Eli, Chiara would have been ninety today. During her lifetime the world changed a lot. You knew her closely. What do you think is her historical importance?

«In each period of history, God has sent a charism to meet the particular needs of the world. At this time there is a tension towards unity, in politics, in business …and we can see this from European unity, the UN, and the ecumenical dialogue that happened during this period. The Second Vatican Council opened the Catholic Church to other Christian traditions and other faiths. It seems that everything had been prepared for the charism of unity. Chiara’s gift, which can be summed up in the words of Jesus “May they all be one”, is unity in its maximum expression: “all One”. Her charism is addressed to everyone as children of God-Love, for everyone has been created in order to love. Chiara focused on this aspect of human nature, and created relationships of all kinds. Her inspiration that mutual love brings unity was something new! It was the discovery that you can go to God together in a communion which grows deeper and deeper».

Many people, including Church leaders, have suggested that Chiara had a “gift of prophecy”. Could you tell us about any intuitions she had that proved to be true?

«In the very early days of the movement, on the feast of Christ the King she invited her companions to ask for what they read in the Readings of the day: “… ask and I will give you as an inheritance all peoples…” While she was still alive, she saw this spirit reach 184 nations, almost all of them. Another new intuition was regarding the presence of Jesus “where two or more are gathered” in his name. His presence among the first group was an answer to all their aspirations and was a totally new experience for them. So too was the communion of goods and unity (a word only used by communists at that time) and living the Words of the Gospel (something emphasised at the time more by Protestants than Catholics). She had an openness that emphasised the positive aspects of other Christian traditions, which began an ecumenical dialogue: similarly an interfaith dialogue began, and a wider dialogue with those with no formal faith. .. These are all elements that were affirmed first by the Council and then successive Popes as part of the life of the Church. The experience she had with the Bangwa people in Africa was an example of “new evangelisation”, and began in the sixties. She also emphasised the role of the laity in paving the way for the institutional Church in many fields of human activity. In all this it is easy to see why God chose a woman to build unity at such a broad level. The Focolare Movement (“Work of Mary”), as written in our Statutes and approved by the Church, desires to be as far as possible a continuation of the presence of Mary on earth. This wish of hers came from a very profound spiritual experience».

What was Chiara’s relationship with young people and what did they mean to her?

«She had a special relationship with young people because she felt that they had less to lose than adults. She felt they were freer, and was at her ease in their company, especially the youngest ones. She had a belief in their “uncontaminated” nature and had a direct, simple and immediate rapport with them. She was very excited about their ability to follow great ideals, and to believe everything is possible. She had a great “utopian” ideal and young people were drawn to it. She was “revolutionary” just in the simple way she related to them, with her approach, the normality of reaching fulfilment by doing the will of God, holiness within the reach of everyone. She received many letters from young people who wanted to imitate her in following God, in living the Gospel, in giving everything. When she launched the Economy of Communion, she issued a challenge to young students, encouraging them to broaden their knowledge about it and develop it. When she began her adventure, she was young and surrounded by people even younger than her. She always had a great trust in young people».

What do you think Chiara would say to us today?

«I think she would say, “Love one another, like Jesus loved us”. »

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