Focolare Movement

Oreste Basso: a life spent turning the world into a family

Apr 14, 2013

On the night of 14 April, Oreste Basso left this world. He was among the first focolarini who were with Chiara Lubich in the development and spread of the Focolare Movement. We remember his cheeky smile and the perpetual twinkle in his eyes, but most of all we remember the warmth of his welcome.

A sudden and unexpected decline in his health over the last few days led to his death a half an hour after midnight. His life, the richness of his humanity and his smile are imprinted upon the hearts of thousands of persons he encouraged in the long years he spent in the service of God and the ideal of unity, which he got to know in his youth in Milan.

We will write more of his life story at a later date. In the meantime, those who wish to honour him may do so in the chapel of the International Centre of the Focolare Movement, in Rocca di Papa, where from 2 o’clock this afternoon (Italian time) he will be lying in state.

The funeral will be tomorrow, 15 April, at 15:00, at the Focolare International Centre in Rocca di Papa.

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Your email address will not be published.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

The General Assembly of the Focolare Movement is about to begin

The General Assembly of the Focolare Movement is about to begin

320 representatives of the Focolare Movement communities around the world will take part in the fourth General Assembly since the death of the foundress Chiara Lubich, from the 1st to the 21st of March. The Assembly will elect the new members of the governing body and will approve the guidelines for the next five years.

A little miracle in just 27 hours

A little miracle in just 27 hours

Four years after the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, we share a story of proximity, a diary that tells how quickly generosity can move. At the beginning of February, a couple from Lower Austria received a request for help from Kiev appealing for winter clothes for people facing great hardship. Twenty-seven hours later, over a ton of clothes and shoes had reached the collection point. It was an overwhelming wave of willingness and solidarity.

Chiara Lubich: “God needs us”

Chiara Lubich: “God needs us”

‘See, I am making all things new.’ Chiara Lubich commented on the Word of Life for February 2026 in April 1989. Here is a brief excerpt.