“Eckstein” Centre, Baar
Unity at the dawn of the Focolare Movement
Video of Chiara Lubich in Amsterdam. Italian soundtrack.
Assisi 2011: An Interview with Maria Voce
What are you impressions following the events in Assisi and Rome? 
I have a very positive impression. It especially makes me think of John Paul II and Chiara Lubich and their long sightedness in the field of openness and dialogue. They had understood that it was worthwhile to invest in people and infrastructures to develop the topic of dialogue. I refer particularly to organisms that work specifically for this: the various Pontifical Councils (for the Unity of Christians, for Interreligious Dialogue, for Culture, for Justice and Peace, within the Church) and the Centers that are occupied with the various dialogues within the heart of the Movement. It highlighted how many relationships that have been constructed over the years. To me this seems like a novelty compared to encounters of other years. Each one of us did a lot over the years, even though it could have seemed little compared to the results that have been obtained. In summary, I think we have reached a point in which there are true relationships of mutual love. There are a few significant facts that everyone noticed. When Patriarch Bartholomew’s book fell to the floor, Rowan Williams, the Primate of the Church of England, reached down to get it; the Pope was often smiling as he glanced first at one then at another. They seem to be small things, but they are gestures that everyone notices, and they give a testimony. Then there was the presence of people with no religious convictions. This was truly a substantial and important novelty, especially because of the way the Pope presented them as in search of the common truth. He underscored that the truth transcends everyone and no one can claim to possess it completely. It was beautiful the way he presented it. This was clearly a novelty. Assisi 2011 was not only an encounter in the spirit of fraternity and peace, it was also a moment to elevate our spirits in the search of something that went beyond this. You were invited together with Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio and Father Julian Carrón, who is guiding the Communion and Liberation Movement. It is quite a noteworthy sign of recognition for the new ecclesial Movements and Communities. How do you see the role of the movements and especially the laity in the field of dialogue? Many cardinals and bishops have come to thank me for the delicate and discreet relationships that we build with people of different religions. This was, therefore, an acknowledgement of what our movement and the other movements in general do in the field of dialogue. I found much appreciation also for the way in which lay people are able to understand the diverse contexts and concrete situations and traditions of the religions and of the believers. The laity more easily have daily contact with those of other faiths and, therefore, they are acquainted with vital aspects and traditions of these religions. This can also help the institutional Church to move in its relations with the faithful of the other religions. No one can know everything and everyone. One example: I was having lunch with the Sikh delegation, who were not afraid to tell everyone that they knew the focolare and attended all the events that we promote. And with many others it was the same. The relationships that the movements have established with these religious leaders came out in a very spontaneous way. It seems to me that the hierarchy of the Church is quite happy and grateful. By Roberto Catalano
November 2011
“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” In saying this, Jesus wants to remind us first of all that he will come. Our life on earth will end and a new life will begin, one that will never end. No one wants to talk about death today … At times, we do all we can to distract ourselves, immersing ourselves completely in our daily occupations to the point of forgetting who gave us life and who will ask to have it back in order to introduce us into the fullness of life, into communion with his Father in heaven. Will we be ready to meet him? Will our lamps be lit, like those of the prudent virgins who were waiting for the spouse? In other words, will we be loving? Or will our lamps be extinguished because we are so taken up with the many things to do, the fleeting joys, the possession of material goods, that we forget the one thing necessary: to love? “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” But how can we stay awake? First of all, we know that whoever loves is capable of staying awake, of waiting. For example, a wife waits for her husband who is coming home from work late or returning from a long trip; a mother stays awake worrying about her son who hasn’t come home yet; whoever is in love eagerly awaits the moment to see the one he or she loves … Whoever loves is capable of waiting even when the loved one delays. We wait for Jesus if we love him and ardently desire to meet him. And we wait for him by loving concretely, by serving him, for instance, in our neighbors or by working to build a more just society. Jesus himself invites us to live like this by giving us the parable of the faithful servant who, while waiting for the return of his master, looked after the servants and the affairs of the house. He also gave us the parable of the servants who, while waiting for their master to return home, put the talents they received to good use. “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Precisely because we don’t know the day or the hour of his coming, we can concentrate more easily on living one day at a time, focusing on the troubles of the day and on what Divine Providence offers to us right now. Some time ago I spontaneously voiced this prayer to God:
Jesus, let me speak always as if it were the last word I ever say. Let me act always as if it were the last thing I ever do. Let me suffer always as if it were the last suffering I have to offer you. Let me pray always as if it were my last chance on earth to talk with you.
Chiara Lubich
1st November: All Saints Day
Launched into infinity
The saints are great men and women
who, having seen their greatness in the Lord,
risk for God, as his children,
everything that is theirs.
They give, demanding nothing.
They give their life, their soul, their joy,
every earthly bond, every richness.
Free and alone,
launched into infinity,
they wait for Love to bring them
into the eternal kingdom; but, already in this life,
they feel their hearts fill with love,
true love, the only love
that satisfies, that consoles,
that love which shatters
the eyelids of the soul and gives
new tears.
Ah, no one knows who a saint is!
He or she has given and now receives,
and an endless flow
passes between heaven and earth,
joins earth to heaven,
and filters from the depths
rare ecstasy, celestial sap
that does not stop at the saint,
but flows over the tired, the mortal,
the blind and paralyzed in soul,
and breaks through and refreshes,
comforts and attracts and saves.
If you want to know about love, ask a saint.
Chiara Lubich, Essential Writings, New City Press, Hyde Park, NY, 2007, p. 116
Thailand: hope amidst the floods
More than two months of continuous rain, more by far to what is forseen every year, are beating Thailand and around eight million persons. The worst hit provinces are those of Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Sawan, where the level of the water has gone beyond four metres high. Some members of the Focolari, who live in Bangkok, write to us: “ The consequences of what has happened are before the eyes of all: whole villages evacuated, industrial zones invaded by the water with the loss of tens of thousands of places of work, schools closed for an undetermined period. Years will be required to recover what we have lost.” But even in the midst of this situation, there are facts taking place that speak of still possible hope, of the desire for new birth stronger than sorrow. Thus, they continue to write from Bangkok: “What nobody expected, at least under these dimensions, is concrete love, the help that very many people are giving to who is suffering. A reporter from CNN has defined as “an incredible social effect” what is happening in Thailand. And it is so. All help each other, all try to do something for for those who have been hit; thousands of volonteers have worked 24 hours on 24 to prepare 1,200,000 sand bags to mend or raise the banks of some important canals in the zones of the floods.Those working are in the majority young people, who wanted to contribute to save what can be saved.” The work of the Focolari to bring material, spiritual, and moral help, forms part of this common work that involves the whole country, encouraging fraternal experiences that make every hope credible. Amongst the many testimonies that are reaching our editorial office, we have chosen that of S.C., university teacher, who thus relates: “I have tried to understand together with my students what to do for the victims of the floods. The youths consulted each other and decided to gather money approaching the people on the street, going up on the trains. It required a bit of courage, and yet…Around twenty of them agreed to meet each other in front of the big shops, equipped with large posters, a box and two guitars. They are all young buddists convinced of the importance of doing good to others. I encouraged them to first of all live in fraternity amongst themselves, offering difficulties and weariness for the good of the country. The collection went beyond what was expected, 17,700 bath, a large sum for our economy. But most of all, it contributed to widening the hearts of the youths on the needs of others. This commitment of theirs continues to give fruit.”
The Spirituality of Unity
A gathering in the Dolomite Mountains in the beginnings of the Focolare.
Some time later, conscious of the divine boldness of such a program, which only God could bring about, we knelt around an altar and asked Jesus to realize that dream of his using even us if he wished, it were in his plans. Often, in the beginning, faced with the immensity of the task, we became dizzy and, seeing the crowds that we should gather in unity, we were taken by shock. But, little by little, gently, the Lord made us understand that our task was like that of a small child who throws a stone into a lake. The tiny stone causes rings to be formed which continue to extend, reaching wider and wider, and they can seem to continue forever. And so we understood that we would have to create unity around us, in our own surroundings, wherever we found ourselves. Then, when we went to Heaven, we would be able to look down and see the circles widening still more, becoming gigantic, until the end of time, when the plan of God would be accomplished. Right from the first moment, it was clear to us that this unity had only one name: Jesus. For us, being one meant being Jesus. In fact, only Christ make two into one, because his love is the emptying of self, it’s non egoism, it makes us enter deeply into the hearts of others. The things I wrote during those times betray our wonder before such a sublime and supernatural reality: ‘Unity! But who could dare to speak of it? It’s ineffable as God! You feel it, you see it, you enjoy it, but. . . it’s ineffable! Everyone rejoices in its presence, everyone suffers in its absence. It’s peace, joy, love, ardor, an atmosphere of heroism, of the highest generosity. It’s Jesus among us!’”
Chiara Luce Badano: Holiness 2.0
One year has gone by since her beatification, attended by more than twenty-thousand young people who travelled to Rome for the occasion, and viewed by many more youths around the world via internet. . The powerful testimony of Chiara Luce Badano, the Gen from Genoa, Italy, who the Church declared blessed, seems to have made holiness fashionable again. Her “nineteen years full of life and love and faith,” (Pope Benedict XVI), awakens in youth and adults alike the desire to spend their lives for something great. They discover that holiness can be lived in daily life. Chiara Luce has shown us that we can also love always and unconditionally.” This was said by a Brazilian youth during one of the many evening presentations of the “Life Love Light” Musical which are spreading around the world: from Italy to Spain – during the WYD – and in other European countries; from the Middle East to Asia; reaching the Americas, Australia and many African countries. Her parents, Maria Teresa and Ruggero Badano have received numerous invitations to share their story. Everyone feels a living relationship with Chiara Luce Badano who is still alive. But, as one youth explains very well: “Chiara Luce has taught me something very powerful: I can’t become a saint on my own, we need to become saints together.” And Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare spoke the following words when she presented the young blessed: “The final goal of the Focolare Movement is to cooperate with the Church in realizing the testament of Jesus, ‘that all be one.’ While she was still a small child, Chiara Luce already discovered that sufferings are like precious pearls that can be gathered throughout each day. Therefore, she lived her life with Jesus and with Him she transformed her passion into a wedding song. Yes, Chiara Luce is a fulfilled Gen, a modern living testimony of our Ideal which came to maturity in her when she was 18 years old.” Her story is being spared using every means: over 30,000 copies of the book “Io ho tutto” and over 15,000 copies of “Dai tetti in giù” already translated in several languages. Then there are thousands of DVD and musical CD’s about her life and beatification. But it is mostly the internet that shows how many people know here, or discover her in unimaginable ways and want to live like her. Her Facebook page has numerous fans who share, post comments, photos. The “Life Love Light” website has become a reference point for many people to share their personal discovery of the reason for Chiara Luce’s life and the happiness that she expressed with her dying words: “Mamma, goodbye. Be glad, because I’m happy.” Direct Link to Chiara Luce profile on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChannelChiaraLuce
12 days, 12 countries and 25 young people in search of God
Video of the trip "In the Footsteps of Jesus"
Assisi 2011: The Focolare’s Presence
“It was an inspiration,” Maria Voce, president of the Focolare told the Roman Observer newspaper, “an inspiration that will certainly mark a new acceleration and depth in living one’s personal religious convictions in the service of peace. This is especially urgent today when the absurd fear of religion is spreading. Religion, which by its very nature is a vital source of peace, is being blamed as the primary cause of many conflicts, tensions, phobias, intolerance and religious persecutions that are teeming around the world.” The numerous and high profile delegation will leave from Rome by train on the morning of 27 October with the Pope. Maria Voce will also be on the train with leaders of all the major religions of the world. She will represent the Focolare Movement which is founded on the charism of unity of Chiara Lubich and has always been deeply and naturally involved in dialogue. The Movement includes members from 350 Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities. Because of the universal expansion of the Movement, there is now an open dialogue with the major world religions, and not only with individual followers or religious leaders but with leaders and followers of vast movements: like the Buddhist movement of the Rissho Kosei-kai, which has six million adherents in Japan; with the Afro-American Muslims in the United States and with various Gandhian movements in South India. Thousands of followers of other religions live, inasmuch as possible, the spirit of the Focolare Movement and actively collaborate in working for its goals. Dialogue also began with persons of no religious faith like the agnostics, the indifferent and the atheists. This dialogue develops between believers and people who not have a religious faith but who share the common desire to work together for the brotherhood of the human family. From this point of view, it is quite emblematic that Benedict XVI wished to invite a group of non-believers to the Assisi event, who “though not professing to be religious, they feel that they are on the seeking path for the truth and they feel a common responsibility for the cause of justice and peace in our world.” Four invitees have accepted the invitation of Benedict XVI. They include philosophers, historians and professors from various countries in the world. Among them is Walter Baier: Austrian economist, General Coordinator of “Transform! Network,” a European research group that includes magazines and leftist think tanks. He is a member of the Austrian Communist Party, but also a collaborator with the Focolare’s international center for dialogue with persons of non-religious convictions. “A world-city truly appears on the horizon, shining with hope.” This is what the upcoming event in Assisi 2011 foreshadows. “Today,” says Maria Voce, “dialogue between religions cannot be limited to the leaders, researchers and specialists. It should be a dialogue of the people, and this will be more and more essential for peaceful coexistence in our cities and countries as we find ourselves elbow to elbow with Muslims and Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs. It is a chronicle that will have to be discovered and perhaps invented, without allowing ourselves to be discouraged by the rumors of violence and intolerance. It’s the daily testimony that opens the way.”
Spirituality of Unity: The Eucharist
The Eucharist always had an important role in the life of Chiara Lubich, ever since her childhood. Both her personal life and that of her first companions – and that of the entire Movement – has been marked by the Eucharistic presence. And it could not have been otherwise, when we recall that Eucharistic Jesus is the heart and soul and very life of the Church. The action of the Holy Spirit in his charism of unity, instilled in Chiara and in her first companions a powerful attraction for Jesus in the Eucharist, to the point that they could not wait to go to Mass and share their lives with Him each day. And later, when they began travelling through Italy by train, they would eagerly gaze out over the countryside searching for church steeples, because they knew that the Eucharist, their love was there. There is a marvelous interconnection between the Eucharist and the spirituality of unity. Chiara comments on this great mystery in the following way: “Since the Lord concentrated our attention on Jesus’ prayer for unity when he wanted to initiate this vast movement, it meant that he had to give us a strong push in the direction of the only one who could accomplish this unity: Jesus in the Eucharist. In fact, just as newborns instinctively nourish themselves at their mother’s breast, hardly knowing what they are doing – ever since the beginning of the Movement we noticed that people who grew close to us began going to Communion every day. How are we to explain this? What instinct is for a newborn, the Holy Spirit is for an adult, who is a newborn into the life that the Gospel of unity brings. He is driven to the “heart” of Mother Church and he fees on the most precious nectar that it has, in which he feels to have found the secret of the life of unity and of his own divinization. Indeed, the work of the Eucharist is to make us God by participation. Mixing together our flesh that has been made alive by the Holy Spirit and Christ’s life-giving flesh, we are divinized in soul and in body. The Church could be defined as: the oneness caused by the Eucharist, because it is comprised of divinized men and women, made God, united to Christ who is God and united to one another. This God-with-us is present in all the tabernacles of the world, listening to our confidences, our joys, and our fears. How much comfort Eucharistic Jesus has provided for us in our trials when no one would grant us an audience because the Movement was under investigation! He was always there, at all hours, waiting for us, telling us: In the end, I’m the boss of the Church. And in struggles and pains of every kind he gave us such strength that we thought we should have died many times if Eucharistic Jesus and Jesus in our midst, whom he fueled, had not sustained us.”
Year of Faith
“It’s with surprise and great joy and gratitude that we welcomed the proclamation on the up- coming ‘Year of Faith’ announced by Pope Benedict XVI. And even more so, his apostolic letter ‘Porta Fidei’ that announces this thematic year, which will begin on October 11, 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Once more we grasp the strong thrust of the Holy Spirit in this initiative which arrives punctually in this moment of history. The young people of the World Youth Day, the families, workers and youth who are demonstrating, inaugurate a new springtime and invoke profound social reformations. They are signs which tell us how much today’s humanity is seeking change. I found confirmation of this also in my recent trips which I took to the United States, Santo Domingo, Russia, Slovenia and Great Britain. “We cannot accept that salt should become tasteless or the light be kept hidden,”[1] writes the Pope. We also deeply feel this urgency and it calls us to convert: to live the Word of God with particular intensity. In welcoming the Pope’s ‘mandate,’ we have launched out once more with even greater vigour. We have committed ourselves to go back to the totalitarian way of living of the first years of the Movement: first of all to re-evangelize ourselves, in order to then spread the Gospel with all its transforming power to that humanity which surrounds us. Even today – as Chiara Lubich wrote already in 1948 – “the world needs a cure of the Gospel.”[2] Moreover, we have profoundly echoed the Pope’s pressing invitation to give public witness to faith, to the Word lived-out “as an experience of love received,” “communicated as an experience of grace and joy.”[3] In the initial years of the Focolare Movement’s life, the sharing of experiences of life based on the Word of God was a novelty. These experiences were irrefutable, because they were ‘life’ and fruitful, able to generate a living encounter with Jesus and to form a community out of dispersed people. Benedict XVI reminded us that we don’t face this task alone, but together. We want to intensify that experience of communion and brotherhood in our environments: in parliaments, factories, neighbourhoods, universities and families, because it is in communion that the Risen One makes Himself spiritually present, touches people’s hearts and transforms them. The Pope strengthened our conviction that this is a moment of special grace for the Church, in which the Council’s spirit of renewal is in action more than ever.”
Publications: Living the Spirituality of Unity in the United States
It tells two stories, the story of the Focolare and that of the United States. In an air-raid shelter in the city of Trent (1944), Chiara Lubich and some other young women rediscovered the words of the Gospel: “that all be one” (Jn 17:21). A hundred-fifty years earlier the founding fathers of the United States wrote on their flag: “E pluribus unum,” of the many, one. Both phrases reveal a fundamental tendency: to aspire for unity in diversity. 
In the introduction of the book, “Focolare: living a Spirituality of Unity in the United States,” Thomas Masters and Amy Uelmen (New City Press, NY), begin with the stories of young people who practice the spirituality. Like Rebecca from Ohio, who was helped by the spirituality of unity to carry through with her decision to volunteer in Sierra Leone. Or Nick, who grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, who completed a Master in International Affairs and found himself face-to-face with his choice of relationship and dialogue in an environment that was strongly competitive. Elizabeth is a championship swimmer. She met the Focolare at a swimming competition in her hometown in Indiana: “When these girls who knew the Focolare came to my school, I was struck by the way they interacted with each other. The cultural mix – for someone from rural Indiana like me – made a strong impression. I felt like the whole world was in my backyard.” “It wasn’t easy for me to explain to my friends who all these Europeans were, where I went and what we did,” recounts Keith, who grew up in a black neighborhood of New York. “But it was special with them, I felt drawn. We did the same things that I did at home with my friends: sport, games, but the atmosphere was different, we tried to love one another.” The Focolare town of Mariapolis Luminosa in Hyde Park, New York, offers summer programs for teenagers. Naomi, a sixteen year-old from Chicago recounts: “Before leaving for Mariapolis Luminosa, I was a typical teenager: school, friends, shopping, enjoyment. It was hard for me to think of others. Well, this has all changed. When I returned home, I began to give away my things; I make my bed every morning; I try to prepare at least one of the meals each day; I listen to my eight year-old brother; I try to socialize with everyone at school. I don’t go shopping in the stores where a sweater costs a hundred dollars. I try to do everything for God, to make him smile. My mother is still wondering what happened to me.” Finally, David from New York, who came to know the Focolare during WYD 2002 in Toronto. For him it has meant not becoming rigid in ‘devotional’ practices, but placing God’s love and love of neighbor at the centre of things: “As I rediscovered my faith in this way, I felt called by the Holy Spirit to become a priest, and now I’m in the seminary.” These six experiences suggest that it is easier to understand the spirituality of the Focolare through the experiences of those who put it into practice. Beginning with the life of Chiara Lubich and those who joined her on this path, followed by the example of Americans young and old, families and clergy – this book tells the story of a shared experience of people whose lives have been transformed in an individual way, but also in a quite similar way by the light of God’s Love.
Prayer for peace
John Paul II had just arrived in Assisi on 24 January 2002. He immediately headed towards Saint Francis Square to welcome the Representatives of the World Religions and their Delegations. After the greeting addressed by the Pope and the introduction by Cardinal François Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân, the Representatives read out the witnesses for peace in their respective languages. Here we offer you what was said by Chiara Lubich who, together with Andrea Riccardi, represented the Catholic Church. «For us Christians, Jesus is the God of Peace. This is the reason why the Catholic Church makes peace one of its most heartfelt goals. “Nothing is lost through peace. Everything can be lost through war,” exclaimed Pius XII. Pacem in Terris was the title of one of John XXIII’s encyclicals. “War never again!” repeated Paul VI while at the United Nations. And John Paul II, after the terrible events of 9-11, indicated the path to peace: “There is no peace without justice, there is no justice without forgiveness.” The whole Catholic Church works for peace and there are many paths it follows to reach it. The dialogues are very effective, following the path traced out by the Second Vatican Council. They guarantee peace because they generate brotherhood. They take place on a universal level and in different Churches, as well as through groups, associations, ecclesial movements and new communities. The Church carries out the first dialogue among its own sons and daughters, beginning with building that required communion on every level, which is assurance of peace. It carries out a second irreversible one with different Churches and ecclesial communities, a dialogue which augments peace in the big Christian family. 
It carries out another one with the main world religions, based on the ‘golden rule’ that is present in a number of Sacred Books and which is expressed in the Christian Scriptures with these words: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ (Mt 7:12). This ‘golden rule,’ which emphasises the duty to love one’s brothers and sisters, creates pools of universal brotherhood in which peace reigns. Lastly, dialogue and collaboration on many fronts with all those who have no religious reference point but are men and women of goodwill, so we can also build peace with them. Therefore, various expressions of one big dialogue, generator of that brotherhood which in this extremely difficult historical moment can become the soul of the vast worldwide community, which today’s workforce and government are paradoxically beginning to hope for.» 24 January 2002
Young People in Tokyo: Fukushima solidarity concert
This is the invitation that was launched by the Youth for a United World (YUW) in Japan on Sunday, 9 October during a “Power of the Smile” concert in Tokyo, as they remembered the fatal tsunami that hit the northern coast of their country. “They idea for the concert,” they tell us, “came to us when we realized how much the quake had shaken and frightened people. With the “Power of the Smile” we wanted to offer our friends a few moments of serenity, which they could then bring to others.” Their message was launched with the musical refrain from the final song: “With the power of my smile, I will believe that I can love this land.” “During the past months,” they continued, “many YUW groups have gone out of their way, finding a million ways to help us with their solidarity. And their projects and efforts have encouraged us to do something concrete ourselves. As soon as we heard of the disaster on 11 march, we began a collection of funds in the metro area of Tokyo, an unusual thing in our culture, but it awakened a strong spirit of solidarity and altruism in many people on the street. Subsequently, some of us went to the district of Fukushima for a few days, offering the refugees some warm coffee and loivng and listening ear.” Finally, with four musical groups alternating on stage, the concert took place. “Before going on stage we met in a circle and promised each other that even though we felt there were still a lot of holes in our original plans for the concert, what we most wanted to leave with the audience was the light of our unity.” “Little by little the concert went on,” recalls one of the presenters, “I saw the faces in front of me change!” This concert by the YUW of Tokyo was very unlike most traditional concerts. It was a coffee-concert, with groups on stage continually interacting with the audience and the possibility for anyone to go on stage, to meet and know each other over a cup of coffee and piece of cake. When the concert was over, some of those who had attended wrote: “I wanted to go and volunteer in Fukushima, but I couldn’t. What a joy to have discovered that simply by offering my smile to everyone, I can do something concrete to make our society a bit happier!” “I didn’t expect so many smiles! They filled me with love!” “Giving a smile is a power that conqers all!” “You too, me too. . . altogether let’s believe in the possibility that we can love this land!”
Sophia and the Life of the Word
“The inauguration of a fourth academic year at Sophia University Institute, is certainly an appropriate occasion to pause briefly and consider the progress that has already been made and to derive motivation for what lies ahead. The academic performance of our students is an encouraging sign, particularly the theses that have already been completed by several students. In fact, they appear to be the result not only of an effort that has been carried out with intellectual and academic rigor, but within the context of an experience that is also quite unique. The charism of unity that animates this Institute combines intellectual life with real life, the development of relationships that are nourished and re-built each day within the heart of the academic community. All of this allows us to look ahead with real optimism, that is, with the gaze of one who, aware of the inevitable difficulties that will be met along the way, follows a design of light that is manifested and can already be seen unfolding. And so that this design that is contained in Sophia might be more fully realized, I would like to focus your attention on one of the fundamental points around which the experience of Sophia develops: the life of the Word. I would like to invite you to allow yourselves to be profoundly permeated by the Word, that is, by Jesus’ way of thinking, wanting and loving. Live the Word. Allow yourselves to be lived by the Word. This is what Chiara Lubich exhorted us to do, knowing that this is the indispensable condition for entering into a new way of life and a new way of knowing. Indeed, it is only a person who has been transformed by the Word who can attain a true conversion of the mind. Such a person will be a credible transmitter of the truth not only in words but living. Such a person can have an efficacious influence on diverse social and cultural contexts in which she or he works, by injecting a fruitful seed of the life of the Gospel. And thanks to all of you, may Sophia be an ever more authentic witness of this. This is my heartfelt wish, which I offer to you today.” Maria Voce
Inauguration of the 4th Academic Year at Sophia University Institute
“Hopes and doubts. These are the sentiments we feel when we arrive in Sophia University Institute,” says student representative Gabriel Almeida. “Sophia for us means answering a call that God directs toward each one of us and which can be found in the story of many here, a call to be an itinerant community, which desires – not without struggle – a civilization of love.” The atmosphere at the beginning of this fourth academic year is one of change, of growth and innovation. Nearly one thousand professors, students and friends from all over Italy attended the opening ceremonies of the new academic year on 17 October at Loppiano. They were joined by mayors from Tuscany, political and religious leaders, and faculty from other European institutes of learning with whom Sophia is establishing fruitful study relations. In his opening statement, Giuseppe Betori, Chancellor of Sophia Institute and Archbishop of Florence, called Sophia “something young in its act of founding, but able to find ample space within the academic world (… ) for advancing its own new proposals in the current cultural context of dialogue and communion. I extend to you the exhortation of the Pope at the Seminary in Freiburg: ‘We are Church: let us be Church, let us be Church precisely by opening ourselves and stepping outside ourselves and being Church with others.’ 
The results achieved by Sophia in its first four years are encouraging: 83 students are enrolled so far in the Master Degree program, including 34 this year. Thirty-three have defended a thesis and obtained a degree in “Foundations and Perspectives of a Culture of Unity.” Fifteen are enrolled in the doctorate program, and 7 in degree courses at other academic institutions, where they are acquiring the necessary credits to gain access to the doctoral program. Also noteworthy is the presence of 31 students who follow personal study programs. And academic achievement is what is most encouraging about Sophia University Institute (SUI), as Maria Voce, Vice-chancellor and president of the Focolare Movement relates: “Each time I sign a certificate, I have the joy of knowing that another person has been immerged in this culture of unity and is bringing it into the world. Based on what has been accomplished so far, we can only feel real optimism for the future of Sophia.” And she set living the Word of the Gospel as the basic tenet upon which to develop the experience of Sophia: “I invite you to let yourselves be deeply permeated by this Word, which is Jesus’ way of thinking, of acting, and of loving.” While addressing some of the future challenges of this academic community, SUI’s President Piero Coda explained how today it is necessary to upgrade the course of study, so that degree titles may better correspond to empirical standards and be more expendable on an academic professional plane. “For this reason, three new courses of specialization are in the process of being defined in Political Studies, Economy and Management: Trinitarian Ontology.” M
ore space will be given within the Institute for study and research in the Social Sciences, thanks to the institution of a Chair in “Fundamentals of the Social Sciences” and through an upcoming congress in collaboration with the University of Trent. In the inaugural lecture, Brazilian sociologist, Vera Araujo, affirmed the belief that: “There have never been better times than these to be a sociologist.” “We also want to say something about the possibility of finding new paradigms and models: the human person, brotherhood, communion, agape-love, unity. Not only concepts or paradigms, but tools to equip the work areas of those in the social fields.” These reflections have the flavor of encouragement not only for the new sociology, but also – and perhaps above all – for the academic adventure begun by Sophia, which is called to sprinkle society with a new culture.
The Spirituality of Unity: Mutual Love
Chiara and her companions really discovered what the Gospel was when they took it with them into the air raid shelters and read it together, before then they hadn’t really known it: no-one had ever spoken to them so clearly. Jesus always acts from God. In return for the little you give him, He showers you with gifts. You are alone and you find yourself surrounded by thousands of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and everything you need from God which then you can share with those who have nothing. This was how their faith was strengthened, it was based on experience, that no human situation or difficulty could not find explicitly or implicitly an answer in that little book which gives the words of heaven. The adherents of the growing Movement plunged themselves into living those words; they were nourished by them, re-evangelised and experienced how what Jesus said and promised was unfailingly true. The discovery of the ‘new commandment’ inflamed them to the point that mutual love became their manner, their way of being. And it was the same love that attracted many people, of every age and social class to come to their gatherings. Loving each other reciprocally was not optional for them, but their way of life that had to be shown to the world. Chiara wrote: ‘The War continued. The bombardments were relentless. There were insufficient shelters and we constantly faced the possibility of finding ourselves in front of God. All of this gave us only one desire in our hearts: to put into practise in those moments, which could have been our last, the will of God that was dearest to Him. We then remembered the commandment that Jesus said was His and new: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:12-13). ‘We said that Jesus came bringing with Him, from his homeland, his own customs and habits. ‘His’ commandment brought the law of heaven on to the earth, which is, the love between the three persons of the Holy Trinity. We looked each other in the face and each one declared; ‘”I am ready to give my life for you”. As we had to be ready to give our lives for one another, it was logical that, meanwhile, we should meet the thousands of needs that fraternal love demanded: to share joys, sufferings, our few possessions, our own spiritual experiences. We made ourselves do it so that above all else mutual love would reign amongst us. ‘One day, in the first Focolare, we took out our few and poor goods from the cupboard, and piled them in the middle of the room, so that each one of us could take the few things we needed and what was left over we gave to the poor. We were ready to put our wages in common, and all the small and large goods that we had and would have in the future. We were also ready to put in common our spiritual goods…. Our desire for holiness was held in that one choice: God, which excluded every other objective, but included, obviously, the holiness he had thought of for us. ‘Then, there were the difficulties caused by our own imperfections that each one had and with one another, so we decided not to see one another with human eyes, which only notice the speck in the other, forgetting the plank in their own, but those eyes that forgive all and forget all. We felt we had to forgive each other, imitating merciful God, so we made between us a sort of pact of mercy: that is to get up each morning and see one another as ‘new’, as if those ‘defects’ never existed.
New Evangelisers for the New Evangelisation
“The Word of God continues to spread and flourish” (cf Acts 12: 24). This is the sentence of the Acts of the Apostles that has been chosen as the theme for this year’s international gathering, the first promised by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, which was recently instituted with the entitled: “New Evangelizers for the New Evangelization” on the 15 and 16 October in the Vatican. Work began on the morning of 15 October with a report from the president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, and an ample discussion between various directors of various ecclesial associations which promote the New Evangelization. In the afternoon, following some speeches, there was a concert with Andrea Bocelli. There were two moments with Benedict XVI: in the afternoon, and with the Eucharistic celebration at the conclusion, on the morning of 16 October. How can the New Evangelization lead people to truly ask about the presence of God in their life and in human history? This question was posed by the Religious Information Service (SIR) during an interview with Msgr. Fisichella. The Archbishop responded by saying: “The content of the New Evangelization is always the same and never changes. The New Evangelization does nothing else but to retrace the long journey from the days of the Apostles to our own day, through which men and women of good will and disciples of the Lord have striven to proclaim his Word as the Gospel that saves. What can be modified, obviously, is the language, the enthusiasm, a renewed sense by the Christian community of being itself an evangelizer.” 
The Focolare was also at the meeting, with a delegation for its international headquarters. “The Word of God,” in fact, is the point of the spirituality of Chiara Lubich which the entire Movement will be reflecting upon and living during the coming year, until the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization next year. This was the main topic of the meeting which ended last week, for delegates of the Focolare who gathered from around the world at Rocca di Papa in Italy. Already in 2008, during the Synod on the Word, at which Maria Voce, attended as an auditor, the president of the Focolare presented to the Synod the experience of the Word that began “at the dawn of the Focolare Movement,” when “Chiara Lubich together with a small group of friends, began a spiritual journey that was marked by deep rediscovery of the life of the Gospel.” On that occasion she said: “The result of this life (of the Gospel) was the birth of a community formed by those who, coming into contact with them, began to live the Gospel with enthusiasm, and to share their many surprising experiences. The Word of God still occupies this central place in our lives today. We experience the Word of God to be a wellspring of God (cf DV7) from which we can drink, from which we can nourish our soul as with the Eucharist (cf DV21). The practice of sharing with one another our experiences of living the Word, has contributed to an always more authentic evangelization. We can therefore understand Chiara’s longing to leave to those who would follow her only the Gospel.”
A community that educates – a winning gamble
Almost paradoxically, in a world that is always more global and in communication, there is an increase of the sense of being left out and of areas of solitude, with definitive negative consequences both at the individual and collective level, so much so that OMS has forcast that in 2030 depression in youths could become the second absolute cause of death. Yet, there is an increasing perception in all directions – as documented in the intervention prepared by the International Commission of Education for Unity – of the “need for community”(according to the expression of Z. Bauman), and starting from this radical need, one recognises the necessity to “form the man- in relationship” the key idea of Chiara Lubich in the Education area. It was underlined by her in the lectio on the occasion of the degree “honoris causa” in pedagogy (USA, 2000), and now referred to with vigour in this 5th pedagological meeting of EdU. An engaging and fascinating gamble that has involved the 270 partecipants (university professors, teachers, parents, students), together with many that have followed direct through internet, from Sicily, Albania, Malta, Slovenia right up to Colombia and other extra european countries. There were not only reflections on the essentiality of weaving autentic relationships as the foundation of the authentic community, but also the possibility of experiencing them in the entwining of the various moments of dialogue and the exchange-presentations of educational experiences. They dealt, in order to remain coherent with the theme of the meeting, with the not easy construction of the reality of community in various contexts-involving families, schools, the institutions present in the territory-beginning with the intradependence of persons capable of weaving relationships and alliances, inverting in that way the temptation to be individualistic, and injecting doses of hope, an indispensable element of any educational project. The intervention of prof. Domenico Bellantoni (Pontificia Universita` Salesiana, Rome) was very stimulating to delve into the meaning of relationship in the communitarian context. He took part for the whole day, and in particular, starting from the logotherapy of Vicktor Frankl, he delved into the idea of person-autotranscendence, open therefore to relationship and responsibility. Other interventions that will soon be available on Education for Unity website (www.eduforunity.org), were given by Maria Ricci, Michele De Beni, Teresa Boi, and Giuseppe Milan who have presented more directly the contributions regarding what has been the work, this year, of the central Commission EdU. The final dialogue was rich, solicited by open questions recognised in the group workings. The participants left with joy and renewed educational enthusiasm as evidenced by some impressions: “It’s something achievable; I go from here with new hope!” “We need to learn the grammar of relationship.” “We are ready for commitment, both individual and collective, to make constructive proposals and be ready to lose them.” “ Seeing each other new every day builds the community.” And from the messages received through Internet: “What an extraordinary possibility to build personal relationships amongst ourselves and in our communities also through the help of the means of communication” (Slovenia); “I am ready together with all to commit myself to take forward with hope this great project.” (Argentina).
Focolare Regional Delegates Gather in Rome
As usual, the meeting began with three days of spiritual retreat, focused on the Word of God, one of the points of Chiara Lubich’s spirituality which will characterize the life of the Movement’s members during the coming year. They also reflected on the New Evangelization, in view of the 2012 Synod of Bishops which will be held between 7 and 28 October. Topics were examined in the light of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini of Benedict XVI and in the wake of the Lineamenta for the 2012 Synod. Some meditations of Chiara Lubich were also presented, which retraced her discovery of the Word during the Second World War, the way in which it is lived by the Movement today, and its effects: changing mentalities; making the life shine; making people free; giving joy; bringing about vocations; creating community. All of this was accompanied by personal testimonies of living the Word in very diverse settings – at times adverse settings – and by moments of sharing among the participants in small group meetings which characterize the Focolare. The work was presented by the president and co-president of the Movement, Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti:
- Visits to: (Spain, the Holy Land, Canada, USA, Santo Domingo, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and England), in which the beauty of each people was highlighted and each people’s contribution to the project of a united world, together with the vast theme of inculturation.
- Dialogue. There has been more development in this area. It has changed and extended to include non-Catholics, non-Christians, and non-religious persons, who yet belong to the “family” of the Focolare.
- Prospects and Priorities: The priority of priorities is the life, illuminated by the Word of God.
New Evangelisation. Chiara Lubich had spoken on this to a group of Bishops, taking her cue from something Pope John Paul II said regarding the Movements as being particularly suited for bringing the New Evangelisation ahead. This evangelisation is called “new” because of the new zeal, new method and new expressions it will involve. The first proclamation should be: God loves you. The New Evangelisation must create mature Christian communities. While taking embracing the entire Gospel, the word that must be underscored is: love. This means incarnating the new commandment of Jesus “in an ever more radical and authentic way.” The world is present. Each geographical zone had an opportunity to share the situation in which Focolare members live in various regions of the world. Particular attention was given to the Middle East, through a sharing on the experience of dialogue of the focolarini of these lands, a dialogue which grew precisely out of the need to find together a way of facing the new challenges of that troubled land, in which dialogue between diverse cultures seems to be blocked by insurmountable barriers. Vincenzo Buonomo, professor of International Law, then offered an in-depth look at the Middle East situation and the development of the Arab world. Then there was the African continent. The focolarini who live there presented the religious and socio-cultural history of the continent, describing each stage of the spreading of the spirituality of unity in Sub-Saharan Africa. 
Young people and Adults. One of the characteristics of this meeting was the presence of the youth, who helped to enrich the programme at various moments: on the afternoon dedicated to the Genfest (Budapest, 31 August – 2 September 2012); presenting a formation course based on YouCat; and with the presentation of a documentary entitled: “Together We Can: In the Footsteps of Carlo and Alberto” based on the lives of two Gen for whom the process of beatification has already begun. On Saturday, 8 October, the evening before the meeting’s final conclusion, Maria Voce was linked up via internet with thousands of people around the world, for some concluding remarks, in which she also shared one of her dreams: “If each of us begins now to live the Word of God with the intensity with which the first focolarine lived it with Chiara, we will truly be able to think of many lights being kindled, and rays of light filling the streets of the world.” And she added: “How can we not hope for everything and more? How can we doubt that these lights will not be bright enough to illuminate all the dark corners of this cellar that the world has become? I wish you a splendid and luminous year of light – yes – Chiara’s spiritual last testament: “Leave behind only the Gospel. . .”.
Spirituality of Unity: Loving our Neighbour
At the time that Chiara and her first companions began their adventure in Trent (Northern Italy) the town had a population of about ten thousand. The girls’ actions had a real effect on the people and also on the Church. Both the elderly and the young were left speechless seeing the unusual life lived by the girls living in the ‘little house’ in Piazza Cappuccini, the first ‘focolare’. In this humble apartment the poor were at home. In fact the social problems of the city, ruined by the War, were problems the girls made their own. They believed that they could solve the problems by simply believing the truth in the words of the Gospel. By loving each neighbour one after the other. Chiara wrote: ‘Among all the Words in the gospel we noticed immediately all those for our charism concerned specifically with evangelical love towards each neighbour, not only the poor, as when we read in the Gospel that Jesus had said “Whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine (and that means everyone), you did it for me.” (Mt 25,40). Our old way of understanding our neighbour and loving them crumbled. If Christ was in some way in everyone, discriminations couldn’t be made, nor could preferences. Our normal way of reasoning of classifying people was thrown into the air: fellow country man or foreigner, old or young, beautiful or ugly, likeable or not, rich or poor, Christ was behind each one, Christ was in each one. “Another Christ” really was each neighbour – if grace enriched his soul – or “another Christ”, a Christ proud – if he was still far from Him. Living like this, we realised that our neighbour was our way to reach God. It seemed that our neighbour was an arch we had to pass under in order to meet God. We experienced this right from the start. In the evening, during prayers or in a moment of recollection, after we had loved God in our brothers all day we had such union with God. Who gave us that consolation, that interior balm which was so new, celestial if not Christ who, from His Gospel lived “give and you shall be given”? (Lk 6,38) We had loved Him all day in those brothers and now He loved us. This inner gift was such a benefit! They were the first experiences of the spiritual life, of the reality of a kingdom which is not of this earth. So, in the marvellous way that the Spirit showed us, love for our brother was a new cornerstone of our spirituality.’ Chiara Lubich, Nascita di una spiritualità, in Enzo M. Fondi e Michele Zanzucchi, Un popolo nato dal Vangelo, San Paolo, Cinisello Balsamo 2003, p. 18
The Genfest 2012 website is online!
In the footsteps of St Francis
In the eartly Paradise, God conversed with man: the father who dialogues with the son. Sin cut off the dialogue. To restore it, speech (the Word) came into the world and was made flesh: he became the mediator between men and God, and, through Him, dialogue was restored.
He gave rise to a new order, the law of which was love. And love is primarily expressed through words: love is not a monologue, it is dialogue: it does not close up within itself, but seeks the other and serves him.
(…) Christ breaks through all the barriers and restores contact with all. He talks also with lost women, also with thieves, forgives the crucifiers (…) he has come for the sinners, not for the just, that do not exist. Saint Paul, changed from a Pharisee to a Christian, risks being killed by his ex party companions, because he talks with the impure, with pagans; those pagans, with whom the zelot israelis did not talk, and from whom he was about to draw the big Church. For him, there were no jews, no greeks, no servants, no masters, no men, no women: but souls, all sons of God.
(…) Already in the second century ,there was a powerful push towards the evangelisation of the world, and therefore to the expansion of christian civilisation, with the dialogue of the greek apologists- Justin at the head-with the pagan thinkers. The former sought in the wisdom of Socrate and Plato and the sages of roman and other race, the seeds of divine Reason, and therefore the elements of solidarity, communion, and equality. Grounds were thus discovered of understanding and they engaged in dialogue,which drew closer gentiles and christians, after they had been further separated by imperial persecutions and teological controversies.
The ills of division and silence came about when religion was stirred up- and mixed- with politics: and so instead of conversing with the moslems, on the example of St. Francis, they battled them losing time, money, souls for generations(…) During all these forms of regression, dialogue was maintained alive by a group of saints.
(…) And dialogue is what, through the push of Pope John XX111 and Paul V1, has drawn closer ortodox and protestants and catholics in a few years, more than the controversies and subtleties, forgetfulness and silence of many centuries.
(…) Religion has no other preclusion but hatred, because it is love. It seeks unity and peace.
Iginio Giordani – Extract from “Ut unum sint”, 1967, n.7, pp.28-30.
“You’ll have the cement on Monday.” Stories of entrepreneurs.
Germán M. Jorge
He thanked me and the conversation ended there. But I can assure you: The satisfaction and happiness that I experienced in that moment were worth far more than the cement. This little incident caused surprise among my employees who at first didn’t understand, and I had to explain to them that the most important thing wasn’t the incident in itself, but what can come from it, both for inside and outside our business. That month we had record sales, and right in the middle of the economic crisis we are managing to sell around 30% more compared to the same period last year. This way of dealing with people, placing ourselves at the service of others has strengthened our reputation and brought new business opportunities every day almost without having to go out in search of them anymore. I believe that if businesses were to discover the value, also the economic value that is generated by the principles of the Economy of Communion when they are applied in a radical way, they would not hesitate to put them into practice.’ By Germán M. Jorge Source: “Economy of Communion – A New Culture” n.30
Spirituality of Unity: The Word
They lived a sentence from the Gospel and the novelty, for that time, was that Chiara and her first companions, to help one another and to grow together, told one another of the fruits they had experienced through living the Word. Chiara wrote: ‘The War was still raging. Every time the air-raid siren sounded, all we could take into the shelter with us was one small book: the Gospel. We opened it and the words, even though we already knew them quite well, because of the new charism , were lit up as if they had a candle beneath them, they enflamed our hearts and pushed us to put them into practise straightaway. We were attracted to them all and tried to live them one after another. I read for example; “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mt 19,19). Our neighbour. Where was our neighbour? There, next to us in the all the people who had been hurt by the War, wounded, without clothes, without houses, hungry and thirsty. We immediately dedicated ourselves to them in many ways. ‘The Gospel assured us: “Ask and you shall receive.” (Mt 7,7). We asked for the needs of the poor – and, extraordinarily for war-time – we received everything we needed from God! One day, and this story is one of the first experiences we had and is often told, a poor person asked us for a pair of shoes size 42. Knowing that Jesus was in the poor person, I turned to the Lord, in the church of St Clare near to a hospital of the same name, with this prayer: “Give me a pair of shoes size 42 for you in that poor person”. I came out and a lady came up and gave me a parcel. I opened it and it was a pair of shoes size 42. ‘We read in the Gospel: “Give and you will be given” (Lk 6,38). We gave and gave and each time we received in return. We had just one apple left in the house. We gave it to the poor person who asked. And we saw the next morning, maybe from a relative, a dozen apples arrive. We gave those to others who were in need, and in the evening a whole suitcases of apples arrived. That’s how it was, all the time. ‘These events, one after the other, amazed and enchanted us. We had great joy and that joy spread. Jesus had promised and still now he keeps His promise. He is not, therefore, a reality of the past, but of the present. And the Gospel is true. This discovery gave wings to our steps on the journey we had just begun. When we explained this to people who were curious about our happiness in such sad and troubled times; they understood that they hadn’t simply found a few girls in a young Movement but Jesus alive.”
October 2011
“Follow me”
Jesus had already said these words to Andrew, Peter, James and John on the shore of the lake. He made the same invitation, using different words, to Paul on the road to Damascus. But Jesus did not stop there; down through the centuries he has continued to call men and women of every culture and nation. He still does it today: he passes by in our lives, he meets us in quite different places and in different ways, and he makes us sense once again that invitation to follow him. He calls us to be with him because he wants to build a personal relationship with us, and at the same time he invites us to collaborate with him in his great plan to create a new humanity. He does not care about our weaknesses, our sins, our limitations. He loves us and chooses us just as we are. His love will transform us and give us the strength to answer his call and the courage to follow him as Matthew did. He has a particular love for each one of us, a plan for each person’s life, an individual call. We can feel it in our hearts through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, through certain circumstances or through a piece of advice given by someone who cares about us. Even if manifested in different ways, his message spells out the same words:
“Follow me”
I remember when I too felt a call from God. It was a very cold winter morning in Trent. My mother asked my younger sister to go and pick up some milk at a place about a mile away from home. Since it was so cold, my sister did not feel like going. My other sister also refused to go. “I’ll go, Mom,” I said, and I picked up the bottle and left the house. Halfway there something peculiar happened: it seemed as though the skies opened up and God reached down to me with an invitation to follow him. “Give all of yourself to me,” I felt him say in my heart. It was a clear call that I wanted to answer right away. I spoke with my spiritual advisor about it, and he gave me permission to give my life to God forever. It was December 7, 1943. It is impossible to fully convey what I felt in my heart that day: I had married God. I could expect everything from him.
“Follow me”
This phrase does not only pertain to that specific moment when we make a choice for our lives. Jesus continues to ask us this every day. “Follow me,” he seems to suggest to us as we face our smallest daily chores — “follow me” in the trial we are called to face, in that temptation we have to overcome, in that act of service that needs to be done. How should we respond concretely? By doing what God wants from us in the present moment, which always comes accompanied by a particular grace. Our commitment this month will be, then, to do the will of God with decisiveness, dedicating ourselves fully to the brothers and sisters that we are called to love, our work, our studies, praying, resting, and all the different things we are supposed to do. Let us learn to listen to the voice of God deep within our hearts, which speaks to us also through the voice of our conscience: he will tell us what he wants from us in every moment, and our part is to be ready to sacrifice everything in order to do it. “Let us love you, O God, not only more each day, for the days that remain may be few, but let us love you in every present moment with all our hearts, souls and strength in whatever is your will.” This is the best way to follow Jesus. Chiara Lubich
The Pope in Germany
Benedict XVI visited the land of his birth for four intense days between 22 and 25 September. Even though the Masses – celebrated in the open at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, in the Square in front of the Cathedral in Erfurt, in Etzelsbach, the shrine of Thuringia, and in Freiburg, in the Black Forest – marked some of the high moments of his trip, the Pope gave clear testimony, through many additional encounters, that he had not only came for the 30% of Catholics. He also met representatives of the Jewish faith and of Islam, he gave a noteworthy speech at the German Camera of Deputies and entertained guests from Orthodox Churches. He had a meeting with representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in a very significant location: the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt where Martin Luther had studied theology; joined the Augustinian Order and was ordained a priest. On this occasion the Pope clearly expressed his esteem for the spirituality of Luther and for his commitment in the search for an adequate answer to the question of God, Benedict XVI invited the Christians of both Churches to “witness together to the presence of the living God, offering the world in this way, the answer it needs. May we help each other in living it. This is a grand ecumenical task which introduces us into the very heart of the Prayer of Jesus.” The President of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EK), Nikolaus Schneider showed appreciation and underscored what Benedict XVI said: The two Churches should “help each other in intensifying and in enlivening the life of the faith in our society – truly and ecumenical task.” Those who had hoped that the Pope would take concrete steps in ecumenism, and those who had hoped that Benedict would have traced a new itinerary regarding a common concelebration – especially in view of the 500 years since the Reform, which will be celebrated in 2017 – were not contented. Even for couples of different confessions, who cannot approach the Eucharistic Table together, he did not offer anything “new.” The faith is not something that you can bargain over, as you can with political agreements – this was his motivation: “Unity in the faith does not grow by weighing the advantages and disadvantages, but through a profound identification in life and in thought.” Benedict XVI did not want to offer superficial answers or concrete solutions to the ecumenical field or to the underlying questions of the Catholics. He wanted to enter into the roots of the “crises of the Churches” upon which basis he sees a crisis of the faith. He had come to encourage trust in God and to reinforce the faith in Christ, which he considers to be fundamental to change and renewal.”
A Crisis in Europe? Let’s walk together.
“The ‘Together for Europe’ vocation has not gone out of fashion, but is increasingly necessary because the world is heading into a deep crisis which is not only economic and structural, but a crisis of relationships,” affirmed Marco Impagliazzo during a conversation with some representatives of the group that is promoting Together for Europe, and the delegates of the Focolare for the nations of Europe who are meeting at their international centre in Rocca di Papa, Italy. He goes on: “The value of our journey is even stronger today than when we started, because Europe is even more in crisis today.” ‘Living together’ is the key-phrase that must be learnt and proposed, dreamt and realized. It is a vision which involves everyone, it involves the youth: “Precisely because of the crisis, we need to work even more.”
Marco Impagliazzo
Gerhard Pross
Spirituality of Unity: The Will of God
Chiara and her first companions asked themselves how they could show God that he was truly the centre of their lives. They wondered how how they could put into practice their newly found ideal: God-Love. It soon appeared obvious to them that they should return God’s love for them. Their life would no longer have any sense if it were not “a small flame of this infinite brazier burning with the flame of divine Love: love responding to Love”. And it seemed such a great and sublime gift to be able to love God that they often said: “We shouldn’t say “we must love God” but “Oh, to be able to love you, Lord! To be able to love you with this tiny heart!” They recalled a sentence from the Gospel seemed to leave no escape for anyone who wanted to live a Christian life: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 17:21). Therefore, doing the will of God was their grand opportunity to love God. And God and his will coincided.Chiara wrote: “God was like the sun. And a ray of this sun was reaching out to each one of us, the divine will for me, for my friends, for everyone. There is a single sun, different rays, but always ‘rays of sun’. A single will of God different for each person, but always will of God. Our task was to walk within our ray without ever departing from it. And we had to follow along this ray in the time that was allotted us. No wandering into the past or fantasizing about a future. It was better to abandon the past to the mercy of God, since it was no longer in our possession; and the future would only be lived once it became present.
Chiara Lubich (centre) in the mountains of Tonadico with her first companions
Youth for a United World: A Summer Job in Sardinia
Home for the elderly. We were united with a common objective: to love. This was our only desire as we went to work. It was hard work in the middle of the summer heat: cleaning rooms for the elderly, serving at table, brightening up their evenings. But Love was flowing and you could feel it in the air. We were particularly focused on doing things together, not leaving anyone out, and being willing to lose our own ideas when necessary. Everything was done with a smile, and this made it all exceptional. The elderly trusted and encouraged us. When a paper Mache flower that adorned a bedroom wall was not perfect, or a bingo card was missing one of its buttons, everyone was able to turn a blind eye. From our side, here is what Salim from Kenya writes: “I’m happy to be at this home for the elderly. I feel at home because this kind of activity has made me want to be happy. There’s no sadness when we love like this!” Caritas (1-14 August). In order to permit the volunteers of this association to have some holiday time, we offered to bring ahead the many activities that they carry out with such dedication in our region. This time the work consisted of preparing a menu and distributing the meals to the many marginalized people of our city, and discovering their world. It was also surprising for us to discover that every day, in spite of the difficulties, our smiles never disappeared. This was an added gift, aside from the meals that we distributed to the many persons who came each day. 
The volunteers complimented us on the work we had done. And we experienced that differences of opinion are quickly worked out when you live the Golden Rule and when you keep a smile on your lips. Now, after such an active and adventurous summer, we are re-charged and ready for the coming year. Together we are aiming to show to the world the beauty the new life that is flowing, as we rush toward our big appointment next September: Genfest 2012. Compiled by Youth for a United World, Sassari, Italy
New video clip – Teens for Unity
From Costa Rica to Salvador
Gustavo Alvarado
The Golden Rule
A Dangerous Road in Venice
I live in a side road in Martellago, a district in Venice. Crossing this road is very dangerous because it’s very difficult to see on-coming traffic and the cars travel at high speed. The speed limit signs and the pedestrian crossing are often ignored. This results in the frequent need for brakes to be slammed on and in people overtaking in a dangerous way when others stop to let pedestrians, often children and old people, cross. I had brought this problem to the attention of the Local Council in the past but to no avail; others had filed petitions with the police but without getting any response. On more than one occasion our children were nearly knocked down. So after the umpteenth brush with near tragedy, I felt responsible for doing what I could to find a solution to this problem which wasn’t mine alone but which affected everyone in the area. So I spoke to some of the other parents from my street and neighbouring streets. One of the other parents who was also very worried about the daily risk, and I thought we would write a letter to the mayor. In order to have more impact, we thought we would ask some of the other locals to sign it too. In writing this letter we tried to emphasise the seriousness of the situation but without blaming anyone, suggesting possible solutions and mentioning positive intiatives which had been undertaken by the town council to limit the use of cars and reduce pollution, such as the introduction of a ‘pedibus’ and the use of cycling in the city. Whilst we were collecting signatures, there were those who disagreed with what we were doing, saying that there had been endless petitions and that this one too would have no effect. But, in general, both the drafting of the letter and the collection of the signatures were opportunities to build beautiful relationships with our neighbours and the other parents. We all felt more of a sense of responsibilty as we actively searched together for the solution to a problem by working ‘for’ and not ‘against something’. 
I shared what I was living with friends who, like me, try to live for fraternity in their cities and communities, receiving from them the strength and the courage to keep going. We went together to the town hall to speak to the Mayor and to give him the letter with all the signatures. One of his colleagues warned us that the Mayor would not be very pleased to receive another collection of signatures and so it turned out to be. At the start of our meeting the ‘first citizen’ expressed his aversion to these petitions. At that point I summoned up all my courage and said to him, ‘Mayor, please read the text of our request carefully.’ He did read it, understood what we were trying to do and calmed down. And so we were able to engage in a dialogue, from which several possible solutions emerged but which turned out to be too expensive and not possible to implement. And then I had an idea: in another road in our distict, a speed indicator had been installed which flashed on when approaching cars were goining at more than 30 miles an hour and the pedestrian crossing was picked out in red. So I suggested these things. The Mayor immediately seized on these ideas, saying that they had one of the indicators available and that picking out the crossing in red would not be a problem. The following Saturday, we found ourselves again with the Mayor, who was very proud to show us the plans for the project. A month later, work began in the street. From this experience, I understood the beauty and the power of living together for fraternity, being at the service of our city, our community, out of love. Luisa Busato – Venice, Italy
Art and Cities: young artists on tour in Europe
They are young artists who are taking part in “Arts & Culture – Reshaping Urban Life” which was organized by various partners from the worlds of art, culture, and education. They are financed by the European Union cultural program (EACEA). Among them is also the Starmacher Association, known for its Strong Without Violence program that was carried out together with Gen Rosso in many schools throughout Europe and the world. The group of urban artists has recently returned from Udine, Italy, where they worked together for ten days (24 August – 4 September) in the “Park of Cement” sharing their impressions of the city with its citizens through paintings, acoustic works, and sculpture, as in the filigree model of the city’s water tower. Udine was the itinerant project’s third stop, which foresees laboratories to be carried out in five different cities of three European states (Udine and Venice in Italy; Schwerte and Dortmund in Germany; and Sternberg in the Czech Republic). “The atmosphere among us is quite particular,” a young student from Monaco di Bavaria recounts, “It’s as if we’ve known each other for a long time. And we’re actually able to work together on a single work of art with several artists. And our hosts immediately perceive our every need and desire! This is quite an exceptional way of working!” During February, in Schwerte, Germany, the participants were joined by experts to examine the theoretical and cultural foundations of their work. The central topic was the mutual influence between urban development and artistic expression in society and in the cities of today. There is a direct link between art and city, and young people have a particular sensitivity for the place in which they live. Their works almost always reflect their birthplaces in some way. The second stop was in the Czech Republic (2-10 July) where an old and abandoned monastery in Sternbeck became the point of inspiration. Each artist could choose his or her own “art studio” in which to work. In the evenings they met to chat and know each other better, to sing and dance. Each seminar concluded with a public showing of their works that had been created during the days of the seminar, but also included some paintings or sculptures which came from their studios at home. The fourth stop is underway in Udine at a workshop with Gen Rosso ending on 23 September. Upcoming stops include: an interdisciplinary seminar with Gen Rosso in Dortmund, Germany and, finally the concluding congress in Venice on 23 February 2012.
LoppianoLab 2011: Summing up the events
A laboratory never closes but continues. Especially if its purpose is to implement practical solutions that will generate some hope for Italy’s revival. The organizers of LoppianoLab did not place the word “end” at the conclusion of this second LoppianoLab, a national laboratory lasting four days which brought together in close dialogue researchers from the fields of economy, culture, education, art and Italian communication networks not to search for a new future for Italy, but to come up with a shared idea for Italy’s present. The final assessment was positive. The Lab was confirmed in its calling to create a national meeting space for the different worlds of work, cultural agencies, citizens and institutions. The meeting gathered together 3, 000 people and 70 Italian companies. There were 56 events including panel discussions, conferences, artistic performances and Literary cafés. 
One event that was particularly highlighted was the Second National Convention of the Economy of Communion twenty years following its birth. It involves economists and entrepreneurs together finding new avenues for work’s future. Alberto Ferrucci from the International EoC Commission announced that a document of proposals is to be presented at the United Nations, which the Economy of Communion project has formulated for confronting the crisis and finding a new model of development. Many stories were shared during these days by entrepreneurs who decided to not only consider the final product and profits, but the individual persons who are the true assets of the company. The Trinity a Way of life?” This was the title of an evening dialogue session between theology, philosophy and art, based on Coda’s theological volume, “Dalla Trinità” (From the Trinity). Two parts of the LoppianoLab took place at Sophia University Institute. One was the presentation of Sophia magazine, which reports on the research being carried out at the Institute; and the other was the presentation of Nuova Umanita which, for thirty years, expresses the Focolare Movement’s culture. Participants were also given the opportunity to become acquainted with the academic project of Sophia Institute, which is a path of life, study and research for the acquisition and deeper understanding of a Christianly inspired culture that is capable of illuminating many human dimensions as well various academic disciplines. The meeting of the Città Nuova Press Group gathered together regional work groups of journalists and officers, editors and collaborators who are involved with “Città Nuova” magazine. They stand on the front lines in strengthening a national network which promotes the culture of unity. The town of Loppiano, which hosted the events, offered an “Open City”, a presentation of its people and places: a fifty years of Centro Ave Arte art exhibit, dramatic readings from the writings of Igino Giordani and Fraçois Neveux, music, dance, and a taste of cultures from around the world. 
The concluding laboratory took place on the morning of September 18. It was entitled: “Hoping with Italy. A network for the common good on the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification.” This laboratory highlighted the results that have been achieved in various settings, pointing out practical avenues for continuing reflection and experimentation, which were summarized in four proposals to make Italy hope again: support for young entrepreneurs with special attention to the South in the Expo of EoC businesses at the Bonfanti Industiral Park; the necessary openness to other networks, organizations and institutions, in the laboratories that are promoted by the Città Nuova Press Group; summer schools in Argentina and Cile with three new Masters from Sophia University Institute, which is an instrument for re-launching the new humanism: Loppiano as a permanent laboratory. What is its contribution to Italy? To demonstrate that unity in our cities is possible even in daily life.
Spirituality of Unity: God-Love
Amidst the fury of war Chiara Lubich and her first companions were in the habit of meeting each other in bomb shelters when the sirens would sound announcing new bombings. It was the desire of these young women from Trent to be together and discover new ways of being Christian and of putting the Gospel into practice, following that startling intuition that had led them to put God-Love at the center of their interests – he alone and nothing else – at the center of their young lives. “Each event touched us deeply – Chiara later said. The lesson that God was giving us through external circumstances was very clear: All is vanity of vanities, everything passes away. But at the same time, God placed a question in my heart for all of us and, with it, the answer: “But could there be an ideal that doesn’t die, that no bombs could bring down, one that we could give ourselves to?” Yes, God. We decided to make him the ideal of our lives.” God. God, who in the middle of the fury of war, which was the fruit of hatred, through the action of a special grace, manifested himself for what he truly is: Love. The leading concept upon which the Holy Spirit then constructed this entire spirituality was, therefore, God-Love (Cf. 1 Jn 4:8). What a change this truth, now understood in a totally new way, brings about in people when they come into contact with the movement! The Christian lives they were so faithfully living before, now appear overshadowed like the lives of orphans. For now a discovery has been made: God is Love, God is a Father! Our heart, which had been living an exile in the night of this life, opens and rises and unites to the one who loves it, the one who takes care of everything, the one who even counts the hairs on our head. The joyful and painful events acquire totally new meaning: Everything is foreseen and willed by the love of God. Nothing can make us fearful. This is an exciting faith which strengthens us, which makes us glory in it. It’s a faith that brings tears to the eyes of those who experience it for the first time. It’s a gift of God that makes us shout: We have believed in love (1 Gv 4,16). The choice of God who is Love, as the ideal of our life, was the first foundation that was laid, the first requirement of this new spirituality that had blossomed in our hearts. Thus we had found the one to live for: God-Love.»
[:it]I laboratori di LoppianoLab: per imparare ad essere “rete”
Hundreds of Gen4 travel to Brazil
It was a sight to behold: from 7 August to 5 September, 470 Gen4 (children between the ages of 5 and 9) and their chaperones from more than 50 Brazilian cities travelled distances of over 2000 kilometers. Their destination was the Gen4 Congress in Recife (19-21 August), at Mariapolis Ginetta near São Paolo (26-28 August), and in the areas around Brasilia (2-4 September). With effort and imagination the Gen4 prepared themselves with acts of love and collecting money for their journey. Some sold their toys; others set up a puppet market; some started a small bakery and sold the bread to friends and neighbours. Others used their savings or found financial assistance from relatives and local community. They were welcomed into an environment that was colourfully decorated, with beautiful backdrops, dancing and clowns. The congress began with taking off on the greatest possible adventure: to discover the will of God! But how do you discover it? Beginning with the story of creation we examined how God manifested himself throughout history, always full of love and mercy, and we are also part of this story. 
Then we examined many episodes from the life of Jesus, who is the Father’s greatest gift to us. The stories about Jesus showed us how he always did the will of his Father and how we can imitate him in every moment of our lives. Of course, to know what the will of God is in the present moment, you need to open your heart and “take a moment for silently listening to the correct voice,” one Gen4 noticed. Maria Voce sent a message that was immediately put into practice: Always say “yes” to God and carry the flame of Jesus’ love to the whole world. Everyone was actively involved in creating the congress, during games in the large park, participating in group activities, tidying the rooms and dining hall, and presenting scenes from the life of Chiara Lubich and the Gospel on stage. Also during the Mass – the moment to meet Jesus – the children were actively involved with their songs and skits, and with their acts of love which they presented at the moment of the Offertory. But now we let the Gen4 speak.”
From Recife:
- “Jesus, I love you to death. You can always count on me and I always want to be faithful to you. I promise, I will never betray you like Judas did. I’m eternally grateful, that you gave your life for us. Gabriel
- I liked when we spoke about the Word of God, because now I can remember to help my Mummy more, and the new man can live in my heart. Pedro
- Jesus is my treasure in life; he’s the true man of the earth and of all of us. Abraão
From San Paulo:
- I helped my friend Ragael to carry his luggage to the room, because he’s very small and couldn’t carry it. Eduardo
- I wish my whole family were here to witness this great moment in my life. Matheus
- I sold 50 packages of biscuits to help pay expenses for the Gen4 from my city. Pedro
From Brasilia:
- Dear Jesus, I’ll never forget you. I’ll spread joy in the world and have lots of friendship with those around me. André
- I gave up the swing for my friend. I shared my snack with a friend. I shared my things with others and lent my toys. . . I love you very much, Jesus. Paulo
- Lord, I ask you for a bit of money, so I can give it to the poor. Carlos
- I know that sometimes I’m not the boy who helps everyone, but I try to do my best. I hope you understand me, your dear Gen4, André.”
Matthias Bolkart – Gen4 Centre [nggallery id=69]
Spirituality of Unity
The spirituality of unity unfolds into 12 cardinal points, leading from one to another:
- God is Love
- The Will of God
- The Word
- Our Neighbour
- Mutual Love
- Jesus in the Eucharist
- Unity
- Jesus Forsaken
- Mary
- The Church
- The Holy Spirit
- Jesus in the Midst
In Chiara Lubich the points of the spirituality of unity were not developed through thought out plans, reflections or some theological points. Rather, this is a spirituality demanding an immediate adhesion, decisive and practical, something that brings life. In the splendid history of the Church, from its individual members, its saints and communities there has always been a clear line and result: it’s the individual that goes to God. This remains the case within the spirituality of unity, in the sense that the individual’s experience of God is unique and will never be repeated. However, the spirituality is drawn from the charism of unity, entrusted by the Holy Spirit to Chiara, and as well as this indispensible personal spiritual experience there is also a deep emphasis on the communitarian dimension of Christian life. It is not a complete novelty, the Gospel is eminently communitarian. There have been experiences in the past which have underlined the collective aspect of the journey towards God, above all in the spiritualities rising from those who had love at the base of their spiritual life. This can be seen in the example of St Basil and his community. Chiara Lubich brings her own spirituality, which is an original communitarian way of going to God: being one in Christ, according to the Gospel of John: “As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, so may they be in us.” (Jn 17,21). In Chiara this became a style of life. A “communitarian spirituality” was foretold for our epoch by contemporary theologians and is also mentioned by the Second Vatican Council. Karl Rahner, for example, speaking of the spirituality of the Church of the future, saw it as a “fraternal communion in which it is possible to make the same basic experience of the Spirit”. Vatican II, directed attention to the Church as the body of Christ and people assembled in the bond of love of the Trinity. If St Teresa of Avila, doctor of the Church, spoke of “an interior castle”, the spirituality of unity helps to build an “exterior castle”, where Christ will be present and illuminate every part of it.
Young people gather in Tonadico to study the “Arab Spring”
The “Arab Spring” and the complex scenario of political and juridical relationships in the medio-oriental quadrant, were at the centre of the study seminar recently concluded in the area of Trent, (27-30 August 2011), promoted by Sophia University, in collaboration with Mppu/Political Movement for unity and Ced/Communion and Law.
The initiative, that utilised the contribution of the Province of Trent and the collaboration of the local administration, represents the first edition of a more more articolated research project lasting several years directed towards young university students, to increment, within their formative courses, academics and professionals, towards a “culture of universal fraternity” between peoples and cultures.
Typical of the experience was the possibility of communicating competencies and diverse disciplinary languages to examine a mutidimensional theme, in strict interaction between teachers and students of judiciary and politics areas; the majority of them were already linked together through participation in previous initiatives (such as the summer seminars promoted by CeD/Communion and law, and the “Schools of participation” by the Mppu/Political Movement for unity).
The programme required concentration and personal commitment from each of the participants-50 persons in all, of whom 38 were youths- and at the same time,it offered, in view of the extraordinary beauty of the natural environment in which it took place, the Dolomites of Primiero,adequate time for reciprocal knowl;edge and recreation.
But it was not only the splendid scenery and the mild temperature that brought the Summer School to those mountains. Acting as catalyst was, above all, the reference to the experience of Chiara Lubich and the first group of the newborn Movement of the Focolari that, in this same valley, during the years of the 50’s, found themselves living some stages that marked its development in an indelible way. It was then that they intuited with greater clarity the charismatic force of the idea of unity and its translation into a diverse model of human sociality, illuminated by universal fraternity.
How to give continuity to this initiative? At the end , to the enthusiasm of the youths were added the concretness and project capability of the president of the Valle Community, the mayor of Tonadico, and other administrators of the territory, with whom some plans have already been drawn. It is planned that there will be the possibility that Primiero will host an annual week of international studies, proposed by the Sophia team in collaboration with other networks of experts, highlighting every year a specific team tackled in an interdisciplinary manner.
Curitiba pays homage to Chiara Lubich
The “chilly” month of August was unforgettable for the members of the Focolare in the city of Curitiba: the three seats of political power – the Chamber of State Members of Parliament, the local council and the Chamber of Municipal Councillors, from the 20th to 24th of August, bade tribute to the person of Chiara Lubich. Inauguration of the Memorial to Chiara Lubich: Despite the brief interruption due to some rain, Mayor Luciano Ducci – as reported in the newspapers – inaugurated on the 20th August a new cultural centre, as a “monument of initiation” in the Workers Park, in the industrial zone of the city. The idea to “ place firmly at Curitiba the memory of this woman” by dedicating to her a way, a square, and a cultural centre, goes back to an initiative by local city councillor Tito Zeglin when, in 2009, the Paranese capital was chosen as the seat of the first “city forum”. At the Legistlative Assembly of the State, during the extraordinary session of the 23rd August, upon the proposal of parliamentarian Reinhold Stephanes Junior, and the unanimous approval of parliament, a Diploma to Chiara Lubich “in memoriam” was bestowed. On this occasion, there was a surprise: Areovaldo Figueiredo, the Director of Postal Services, of the state of Paraná made an announcement. He is a member of the local Political Movement for Unity and he presented a Brazilian postage stamp, dedicated to Chiara Lubich, personalised with her photo. Archbishop Mons. Moacir Jose` Vitti, who is at Madrid for the GMG, sends a message which, amongst other things, says: Chiara, with her courage and her unshakeable faith in God, has charmed the world with her way of living and her works that continue also today.” By way of conclusion, on 24th August, during a Special Session in tribute to Chiara Lubich, at the seat of the Comunal Council, a parchment is given on the proposal of the Councillor Tito Zeglin. During each of these events, the politicians and personalities present have confirmed their adherence to what Maria Voce, president of the Focolari – proposed with her message: “These events were favourable occasions to launch towards collectivity, with a new impulse, all those positive values, that emerge from adherence to the spirit of love and fraternity, important in everyday life and in political action: seeking first of all what unites and preferring the common good to personal interest. That is seeing our environment, private, social, and political in the wider view of the human family.”
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Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops: Launching out in unity through the Word
The meeting has drawn 31 bishops from 18 countries, representing 15 churches. It is the 30th ecumenical meeting of its kind sponsored by the Focolare Movement, the first of which was held in 1982. This year it’s taking place in Welwyn Garden City, a town about 40 km north of London. It is truly a garden city with tree-lined boulevards, parks and lakes. The city was founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1920 and has about 40,000 inhabitants. The Focolare Centre for Unity began here after a visit to England by Chiara Lubich in 1983, when she felt the need for a “cradle”, a place where activities of the Focolare could take place. These annual ecumenical meetings of bishops take place in different places, allowing participants to get to know the ecclesial realities of the host country. This year their focus is the Church of England. In particular, the proposed “Anglican Covenant”, has been a subject of great interest. It proposes a pact to sustain the Anglican Communion, and it formulates an agreement, prepared by a group of Anglican theologians, binding churches of the Anglican Communion to commit the 44 autonomous Anglican churches into recognising principles held in common. It will be an important instrument for building communion which might even become a requisite among non-Anglican churches. Adherence to the pact will always be unrestricted and there are no legal sanctions envisaged for those who change their minds. The program of the conference includes visits to symbolic places of Anglicanism such as Lambeth Palace, the seat of the Primate of the Church of England, Dr Rowan Williams, who welcomed the participants, the visit to the shrine of St Albans, where the relics of St Alban, the first English martyr, are kept, and the meeting at Westminster Cathedral with the Catholic Archbishop, Msgr Vincent Nichols. The theme chosen for this year is “The Word of God and its Transforming Power”. Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, gave an impassioned speech on the ecumenical spirituality of the Focolare Movement which came to life through living the Word. She recalled how the Focolare spirituality was born in a dark shelter, when Chiara Lubich and her first companions would read the Gospel by candlelight during the bombings of the Second World War. 
“In these times, the dark shelter can represent the world with all its challenges and its search for meaning,” explains Maria Voice. “The Truth is replaced by other truths, and what prevails is economic interest; the family seems to have no significance in the scheme of things. The dark shelter challenges us to have nothing but the Gospel. This is where we can start to re-evangelize ourselves and consequently humanity which surrounds us.” “We can start off by living the Word, moment by moment, and sharing our experiences, the fruits of living this life.” Even Martin Luther wrote: “The soul can do without anything, except the Word of God.” And, at this delicate time of transition,” Maria Voce says, “as we pass from the period of foundation of the Focolare Movement to the period of renewal and development, we need to go back to the basics, keeping in mind that the explosion of life within the Focolare came about through people living the Gospel”. It was in this way that communities centred on the Word were born, that the spirituality of communion was born, and the commitment to live the Word has even paved the way for ecumenical dialogue at all levels. “The faithful embracing of the one Gospel – written in the joint declaration “Road towards Communion” drawn up by the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation – is an essential step towards full unity.” The unity to be pursued is not only between Christians of different churches “but also,” adds Maria Voice, “by widening the dialogue to people of other religions and by embracing those of other convictions.” From our correspondent Aurelius Molè [nggallery id=68]
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London: Meeting of Bishops of various Churches, friends of the Focolare
In the face of the difficulties in western society, and also in other parts of the world, the bishops of various churches, friends of the Focolare Movement, upon the invitation of Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Archbishop Emeritus of Prague, will reflect on their mission and will interrogate themselves on the impact of their pastoral work in transmitting the Gospel message. They will focus on the light and strength that emerges from the Word of God, which is the origin of the Church of Christ, in its various expressions, and which can give the Church, even today, a new vigour and illuminating power. Significant meetings are expected to take place with the Primate of the Church of England, Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Msgr Vincent Nichols, and with representatives of the Methodist Church and other ecclesial realities present in England. The keynote address of Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, will be of particular relevance. She will underline the effects of living the Word, at the origin of the Movement, and on its spirituality that is purely ecumenical. The apex of the meeting is the “Pact of reciprocal love” that commits those present to place mutual love above all past divisions, in accordance with Jesus’ invitation to remain in his love and to love one another as he has done. On Friday 9 September, at the “Open Day” to which the Focolare Movement in Great Britain invites the Church leaders of the various churches, they will present the experience of fraternal communion lived by Bishops of various Christian churches, together with the prospect of an ever more profound and amicable unity amongst those responsible, in the spirit of the prayer of Jesus who asks for the unity of all.
Press Section: Focolare Information Service