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13 Mar 2014 | Non categorizzato
I love you
not because I learned to tell you so,
not because my heart suggests these words to me,
not so much because faith
makes me believe that you are love,
not even for the sole reason that
you died for me.
I love you
because you entered into my life
more than the air in my lungs,
more than the blood in my veins.
You entered
where no one could enter
when no one could help me
every single time no one
could console me.
Each day I have spoken to you.
Each hour I have looked to you
and in your face
I read the answer,
in your words
the explanation,
in your love
the solution.
I love you
because for so many years
you have lived with me
and I
have lived of You.
I drank from your law
and I did not realize it.
I nourished myself on it,
gathered strength,
I was restored,
but I was unaware
like a child suckling at its mother’s breast
but not yet knowing how to call her
with that sweet name.
Let me be grateful
— at least a little —
in the time that is left to me
for the love
you have poured upon me
and that has compelled me
to tell you:
I love you.
Chiara Lubich
“Essential Writings”, New City Press, New York 2007, pp132-133.
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13 Mar 2014 | Non categorizzato
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12 Mar 2014 | Non categorizzato
“Our land has been devastated by 20 years of civil wars, boy soldiers, violence, exploitation of natural resources, no proactive politics. We are young people who have never known peace. Is there any way we can respond to this challenge? And will our parents, friends and regional authorities be willing to follow us in this crazy adventure?” These ideas led to the formation of a group of Congolese young people who wanted to hold a festival that would send a message using the language of art that would reach highest international levels. A petition was also sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.
“Our land is fertile, water is abundant and the subsoil a gift from God: North Kivu could be an earthly paradise. We young people would like to build it.” They called it their mission. Two years went into preparations and on February 14-16, 2014, the Amani Festival was held in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (amani means peace in Swahili). They sang of their suffering and hope, proclaiming their message to an audience of 25,000 people: politicians, international representatives and UN peacekeepers.
Young people from the Focolare Movement were among the promoters and animators of the event. Belamy Paluku is from the Gen Fire Band in Goma, and in charge of the artistic performances. He states: This festival has been the realization of a great dream: to gather many people and proclaim a message of unity together being advocates of the forgotten people in society. Not only did these artists offer their own points of view, but they come from countries that are at war with one another, and they gave a strong witness of brotherhood and peace from the same stage. I hope this will be the beginning of a new step.”
Many participated in the preparation of the festival, both onstage and behind the scenes. There were those who churned out biscuits and gouffres, those who served the food and those who served the drinks. Everyone worked hard and friendly smiles were everywhere,” says Jean Claude Wenga, who was in charge of communications at the festival.
“I wanted to see what was happening in the culture outside my country and how we might build relationships through cultural exchange,” explains Aurelia from the Focolare, “that’s why I wanted to take part in this event.”
Even adults were not indifferent to the event: “Andre Katoto, the father from one local family commented: “Amani means peace. With this festival we wanted to celebrate peace here in our region.”
8 Mar 2014 | Non categorizzato
After a year of preparation from a distance via internet, five experts coming from different countries (Argentina, Perù and Cuba), arrived in Haiti two days ahead of the beginning of the Seminar, so as to get to know and to immerse themselves in the reality of the people and of the local Church. “We visited Radio-Tele Soleil – they shared – which transmits from a temporary office at Port Au Prince, since the building of the Archbishop’s House, wher ethey used to have their office, was destroyed by the earthquake. In that disaster unfortunately some of their collaborators lost their life. Theirs is the most important Catholic broadcasting station, with a national coverage. We were able to visit also the city center of Port Au Prince, with the Cathedral that is sstill in ruions but which remains as the symbol of the suffering of this people. It was a strong experience, which helped us in the succeeding days to establish relationships in an adequate way with the persons we met.” “From the life of the Word to the need to communicate. Towards a true culture of encounter”. With this title, from February 17 to 23, the Interdiocesan Seminar on Communication, organized by the Office of Communications of the CELAM was held in the Diocese of Anse à Veau et Miragoane (Haiti). The 79 participants were coming from 8 of the 10 Haitian Dioceses: Les Cayes, Gonaïves, Cap-Haitien, Jeremie, Hinche, Port-aut-Prince, Port-de-Paix and from the diocese that hosted the convention. The Seminar was requested by Mons. Pierre A. Dumas, Bishop of Anse à Veau et Miragoane, and was brought ahead by a team of NetOne in Latin America (Latam), a network of communicators who take their inspiration from the spirituality of the Focolare. The Seminar went beyond all our expectations: 5 intense days, imprinted with the “trinitarian vision” of communication, with the proposal of the life of the Word even before the communicative event itself. Everyday began with an exchange of experiences on how each one tried to live the phrase of the Gospel that was proposed the day before, and then a meditation on the new phrase chosen for that day. Then, the different means of communication were tackled, through theoretical explanations and moments of specific workshops: radio, print media, theater, television and internet. The dialogue, the questions, the group work, were very much participated and inclusive. The themes were given in Spanish, the texts of the powerpoint presentations and written copies of the themes were in French, with Creole translation… Nevertheless language was not a barrier for anyone! In conclusion, the Mass celebrated by Mons. Pierre Dumas, was really a moment of joy and emotion: we felt that during those 5 days a piece of renewed humanity was built among the participants. “For us – relates the group of NetOne – it was the possibility of seeing this marvelous people in a new way, who often are not presented in this way by the means of communication of our countries. We were conquered by the simplicity, the joy, enthusiasm and hope of the Haitians. We realized that we are one family, wherein we live as brothers the reciprocity between Latin America and the Carribean. We left Haiti with the awareness thar we have received so much more that what we came to give”.
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4 Mar 2014 | Non categorizzato
New music among us
“When I came to know the Gospel, I understood that I had to love. Where do I start? From my music teacher. who I couldn’t stand. In class I have repeatedly expressed what I thought about her and because of this she had repeatedly called my mother and complained to her about me. One day, after the lesson, I asked to speak to her. Thinking that I was going to argue with her about the grade she gave me, she refused to see me. I answered that I only wanted to ask for forgiveness and that I have understood that in life we have to try to love everyone. Even if in the beginning she misunderstood me, I continued to tell her about me, of my new relationship with God, even if I knew that she was a non-believer. Our talk continued and I was truly happy. From then on we have established a good relationship and I am discovering in her many positive things that I never imagined before”. (Veronica, Czech Republic)
The beauty of going against the current
“I work in a beauty parlour, with other hairdressers and stylists. The parlour is always full of numerous clients. There are a lot of conversations going on and sometimes one can also hear complaints or discussions. Even here I try to live what I have learned from the Gospel, I help a co-worker who is doing a heavy job all by herself, I hold the hairdryer for another. When it becomes too hot, I prepare something to drink for all the staff. Sometimes some rich ladies would come in accompanied by their maid, and they leave them outside in the heat. So I invite them to come inside and wait in a cool corner and offer them something to drink. Once in awhile someone looks at me curiously, because no one ever does this in the parlour. But the Gospel gives me the courage to go against the current. Then I see that no one has ever complained about me. Silent love does not disturb anyone”. (Razia, Pakistan)
Social Ice Cream
“Ice cream to socialize: last year everyone liked this formula! All the residents of our street were reunited around an ice cream. This year we said: why not extend the initiative to all the families around? In our neighborhood there are families coming from other countries. We are always so busy and in a hurry. But it would take so little to get to know each other, to exchange a greeting, to build a neighborly relationship.
As we were personally inviting each family, knocking from house to house, we could feel in the air the desire to get to know one another. On that evening gathering which was held in the open air on our street, more than seventy people of all ages came. Aside from the ice cream, each one brought something to share, in an atmosphere of friendship, as music played in the background, which were chosen from the melodies of the various ethnic groups pf the participants.
From then on, along the street or in the shops we greet one another with affection and knowing smiles. We know each other better, sharing news, whether beautiful or less so. One of our neighbors, when he came to know that some families needed furniture, gave them his dining set, which was still in very good condition. All it took was an ice cream to create a small community”. (Vince and Maria, Canada)
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2 Mar 2014 | Non categorizzato
The Focolare Movement’s first contacts with Hinduism were marked by warm friendship that led to sharing life and dreams and ideals. The main protagonists of this friendship were Natalia Dallapiccola who was one of the first witnesses to the beginnings of the Focolare in Trent, Italy, and Dr Aram, a Hindu who now stands among the presidents of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) of which the Focolare is also a member.
Following the death of Dr Aram, the Shanti Ashram and representatives from several Gandhian groups in the State of Tamil Nadu, invited Chiara Lubich to India in January 2001, to receive the 2000 Defender of Peace Award. The explanatory statement affirmed: Chiara was tireless in her role of spreading peace and love among all, continually strengthening the fragile vision of peace, for the wellbeing, prosperity and spiritual life of the world.” At the award ceremony, which was attended by over 500 Hindus and members of other religions, Chiara spoke of her Christian spiritual experience, highlighting common elements between the Gospel and the Hindu Scriptures.
“I came here today to see, to be silent as much as possible,” she wrote in his diary that day, “Above all I discovered the rules: tolerance, love! Perhaps our dialogue has a place here.”
On the same occasion, Professor Kala Acharya from the Somaiya Sanskriti Peetham Institute, was deeply impressed by Chiara. In a matter of days she decided to organize a gathering at Somaiya College of Mumbai. Six-hundred people attended. These events marked the beginning of a dialogue with Hinduism both in Mumbai and in Coimbatore.
A deep dialogue was begun with university professors in Mumbai. In order to continue along this path it was decided to hold an academic symposium. The first was held in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, in 2002. The title was: “The Bhakti and Agape as a way of love towards God and neighbor.” Professor Kala Acharya from Somaya College of Mumbay called the meeting: “a deep spiritual experience.”
In the name of this common journey, Chiara Lubich visited India again in 2003. At the Centre of Indian culture Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Natalia Dallapiccola touches one of the aspects of the art of finding love in the Gospel: “becoming one” with each other as the key to the box: unity and of universal brotherhood. And she shows what Chiara said about an aspect of the art of loving which she discovered in the Gospel – making yourself one with others – as the key to dialogue: “In the moment that we meet someone, we need to place our self on their level like a partner, no matter who they are. And this calls for detachment from everything, even from the richness of our own religion. And at the same time we need to become empty within ourselves, in order to allow our brother or sister the freedom to express their thoughts and for us to be able to understand them. This is such an important attitude, even indispensable, which has two leading effects: It helps us to enter into the world of our brother and sister, to know the language and culture, the belief system, and so on. And then it predisposes our neighbour to listen to us. Then you move on to a “respectful proclamation” where – because of your loyalty to God and sincerity toward your neighbour, always respecting what your neighbour thinks – you can say what you think and believe about a particular topic, without imposing anything, without desiring to win anyone over to your own way of thinking.”
“This marks the beginning of a journey that will take us far,” commented Professor Dave, honorary president of the institute. “There is something in her words that goes to the very roots of human thought, the very roots of our santhana dharma, the universal religion.”
This experience of dialogue highlights what was said by John Paul II when he was in India: “Through dialogue we allow God to be present in our midst, because as each of us opens in dialogue, we also open to God. And the fruit is union among men and union of men with God.” (John Paul II, Talk to the various representatives of religions in India, Madras, February 5, 1986.)”
Dialogue with Gandhian movements characterized this experience from the beginning, and it continues in Coimbatore where each year since August 2001, roundtable discussions are held to examine and discuss spiritual and human aspects of the Gandhian outlook and the spirituality of unity.
On March 20, 2014, there will be an event at the Urbania University of Rome, dedicated to Chiara Lubich and Religions: Together for the Unity of the Human Family. The gathering will highlight her efforts for interreligious dialogue, six years after her death. The event also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions, Nostra Aetate. Leaders from the hinduism are also expected to attend.
Related articles:
Video: Minoti Aram
“On the journey to the unity of humankind – Christian and Gandhian views”
Christians and Hindus in Dialogue
Minoti Aram, pioneer of interfaith dialogue
