The Focolare Movement expresses its hearfelt closeness to the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor on the passing away of Fr Casimiro Bonetti.

Divine Providence wanted Fr Bonetti to be very specially related to the beginnings of the Focolare Movement.In fact, he was the one to receive Chiara Lubich’s consecration to God on December 7, 1943.And it was he who in various circumstances proved to be God’s instrument.

Think of the words he said to Chiara when he was touched by her act of generosity: “Yes: God loves you immensely!” Or of his idea about the moment when Jesus suffered most during his passion, expressed on January 24, 1944, when he said he believed that this was when Jesus cried: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27,46).

Such statements, that even amazed Fr. Bonetti when he realised that they were the work of the Holy Spirit, had a particular resonance in Chiara Lubich’s soul. Thanks to the charism God gave her, these statements, together with other intuitions she had, became in time the foundations of the spirituality of unity that animates the life of the Focolare Movement.

Fr Casimiro Bonetti will always be remembered. Together with all those who in various ways form part of the Movement, I promise our prayers for him with gratitude and appreciation.

Maria Voce

President of the Focolare Movement