Focolare Movement
Prevention of Abuse
Media Area
Contacts
Here is the hand of God

Here is the hand of God

10 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

Chiara-Lubich-Carlo-de-Ferrari-02The then Archbishop of Trento, Msgr. Carlo de Ferrari, had the task of first assessing and approving the Focolare Movement at the diocesan level. The title of the recent book published by Città Nuova Publishing House “Qui c’è il dito di Dio” (Here Is the Hand of God), recalls the expression he used in reference to the evangelical experience that Chiara Lubich and her first companions were living. The context is 1951, a period when not everyone in the Church thought the same as the archbishop of Trent. Indeed, there were many ecclesiastical perplexities and suspicions, in pre-Vatican Council times, with regards to this young lay woman, who had as her followers priests, men and women religious, lay men and women, young people and not so young. Prudence suggested distancing her and perhaps replacing her with a priest. It was through these circumstances that Chiara’s decisive relationship with her bishop began. The book opens with a letter from Chiara Lubich, written from Rome, to Archbishop Carlo de Ferrari. The letter is dated January 5, 1951 and the period of trial that the nascent Movement and Chiara herself were experiencing shines through every line of the text. Chiara-Lubich-Carlo-de-Ferrari-01Most Reverend Highness, [1] It’s so true. The cross was heavy and still is, and in these days I understood why Jesus “fell” under the weight of the cross. But, Your Highness, I’m happy, truly happy. I’ve obtained the grace from Jesus to be ready for every decision made by the Church. Not only that, but to leave “my own” (I can still call them that for a while longer), fifty men and women focolarini in such perfect unity that they will be able to pursue their path without anyone even noticing that anything has changed. I’m happy, Highness, to be able to give God all that He has done through me in the supernatural field. I assure You that no matter what happens You can always be assured of my faithfulness to my Jesus forsaken and obedience to the Church. I’ve come this far precisely because I’ve never wanted, on my part, to break unity with the Church, or better, with whoever represented it. If I hadn’t done as I did, perhaps the Movement wouldn’t exist. But the Lord God gave me resistance even against the unimaginable. Now the Movement exists and it will never die. That it is the work of God will be shown perhaps by the fact that I will have to distance myself from it. If I must testify to Him by becoming nothing, after having borne witness to Him through Unity, I’m happy. The culmination of of the life of Jesus was spent in loving was death: and no one has greater love than to give their life for their friends. You, Father, were truly a Father to me, and you showed me (what I believed only through faith) that the Church is a Mother. I will always keep You as Father whatever the Will of God will be for me. No one can forbid me from obeying You, which means obeying the Church. What matters in becoming holy is to obey: to be one. Little does it matter whether they command us to act or not act in one way or another. Isn’t that true, Father? Father Tomasi is a holy man. He’s suffering very much at the moment and is not eating. He is suffering for me… I would never have thought that he could have such feelings.But don’t worry, Your Highness, because we are supporting him and in his presence I also feel lighthearted. In conclusion, I can only tell you one thing: I’m very happy, immensely happy. And I can assure You that Jesus Forsaken will carry me through. Besides: ‘Blessed are you when they separate you and ‘lying, say all manner of evil against you. Rejoice and be glad because your reward in Heaven is great.’ Bless me now and forever, your daughter, Chiara.” Da “Qui c’è il dito di Dio”, (Rome: Ed. Città Nuova, 2017)   [1] In those years, the archbishop of Trent was addressed as “Your Highness”.

“Youth for a United World” launch new website

“Youth for a United World” launch new website

9 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

website Y4UW Youth for a United World is an international movement which gathers young people of different races, cultures, religions from 180 countries and across 5 continents. They strive to live for a more united world by putting into practice the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you want them to do unto you; don’t do unto others what you don’t want them to do unto you”. In order to be better connected with young people throughout the world, Youth for a United World have created new communication channels, one of which is the newly launched website yfuw.org which includes content about the movement’s history, news items as well as past and forthcoming events. Genfest 2018: the worldwide event which will take place next year (6-7 July) in Manila, Philippines. More interaction: y4uw.org  gives the possible to connect up with young people around the globe.It’s possible to post comments, suggestions, feedback regarding website content but also to convey news about local youth activities. New design: the revamped website makes it easier to view current projects and to contact the protagonists. It’s possible to contact Youth for a United World through the social media: Instagram & Twitter: Y4UW.official Facebook: Y4UW.international

An “Intrinsically Feminine” Theology

An “Intrinsically Feminine” Theology

8 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

Anne-MariePellettier

Anne-Marie Pelletier

Thirteen theologians from nine countries, including Brazil, Canada, Philippines, France, Germany, Italy Kenya, Syria and USA, have held the second international seminar to elaborate an “intrinsically feminine theology”. It was held at the Urbaniana University in response to repeated invitation by Pope Francis who on several times underscored the need for a “profound theology of the woman” so that this field would not be deprived of the female prospective. Last year’s theme was Heart and this year’s, Tears. Are heart and tears purely feminine qualities? Tears are a gift given to everyone, women and men alike. Jesus himself wept over the death of his dear friend Lazarus. The presentations brought out the feminine manner – “far from stereotyped suffering” – of facing up to “unhappiness and desperation and of introducing into hell the balm of compassion or, better, consolation,” stated Anne-Marie Pelletier. Her words silhouetted the figure of Zabel Essayan, the Armenian woman from the late 1800s, graduate of Sorbonne University and well known in literary circles of the Turkish capital at the beginning of the 1900s. She went to Cilicia as a member of the Red Cross, tasked by the Armenian Patriarchate to investigate the atrocities that were perpetrated, as well as to organize assistance for the countless orphans who were wondering with a few elderly survivors among the ruins of Adana.   With her eyes washed in tears, she was able to “see” clearly the abysmal sorrow and unhappiness and, through the eyes of the survivors who had gone mad from the horror, she managed to restore the story of the dead, which the assassins had meant to obliterate. “What could we give in front of that misery as vast as the ocean?, asks Zabel. There is no room for consolation in Adana, but only for compassion. In history, in the life of the world, there are also places that are inconsolable.” But another figure closer to us in time also stood out in the French theologian’s presentation: Etty Hillesum. She also wished to accompany the tragic journey of her own people, not out of some desire for sacrifice or altruism, but because of the awareness of the history into which she was inserted and from which she had to accept the challenges. Etty feels powerless, but continues to believe that life, in spite of it all, is good, beautiful and should be listened to without ever letting oneself  be overcome by the evidence of evil. In her looms the concern for others, an altruism accompanied by gestures of compassion and solidarity. Even when the other is God: “If God ceases to help me, it will be up to me to help God. He himself demands to be consoled.” A great personality from the Brazilian culture, Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer, emerged from the extraordinary beauty of the Atacama Desert in Chile where archeologists and astronomers explore the mysteries of nature and the traces of history. But it is also where the Mujeres de Calama, women have searched for the remains of their loved ones that were tortured and killed during the military dictatorship that governed the country from 1973 for 16 long years. The desert – unique in the world  for its climactic conditions – conserved those bodies and, thanks to these unrelenting women, is restoring them to our feelings and to history. Also Argentina, with its thirty six million missing persons, sees women as protagonists. They are the ones that played a fundamental role in destabalizing the pitiless military dictatorship. They were called Las locas, the crazy women when, in 1977, they began to walk in circles in front of the Casa Rosada capital building, to weep over their dead children. Over time they came to be known as the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, the mothers of May Plaza. They have come up with powerful symbols, such as the white kerchief they wear on their heads, as well as a “pacifist” but unending battle. Other women have joined them, spiritual mothers, nuns, several of whom paid with their own lives in the struggle against the dictatorship. “What is the secret to the extraordinary fruitfulness of Chiara Lubich, who gave birth to a work so vast and universal, in just a few short years? How was she able to make any inroads inside a pre-Vatican and Italian Church, and resist with a model of the Christian life that provoked suspicion in many because of the way it engaged people from all states of life, lay people and Religious, men and women? The secret lies in what Chiara Lubich referred to as Jesus crucified and forsaken.” This is how Florence Gillet begins her presentation on Jesus Forsaken in the Thought and Experience of Chiara Lubich.” Gillet was followed by a touching experience by Syrian, Mirvet Kelli. In her union with Jesus Forsaken, she was able to find the strength to stand by the Iraqi people during the years of the war. The absolute novelty and powerful impact of this basic point of the spirituality of unity really emerged in the small-group meetings.

Maria Rita Cerimele

Source: Città Nuova

Women and universal brotherhood

7 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

“The role of women in the education towards universal brotherhood,” is the theme of the plenary session of the Pontifical Council for interreligious Dialogue, programmed for 7-9 June, in Rome. The event will highlight four Conferences: Sr. Nuria Calduch-Benages, Spanish biblist will speak about “Women educators in universal brotherhood,”  Sr. Raffaella Petrini, professor in the Social Doctrine of the Church, will focus on “Women’s qualities against the technocratic paradigm: a Catholic and social perspective on the contribution of women to fraternity;” Marie Derain, French lawyer and infancy civil defence attorney will discuss the theme “Building peace: the role of women ;” and then Clare Amos, of the Ecumenical Council of Churches will expound on “the role of women in education in universal brotherhood.” The participants will be received by the Pope.  

World Environment Day

5 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

June 5: World Environment Day is celebrated (W.E.D., World Environment Day). The date was chosen by the United Nations to remind the Stockholm Conference on the Environment in 1972, where the United Nations Environment Program was drafted. The Day has become an occasion to stimulate global attention and knowledge of environmental issues. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the health of the Earth, our common home, but also to actively promote a healthy co-existence among all its inhabitants.