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CHIARA LUBICH
President of the Work of Mary (Focolare Movement)
1. With joy and affection I extend my cordial greetings to you and to the participants of the General Assembly of the Work of Mary, now being held at Castel Gandolfo. Thank you for the best wishes you sent me on this anniversary which marks the beginning of the 25th year of my ministry in the Apostolic See of Peter. I have always felt the spiritual presence of the adherents of the Focolare Movement and admired their effective apostolic activity in the Church and in the world.
I particularly appreciate the Work of Mary for the valid contribution it offers in the quest of its specific aim, that is, the promotion of communion through the dialogue it pursues and carries out within the Catholic Church, with other Churches and ecclesial communities, as well as with various religions and with people who do not have any religious affiliation.
2. As you are verifying and planning during these days the life and activities of the Movement, I am pleased to express once again my esteem and appreciation for the apostolic activity you carry out and for the multiple initiatives you promote, so that the Church may become ever more “the home and the school of communion” (Novo millennio ineunte, 43).
You know quite well – and you constantly take this into consideration in all your endeavours – that concrete activities must be preceded and animated by a robust spirituality of communion, as the guiding principle of education wherever individuals and Christians are formed (cfr ibid). I am thinking, in this regard, of the numerous branches of the Focolare Movement: the children and young people, the families, the priests and religious; I am think of your presence in the parish and diocesan communities, in the various ambits of society and culture. I thank you dearest (focolarini) and I encourage you to go ahead everywhere in bearing witness to God Love, the One and Triune God, who shines forth in Christ and in his Church.
3. Furthermore, deepen evermore that characteristic spiritual bond which unites you to Mary Most Holy: in fact, your Work is named after Her. Nurture a faithful devotion towards the Virgin, Mother of the one and holy Church, the Mother of unity in love.
On this special occasion, I would like to ideally hand over to the focolarini the prayer of the Holy Rosary, which I re-proposed to all the Church as a preferential way of contemplating and assimilating the mystery of Christ. I am certain that your devotion to the Holy Virgin will help you to highlight this initiative of a year dedicated to the Rosary. Offer your contribution so that these months may become an occasion for interior renewal for every Christian community.
4. The Year of the Rosary will be, also for you, a stimulus to intensify the contemplation of Christ through the eyes of Mary, in order to conform yourselves to Him and to radiate His salutary presence in your environments. I know that I can especially entrust to your prayers the mystery of Jesus crucified and forsaken as the way to contributing towards the realization of his utmost desire to bring unity among his disciples.
Certain that you will always remember the Successor of Peter, I assure you of my prayers and, wishing every success for your Assembly, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing on each one of you and on the entire Movement.
From the Vatican, 16 October 2002
IOANNES PAULUS II
