Philippines: Youth URL

URL. This time it is not Unique Resource Location that allows you to locate the address of an internet site, but United in the Revolution of Love, love that is inspired by the Gospel, the love that thousands of young people throughout the world have drawn from the life and teachings of Chiara Lubich whose fourth anniversary of the departure for Heaven is being remembered during these days.

URL was the title chosen by young people from the Philippines for a gathering on 10 March, the day chosen to pay tribute to Chiara and to the impact of her charism on the young people of today and of yesterday. The venue was also symbolic. The event was held in the 400 year-old pavillion of St Thomas University, the royal pontifical university that had conferred a doctorate of Theology on Chiara in 1997.

During his welcoming remarks, Fr Rolando De La Rosa, ninety-fifth Rector of the university, shared of his personal encounter with Chiara in 1977. He described her as a person worthy of imitation, because she proposes holiness as a goal that is within the reach of everyone.

The Gen – youth people committed members of the Focolare Movement – along with adult members of the Movement witnessed to the “constellation of stars” that Chiara had once intuited would come to exist in the heart of the Movement as a “second generation” that would come after those who had begun. They would be true protagonists of the “revolution of love”.

Among the 2000 young people who filled the pavillion was a group of Buddhists who offered a song about unity. There were also many men and women religious from several congregations and some seminarians who were struck by Chiara’s message to the young. One girl writes: “This is the most beautiful moment I ever lived in my life. Knowing Chiara Lubich is the greatest chance that has ever been given to me becuase, like many others who’ve met her, she made me able to discover God . . . who is Love.”

One young man summarized the two-hour programme in this way: “Celebrating the 4th anniversary of Chiara’s birth to Heaven – the presentations and video-clips about her – evrything spoke of the possibility of giving your life for a revolution capable of changing the lives of thousands of people. The interviews with people of different ages, professional and cultural backgrounds underscored the revolutionary effects of the Gospel when it is put in practice. All the songs, the dances and expriences focused on Chiara’s impact on society, the Church and the world, they gave you an idea of the impact of her Ideal on the lives of so many people of diverse cultures, on interpersonal relationships, vocations, the arts, politics and business. . . on every aspect of life.”     

The day concluded with the solemn celebration of the Mass, presided over by Bishop Gerard Alminaza and concelebrated by Bishop Antonio Tobias, in charge of ecumenical affairs at the Bishops Conference of the Philippines. In their closing remarks, the directors of the Focolare in the Philippines offered the words that Chiara used as she imagined what her encounter with God would be like: “If You asked me who I was, I wouldn’t say my name. I’d say THANK YOU for everything and forever!” It was with these words in their hearts that everyone left the pavillion that afternoon.