On the early morning of March 16, 2017, the earthly journey of Gianni Caso came to an end. He was a focolarino, jurist and magistrate, columnist for Città Nuova magazine and, for many years, responsible for Communion and Law. A short biography will be published soon.
“Married life is like a boat,” said a family from Peru, “If you’re paddling by yourself, it’s tiring and you don’t get anywhere. Together you need to learn the art of reciprocity.” “We came because we feel the need to grow our family life and help others,” added a couple from Cameroon as they arrived at the FamilyHighlights meeting, which was held March 10-12 in Loppiano, Italy. The event, which marked the 50th anniversary of New Families, welcomed close to 1,000 families of different cultures and religions from 50 countries. It was connected to other gatherings worldwide held in memory of the ninth anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s passing. “Loving others as yourself, loving everyone, being the first to love, becoming one with others” –simple rules that the families of the international Loreto School emphasized as they welcomed everyone. This “art of loving” gives families the strength to renew themselves through trust, forgiveness, accountability, creativity, hospitality. These are seeds of communion that can even shed light on painful, challenging and traumatic situations. They show that “anger and distress do not have the last word,” said Gianni, who coordinates a group of 50 people who are separated. People’s stories and activities surfaced during the lively exchanges during the six workshops. One was for 150 children; other workshops were dedicated to couple dynamics in the various stages of life, educating children, and hospitality and solidarity with the disadvantaged in difficult situations. There were a few families from Syria, who found positive energy to face the fear and many difficulties caused by war. “That flower, which we attached at the end of the event, we’re also bringing it symbolically to other families and to everyone around us as a sign of fraternity and hope,” they said. In her address, Focolare President Maria Voce invited those present to be mothers and fathers of humanity, personally contributing to “sustain and encourage universal fraternity.” Families, despite the imperfections and fragility that they share with the human condition, can offer the world a light and love that heals when they themselves have been renewed. Sharing from a number of groups, as well as the activities for couples, whether they were young, in crisis, separated and remarried, or widowed gave witness to the 50-year efforts of New Families on five continents. There were also projects and activities to support children and meet the needs of the most vulnerable. “Continue everything you are doing, and don’t get discouraged when it’s difficult or it seems like you’re all alone,” urged Voce. Families are called to respond to social issues, even by simply looking at the world through the eyes of a child, Dr. Vinu Aram explained. She is director at Shanti Ashram, with which the Focolare has had a close friendship and collaboration that has benefited many children and families in India through AFNonlus. “The effort that you are making here,” comments Fr. Paolo Gentili, who directs the Italian church’s family pastoral office, Ufficio Nazionale per la Pastorale della Famiglia, “contributes to build a church that is attentive to the good that the Spirit sows in the midst of weakness.” To do this is to “write Amoris Laetitia on the living pages of history.” After these many years, the need emerged to establish an advanced study center that is both international and interdisciplinary, a marriage of life and thought. This has begun as part of the Sophia University Institute, with the aim of deepening the understanding of family in the light of Chiara Lubich’s charism. “We need to move from the question, ‘Does someone love me?’ – our primal need for love –to ‘Am I loving someone?’ – which is the will to love,” said Professor Michele De Beni to a group of academics from various fields during FamilyHighlights. He is one of the coordinators of the study, “The pact of reciprocity in family life.” “The challenge of reciprocity,” he concluded, “is the founding premise of the group that, before it starts any research, it identifies with.” Giovanna Pieroni
Lake Taal offers an incredibly beautiful panorama, and this year it seemed more so than usual. The temperature at the beginning of March was still perfect, and in the evenings a fresh breeze continued through the night until the mist rolled in around the time the sun rose. Every two years in this part of the Philippines (Tagaytay is a bit more than 40 km from Manila), there has been a course on interfaith dialogue, and this year the chosen title was “Harmony between peoples and religions today.” The School for Oriental Religions (SOR) was founded in 1982 by Chiara Lubich during her trip to Asia. Today the Mariapolis Pace in Tagaytay hosts a training center and various courses for young people, families, priests and seminarians. In addition to SOR, there are two social aid centers. Two hundred participants gathered at Tagaytay from March 2–5, from Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan and of course the Philippines. There were also some Europeans and South Americans. All saw the need for training in order to face the universal challenges that diversity brings. The course is planned to be repeated in participants’ respective countries. Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila and president of Caritas International, addressed the group. The Filipino cardinal opened the school by proposing the theme of harmony. Harmony: a typical Asian value. In order to achieve it, one needs to keep in mind that everything changes, and that as one moves forward, the more this change comes rapidly. “The only thing that doesn’t change is change itself,” Tagle affirmed. What is required, therefore, is to stay open and not have any fear of the unknown. In addition, one needs to know how to mediate the differences, accept opposing positions and the possibility of conflict, and to come through it greatly enriched by the differences. Tagle appealed to Catholics to play a lead role with active nonviolence. This is not about being weak, rather demonstrating that working for harmony requires people who have a prepared mind and heart for dialogue and diversity. The four days saw presentations of the successful dialogue between Christianity and the great Eastern religions in India, Thailand, Korea and Japan. Hindu-Christian dialogue was presented through life experiences, social collaboration, and shared projects between the Focolare and Gandhian movements in the south of India, including philosophical and theological reflections. Classic Hindu song was demonstrated and explained. All this occurred in an atmosphere of vital, spiritual clarity. Commonalities have surfaced after many years of dialogue, as well as differences, but these have not lessened the drive to take on dialogue’s challenges. This experience contributed to fulfilling the message of the Second Vatican Council: to build deep relationships with those of other faiths. A new way has begun that can contribute to social, political and global harmony. It is not an end in itself, but a step toward true fraternity.
Copyright CSC Audiovisivi – Caris Mendes
Photo: SIF – Loppiano
Photo credit © Caris Mendes – Archivio CSC Audiovisivi
Photo credit © Caris Mendes – Archivio CSC Audiovisivi
