Focolare Movement

Lia Brunet

Feb 4, 2011

A Gospel Revolutionary (25 December 1917 – 5 February 2005)

Lia Brunet met Chiara Lubich in Trent, Italy in 1945. In 1958, together with Fiore Ungaro, a focolarina from Rome, and Marco Tecilla, the first focolarino, she made the first trip outside European boundaries. They were years of great social unrest throughout Latin America. During that trip the first knots were tied of a network of love that would produce spiritual and social renewal in those countries where Lia went on to spend 44 years of her life in limitless self-giving. On Christmas Day 2004 Lia turned 87. On the following February 5th she left for the next life. The first trip to Latin America was a leap into the unknown. Visiting the poor districts of Trent together with Chiara, Lia had experienced the Gospel’s transforming and propelling force on society. During their first12 intense months in Latin America, Marco, Fiore and Lia visited Recife, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Montevideo, Uruguay; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Santiago, Chile. Lia described their strategy in her book “Diario di un Viaggio” (translated as “Diary of a Journey”) with these words: “Ours is also a revolution, which makes use of the most powerful weapon – the Love brought by Jesus on earth. As did St Paul, we speak of putting on the “new man,” and doing away with our “former selves.” Ours too is a matter of life and death: its aim is: “that all may be one.”

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Living the Gospel: “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening” (Lk 24:29)

Living the Gospel: “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening” (Lk 24:29)

How can we recognize the presence of Jesus when faced with darkness, injustices and inequalities? When hardship and suffering seem to obscure all hope? The road to Emmaus becomes a symbol of each person’s journey of faith, of our deep desire to rediscover Christ in everyday choices; an encounter that leads to joy and shared testimony. It is the moving invitation that we can all extend to him so that, once he is found, he remains with us and among us.

Easter: The Foundation of the Great Hope

Easter: The Foundation of the Great Hope

This reflection on the Easter reasons and origins of Christian hope, hope that still “dares” to speak to people today, is offered by Declan J. O’Byrne, theologian and rector of the Sophia University Institute.

Easter eyes

Easter eyes

Klaus Hemmerle (1929-1994), Bishop of Aachen (Aquisgrana, Germany), was an outstanding theologian and philosopher who gave his contribution to the doctrinal understanding of the charism of unity. Through these words, he draws us into the mystery of Easter and the Resurrection of Christ, inviting us to immerse ourselves fully in this moment and see it with fresh eyes.