(…) We cannot know when and how this will happen and it’s a waste of time trying to find out. It is certain, however, that it will come about. It is not a dream nor a utopia nor a sentimental desire. No, it is a certainty repeatedly upheld by God in the Bible. It will be God’s response to the untiring efforts of his children to build up his kingdom. It will be the crown given to them for their fidelity in living his Word. It will be the full unfolding of the power of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus introduced into history through his death and resurrection.
From the very moment Jesus came on earth, in spite of tribulations of all kinds, this renewal has already begun, it’s already under way. From now on, all those who allow Jesus to live in them – and he lives in us if we put his words into practice – will experience the miracle of his grace that makes all things new. His grace transforms suffering into peace and inner serenity. It overcomes our weakness, hatred, selfishness, pride, greed and every sort of evil. It enables us to pass from the slavery to our passions and fears to the joyful freedom of the children of God. Furthermore, God’s grace is not limited to transforming the individual person, but through each one of us, it transforms society as a whole.
(…)
In fact, God wants to renew all things: our personal life, friendships, conjugal love, the family. He wants to renew life in society under every aspect: work, education, culture, entertainment, health, economics and politics. In short, God wants to transform every sector of life on earth.
But God needs us in order to do this. He needs people who allow his Word to live in them, people who are his living Word, people who are another Jesus in their own particular environments. And since the Word that summarizes Jesus’ teaching, the full expression of God’s law, is love, let’s try to put it into practice. Let’s love our neighbors just as we love ourselves, without watering down the Word of God, without minimizing its power.
We will become aware of a continuous renewal, above all in our own hearts, and before long around us as well.
… On the 7th of December 1943 I went to church alone. There was a violent storm outside. It really gave me the impression that I had the world against me.
… A small kneeler had been prepared for me before the altar, and I had a tiny missal in my hands. The priest had me pronounce the formula to give myself completely to God forever. I was so happy that I probably didn’t even realize what I was doing, maybe because I was young. However, when I pronounced the formula, I had the impression that a bridge was falling behind me and that I could no longer turn back because now I belonged entirely to God, therefore, I could no longer choose. At this point, a tear fell on the tiny missal.
But my happiness was immense! Do you know why? I was marrying God, and I expected every possible good. It would be fantastic! It would be a divine, extraordinary adventure! I was marrying God! And then we saw that it was really like this.
… What is my advice? I would give this advice to myself: we have only one life. Let’s aim high. Let’s aim high. Let’s risk everything to gain everything. It’s worth it, it’s worth it. … But as far as you are concerned, make this act of generosity: aim high, don’t hold back!
The Focolare Movement and religious men and women share a bond that originated at the beginning of the Movement’s history: a thick web of relationships between Chiara Lubich, founder of Focolare and consecrated people of various religious families. An array of women and men dedicated to God through the most varied spiritualities that inspired and supported Chiara in the early years of the Movement. All this is revealed in the book entitled A Magnificent Garden. Chiara Lubich and the Religious (1943-1960) edited by Father Fabio Ciardi and Elena Del Nero.
Let’s start with the title: “A magnificent garden”. Can you explain it to us?
Elena Del Nero holds a PhD in History and Philosophical and Social Sciences from the “Tor Vergata” University of Rome. She works at the historical section of the Chiara Lubich Centre in Rocca di Papa (Italy). She is the author of essays and books on the history of the Focolare Movement.
Elena Del Nero: “The evocative image, used by Chiara Lubich as early as 1950, refers to the Church, in which, over the course of history, charisms have flourished. Each of them is precious in its own particular beauty, rooted in the Gospel word that inspired it and yet, together, they compose a harmony of shades, which enriches and illuminates the Church”.
The book consists of a historical reconstruction and a theological-ecclesial reflection. What do they cover?
Elena Del Nero: “The historical reconstruction focuses on only two decades, from the birth of the Focolare in 1943 to 1960. These years are particularly rich in documents and material relevant to the theme under study. The theological-ecclesial reading, on the other hand, ranges in a more extensive temporal dimension, extending its remit to the most recent magisterium reflections. In this way, we believe the panorama offered is wider and more complete “.
The presence of religious has always been part of the Work of Mary, from the very beginning. What is the meaning of the presence of religious in the Movement?
Father Fabio Ciardi: “To rekindle unity in the Church, in response to Jesus’ prayer ‘That all may be one’ (Jn 17:21), was the ideal to which Chiara Lubich felt called. Her Movement continues this great mission of fostering communion and unity among all. But what kind of unity would it be if religious were missing? They express the Church’s charismatic richness and keep alive the experience of the great saints. Chiara wanted to involve them in her ‘divine adventure,’ as she wanted to involve all people, of all vocations”.
What benefit did religious and their orders gain through dialogue with Chiara Lubich and the spirituality of unity of the Focolare?
Father Fabio Ciardi is an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, emeritus Professor at the Pontifical Institute of Theology of Consecrated Life (Claretianum) in Rome; he is the author of numerous publications; since 1995 he has served as a Consultant of the Vatican Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Society of Apostolic Life and since 2022 as Consultant to the Vatican Dicastery for the Clergy.
Father Fabio Ciardi: “From the beginning, religious of different orders were attracted by the evangelical freshness witnessed by Chiara and the first members of the nascent Movement, which brought them back to the radicality of their original choice: they felt a new love for their vocation, they understood it in a deeper way, they felt involved in a communion that reminded them of the first Christian community described in the Acts of the Apostles”.
What effect has the closeness of the religious had on Chiara Lubich from the beginning of the Movement?
Father Fabio Ciardi: “Their presence proved providential for Chiara, because it allowed her to engage with the great Christian spiritualities that emerged throughout history. This encounter helped her to understand her own vocation more profoundly, enriching it through the communion of the saints. Thinking of the saints of whom the religious are witnesses, she wrote, “It seems that they have approached our Work to encourage it, enlighten it and help it.” On the one hand, the relationship with the saints confirmed certain aspects of the life of the Work of Mary. On the other hand, the comparison with their lives and their works highlighted the full originality of this new and contemporary work of God”.
Is the presence of religious in ecclesial movements a source of mutual enrichment? Or does it risk bringing confusion and loss of identity?
Father Fabio Ciardi: “There is no interference in the life of religious families. Chiara Lubich wrote that she approached them ‘on tiptoe‘, in the awareness that they are ‘works of God’ and with that deep love that led her to discover in each of them ‘the beauty and that something ever new that they safeguard. At the same time, she was aware of the contribution she was called to make: ‘We must only help circulate Love among the different Orders. They must understand, know, and love each other as the Persons of the Trinity love one another. Among them there is a relationship like that of the Holy Spirit who binds them together, because each is an expression of God, of the Holy Spirit. It is in this circulation of charity that every religious deepens their identity and can make a specific contribution to unity”.
In conclusion, why read this book? Who would you recommend it to?
“Because it recounts a wonderful page of history that helps us to understand the beauty of the Church. It is not a book for religious only. It is a book for those who want to discover a Church that is completely charismatic”.
Just a few words. Nothing more. But it’s enough to guide the whole day. They are published at midnight and by dawn they arrive via WhatsApp or email and “light up” the whole day. They express a thought from the Gospel or a universal value and motivate people to act, to engage, to look beyond their own occupations or worries.
A brilliant idea, simple and easy to share, conceived by Chiara Lubich in December 2001 to help those working with her at the Focolare International Centre to live the present moment. But as often happens, seeing how positive the idea and its effects were, it spread like ripples on water when a stone is thrown in, crossing borders, languages, cultures and languages.
In the years that followed, the founder of the Focolare often referred to this “password” and to the experiences it sparked in those who put it into practice. She would sometimes encourage people to keep going or offer a deeper meaning, like when she suggested silently adding to the daily thought the intention of living it “especially in contact with your brothers and sisters”. This marked a profound shift, not only in striving for personal perfection, but in constantly relating to those next to us, entering into their needs and making them recipients of our concrete love.
Gradually it grew and developed. Currently, the “password” recalls some aspect of the monthly Word of life or refers to the readings of the liturgy. It is translated into 23 languages. Some, when they forward it or publish it on social networks, add a personal reflection a suggestion for putting it into practice. Others illustrate it with an image or create a short video for YouTube. And there are even those who compose a short song every day. All means of communication and all social networks are useful for sharing it with friends and acquaintances, always gently asking first if they are interested in receiving it.
These are not empty words. On the contrary, they stimulate and motivate us to action, especially in our relationships with the environment and with the people we meet every day, as Marisa from Brazil said: “Today I was going to lecture at the university, even though at this time I don’t really feel like continuing that job. I am old enough to retire, but I missed out on some promotions and for the moment I have to work because my daughters still need my financial help. So I renew my ‘For You, Jesus’ every time I go to the university. Today’s thought is precisely: ‘fulfil our duties’”.
From Senegal, Don Christian wrote: “Thank you for the password. It helps me to nourish my spiritual life and to enlighten my relationship with God and with my brothers and sisters every day.” For Maria Teresa, from Argentina, receiving it every day is a response from God: “I work in the pastoral care of migrants and yesterday I accompanied one of them to the presentation of a book he wrote on “neuroconduction”. I felt it was important to be with him in these moments when he could share and help him develop his talents. It was a new and beautiful experience of unity with him and with the people who came and welcomed his lecture as a gift he had to offer. ”
These are just a few glimpses of the life that is generated in hundreds of people, or maybe even more, who, with or without a religious belief, wake up every morning with the commitment to live the few words of the “password”.
The joy of the early Christians – which can be experienced in every century, wherever people understand and sincerely live the essential truths of Christianity – the joy of the early Christians was something totally new, a joy they had never experienced before. It had nothing to do with laughter, cheerfulness or being light-hearted. As Paul VI said – it was not merely “the exultant joy of being alive,” with “the peaceful joy of nature and silence.” … It wasn’t that. These are all wonderful examples of joy.
But the joy of the early Christians was different. It was similar to the exhilarating joy of the disciples when the Holy Spirit descended on them.
It was the joy of Jesus. For just as Jesus has his peace, he also has his joy.
The joy of the early Christians sprang forth spontaneously from the depths of their being and truly satisfied them.
They had found what people in the past, in the present and in all times are always searching for. They had found God; they had found communion with God. They were totally satisfied by him, totally fulfilled as human beings.
In fact, Christ pours love, charity, into the hearts of Christians through baptism and the other sacraments, and love can be compared to a tiny plant. The deeper its roots go down – that is, the more we love our neighbours – the higher the stem grows upwards towards heaven. In other words, the more we love our neighbours, the more our heart is filled with the love of God. And this communion, this love, is not something we believe on faith alone. We experienced it. This is true happiness, this is real happiness – to love and feel that you are loved.
This was the happiness of the early Christians. This was the joy of the early Christians, both adults and young people, like all of you. They expressed their joy in wonderful, liturgical celebrations filled with hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
On the occasion of the Jubilee of Youth, from 29th July – 1st August 2025, the young people of the Focolare Movement are offering a special programme for fellow pilgrims: four days of spirituality, sharing, testimonies, prayer, catechesis, fun and walking together!
It is a unique opportunity to set out on a journey through places full of history and spirituality, meeting many people along the way and growing in faith and hope.
Each day is built around a key word, a stop that includes a time for reflection and prayer and a spiritual focus rooted in the Focolare charism of unity, with testimonies and songs so that the Jubilee of Youth may be lived as a journey based on 4 key ideas: pilgrimage (a journey), holy door (an opening), hope (looking forward) and reconciliation (making peace). For those who wish, there will be catechetical sessions at the Focolare meeting point led by Tommaso Bertolasi (philosopher), Anna Maria Rossi (linguist) and Luigino Bruni (economist).
The Pilgrimage to the Seven Churches
The programme follows the historical itinerary used by pilgrims since the 16th century. The Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches was designed by St. Philip Neri. It is a journey of faith and fraternal communion, made up of prayer, songs and reflections on the Christian life.
The stages of this pilgrimage are seven symbolic places in Rome: the Basilicas of: St. Sebastian, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, St Peter’s, St. Laurence, the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and St. John Lateran. The total route is 20 kms. Over the centuries, thousands of young people and adults have engaged in this experience. Participants will also join the main events of the Jubilee of Youth, including: the moment of reconciliation at the Circus Maximus and the meetings with Pope Leo XIV during the vigil and at the final Mass at Torvergata which was the location of the vigil and the Youth Mass of the Jubilee of 2000. For those who can stay longer, on 4th August, there’s an opportunity to visit the International Centre of the Focolare in Rocca di Papa
This programme offers many opportunities to experience the Jubilee, to discover Rome and to live a moment of deep faith and spirituality together. Along the route, each participant will receive a Pilgrim’s Passport. In every church they visit, they’ll be invited to write a single word describing what they experienced or what struck them most. At the end, this will become a unique keepsake of their journey.
