggests.”

Foto © R. Bassolino – CSC Audiovisivi

To do this –Francis observed – we need “humility, openness, synergy, and risk capacities.” Then we have to put “community discernment” into practice, that is, “we have to listen to God, to the point of hearing with him, the cry of the People. We need to listen to the People to the point of breathing the will to which God is calling us.” It is a demanding commitment which calls for faithfulness even when the enthusiasm of the beginnings give way – for the movements – to the quest for new paths to the actualization of the charism. In answering the questions of the Focolare, the Pope cited St. Paul and invited all to focus on two key words: parresia and hyponomè. The first expresses “courage and sincerity in bearing witness to the truth, and with the faith in God and his mercy,” the antidote for “every false fear, and every temptation to hide behind the quiet life, in respectability.” The second translates into perseverance in “challenging situations we come to face in life,” and finds its fundaments in the awareness of the love of God which “makes us capable of living with tenacity, serenity, positivity, imagination… and also a pinch of humour.”

Foto © R. Orefice – CSC Audiovisivi

The Pontiff then invited all to recall the memory of the first days, when Chiara imagined Loppiano as “a piece of new city in the spirit of the Gospel,” an expression of a people united in diversity and its heart in the Eucharist, being the source of new life. It is a people which the Pope exhorted to go forth “to cast the yeast of the Gospel into the dough of society,” especially where there is poverty, suffering and research. “The charism of unity – he said – is a providential stimulus and a powerful aid in living this evangelical mysticism of the We.” But the renewal of culture cannot but require new education. In Loppiano, which started also as a city-school with study centres like the Sophia University, the Pope exhorted the inauguration of an “educational pact” founded on dialogue and proximity, to “exercise together the three languages: of the head, the heart and the hands.” In this – he added – “it is important that there be in Loppiano, a university centre for those who seek Wisdom, but which also sets as an objective, the construction of a culture of unity”: a “frontier” academic experience. But it is above all Mary – concluded Francis– “that is the school to attend (…) to learn how to know Jesus, and to live of Jesus and with Jesus: do not forget that Mary, the first disciple of Jesus was a lay person. She is the woman of faithfulness, courage, parresia and patience.” In the city of Loppiano, the Pope’s invitation echoes the intuition of Chiara Lubich, the “foundation stone” of the Work of Mary, and resounds to consolidate a path: “Our wish” – these are the words of Maria Voce, President of the Focolare – “is that whoever visits this town can find a home, a family, a mother: Mary! It is she who educates and inspires every expression of the social life of the Focolare Movement (…) It is she who in the Magnificat indicates to us a programme of life and action and pushes us to throw open wide, the doors of the heart towards all those who suffer, seeking happiness.”  

Foto on Flickr 10 maggio: Papa Francesco a Loppiano

An appeal launched from Loppiano

An appeal launched from Loppiano

10 May 2018 | Non categorizzato

Photo credit © D. Salmaso – CSC Audiovisivi

Very early in the morning, along the roads still wrapped in the morning mist, the “Loppiano people” walked up towards the town, 20 km from Florence. The display of native costume and head-dresses of various colours reveal far-away origins. But nobody can describe himself as “far-away” from this little piece of world that is about to gather and adhere to the words of the Pope. Roger, 26, comes from the Ivory Coast. He has been living in the international town for just over a year. “Ever since we got the news of the Pope’s visit, as citizens of Loppiano we wondered how we would have welcomed him, to make him see the people of the Gospel in this place. We divided ourselves in small groups to share the small daily experiences of the Gospel lived. This is the gift we wanted to make. And Franco Galli, co-director of the town, together with Donatella Di Paola: “This was the occasion for us to see God’s action.

Photo credit © R. Orefice – CSC Audiovisivi

Now we are waiting to hear what he will feel urged to say to us. Huge events are moving the world, and great changes are underway. The Pope will make us see the reality with his eyes.” Also Prahama Thongratana Tavorn called “Ardent Light” is here, surrounded by the group of Buddhist monks who, like him, arrived from Thailand. A “travelling monk” he travels across his country, visiting schools and jails to bring a message of peace everywhere. Luce Ardent feels very much at home in Italy, and especially in Loppiano. Upon approaching him one cannot but be enthralled by the joy which transpires from his words, in a gentle and very musical language. He explained: “In Buddhism we say that we have already met in our previous lives. This is why, when we meet, we do not meet, but recognize each other since we are already brothers, there is already something we have in common.» Twenty minutes have passed since Pope Francis landed in the international town. But it seems like an eternity. Minutes imbued with emotions, the festive ringing of bells that express that sense of welcome which is beyond words. “The sun is back,” Gen Rosso sings, and really, the sun nobody thought would come, after the beating rain of the day before, is shining. Pope Francis, after passing through the joyful crowd enters the church dedicated to the “Mother of God,” to whom, simultaneously in the churchyard the notes of the song greets her as the “Sweet Mother.” Four years ago, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Loppiano,

Photo credit © R. Orefice – CSC Audiovisivi

Pope Francis had sent his wishes to the town saying “look ahead always, and reach for the stars with trust, courage and imagination.” And recalling these words, Maria Voce takes the floor. «We tried to let your words guide us. Thank you, your Holiness, on behalf of the entire Focolare Movement, which regards this visit of yours as God’s gaze of love on us.” After a presentation of the variegated profile of the town, some questions are posed, and upon answering, Pope Francis starts by saying: «Everybody feels at home in Loppiano. I wanted to come and visit because it aims to be an illustration of the Church’s mission today.” The Pope called all to persevere, with tenacity, serenity, positivity and also humourism, “the human attitude which most leads us closer to God’s grace.” “The charism of unity is an aid in living the evangelical mysticism of the ‘we,’ that is, of walking together in the history of mankind. The opposite of individualism is the ‘we.’ In Loppiano – the Pope continued – you live the experience of walking together.” But, he warned, “the story of Loppiano is just beginning, a small seed sown in the furrows of history. Pressing needs ask the utmost of us. We have to commit ourselves not only to the encounter between persons, cultures and peoples, but to triumph together over the historic challenges to build a shared culture of encounter and a global civilization of alliance.” “Change reality, fear will not stop me, I shall begin here and now.” On the notes of the bands of Loppiano, the appeal to build a new culture of the ‘we’ has taken flight and will break all its confines. Chiara Favotti Foto Flickr 10 maggio: Papa Francesco a Loppiano

For a global civilisation of alliance

For a global civilisation of alliance

10 May 2018 | Non categorizzato

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Foto © D. Salmaso – CSC Audiovisivi

“Build a common culture of encounter.” This is the challenge Pope Francis launched this morning from the international town of Loppiano (Florence, Italy) not only to the 7,000 people gathered in front of the Church of Maria Theotóko, but to the whole world. In referring to the “pressing and often dramatic needs that call out to us from everywhere and which cannot leave us indifferent” – the Holy Father underlined that the mere “encounter between people, cultures and peoples” no longer suffices. We need men and women who can “trace new paths to pursue together” to give rise to “a global civilisation of alliance.” Pope Francis arrived punctually at 10 a.m. in the Focolare town and was welcomed by Maria Voce, President of the Movement, Jesús Morán, Co-President and the bishop of Fiesole, Bishop Mario Meini. After a brief prayer in the church, he met the 850 inhabitants of Loppiano coming from 65 countries and other thousands from all of Italy, most of whom are members of the Focolare Movement. .
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Foto © D. Salmaso – CSC Audiovisivi

It is the first time a pontiff has ever visited this “tiny town” – which, as Maria Voce defined in her welcome speech – wants to be a “workshop of human coexistence, a piece of united world and testimonial of how society could be if based on the reciprocal love of the Gospel.” An open and straight-forward dialogue ensued, interrupted by some questions posed by a group of Loppiano citizens. The questions focused, from various perspectives, on the theme of the challenges of Christians in face of modernity. The Holy Father encouraged all not to “hide behind a quiet-life, respectability or even subtle hypocrisy, (…) but live as disciples, sincere and brave in charity and truth” and to face the hardships “with tenacity, serenity, positive energy… and also a pinch of humour.” And upon referring to the mission of an original project like Loppiano in the current social context, the Pope invited all to raise their gaze with him “to look with trustful fidelity and generous creativity to the future which has already begun today.” After imparting his blessing to all present, 37 Loppiano citizens of diverse origins, religions, age and walks of life greeted Pope Francis personally. In response to the Holy Father’s words, the Focolare Co-President, Jesús Morán gave him a symbolic gift: a “pact” signed by all the inhabitants, with the commitment to live in such a way as to make Loppiano become more and more, a place of brotherhood and reciprocity. When invited to sign the “Loppiano Pact” the Holy Father did so with joy, amid the applause of all present.

Photos on Flickr 10 maggio: Papa Francesco a Loppiano

Europe Day

Europe Day

8 May 2018 | Non categorizzato

Europe is celebrating peace and unity on the 9th of May. This date recalls the historical “Schuman Declaration” with which, on 9 May 1950, the French minister of foreign affairs at that time proposed the creation of a first economic group, finalised in the gradual construction of a federation of European States, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relationships. As a first step, Robert Schuman indicated the common management, for France and West Germany, of carbon and steel, but in the framework of an organisation to which other countries could have joined. Its thus set the grounds for a wider and more intensive integration, so much so that the Declaration is considered, symbolically, the birth date of the long process of peace and stability that gave rise to the European Union. This feast is the occasion to bring the institutions closer to the citizens and the peoples among themselves, heightening awareness of the values of peace, integration and solidarity should be placed at the base of human coexistence. “Together for Europe sees itself as an “artisan of fraternal relationships”, the kind of relationships that it tries to build each day with the people of Europe.” “Together for Europa”

The roads to a united world

The roads to a united world

4 May 2018 | Non categorizzato

The unity of the world. My dear young people, is our attention so distracted by the events we are immersed in day after day, that we do not see how our age is characterized by tension, by wars, by guerrilla warfare, even by the threat of nuclear destruction, by disunity of all kinds, by acts of terrorism, kidnappings, by all kinds of evil, all generated by the lack of love and mutual understanding among people? Do we not see that to speak of unity today is almost like speaking of a utopia? … But, thank God, these are not the only characteristics of our times. There is something more we have to consider. […] The world is undoubtedly moving towards unity. Unity is its destiny or, better still, it is God’s plan for the world. […] We will answer your questions not only with words but, after this Genfest, with life. We will walk with determination along the various roads that offer solutions to the divided world by uniting it. The various roads, to give a few examples, are the roads to unity among generations, among ethnic groups and nations, between east and west, between north and south; the road to unity among Christians of various denominations, among the faithful of different religions; the road to unity between rich and poor through a communion of goods; between nations at war in order to reach peace; the road to unity also between humankind and nature; the road to unity with those who are indifferent, with the lonely, with those who suffer in any way at all; the road to development, to progress; the road to unity among various spiritual movements, among lay associations; among persons of different ideologies and cultures and so on. As you can see, some of these are roads that young people have already taken because they feel naturally inclined to do so. They want to walk along these various ways, by first situating themselves squarely in the Way par excellence. […] the way that is Christ. He said of himself, “I am the Way”.[1] What must we do to be grafted onto this Way which will enable us to bear fruit as we go along the other ways? We must be Jesus, another Jesus. […] By living the word, all the Christian life sowed in us at baptism will fully blossom. Young people of all Churches and Christian communities will be able to join us in living this word. The word in many of its expressions (this has been our experience) is accepted also by young people of other religions and by those in good faith who consider themselves atheists. The word will shape all of you into one block, making you strong and unbreakable. […] If you are faithful, if you spread throughout the world as many other Jesus, so to say, then the program, “That all may be one”, will not be a dream; it will be a reality. And your contribution will bring us closer and closer to this reality. A springtime will blossom in the world. We will see miracles. Christ’s words will be fulfilled in you, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I do and greater works than these”.[2] Extracts from Chiara Lubich’s talk at the Genfest in Rome 30th March 1985 [1].          John 14:6. [2].          John 14:12.