At the conclusion of a year-long celebration of the 60th year of the Focolare Movement in France, a symposium on the Movement’s contribution in the Church and in society in France was held on June 4 last at the Catholic Institute of Paris. In front of quite a diverse audience, attempts were made to answer the questions: “Who are the Focolare?” and “What is their involvement in the world today?” Whilst not ignoring some criticisms, such as lack of visibility, the speakers highlighted the positive contribution the Focolare Movement has made to French society. “There are not many movements that have arrived at their sixtieth anniversary in a ‘healthy’ state,” said Jean-Louis Schlegel, a sociologist of religion, in his talk.

The symposium began with Father François-Marie Léthel, a Carmelite and professor of theology at the Teresianum University (Rome) who explained the parallels between St. Teresa of Avila and her “interior castle” (prayer, the centre of the soul ) and Chiara Lubich, with her “exterior castle” (love for our neighbour). He did not hesitate in designating the founder of the Focolare as “one of the greatest mystics of all time.” Laurent Villemin, a professor of theology at the Catholic Institute of Paris, highlighted Chiara’s passion for dialogue among Christians: “which was very soon translated into practical ecumenism” and that “until the end of her life she did not give up the work for the visible unity the Church. ” Taking the concrete example of the dynamics of “Together for Europe“, Gérard Testard, a member of the International Committee, said that “The Focolare have a real influence and make a decisive contribution to the communion between movements.” Mons Teissier, Archbishop Emeritus of Algiers, recalled how in Algeria many Muslims, particularly young people, “found in the Focolare Movement a response to their inner search” whilst remaining “faithful to their identity as Muslims.” The President of the Social Weeks of France, Jérôme Vignon, underlined the “groundbreaking and fruitful character of the Economy of Communion”, defining the Focolare’s contribution to evangelization as a “revolutionary vision”: not so much to “make our brothers Christian” as to “let them taste the joy of mutual love and concern for others.” All areas where the Focolare can enrich French social Christianity provided they do not “hide themselves”. “Do not be afraid – concluded Laurent Villemin – to pursue this quest for a true spirituality for real lay people.”