30 Jan 2015 | Non categorizzato, Word of
The apostle Paul wanted to go to Rome on his way to Spain, and he sent a letter to the Romans before he arrived. Through their countless martyrs they were about to give witness to the sincerity and depth of their devotion to the Gospel, but among them, just as elsewhere, there was no lack of tensions, misunderstandings and even rivalries. In fact, the Christians in Rome came from a variety of social, cultural and religious backgrounds. There were some who came from Judaism and others from the Hellenic world and the ancient religion of Rome, perhaps from Stoicism or from other philosophies. They brought with them their traditions of thought and ethical convictions. Some were called ‘weak’, because they followed particular rules about eating, being, for instance, vegetarians or complying with calendars that indicated special days of fasting. Others were called ‘strong’ because, free from these kinds of conditioning, they were not bound by food taboos or specific rituals. To all of them Paul made the urgent invitation:
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Before this point in his letter he had already spoken about the issue, addressing first of all the ‘strong’ and inviting them to ‘welcome’ the ‘weak’, ‘without quarrelling over opinions’. Then he says that the ‘weak’ in turn should welcome the ‘strong’ without judging them, since they are ‘acceptable to God’.
Paul, indeed, is convinced that each one, even amid the diversity of opinions and ways of behaving, acts for the love of the Lord. There is no reason therefore to judge those who think differently, and even less to scandalize them by behaving arrogantly and with a sense of superiority. Instead, what is necessary is to aim at the good of all, at ‘mutual edification’, that is, the building up of the community, its unity (see Rom 14:1-23).
It is a matter of applying, in this case too, the great standard of Christian life that Paul had recalled shortly before in his letter: ‘love is the fulfilling of the law’ (Rom 13:10). No longer ‘walking in love’ (Rom 14:15), the Christians in Rome were lacking in the spirit of fraternity that ought to animate the members of every community.
As a model of mutual welcome, the apostle proposes Jesus dying on the cross when, instead of pleasing himself, he took upon himself our failings (see Rom 15:1-3). From the height of the cross he drew all to himself, and he welcomed the Jewish John together with the Roman centurion, Mary Magdalene together with the criminal crucified by his side.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
In our Christian communities too, even though we are all ‘God’s beloved’ and ‘called to be saints’ (Rom 1:7), there is no lack, just as in Rome, of disagreement and contrast between different cultures and ways of seeing things that are often poles apart. Often the clash is between traditionalists and innovators (to use language that is slightly simplistic but readily understandable), persons who are more open and others more closed, interested in a more social or a more spiritual form of Christianity. The divergences are fed by political conviction and by differences in social background. The current fact of immigration is present in our gatherings for worship and further in our various church groups, bringing diversity of culture and geographical origin.
The same dynamic can be seen in effect in the relations among Christians of different Churches, but also in families, in the workplace or in the political arena.
With it creeps in the temptation to judge those who don’t think like us and to feel ourselves superior, in a sterile conflict and mutual exclusion.
Paul’s model is not uniformity that flattens everything out, but a communion among contrasts that enriches. It is not by chance that two chapters earlier in this very letter he speaks of the unity of the body and diversity of its members, and of the variety of gifts that enrich and give life to the community (see Rom 12:3-13). His model is not, to use an image taken from Pope Francis, a sphere where every point is the same distance from the centre and where there are no differences between one point and another. The model is of something many-facetted with surfaces that are different from one another and not symmetrical, with particular characteristics that maintain their originality. ‘Even people who can be considered dubious on account of their errors have something to offer which must not be overlooked. It is the convergence of peoples who, within the universal order, maintain their own individuality; it is the sum total of persons within a society which pursues the common good, which truly has a place for everyone.’
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
This Word of Life is a pressing invitation to recognize the positive that exists in the other, at the very least because Christ gave his life also for that person you feel inclined to judge. It is an invitation to listen, letting go of your defence mechanisms, to stay open to change, to welcome diversity with respect and love, to manage to form a community that is both plural and united.
This word has been chosen by the Evangelical Church in Germany to be lived by its members and to be light for them throughout 2015. If, at least in this month, the members of various Churches were to share it, this would already be a sign of mutual welcome.
Like this we could give glory to God together with one voice (Rom 15:6), because as Chiara Lubich said in the Reformed cathedral of St Pierre in Geneva: ‘Our world today asks each one of us for love; it asks for unity, communion, solidarity. And it also calls upon the Churches to recompose the unity that has been torn for centuries. This is the reform of all reforms which heaven is asking of us. It is the first and necessary step towards universal fraternity with all men and women of the world. The world will believe, if we are united.’
Fabio Ciardi
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28 Jan 2015 | Non categorizzato
Sister Mariella Giannini (second from left) at the Centre of the Religious of the Focolare Movement in Grottaferrata, Rome.
28 Jan 2015 | Non categorizzato
27 Jan 2015 | Non categorizzato
Amidst the festive atmosphere, there was also a solemn and prayerful tone. After the vespers prayer service and some songs, to the joyful surprise of all those present, the main celebrant announced the arrival of Pope Francis’ message. The Papal letter carries the signature of the Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and is addressed to Msgr. Raffaello Martinelli, Bishop of Frascati, as person in charge to officially open the “Process on the life, virtue, fame of holiness and signs” of Chiara Lubich. In fact, the International Centre of the Focolare Movement is in the Diocese of Frascati, where Chiara lived most of her life until she passed away on 14 March 2008.
The Pope’s message states, «On the occasion of the Opening of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Chiara Lubich, that is taking place at the Cathedral of Frascati, His Holiness Pope Francis sends his cordial greetings, in the hope that the luminous exemplary life of the Founder of the Focolare Movement may inspire in those who conserve her precious spiritual legacy to renew their faithful adherence to Christ and their generous service to Church unity. The Holy Father invokes abundant gifts of the divine Spirit on all those who are committed in the Postulation and exhorts you to make known to the people of God her life and works. She welcomed the invitation of the Lord and enkindled a new light for the Church on the journey towards unity. The Holy Father asks for prayers to support his universal ministry as successor of the Apostle Peter through the intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary, and grants an Apostolic Blessing to your Excellency, the Postulation, the entire Work of Mary and to all those who participate in this joyful event. From the Vatican, 27 January 2015.»
Maria Voce, on behalf of the Focolare Movement throughout the world who followed the event via internet, expressed everyone’s gratitude: «First of all we would like to express our joy, emotion and surprise for this message of the Holy Father. We would like to thank him and assure him of our prayer, which he asked of us; as well as our commitment to continue spreading that “new light” that he indicated to us as Chiara’s gift to the Church and humanity.»
The applause of those present manifested the immense joy and gratitude of the whole “people of the Focolare”.
27 Jan 2015 | Non categorizzato
Card. João Braz De Aviz, Jesús Morán and Maria Voce Focolare President
The cathedral of Frascati was teeming with people, despite the weekday rush hour of 27 January, the day of remembrance, in which the entire world commemorates the tragedy of the Shoah along with all the other events that inflict sufferings and bloodshed on our planet. It was during these commemorations, established so that “humanity and history may register new peace developments” that Maria Voce expressed hopes for the recognition of Chiara Lubich’s example and because “her thoughts and her heart were driven by universal love, able to embrace all people beyond their differences, and aimed to fulfil the testament of Jesus, “That all may be one.”
With a long applause the Focolare members manifested its gratitude towards Pope Francis, who, in his message encouraged all “to spread to the entire people of God, the life and works of Chiara Lubich, who on answering the Lord’s call has become a new light on the road to unity.” On behalf of the movement, Maria Voce assured him of everyone’s “commitment to continue spreading that new light the Pope had referred to” on speaking of Chiara .
The event was transmitted via direct streaming, with simultaneous translations in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Over 18 thousand simultaneous link ups to the site were registered, connecting hundreds of people (as in the Mariapolis Ginetta in Brazil, or in the town of Loppiano in Tuscany-Italy).
Mons. Raffaello Martinelli, Bishop of Frascati
“The task we are undertaking is not an easy one,” declared the Bishop of Frascati, Raffaello Martinelli, “but it is a service we want to render to the Church to bear witness to faith, hope and charity through the work and life of one of her daughters. ”
Also many International figures were present, such as the Cardinals Tarcisio Bertone, Ennio Antonelli, Joao Braz De Aviz, Miloslav Vlk; and Bishops, Carlos Tissera from Argentina and Brendan Leahy from Ireland; and from the ecumenical world, in the person of Archimandrite Simeon Catsinas, of the Orthodox Church of Rome, who represented the ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and Fr. Gabriel, parish priest of the Romanian-Orthodox Church of Rocca di Papa, sent by Bishop Siluan of the Romanian-Orthodox of Italy.
Other friends of Chiara Lubich, founders and representatives of other movements were also present. The Muslim world did not fail to be present and testify to the determination to continue a dialogue in this critical moment, represented by the Director of the Cenap Tevere Mustafa Aydin Insitute of Turkey. From Japan, Dr. Mizumo came to represent the Buddhist Rissho Kosei-Kai Movement. Wearing their sash with the colours of Italy, various mayors of neighbouring municipalities attended, and among which was a delegation from Trent, Chiara’s native city, and a group of relatives of the new “Servant of God.”.
“Chiara spoke of living the Gospel and being faithful to God ,” João, a young Brazilian man said, and added: “I think we cannot be faithful without aiming to become saints, which is what God wants.” Francesca, 13 said: “I was struck by Chiara because of her great faith, which would seem difficult for kids to understand, instead she conveyed it with such simplicity.”
The ceremony. The cause for canonisation will start with a series of juridical acts, but, as the Bishop of Frascati underlined – “we want to transform it all into a meditation,” and because of this, the ceremony opened with the recital of the vespers. In a solemn atmosphere, the taking up of office of the tribunal, starting with the reading of the “supplice libello” with which the Focolare Movement, in December 2013 requested the opening of the cause. The document says – throughout the six years that followed Chiara Lubich’s death – «the common belief of the faithful regarding the purity and integrity of this Servant of God’s life, has grown in a continual and stable manner, and has spread more and more throughout the world, underlining the virtues she practiced to the point of heroism, not to mention the graces and blessings God has granted to many through her intercession. » The reading of the nulla osta of the Congregration for the Causes of Saints and constitution of the tribunal will follow .
Bishop Angelo Amati,Episcopal Delegate, will lead this phase of the diocesan investigation, and will be assisted by the Nigerian, Rev. Emmanuele Faweh Kazah, as the Promoter of Justice, and by notary Patrizia Sabatini, who had already worked in the previous months to gather the fifty testimonials, so as not to lose the testimony of those who «were allowed , from the very start, to bear witness to the beauty and possibility of tracing this path together in unity, towards an only goal,» Maria Voce said on recalling the first followers of Chiara, some of which attended the ceremony.
The postulation commission designated by the President of the Focolare is composed of the postulator, Fr. Silvestre Marques, Portuguese, and the Vice-Postulators, Lucia Abignente (Italian) and Waldery Hilgeman, (Dutch).The Tribunal has already set the next session for 12 February, to listen to the testimonial of Maria Voce, who tops a list of about 100 names.
Press release
Prayer of Intercession
Follow the event via streaming: http://live.focolare.org/reply.asp
27 Jan 2015 | Non categorizzato
It is with great joy, «multiplied by the joyful echo that arrived from the whole world» that Maria Voce, president of the Focolare Movement, welcomed the news of the opening of the Cause of Beatification of Chiara. Msgr. Raffaello Martinelli, Bishop of Frascati, made the announcement, setting January 27, 2015 for the opening ceremony of the process in the cathedral of Frascati. It’s in his diocese that Chiara Lubich lived most of her life until she passed away in 2008.
This is how Maria Voce explained it to Vatican Radio: “I immediately communicated this joy and gratitude to everyone, and also to the Bishop who was very careful in trying to bring ahead all the necessary preparatory work until it reached this moment. An enormous gratitude also goes to the Church because She allows us to show the beauty of a committed life, the life of Chiara.”
Maria Voce continues in that interview, Chiara “always dreamt of the day when we could truly speak about a sanctity of the people, because she understood that we become saints by doing God’s will, and that it is something that God asks of each person. Thus her desire was not so much of becoming a saint herself – even if she also logically had in mind that the will of God is ‘your sanctification’, as the Gospel says. Her desire was that many, many people would enter this way of holiness.» Hence, for Maria Voce, to work so that the holiness of Chiara Lubich may be recognized means «to work so that this possibility for all to become saints may be recognized.”
How is the Focolare Movement involved in this journey? With «a renewed commitment, so that the Church may see in Chiara’s followers the living witness of that model Chiara had been and continues to be for us.»
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The testimony of love of many people for Chiara Lubich remains the same,” Vatican Radio commented.”It remains the same and continues to grow, I’d say: it’s a witness of affection that comes also from those who didn’t know her personally. Certainly those who knew her feel that this moment is a special moment of grace: I’m talking about authorities of the Church, presidents or founders of other Movements, as well as people of various religions and Churches.”
Those who will have to examine papers, speeches and videos will not have an easy task: “There is a great deal of documents and writings that have already been given for this examination. And then there are videos, there are reels of speeches that Chiara gave; letters that Chiara wrote… There is so much material and it will surely be a great commitment for the whole Court, and also our commitment in preparing these documents in the best way possible so that the Church may go ahead with its examination.”
In short, one word to explain Chiara’s holiness? “I’d say normality: we can become saints by leading an ordinary life. The extraordinary fruits of this ordinary life are fruits that come from God, from the relationship of Chiara with God and from the natural relationship of Chiara with her people. Living something extraordinary in a natural way: Chiara gave us the example of this, even if logically there were also extraordinary moments in her life, however she gave us the example of holiness in ordinary moments, not only in extraordinary moments.”
And about Chiara Lubich “woman of dialogue,” important than ever these days, Maria Voce affirmed:” think that in this field Chiara has still a lot to say in order to establish real, profound relationships between civilizations, ethnic groups and religions so as to counteract this wave of violence that seems to be invading the world. Thus it is a declaration of holiness for a person who made her life a symbol of dialogue. This could be a sign of this moment.”
Complete interview on Vatican Radio
Live streaming 27 January from 4.00 – 6.00 pm (Italian time): http://live.focolare.org.
