Gestures of peace

4 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato

“The two words that impose themselves at this extremely dramatic and dangerous moment  are: total commitment to answer to Pope Francis’ appeal for prayer and fasting while expressing  gratitude to him  for giving voice to the hearts of millions of people of all faiths from all over the world”.

This is how  Maria Voce expressed the feelings of the Focolare Movement from Amman, where she is meeting the Focolare communities of countries in the Middle East and North Africa.  The members present form a mosaic of Churches (Catholic, Coptic Orthodox, Greek-Orthodox and Greek-Catholics, Maronites, Armenians, Chaldeans, Syrian Orthodox and Syrian Catholics) together with a good number of Muslims coming from Algeria, Morocco, Turkey and Jordan.

In  his impassioned plea  for peace, Pope Francis said that “it is not a  culture of confrontation,  a  culture of conflict” that builds “harmony within and between peoples, but a culture of encounter, a culture of dialogue: this is the only way to peace”.   And it is really  touching to hear the experience that  families and young people  are living in Aleppo: “In spite of everything, we continue to build bridges of love and unity with others (…), to sow seeds of hope in those who suffer,  to  fill  sad hearts with God’s presence; we do our utmost to give love to others. (…) We pray for peace  threatened in the world and in the Middle East, especially in Syria,Eygpt, Lebanon and Iraq; and we pray  for the triumph of God’s love in the world”.

With all men of goodwill, members of the Focolare Movement intensify  their personal commitment to spread and multiply “gestures of peace” starting with their own environments, as Pope Francis encourages us to do.  In the 194 countries where the Movement is present, its members  also unite  in daily prayer for peace at  mid-day in every time zone. Maria Voce’s words summerise the intention: “To put ourselves in front of God and be at his service, so that he can make use of us as instruments of peace in all countries”.

On September 7, the Focolare members will participate in the day of prayer for peace launched by Pope Francis. They will pray for peace in Syria, in the Middle East and in the whole world joining in the various forms of prayer in parishes, in communities, on the streets and in homes, in hundreds of cities worldwide.

See Press Release

Priest Volunteers in Einsiedeln, Switzerland

3 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato

The annual meeting for those responsible for the Priest Volunteers who belong to the Focolare Movement was held in the charming town of Einsiedeln, Switzerland, with its green meadows, the lake and a thousand year-old Benedictine Abbey. Sixty priests from 11 European countries, plus a group from Brazil, and one from the Philippines attended the gathering. Einsideln was the last stage of their pilgrimage in search of the roots of the charism of unity, and the emergence of the priestly Volunteer vocation as one of the many branches of the Focolare. Trent, Italy (2009), Ottmaring, Germany (2010), Budapest, Hungary (2012) and Einsiedeln, Switzerland (2013): each of these places represents one significant moment in the history of the Movement. Particularly Einsiedeln and nearby Oberiberg, where, in the1960s, Chiara Lubich and her first companions understood new things about several aspects of the charism. Through the meditations and visits to places visited by Chiara and the first group, “I rediscovered the beauty of the Ideal of unity,” said one participant. “I want to spread this with my life and give witness of mutual love each day.” In this context there was a greater understanding of the significance of those places that has led them once more to the “existential peripheries” and then to spread the light of the Gospel in the Church and Humanity. ”It was like listening to a concert,” one participant explains, “which surprises you with new notes as its music unfoldsfor you. We would like to begin again from the Gospel as the essence of our lives, not a lot of activities. These days have been a springboard for me to go out and draw many others to God.” Another focal point of their discussion was the Focolare Movement and the specific role of the priest Volunteers. This topic was explored also with the help of several presentations from the past year, given by president of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce.

The Benedictine Abbey

Love in Deed and in Truth

1 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato

A sorrow shared

A friend of my daughter had recently lost her father and one sister in an automobile accident. I only knew the mother by sight. I felt urged to go and visit her, but I realized one visit wouldn’t be enough. I should do more. I went by the market and bought some groceries and brought them to her. But I didn’t have the courage to speak to her. What could I say? How would I be able to console her? I gathered my courage and returned several times to visit her. I discovered that she was in need of some money, so I brought it to her. A few days later I found her strengthened, convinced in life and grateful for our friendship born of a sorrow that is shared. (P. G. – Bolivia)

Terminated

A new director had come to the company where I had been working for 25 years. He was young and inexperienced. As spokesperson for the concerns of the company’s employees I was supposed to point out his errors during the administrative council meeting, to which his wife also belonged. At the same time I didn’t want to break the relationship, and so I chose my words carefully in order not to exacerbate the situation. After two years of this, one morning the director told me I was fired. Although shocked, I assured him that I would do my best until the last day of work. Shortly before my termination he asked me to stay on. He said his previous decision had been reckless. But in the meantime, my wife and I had already begun our own business and so I declined his offer. The last day was filled with surprises, the company held a feast with gifts and a letter of thanks. The workers also expressed their gratitude to me for all that I had done in their favor.   (E.C. – Switzerland)

At the wash house

Days ago I went to the public washing place near to my house, to wash some laundry. There was a beautiful sun and many women were there washing laundry. We were chatting so joyfully when an old man arrived. He could hardly see. He held two bed sheets, a shirt and his turban, which were all in need of washing. He asked us to move aside and give him some space. No one wanted to move aside for him. I turned to him and said: “Baba,” which is the way we address the elderly, “give your things to me and I will wash them for you.” The other women began to laugh: “What? With that mountain of laundry you already have?” I invited the Baba again and began to wash his laundry. He was so happy. He gave me his fatherly blessing and before leaving, he wanted to give me his small piece of soap which he was so jealously guarding. No one laughed now. In the silence something new happened. One shared her basin with the other; one brought the pitcher filled with water to the one who was far from the font. . . A chain of collaboration had been set in motion. (F.N. – Pakistan)

The importance of love of neighbour in achieving peace

1 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato

© Chiara Lubich Centre

As some Middle Eastern countries – with faithful of different religions – are going through difficult moments, we offer a talk by Chiara Lubich which she delivered during a meeting of Chrisitans and Muslim friends of the Focolare. It was November 1, 2002.

The title was: “Some characterstics of love for neighbor.”From the first words we become aware of the deep brotherly relationship among the numerous listeners, a strong and timely testimony of a friendship between Christians and Muslims that is not only possible, but already a reality among many who are living in those conflicted lands.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with great joy that I welcome you. May the Lord bless this gathering and grant that it produce finest fruit.” These were the opening words of Chiara as she greeted her joyful audience.

She began her presentation by offering her own experience of the encounter with God, a God who is Love and who urges us to love our brothers and sisters.

She strongly underscored that love for neighbour, composed of mercy, benevolence, compassion, solidarity and charity. . . “is of utmost importance if we wish to create that brotherhood that the world is in such need of.”

Listen to the video: L’amore al prossimo

Learning Fraternity: Burkina Faso

31 Aug 2013 | Non categorizzato

Burkino Faso, “the land of upright people,” is a country in West Africa. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. The population is concentrated in the south centre of the country but, due to the high rate of unemployment, many migrate seasonally to neighbouring countries. A great part of its economy is financed by international aid. Bobo-Dioulasso is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city due to its historical role as a crossroad of the Saharan commercial routes. Since 2005 the Teens4Unity Association has been promoting the Seeds of Brotherhood project in Sarfalao, one of the poorest quarters in the city, which is geared towards youths and teenagers. The project, which is inserted into the partnering project (Schoolmates), involves teens from the North to the South of the globe, offering after-school scholarships to anyone who is unable to attend school due to cost and conditions of poverty. Over the years, the project was then expanded to offer an ever growing number of teens the possibility of scholastic support and social training courses by academic level. Some needed help in English, some in Mathematics, some in French, and so on. The goal: to help them pass their final examinations. Thanks to the scholarship, two students attended a professional training course; one is learning sewing and another is training to be a professional hair-dresser. The poorest youths, along with their families, are provided a daily meal that for many is the only meal of the day. In the area of sport, with help from the Registry of Sport in Austria, they have been able to construct a canopied playing area, a fence and a storage building for equipment. Through the project teachers are able to purchase the costly school materials that are then sold to families at a reduced price which they can afford. This allows the parents to feel part of their own children’s education. Everything is carried out in an attitude of deep respect for the human dignity of each person, in a reciprocal exchange of giving and striving to create relationship among teachers and students and families. Some mothers, for example, willingly cook for everyone each day. They are given a small stipend that helps them to care for their families. One boy, who receives assistance through the project, wanted to offer something in return and built a swing for the younger children. There are also many moments for play and being together, cooking, learning to make paper flowers, eating sweets, cakes and jam . . . having a great time together! During one meeting with the young people, there was a discussion about the rights and duties of the children and youths. When someone asked if anyone could name one right that young teenagers have, one boy immediately answered: “To love!”  Source: www.school-mates.org