Dec 20, 2016 | Non categorizzato
«We visited the families with the Word of Life leaflet and while talking about one thing and the other, a meeting ensued.» These were the words of Carmen, who with her husband, Mynor and their nearest of kin, initiated the holding of the Mariapolis close to their city, Chimaltenango, 54 km from Guatemala City. Based on commerce and agriculture, the city’s economy is integrated with the modern rhythms of production and consumption, but still jealously guards their ancient culture and traditions. Carmen and Mynor are the heart of the Focolare community and their big house is the local base of the Movement. With a twinge of pride they told us about the meetings they hold there. Information about the Movement was barely disseminated, so the first thing they did was to inform the parish priest, who Mynor, Carmen, and her sister, Marta went to visit. But priests in these areas are very busy, and since Mynor could not wait for long, he went to his work in Court. «The priest could not understand what novelties the Movement could bring – Carmen continued – until my sister Marta told him about the experiences of her children who are gen3». The first had allocated the money she received on her 15th birthday to the poor children of an isolated village; the other had forgiven a school mate who had tripped him and caused him to consequently break an arm. At that point the parish priest understood the effects of living the Focolare spirituality. Once they received the support of the local church, they had to cover the expenses. «When people are invited to a retreat – Mynor said – they know they will be hosted as guests». Because of this the preparation for the Mariapolis also consisted in fundraising activities, one of which was holding Bingo sessions in the parish hall, and gathering gifts for the occasion. 
Kelly, the second of Carmen and Mynor’s four children, is studying law to follow in her father’s footsteps. «There are only a few of us in the faculty – she affirmed – but we help each other. Only two of us are gen but we always try to have Jesus in our midst and with everyone». Kelly admires the coherent life of her parents: «When they invited people to the Mariapolis, they spoke about experiences I know, and which were all true. In our home, the Word of Life is the reference for every situation. And so, when there is a problem we read it in order to put it into practice.» Respect for the elderly is one of the riches of the Kaqchikel. In their presence, a gesture of reverence is shown before speaking. Motherhood and the gift of children are considered a benediction of God and are foremost in value compared to all considerations. «For me, the Movement – again Carmen says – is a grace of God that welcomes us, adults and children, and likewise the various cultures and languages. Here, they appreciate us, with our traditions and mentality.» In the culture of the Maya there is a strong bond with nature. «We invoke it, giving thanks to the heart of the heavens and the heart of the earth, and like St. Francis, we say: all are my brothers. Also Chiara Lubich had this vision. The Holy Spirit inspired her in this sense, which is why the Focolare Movement welcomes us as we are.» Mynor concludes: «The Maya philosophy stresses harmony, balance of the material and spiritual aspects, and solidarity which is equal to fraternity, to nurture conditions of cooperation.» Beyond all the contradictions that reign in every culture, the Kaqchikel conserve many human values which, enlightened and purified by the Gospel, enrich all those who receive it. Filippo Casabianca, Guatemala City
Dec 17, 2016 | Non categorizzato
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Dec 15, 2016 | Non categorizzato
The objective of the convention was to «Review the various professions involved in the sector of justice – magistrates, lawyers, chancellors, university professors, prison staff, law enforcers – and discover the path to be pursued together, with the active participation of all the “actors” of the multifaceted relationships involved». The international congress promoted by Communion and Law (CeD) and New Humanity, was held last 26 and 27 November in Castel Gandolfo (Rome). The presence of a film director in a meeting on justice may have seemed to be quite unusual, but in his moving testimonial, Fernando Muraca succeeded in describing the experience of a prison staff in the Penal Institute for Minors of Catanzaro (Southern Italy). This was a documentary filmed entirely by the youths of the Institute, and the fruit of a commitment translated into a “cinema project” that transformed the young inmates not only into actors, but into people who have given a new meaning to their existence. Muraca is also the author and director of the film The land of Saints in which he faces the reality of the mafia’s organized crime. During the two days of intense dialogue among the various operators working in the field of justice, the discourse oftentimes stressed the concept of human dignity, and the intrinsic and inestimable value of every human being, in the conviction that also legal relationships can be lived in the spirit of fraternity and the quest for true justice. The rich and varied programme also deepened particularly current themes such as the protection of unaccompanied minors and political asylum applicants, relationship with jailees and protection of the victims. Dr. David Shaeed (magistrate in Indianapolis), Atty. Alba Doto (Boston), Atty. Endy Moraes (Fordham University, New York), and Dr. Luciane Barzotto Cardoso (magistrate of the Federal Court of Porto Alegre, Brazil), reviewed the current laws in various parts of the world, and elaborated the methods of pursuing the research and study paths initiated for some years now, also enriched by concrete implementations. Among the speeches was the video presentation of Maria Voce, Focolare President, the first woman lawyer of the Court of Cosenza (Italy), entitled Justice and the common good in the perspective of universal brotherhood. In a passage of her speech, Maria Voce explained: «Today, in the light of this “piecemeal World War III,” the tragic destructions, wiping out of every right and respect for peoples living in war territories, and closure of the borders to migrants, fraternity is the only answer, and the commitment we are called to give is to build it even with small actions, infinitesimal drops that may, however, enlighten the night.». The working sessions according to professional sectors evidenced the need to facilitate a confrontation within the various professions without losing sight of the entirety, to develop a dialogue among the operators and share know-how and experiences of the various activities developed in the field of Law. A significant note was the presence of the youth and the deep involvement of students. One of the most heartfelt testimonies was that of Roberto (former convict), and Alfonso, who has been working for some years in the Rebibbia Jail (Rome) to give a concrete hand to the families of the prisoners. Roberto did not hide his emotions in presenting his experience before such a qualified public, and ended by requesting the civil community to facilitate and promote the difficult employment and social reinsertion of ex-convicts. The next event will be for the youth in the Summer School 2017. Patrizia Mazzola
Dec 13, 2016 | Non categorizzato
Upon receiving the news of the death of Bishop Javier Echevarría, prelate of the Opus Dei, yesterday 12 December, the Focolare Movement conveys its heartfelt condolences. Most grateful for his life spent at the service of the Church, Bishop Echevarría, the second successor of St. Josemaría Escribá de Balaguer, founder of the Opus Dei, the Focolare Movement is particularly united in prayer and friendship with the Opus Dei family worldwide.
Dec 13, 2016 | Non categorizzato
“Your Holiness, the Focolare community of Bari salutes you with great affection! We are so gladdened by your visit to our city, which is a bridge between East and West and has a special ecumenical calling. Your presence encourages us to work even more at the service of the full and visible unity among Christians, and for the protection of Creation. The charism of unity that you love so much, spurs us on to work in our own environments as apostles of dialogue who are aware that only unity, love and brotherhood will be able to respond to the challenges of today’s world.” This was the welcoming message from the local Focolare community in Bari as it welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on his December 5-6 visit to their city for the feast day of St. Nicholas. It is a “highly significant ecumenical event,” said representatives of the diocese, “that puts the Church of Bari-Bitonto on the map and contributes to dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.” On December 5th, at the Basilica of St Nicholas the Patriarch gave the opening address for the beginning of the 2016-2017 academic school year of the Pugliese School of Theology, and received the Saint Nicholas Prize from the Ecumenical Institute. He had been awarded the Prize in recognition of his 25 years of ecumenical efforts as a “patient and courageous artisan of the culture of communion.” Pope Francis sent a congratulatory message that was read during the award ceremony in which he praised the efforts of the Patriarch for “the promotion of ever greater communion among those who believe in Christ.” In his keynote address entitled, Adriatic and Ionian Seas of Communion, Bartholomew reflected on the idea of communion, beginning from its theological significance as koinonia, as a “common participation of grace, love and communion in the life of God, that becomes experience itself of ‘being in relationship’.” He also remembered the Great Council of Crete held in June 2016 when “Our Holy Orthodox Church manifested its “communion” [emphasising the word] by unanimous decision of all the Patriarchs of the auto-cephalous Orthodox Churches.” He also underscored the need for an economy of solidarity, saying that “there needs to be an economy of communion which is all embracing and which does not create social discontent in the host country.” On December 6th, at the conclusion of the solemn Eucharistic celebration, presided by Archbishop Franco Cacucci in the same Basilica, Patriarch Bartholomew gave a second talk: “We have also come as pilgrims to the tomb of this great saint,” he said, “to invoke his intercession, his prayer and his support in our Patriarchal service, to thank God with him, for our 25 years of service to the unity of the Church, on St Andrew’s Throne; but also to be strong witnesses to the need of encounter among the disciples of Christ so that the world may believe, and we may one day not so far away, break the Bread of Life together and drink from the same Chalice of Salvation.” Fausta Giardina and Roberto Lago, from the Focolare in Puglia, write: “We’re breathing in a beautiful ecumenical atmosphere in our city during these days. The Patriarch’s visit and the special celebrations have been heartfelt by everyone.” The Focolare’s friendship with the Patriarch is longstanding. On October 26, 2016, Sophia University Institute, Loppiano, conferred its first Honorary Doctorate in the Culture of Unity to Patriarch Bartholomew. On that occasion he said: “One of the ideals of the Focolare Movement is the unity of the Church. Chiara Lubich and her collaborators did much work. She made 23 visits to [Patriarch] Athenagoras in Constantinople. Then she began to visit Dimitrios and then me. In 2008, I visited Chiara at the Gimelli Hospital a few days before her death. I’m sure that she’s with us this evening, with her spiritual presence and with her prayer. She rejoices with us and prays for the unity between our Churches.”
Gustavo Clariá
Dec 11, 2016 | Non categorizzato
For the ancients Christ was a king. But the real Christ was outside normal schemes. He was born in a stable among shephereds and beasts, and his mother was the daughter of peasants. Whereas other sovereigns loomed from above, stepping down from carriages and thrones to rule, he came from below, from the lowest class, to serve. He was under everyone so that he could be the universal servant: His kingliness consisted of service. Everything is simple and enchanting as a fairy tale in this birth of a boy child in the middle of a windy night, in the middle of the nights of time. And everything is tragic and revolutionary, because this birth foreshadows a scaffold. This son of the king, son of God, comes forth from humble beings in a makeshift shelter, like some refugee pushed away by farthing folk and unnoticed by the wretched: this is by no means a new revolution. When the Saviour appeared, a great light lit up the night.The night remains, but so does the light. It’s always Christmas in the Christian world, and Christmas brings joy amidst tears still today. When God descends among us, we re-ascend to God; He humanizes and we are divinized. The meeting point is His heart. Jesus was born in a stall to demonstrate that he could also be born in our heart that is sometimes a rather squallid place. And whenever he’s born in our heart the angels rise to sing as they did over the stable that night while the moon shone in the night and peace rained down on the earth. In a similar way, the Word – Reason – incarnates among us today and can transform a stall into a Heavenly anti-chamber. Igino Giordani Le Feste S.E.I. (1954) p. 36.
