16 Apr 2015 | Non categorizzato
Antonette, a young woman who volunteers for an NGO, in a village named Rosanda
More days of quarantine in Sierra Leone. From March 27-29 several regions of the capital Freetown and other points in the north of the country were once again isolated, following more registered cases of Ebola in previous days. Trained groups went house to house in the most at risk areas, educating and identifying the infected and possibly infected people.
“There was hope of arriving at zero cases by the end of February,” writes Father Carlo from Sierra Leone, “The schools were ready to open, but that was then postponed to the middle of April. So there is uncertainty, the people want to begin normal life, but the virus is still lurking.”
“At the beginning of the epidemic I was in Makeni for my studies,” says Antonette, a young woman who volunteers for an NGO. “The crisis appeared serious from the start, and that’s how I thought of returning to my home town where I would be safe from the virus. But then I decided to stay on as a volunteer helping the people who were infected. I was assigned to a village named Rosanda,” where there are 54 registered cases and 42 deceased. “It was sad during that first period. Around 15 people died every day. I had to inform the families and, even though I tried to put as much love into it as I could, it wasn’t an easy experience. Two children continued to ask me when their parents would return. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell them the truth. I tried my best to console them with my presence and some small gifts.” “Every day, for one month, I went all the way to that village,” Antonette continues, “learning to expand my heart to those who were in need, even if they were not members of my family or circle of friends. Now Rosanda has finished its 21 days of quarantine. There have been no new cases and I am thankful to God that I was able to be an instrument of His love which I received each day in the Eucharist, for all those people.
Like Antonette others have also given of themselves to fight this great cause of so much suffering and pain. Families have adopted children who were left orphaned, priests and religious held nothing back. Amongst these is Father Peter who worked in several villages. Thanks to his stormy intervention it was possible to block the contagion and reduce the number of victims.
His story is connected to Small Bumbuna, a village in the Diocese of Makeni, 200 miles from Kailahum where the epidemic began. “The illness spread like the fire in dry season, in Sierra Leone. With the first victims we thought of cholera, evil spirits or other superstitions. The response from the medical team was slow: it took weeks to confirm that we were dealing with Ebola. We would have wanted to visit the people from our parish in another village, but the fear was too strong. The district medical team was not able to monitor the situation and send supplies. It was difficult to access roads.” Faced with so many difficulties, Father Peter, followed by his parishioners, made: “a radical decision that brought us face to face with the Ebola,” he recounts. “We found the city deserted when we arrived. The village chief described the terrible situation. The loss of hope was clear on his face, along with impossibility of doing anything.” From there we stepped into non-stop action that involved the highest levels of authority. Father Peter was invited as “guide” to deal with the population, explaining how to stem the spreading and allow themselves to receive medical treatment. “I took on these risks,” Father Peter concluded, “because these people are my community. How could I desert them in such a moment of painful suffering? This question helped me to identify with them, to bring the problem before the authorities, and to offer myself as a guide. I learned that nothing is too small to be offered, nor too heavy to be taken up. Let us continue to pray that the epidemic may be totally eradicated and we can return to normal life.” In the course of two weeks, the danger came under control and people were able to return to their farming activities.
12 Apr 2015 | Non categorizzato
Patriarch Bartholomew
Within crisis situations – An answer to the political crisis going on in Congo appeared as the theme of two meetings held in that land. In Lubumbashi 370 people came forward, both Christian and Muslim. Young people from the Focolare presented an artistic rendition of Chiara’s love for the poor; her encounter with Igino Giordani; and her ‘dream’ for the unity of the human family. The Mass was animated by over fifty seminarians. Four hundred people attended the event in Goma, including a large group of politicians from the province of North-Kivu and representatives from civil society. Following the event, RTNC broadcasted the event in four local languages. Some events were held in a few of the world’s hotspots. In Nigeria, for example, there were several events: in Yola to where many refugees have fled. The bishop celebrated Mass for Chiara, praying for peace. In Abuja and Lagos young people held a two-day preperation event for other young people. In Onitsha there was a meeting with more than 300 adults, young people and children. In Jos, where it was not possible to hold a large gathering because of an explosion a few days earlier, the Focolare groups paid a visit to a Penal Institute for Minors. Peace was also the main topic at a day-long event organised in Bujumbura, Burundi, with over a thousand people. The programme included many testimonies that highlighted the possibility of living in harmony with others and building peace in places where that is not easily done. The Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye attended the morning portion of the programme. In Central America, politics is a hot topic. From Honduras they write: “tired of corrupt politics and bombarded by violent news that generates discouragement in the popultiaon, we organised this event in order to share what the charism of unity has to offer both in testimony and in thought.” In Salvador that awaits the Beatification of Oscar Romero, we asked how unity could be lived in the midst of violence. Amongst the testimonies was that of Francesco, who was assaulted by a pair of armed youngsters. He was able to dialogue with them and speak to them about God. The boys were completely blown away; putting down their weapons they walked away. In Pakistan, in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Dalwal, over a thousand people held four celebrations, with hopeful expectancy following the tragic events of March 15 in Yohannabad. In institutional fora – In Seoul numerous deputies and people working in public adminstration met at the Parliament to take stock of the journey begun ten years ago towards a politics of brotherhood. In Madrid it was the Seat of the European Parliament to host a seminar on “One world, many peoples embracing diversity;” whereas, in Strasbourg, France, Seats of European Institutes hosted three-day events on the theme of fraternity as a political category. In Rome, a meeting titled “Chiara Lubich: Unity and Politics” was held at the Hall of the Palace of Parliamentary Groups of the Chamber of Deputies. Several politicians gave presentations at the roundtable organised in Toronto, Canada, which focused on Chiara’s vision of politics. In Solingen, Germany, the central theme of the event was the culture of fraternity in three specific areas: refugees, peace, and dialogue with other cultures. Over a hudred people attended from various confessions, religions and nationalities. “The political thought and action of Chiara Lubich” was the main theme of another project that was dedicated to Chiara at an event dedicated to her: the conference of Curitiba, Brazil, where commemorative postal stamps was also printed in her honour. The Parliament of the Province of Córdoba, Argentina, remembered Chiara by approving the decree of posthumous recognition of her work. Other political events were held in Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden, USA, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, Tanzania, and Kenya. In other environments – Politics is not the only thing that was discussed on Chiara’s anniversary. Culture and the arts were at the centre of many quite original events. In Durban, South African Republic, the third edition of the “Chiara Lubich Memorial Lecture” was held with the participation of the niece of Mahatma Gandhi, Ela Gandhi. In Maracaibo, Venezuela, the Catholic University Cecilio Acosta (UNICA) held the Fourth Biannual Chiara Lubich Art Contest. It provided professional artists, art students and art lovers with the opportunity of displaying their work at the nations Republicj Square. In other countries March 14th events were opportunities to come together. One such event took place in Cuba at L’Avana with more than 200 people, and in Santiago de Cuba with 150 people. The local Focolare communities prepared the events and presented the Focolare Movement with their own testimonies and the impact of the spirituality of unity in many areas of their personal life and in society.In Cochabamba, Bolivia, there were 120 people. In Mexico City and in the territoryof Nezahualcoyotl Chiara was remembered during the Mariapolis. In Vietnam, both in Ho Chi Minh City to the south, and in the tiny village of Ngo Khe, Ha Noi in the north, people gathered around the altar to renew “before God and before Chiara, our commitment to be forever faithful to her legacy.” In Myanmar, at Yangon, where the majority of Focolare members never knew Chiara personally, they feel very drawn by her charism. Also in Thailand, both in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai, the Focolare Family gathered to celebrate. Six hundred people in the Slovack Republic, from Kosice and Bratislava. They write: “The testimonies from people of other Churches and from people with no religous reference, made us see how Chiara belongs to everyone. The Rector of the University of Trnava, Dr Peter Blaho, who in 2003 had conferred upon Chiara the honorary doctorate in Theology, shared his memory of meeting her. In Fontem, Cameroon, 500 people from all the surrounding villages joined with Fontem to remember “Mafua Ndem,” Chiara Lubich. The theme was “The impact of the ideal of Unity in areas of social life.” The young people from the college presented their experiences with the “cube of peace:” “From when we introduced the cube in our classes, theft and truancy have decreased; academic performance has improved, each student cares for the other student’s property; there’s more tolerance and we forgive one another more easily; and the sharing has grown amongst students. . .” Moments of prayer – Many civil and religious leaders attended Euchariastic celebrations that were held around the world. From the many interventions of Bishops and Cardinals at these celebrations, we present that of Cardinal Angelo Scola from Milan, Italy, who said among other things: “Our task today is to grasp with renewed awareness the dream that had animated the life and thought of Chiara, creating environments of brotherhood everywhere, wherever we find ourselves, and giving priority to the needs of the neighbour that is beside us, as well as the one that is far and living in lands where there is violence and war. This is how we want to become authentic witnesses of the charism that God gave to Chiara, being at the service of the Church and of humanity.”
6 Apr 2015 | Non categorizzato
Like the Prodigal Son
“Our eldest 17 year-old son didn’t come back home one night. What were we to think? He had never caused us worry before. All we could do was pray. The next morning, through the parents of two of his friends, we found out that the three of them had gone to Florence. Somebody wanted to call the police, another insisted he would have nothing more to do with his son. My wife and I, instead, tried to remain calm; we had put everything in God’s hands. Every so often, we would receive some news of them.
While it was a big suffering, we felt very united as a family. There was one thing we all agreed on: we would have welcomed him back with joy, just like in the parable of the prodigal son, without laying on the guilt for his childish behaviour. A week later, the three of them came back home. Our son, having felt our love, was truly sorry for what he had done and assured us he would never do anything like that again. When he found out that his mates had been treated somewhat differently, he was all the more grateful for having a family where everyone tries to live the Gospel.” F.A. – Rome
A Shared Suffering
“The father and sister of my daughter’s friend died in an accident. I had lost my father in similar circumstances. Even though I only knew her mother by sight, when I heard what had happened, I felt compelled to visit her. But I didn’t want it to be just a simple visit. Knowing that she was in financial difficulties, I took her various food items and I tried to console her. I visited her quite often. I even gave her some money I had set aside for us. As time went by, she felt much stronger, more reassured and grateful for the friendship which had blossomed among us, thanks to the suffering that we shared.” B.G. – Bolivia
The beanie
“It was winter time and my friends and I were playing in the school yard. It was very cold. At one stage, a little girl started crying. Her woollen hat didn’t quite cover her ears and they were so cold they hurt her. I wanted to love Jesus in her so I gave her my own beanie which kept her warm.” J. – Belgium
Morning tea
“I was having a snack in the playground. I saw a friend of mine pull another girl’s hair. I left my snack on the wall and I went up to her to say not to do that because Jesus said that we had to love all the time. But then, since both of them started crying, I went to get my snack and I shared it with both of them. It’s true that I was quite hungry, but I was happy because I was able to love.” Valentina – Italia.
Source: “The Daily Gospel” April 2015, Città Nuova publishing house
4 Apr 2015 | Non categorizzato
“I wish that we could all have Easter eyes
Capable of looking
into death, until we see life
into the hurts, until we see forgiveness,
into separation, until we see unity,
into the wounds, until we see glory,
into the human person, until we see God,
into God, until we see the human person,
into Myself until I see You.
And in addition to this, to see the power of Easter!”
(Easter 1993)
Klaus Hemmerle, “La luce dentro le cose”, Città Nuova, Rome 1998, p. 110.
2 Apr 2015 | Non categorizzato
1 Apr 2015 | Non categorizzato
“In the Easter Liturgy we thank God for having made Christ shine in all His splendour after He saved humankind through the Paschal Mystery. He fills the Church with the Holy Spirit and admirably enriches it with heavenly gifts. Among these is the royal priesthood, which is conferred on the faithful in baptism. Hence, the Church is holy, filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the Body of Christ who is total holiness. Christ instituted the Church to continue the Redemption with her. He made her the means of liberation from evil and of the attraction to what is good. She is the Gospel fulfilled, humankind recuperated, life with God in perennial unity, uninterrupted sharing of grace: this is the Church.
And we are the Church, joined together by the Sacraments and the Doctrine with the pope and bishops. We form a social body whose arteries carry the Blood of Christ whose soul is the Holy Spirit, the Source of holiness. So the Church is the worthy dwelling of the Divine Trinity on earth. Manzoni calls her: ‘Mother of the saints, an image of the Eternal City’. Our sanctification is her task. The Paschal Mystery summarises the reason for our existence on this planet and the reason for which the very Son of God came down to earth and was crucified.”
Giordani goes on to underscore humankind’s longing for holiness and truth, which rejects a dull existence without warmth, but desires to thrive. This is why we go wrong when we offer a languid, uncertain Christianity, deceiving ourselves into thinking that this is how we will draw people in.
“This ‘saying without saying’ generates a desert region, a no man’s land. It is of no service to the Lord whose word was always quite explicit. It doesn’t serve God and provokes the disgust of the very ones who think they are rendering the idea of religion more appetising.
Those who have attenuated the truth, who have camouflaged the Cross and used it as a wall decoration have extracted from the people the beauty, truth and power of the Divine command that invites us to give body, soul and all that we are to God. We are meant to stand on the side of Christ to the point of becoming Him. The Gospel teaches us to say yes when we mean yes, and no when we mean no. This ‘neither this nor that’ approach defaces the truth and nullifies the Church. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth! This is what Jesus asked of the Father as he was about to consummate his supreme sacrifice of love. Sanctify them in the truth, not in neutrality, mediocrity, or banality.
If you totally embrace Christ, then anything you do during the day professes the faith. Then life becomes a marvellous undertaking, an uninterrupted liturgy where, rich or poor, ailing or sound, man or woman, young or old – everyone has something to do for the edification of all, edifying an eternal destiny with the material elements of a temporal existence. This is sanctification. It is by no means a desertion from life. It is living life, completely – a healthy life.
Christ asks everyone – even you and me – to follow Him by breaking with the past, with everything that is dead, and to rediscover the joy of our youth. This is freedom.
Then, the Church, through which the Saviour continues to bestow health, appears as a Divine minister of health: a sacrament that alleviates death with resurrection.”
Igino Giordani, Il mistero pasquale, (Rome; Città Nuova, March 25, 1977), pp.24-25.
