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8 Mar 2013 | Non categorizzato
Tiziana, a widow for six years, spoke to the 1, 187 participants from 17 countries at the New Families Congress that was held at Castelgandolfo (February 28 – March 2).
Ample time was given to a discussion on widowhood, interspersed with contributions from specialists and real life experiences.
“First there is the initial shock,” explained psychotherapist Dr. Angelo Alessi. “Then there is desperation followed by sadness and resignation. The moment of accepting the loss is a sign of hope and healing, allowing oneself to express honestly the feelings and pain, rebuilding the bridges with the outside world are a few of the ways of not becoming caught up in the feelings that usually block a person”
“The loss of Cosimo was a great trial for me,” Rosa confided. “I felt empty. I set out to perform many acts of love and I experienced a very deep peace. Faith that God is Love made me hope, it gave me consolation in order to be able to console others. It instilled a certainty within me that it hadn’t all ended but that everything had to go on.”
Chiara Lubich says: “Our beloved dead are in God. Now we can continue to love one another through Him because the love that they had for us on earth remains. Indeed, it is perfected and unable to fluctuate”.
Another experience of the Spirit was shared by Ilde’s widower: “My conversations with her continue and accompany me throughout the day, now more than ever. She’s already arrived there. Ilde is with me in this portion of my journey that remains to me here on earth until we meet again.”
Tiziana’s son, Matteo, who was 16 years old at the time of his father’s death, told the audience about the process that led him from anger and interior laceration to calming the great interior void through gestures of helping and sharing: “The more I helped someone the more I felt Dad was near and there was a great peace within me. . . At times I thought that if Dad had not died, perhaps I would never have experienced this.” Beyond the immeasurable suffering and loneliness that mourning brings, the bonds of love remain and can continue to bear fruit as a sign of hope. This seemed to be the main message that emerged from these deep moments.
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7 Mar 2013 | Non categorizzato
On 6 March the Revd John Mann, Dean of St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, the heart of the Church of Ireland, visited the Centre of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa, near Rome.
In June 2012 Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, went to Ireland for the International Eucharistic Congress. On that occasion, accepting an invitation from the Revd John Mann, she went to Northern Ireland and to Belfast for an ecumenical meeting. It was a historic day, one of great intensity and, also, a day of bright sunshine. The leaders of the four largest churches in the area made a solemn pact of mutual love with one another.
At Rocca di Papa it was raining, a chilly and windy day that felt like a constant spur to renewal. This weather had been dogging the Revd John Mann’s steps for the several days around Italy. We interviewed him in relation to his meeting with Maria Voce.
Revd Mr Mann, what made you come to Italy and, in particular, to the Focolare Centre?
‘When Maria Voce came to Northern Ireland in 2012, it was a fundamental moment for our community, I would say for the whole of our Church. It was on that occasion that Maria Voce invited me to Rome. This visit was necessary to get to know better people who have a special place in our hearts and who live, work, pray and are involved with us.’
In the light of your contacts with the Focolare Movement, do you think that the charism of unity can give a particular contribution to the Church of Ireland today?
‘I think we can learn a great deal from the spirituality of communion, which is a foretaste of the unity we are all working for. I strongly believe that the figure of Jesus Forsaken in a special way can be a help for us. He died on the cross to redeem us all, to unite us all. I think that in this particular point of the spirituality, many in Northern Ireland can recognize precisely what they are living. Understanding this mystery always more deeply, we could find together a way of reconciliation, of building unity.’
What would you wish for the Movement in this particular moment of history?
I hope the Focolare Movement can continue to live its spirituality fully, in all its expressions, offering it to all, so that it can contribute to creating that atmosphere of trust and unity we need so much, also in our country.
Article by Paolo Balduzzi and Centro Uno
![Consolation in order to console]()
1 Mar 2013 | Non categorizzato
“In the past few days, returning from Rocca di Papa to Rome, I had a strange impression, one that I already felt when I came back from Ala di Stura. I felt that Rome was our home because the Pope was there.
Yesterday, traveling down from the Mariapolis Centre towards the Eternal City, Rome seemed to me to be covered by one great heart, the heart of the Pope.
In the past few days I’ve been reading some truly splendid words of the Pope. Last Wednesday while mentioning the feast day of St. Catherine at the General Audience he had this to say:
‘Indeed, the Pope draws his strength from his love for his children, from the union of the ecclesiastical community, the charity of the faithful who under his guidance form a single heart and a single soul. This contribution of spiritual energy that comes from the Catholic people and reaches the hierarchy of the Church, from each individual Christian all the way to the Pope, makes us think of the Saint who the Church will honour tomorrow with a special feast, St. Catherine of Sienna, the humble, wise and fearless Dominican virgin who, as you all know, loved the Pope and the Church as no other was known to have loved them to such height and with such strength of mind.’
As I was reading these words I would have liked the Pope, through the communion of saints, to find the same contributing strength from our Movement because we love the Pope, with our spirit and under the Church’s guidance we want to increase the Christian community, and our ideal is love.”
28 Feb 2013 | Non categorizzato, Word of
But Jesus, who was bent down writing on the ground with his finger, remained unperturbed and finally straightened up and said:
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
When they heard this, “the accusers went away one by one, beginning with the elders.” Jesus then turned to the woman and asked, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she replied. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore” (Jn 8:10–11).
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
With these words, Jesus certainly does not wish to appear permissive with regard to wrongdoing, such as adultery. His words, “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore,” clearly express God’s commandment.
Instead Jesus wishes to unmask the hypocrisy of those who set themselves up as judges of their fellow human beings who have sinned, without recognizing that they themselves are sinners. His words here underline the well-known command: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged” (Mt 7:1–2).
Speaking in this way, Jesus also addresses himself to those who, in the name of the law, ignore the person involved and do not take into account the repentance that sinners may feel in their hearts. This clearly shows what Jesus’ attitude is toward one who has done wrong: he is merciful. As St. Augustineput it, when the accusers of the adulteress had gone away, “two persons remained: one in need of mercy and the other Mercy itself” (Homilies on the Gospel of Saint John 33:5).
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
How can we put this word of life into practice?
In all our dealings with others, let us remember that we too are sinners. All of us have sinned. Even if we think that we ourselves have not fallen into serious sin, we must bear in mind that we do not know just how strongly circumstances have influenced others, causing them to fall and to stray far from God. We do not know how we would have acted had we been in their place.
In any case, we too have broken the bond of love that was meant to unite us to God. We too have been unfaithful to him.
If Jesus, who was certainly without sin, did not throw the first stone at the adulteress, neither can we condemn others.
We should have compassion toward everyone, resisting those impulses that drive us to condemn others without mercy. We must learn how to forgive and forget. We should not harbor traces of judgment or resentment in our hearts, since these can easily give rise to anger and hatred that alienate us from others. We should see every person as “new” in every moment.
If our hearts are filled with love and compassion toward all, rather than judgment and condemnation, we will help others to begin new lives, to find the courage to start anew.
Chiara Lubich
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28 Feb 2013 | Non categorizzato
Nearly 150 thousand people gathered from various parts to attend the final general audience of Benedict XVI. One could sense the importance of this historic day, and perhaps not only for the Catholic Church. The emotions were controlled and in tune with the humble greatness of the ageing pope.
Benedict XVI was visibly moved by the huge turnout that surrounded him with immense warmth. He spoke spontaneously from the heart : “Thank you. I see the Church is alive and we must also thank the Lord for the gifting us such good weather in winter.” He defined the Church as “a communion of brothers and sisters in the Body of Jesus Christ, who unites us all. The Gospel purifies and renews.”
His open and lucid sharing reveals what he is presently living. “I took this step in full awareness of its gravity and novelty but with profound serenity of spirit. Loving the Church also means having the courage to make difficult, trying choices, having ever before oneself the good of the Church and not one’s own.” And he affirmed with conviction, “I’m not abandoning the cross, but remain in a new way close to the Crucified Lord.”
Maria Voce, president of the Focolare Movement, who together with a few hundreds of adherents of the Movement participated in Benedict XVI’s final general audience, gave her immediate impressions:
“It was a moment of profound communion with pope Benedict. I felt as if he raised us up with him on the mountain, to where God is now calling him, and helped us to contemplate the Church as it appears from that altitude, a united people, family of God, living body.” “While he reiterated his decision, we sensed however that it would not have distanced him but rather, I would say, enabled him to be closer to each one of us.” “Next to me, besides Giancarlo Faletti, there was Brother Alois from the Taizé Community with a confrere, Kiko Arguello from the Neocatechumenal Way, and other representatives of Movements. When he passed by us, he recognised and greeted us with visible affection.”
And apart from this, she replied to the following questions in an interview published by Città Nuova:
What do you think the Focolare Movement could learn from this?
“I was deeply struck by what Benedict XVI mentioned in his address, when referring to the Church he said that it was “renewed and purified by the life of the Gospel.” I strongly sensed it was a call to that life of the Gospel that truly renews us in every moment. I clearly understood that more than trying to improve something, it meant a return to a life of the Gospel that is integral, authentic, “with coherence” as the pope himself clarified. Coherent to the faith that we received and profess. Besides, we must be close to the pope and climb the mountain to pray with him. With his very trust in Jesus who leads the Church, with the same serene optimism that he has shown us.”
Which words touched you the most?
“The reference to the Church as a family, perhaps because even Chiara Lubich, before leaving this earth, urged us to “be family”. For this reason I felt that it was the same voice urging us from two sides the very same perspective. It is the one of Christ, who by coming on this earth, wanted to form his family, the Church. As he sees it and not as we humans are used to seeing and considering it. That is, the Church as it ought to be: his body, bride, family.”
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27 Feb 2013 | Non categorizzato
‘The Lord is calling me to “ascend the mountain”, and dedicate myself still more to prayer and meditation,’ Pope Benedict XVI affirmed last Sunday at the Angelus. ‘But this does not mean abandoning the Church,’ he continued. ‘Indeed, if God asks this of me it is precisely so that I can carry on serving the Church with the same dedication and the same love as I tried to do till now, but in a way that is better suited to my age and strength.’
This spiritual dimension of the Pope’s decision was underlined by comments that came from England. The Secretary General of the English churches’ official national ecumenical body, Churches Together in England, the Revd Dr David Cornick, of the United Reformed Church, said: ‘I think that Pope Benedict’s decision to step down is courageous and that it is a decision that affects not just the Roman Catholic Church but also the rest of us, because it is made with a sense of human limitation, born up by the grace of God, and that’s something we can all learn from.’ While the Rt Revd Robin Smith, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Church of England Diocese of St Albans, gave a personal witness: ‘I have met Pope Benedict several times and he has always struck me as saintly, genuine and with a real kindliness. Perhaps the most far-reaching decision he has made is the one to retire as it reshapes the image of the papacy, not least in minds of Catholics, because it is the office not the person that’s of significance. Now we look and pray that whoever is appointed will release the Catholic Church at the local level (that is, the diocese) to make its vital contribution to the life of the world.’
Dr Callan Slipper, a focolarino and a Church of England priest, explained how in his view this decision defines Petrine ministry: ‘prayer and suffering in the first place and then also to act. I thought it’s a good definition of what we all must do to serve others. With his stepping down he will no longer act, but he will continue to pray and suffer on behalf of the Church…. It seems to me to show the Petrine ministry not as monarchical but more truly as the Servant of the Servants of God.’
From the Orthodox Church in Moscow, Galia declared that she ‘felt pain and a sensation of tremendous loss. I hope that this step taken by Benedict XVI will be for the new pope an example of love that does not fear sacrifice. This step of his gives witness to a powerful relationship with God. He did not think of himself, but of the service required of him.’ Jens-Martin Kruse, a Lutheran Evangelical Pastor from Rome, in the Osservatore Romana of 22 February wrote an article entitled ‘Benedict XVI example of faith also for Lutherans’ and he recalled several things done by the Pope that had profound ecumenical impact.
Added to this ecumenical panorama, voices from the Jewish world were added. The Argentine Rabbi Areil Kleiner said: ‘When I found out via Twitter that the Pope was stepping down I realized that were entering a doubly historic moment. I hope that there will soon be white smoke and that the successor may continue on the interreligious paths of Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II.’ While Sonia Kirchheimer declared that ‘beyond what this will mean for my Catholic brothers and sisters, personally, as a Jew active in interreligious dialogue, I hope that Benedict XVI’s successor will carry on along the way of the Second Vatican Council and Nostra Aetate, so that together we can build a more peaceful world as children of the same God.’
In conclusion, the Croatian lawyer Zdravko Dujmović, who has non-religious convictions, wrote: ‘Pope Benedict XVI will leave without a stain on him. It is impossible not to love him and respect him even more for what he has done for Europe today and for all the Christian world. The new pope will be able follow in his footsteps and retire, when he no longer feels he can continue his service. In the early centuries Christians also withdrew into the desert, they fasted to reach contemplation, bearing their spirituality within them… a great man has gone.’
