A Loving Response
On the 7th of August, Benedictines, Trinitarians, Augustinians, Salesians, priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and religious from other ancient and new charisms, gathered from around the world at Mariapolis Faro, which is located in the small Croatian town of Krizevci about an hour from Zagabria. This annual meeting has become a tradition for these representatives of the many other religious men who have grafted the spirituality of unity upon the roots of their founder’s charism. This year too, Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, was invited to participate in their meeting, which is being held in an Eastern European country for the first time. She began greeting them by saying: “Chiara’s family is everywhere!” The Will of God In her dialogue with the religious, Maria Voce, together with Giancarlo Faletti, touched on several important points for the life of the Movement in the coming year. “Throughout the past year we have considered God-Love and we allowed ourselves to be loved by Him. There was joy, difficulty, unexpected providence – all of them signs of His love for us. In the upcoming year, I feel that He’s challenging us to respond to His love, to see what we can do, and to see where the practice of reciprocity might lead us. Then let us do his will, awakening our thrust to holiness. But not alone: We can only do this in unity. Collective holiness, therefore, the holiness of the entire Work of Mary. Doing the will of God will be our response of love.” More Beautiful A religious asked Maria Voce how she thought the Church could be helped by us in this difficult moment. She responded with her usual spontaneousness and serenity: “I have the feeling that Our Lady wants to caress the Church, that she wants it to be beautiful, also through us. If the Work of Mary is itself, it contributes like a small daughter to making its mother more beautiful.” Co-president Faletti stressed the fact that difficult moments help to cause things that are nonessential to fall to the side, everything that is not God. More than in other years, this year’s dialogue highlighted the creativity, initiative, involvement, and needs of individual religious: To be a proactive leaven in the world community, to feel responsible not only of ones own small or large area of activity, but for everything, in order to bring things forward together, to work as a body. Difficulty and Optimism There were also some difficult questions, like how the religious should bring the Gospel to the people. Giancarlo Faletti pointed out that: “Even in our own past there were times when we couldn’t hold public manifestations in certain places, or even meet, or even talk about the Gospel. We seemed to be at a complete loss, and yet, it’s precisely then that what is at the core of our life came into evidence: Keeping Jesus in our midst always.” Maria Voce added: “These are not just words or a concept, but a Person, a Companion; it means never having to be alone, to know what to do in every situation, without the risk of becoming an ugly copy of the past. The socio-ecclesial reality of today is different from that of the past, so we can’t go on repeating things from 25 years ago. And since God has something to say to the people of today also through us, we need to bring up to date what our charism tells us for the Church and for the society of today. This is the challenge that lies at the centre of my experience as president.” She concluded by saying: “What a beautiful family Chiara gave us! I can’t help but be optimistic.” Faro – Beacon The mass followed, celebrated within the splendid Greek Catholic Cathedral of Krivzevci. Finally, people from the local communities of the Focolare Movement offered a feast for Maria Voce, Giancarlo, the Religious and the Gen (youth members of the Focolare). There was singing, comic sketches, traditional costumes and local delicacies. In her final farewell, Maria Voce underscored mutual love, which had been the premise of all the day’s events: “Mutual love among everyone here at Mariapolis Faro allowed many peoples and languages to form a single harmony today. If each of us, returning home, brings this harmony back to his and her country, then this Mariapolis will truly be a ‘faro’, a ‘beacon’ for many.” Giulio Meazzini See Photo Gallery for other images of visit to Mariapolis Faro
August 2010
These words belong to an event which is simple and sublime at the same time. It is the encounter between two expectant mothers whose spiritual and physical symbiosis with their sons is total. They lend them their lips, their sentiments. When Mary speaks, Elizabeth's son leaps with joy in her womb. When Elizabeth speaks, it seems that her words are put on her lips by her son, the Precursor. But while the first words of her hymn of praise to Mary are addressed personally to “the mother of the Lord” (1:43), the final ones are in the third person: "Blessed is she who believed."
Thus her "affirmation acquires the character of universal truth: beatitude applies to all believers; it concerns those who accept the Word of God and put it into practice, and who find in Mary their model.”
"Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
It is the first beatitude of the Gospel in reference to Mary, but it refers also to all those who want to follow her and imitate her.
In Mary, there is a close bond between faith and maternity, as a consequence of listening to the Word. And in this passage Luke suggests something that concerns us too. Further ahead in his Gospel Jesus says: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it" (Lk 8:21).
Almost anticipating these words, Elizabeth, moved by the Holy Spirit, announces to us that every disciple can become "mother" of the Lord. The condition is that he or she believe in the Word of God and live it.
"Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
After Jesus, Mary is the one who best and most perfectly said "yes" to God. Her sanctity and greatness lies, above all, in this. If Jesus is the Word, the incarnate Word, Mary, because of her faith in the Word, is the Word lived, but a created being like us, just like us.
Mary's role as the mother of God is lofty and magnificent. But the Virgin is not the only one God calls to generate Christ. Every Christian has a similar task, even though in a different way: to incarnate Christ to the point of repeating with St. Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Gal 2:20).
How can we accomplish this?
By approaching the Word of God as Mary did, that is, by being totally open to it. Therefore, to believe, as Mary did, that all the promises contained in the Word of Jesus will be fulfilled, and if necessary, to risk the consequences that his Word can sometimes imply, as Mary did.
Wonderful things always happen to those who believe in the Word–big things, little things. We could fill books with facts that prove this. We will never forget the experience we had in the midst of the war. Believing in the words of Jesus: "Ask and it will be given to you" (Mt 7:7), we asked for everything that the many poor in the city needed, and then we saw sacks of flour, boxes of powdered milk, jam, firewood, and clothes arrive.
Things like this happen today, too. "Give and gifts will be given to you" (Lk 6:38), and the cupboards with provisions to be shared are always full because they are regularly emptied.
But what is most striking is to see that the words of Jesus are true always and everywhere. God's help arrives on time, even in the most impossible circumstances and in the most isolated points on earth. Look what happened a short time ago to a mother who lives in dire poverty. One day she gave the little money she had left to someone who was in greater need. She really believed these words of the Gospel: "Give and gifts will be given to you." And she felt at peace. Shortly afterwards, her youngest daughter showed her a gift she had just received. It came from an elderly relative who happened to be in the neighborhood that day. There in her daughter’s little hand was double the amount that the mother had given away.
A "small" experience like this encourages us to believe in the Gospel. Each one of us can experience the joy, the beatitude, that comes from seeing the promises of Jesus come true.
When we come in contact with the Word of God, through the everyday circumstances of our life or by reading from Sacred Scripture, let us open our hearts
and listen. Let us believe that what Jesus is asking us and promising us will come true. We will soon discover, like Mary and like that mother, that he keeps his promises.
The Word of Life, taken from Scripture, is offered each month as a guide and inspiration for daily living. From the Focolare’s beginnings, Chiara Lubich wrote her commentaries on each Word of Life, and after her death in March 2008, her early writings are now being featured once again. This commentary, addressed to a primarily Christian audience, was originally published in August 1999.
By Chiara Lubich
[:it]Faro, un nome profetico[:pt]Farol, um nome profético
[:it]E’ tempo di Mariapoli[:es]Es tiempo de Mariápolis[:pt]É tempo de Mariápolis
Message of Peace from Tanzania
Verso la Chiesa di domani
Esperienze, canti e contributi artistici attorno alla figura del sacerdote di oggi nell’aula Paolo VI ieri pomeriggio per la vigilia della chiusura dell’Anno sacerdotale.
Una nuova corrente di spiritualità
Un’unità che rende visibile il Risorto, lì dove ognuno vive: nelle famiglie, nei quartieri, nelle fabbriche, nei parlamenti. Quando il Risorto è fra noi, come da lui promesso quando due o tre si riuniscono nel suo nome, cioè nel suo amore, in qualche modo si tocca il divino, la sua pace, la sua luce, il suo amore, l’unità!
Che tutti siano uno
Come testimonia Chiara Lubich, “è stato proprio mentre si credeva di vivere semplicemente il Vangelo, che lo Spirito Santo ha scolpito a caratteri di fuoco nelle nostre anime quelli che sarebbero diventati i cardini della “spiritualità dell’unità”, una nuova spiritualità, personale e comunitaria insieme”.
[:it]La città e il dialogo per un futuro di speranza[:es]La ciudad y el diálogo por un futuro de esperanza[:fr]La ville et le dialogue pour un avenir d’espérance[:pt]A cidade e o diálogo por um futuro de esperança
I discovered Heaven!
“Today I discovered Heaven: God is Love, He loves us immensely!” This is what the 780 Gen 4 sang – children of the Focolare Movement – gathered at Castelgandolfo for their congress. They came mostly from Italy and other European countries, but in the first row were also girls from Burundi and Ruanda, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Lebanon.
Valeria from Bolivia: “Honestly, this congress is the best thing that ever happened to me. What I liked the most was learning from Jesus how to love, and now I love more than before, I don’t know how to thank God.”
Travelling to Rome would have been unthinkable for her had it not been for a variety of money-raisers by Gen4 from around the world. They raised more than 5,000 euros, which enabled her and others from outside Europe to attend the event.
Like the Gen4 boys, the girls also examined the God’s Love for his Chosen People, all the way to Jesus, who came on earth to bring us the Father’s love. A lively game lasting all afternoon helped them to discover Jesus’ presence not only in Heaven, but among us, when we love each other, in our neighbor, in his Word, and in the Eucharist.
“The answers you gave were all interesting and we felt them coming from your heart,” they wrote to Maria Voce following her meeting with them, in which she answered some of their rather demanding questions. They also wrote: “Thank you for answering so wisely to our questions! I finally know how to fulfill my dream: To become a saint you need to love everyone because Jesus in everyone! (. . .) “The congress taught me many things about Jesus, it changed my heart. I won’t be the same when I return home. I’m not the same. Whenever there’s an opportunity to help, I’ll be the first to step forward.”
There was a feast with dancing, songs, and skits as they met with the first companions of Chiara. It was a mutual gift, a moment of such intense and profound simplicity that it was difficult to say who enjoyed it more.
Having experienced the love of God, the Gen4 girls realized that they are truly sisters beyond their countries of origin, languages and culture. “I was happy being with the other Gen4,” writes Laurette from Ruanda. “We loved each other and when I reach Ruanda I’ll love everyone.”
Everywhere in the world – from California to Hong Kong – groups of Gen4 got together to follow some moments of the congress via internet. From Fontem, Cameroon, they write: “The video link-up was so beautiful! We saw that it doesn’t matter where we are: God is always with us and in Heaven at the same time. . . . We’re happy to give to our friends the most beautiful treasure we have: God! With love, we can transform our world that is so filled with hatred. This will Jesus please Jesus and we’ll meet him in Paradise. Thank you!”
The Journey, the Dialogue, and the Fragment
The first little town of the Focolare Movement, Loppiano, is one of the most beautiful places in Valdarno, Italy not only because of the people who live there or because of the message they spread, but also because of the natural surroundings and the style of the buildings and streets that betrays an architectural design which is certainly not accidental. In Loppiano even the stones “speak” and tell of a life that is helping the world to become a family, even in its outward design.
What better place then, to accommodate forty architects eager to capitalize on their professional experience in the service of universal brotherhood? Said and done: The group met from the 11th to 13th of June for a seminar dedicated to deepening understanding and relationships through a sharing that became a study, mutual enrichment, and concrete work proposals for the future.
The title itself tells the three strands along which the reflection grew:
The journey, designed as an opportunity for meeting and respect between cultures which is then expressed in living with traditional and innovative architectural forms.
The theme of dialogue drew participants into reflecting on the meaning of labor as a long process that involves the people, workers, and all those who in various ways, participate in a project.
The reflection on the fragment revealed a world that is made of fragments more than of coherent pieces, challenging the participants in the reconstruction of the details from such differentials, through appreciation for diversity as a contribution to unity.
The real “cement” in these sessions were the moments of sharing, the evenings spent together, the mealtimes, and the moments of recreation. Everything contributed to a better grasp of the specific contribution of Chiara Lubich’s charism to architecture, both at the operational level and in theory, showing that the quest just begun will only lead to more new developments, as Maria Emmaus Voce – current president of the Focolare – hoped in her message to the participants, “for the good of the city and its inhabitants, so that even the architecture in each of its dimensions, supports the realization of God’s plan, for which Chiara spent her entire life: to make humankind into one human family.”
Mariapolis in Africa
Mariapolis. It is the same everywhere: Experiencing for a few days – through moments of meditation, hearing life testimonies, and recreational activities – what it means to build bridges of dialogue and brotherhood between persons of different nations.
The Mariapolis, which is the most characteristic event of the Focolare Movement, began spontaneously in the Trent Alps (Italy) as a holiday period of rest spent together. Then, over the years, Mariapolises began to spread and be held everywhere, gathering together people of all ages, social, cultural, and religious backgrounds. The Mariapolis has been called a “family gathering” and a “laboratory of fraternity” in which you experience that it is possible to live in a reconciled world.
“Love unites” is the slogan chosen for this year’s Mariapolis which will be held from the 26th to the 31st of July in Bamenda, Cameroon. “A year has already passed since our great Mariapolis,” is written on the invitation, “And this year we are expecting even more!”
Ivory Coast. 30 July – 4 August in Man City. Man City is situated in occupied territory, but even amid difficulty, this Mariapolis stands as a prophetic sign of the much desired ri-unification of the country.
Sierra Leone. 4 – 8 August. Those responsible for the local focolares write: “We feelthe certainty very much alive in the hearts of the Sierra Leonians, that the Ideal of unity is the medicine for the deep wounds that have been left by the war.”
The Republic of Mali, A land unique for the harmonious relationship between Muslims (the overwhelming majority) and Christians, which is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its independence. It is in the context that everyone, in both religious and civil society, looks forward to the Mariapolis, precisely to reinforce the value of unity. The Mariapolis will take place between the 8th and 13th of August 2010.
In Benin the Mariapolis is planned to take place between the 24th and 29th of August in Ouidah, an important historical and cultural center. This country is also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its independence.
In Madagascar the Mariapolis will take place from the 3rd to the 6th of September in Antananarivo, the capital of the country. “Since last year,” the members from the Focolare in Madagascar write, “the country has been going through political crisis with public protests in which the armed forces were involved. At times, there was much violence and some lost their lives. Still today the situation has not been resolved and we live in constant uncertainty, tension, and fear. But all of this this has also led people to help each other more, love for neighbour, and solidarity within communities. Last year the Mariapolis was held here at Ambatondrazaka, but many from the capital were not able to travel. Seeing their painful situation, but also their desire to be with us at the Mariapolis, we decided to go toward them and everyone is involved in prepararing.”
Gen 4: the Growing Wave of Love
The title announced: “The World’s Greatest Adventure”. Already during the preparations for the gathering which were done by the older members of the Movement for these little ones, you could feel that this congress was going to be like a game of love played in the light of the Sun which is God. The importance of the event was also underscored by its global dimensions. There was a live link-up with all the Gen4 of the world, with photos, experiences, songs, and skits, which they sent, and there was a link-up via internet. The Gen4 congress was made even more precious because of the offering made by the Gen4 who are suffering because of illness and offered their sufferings for the success of this event. One of the main topics was how God manifests himself in history: in Creation, in his friendship with the Chosen People as their protector, defender, guide, and saviour. His greatest gift was the gift of his own Son, Jesus, who reveals to us the very heart of God in the story of the Merciful Father who welcomes back the Prodigal Son. They were introduced to the Prophets, Saints, and all those who, like Chiara, were messengers of God’s love and whose message has reached us.
In a video, Chiara herself said again to the Gen4: “Do you know what true happiness is? Try it: It’s the happiness that people have when they love and love and love. When you love you are happy and if you always love, you’ll always be happy. What can you do for the world? Give it happiness. Teach everyone to love.”
Her message was received. Flavio said: “During one game we had to run back and forth without being captured. . . but then I saw a small score book on the ground. I stopped, picked it up and brought it to its owner right away.”
And Joe: “I made a paper airplane, but a boy had lost his. So I gave him mine.”
Besides many creative and recreational activities, the meetings with many of Chiara’s friends was another opportunity to “experience the secret of true happiness”.
One of these was the meeting with Maria Voce (Emmaus) who left them with a rather demanding task: “If we are united, we can carry ahead this revolution that God has sent into the world through Chiara. You need to bring a wave of love into the world. “
And the Gen4 accepted the task as can be seen from the echoes that have been arriving now that they have returned home. This is the great challenge that the little ones launch to all of us. One Gen4 invited his friends to a party and told them about what he had lived at the congress. Others updated the communities from which they came. One thing thing is the courage they gained from the Congress. One Gen4 declared that he wants to become a saint. This amazed his listeners and he was asked how he intended to do this. He explained that it is very simple: Holiness is loving each other, always, without measure.
The wave of love has been launched!
A new project for young people in Brazil: ‘Glocalcity’
Young people today face many challenges: globalisation, social justice, the meeting/clash between different cultures and ethnic groups. These problems are often concentrated in the cities which house 60% of the world’s population. How can they be transformed into ‘learning centres of harmonious living’?
In response to these challenges a new project has been set up: ‘Glocalcity – local youth organisations in a global exchange’. An initiative that is coordinated by “New Humanity”, Ngo of the Focolare Movement and which was conceived a year ago at an international congress for young people which was held in Castelgandolfo, and which involves ten associations in different countries: Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, Rumania, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The next and final stage will be in Brazil. From 14 July to 2 August, about 50 young people from the above mentioned countries will meet for three weeks in San Paolo and Recife, where there are two Focolare towns – Mariapolis Ginetta and Mariapolis Santa Maria respectively.
This will be a chance to consolidate local voluntary initiatives that have already got off to a good start. It will also be a chance to get to know the Brazilian cultural and social situation and to develop that quality of dialogue that is capable of creating a culture of unity.
We received a letter from a young Italian girl who spent some time in the Mariapolis Santa Maria, near Recife, where there has been a social project called Santa Terezinha going on for a number of years, in a place once known as the ‘Island of Hell’: ‘I find myself faced by 20 small frightened faces, 2-3 years old, as I introduce myself in faltering Portuguese. I’m a stranger to them – big and tall! I start to sing with the young teacher, an ex-pupil of the centre, and the atmosphere changes. We begin to draw, to help with the tasks … and whoever thought I would be able to dance? But I find myself dancing! I put my whole heart into it and they begin to smile. The smiles of children who feel loved maybe, accepted, the centre of attention of someone else … Children who don’t yet have that vacant look in their eyes like the adults, but are the same children who carry the terrible signs on their bodies of life outside the social centre …’.
And its right there in Recife that the conclusion of the project will be held from Friday 30 July to Monday 2 August, with the possibility for all the young people to immerse themselves in Brazilian culture. There will be a final concluding event to raise the awareness of local and international bodies by means of the proposals of the young people themselves, future active citizens very much present in our society today.
July 2010
In this very brief parable, Jesus captures the imagination of his listeners. Everyone knew the value of pearls: along with gold, they were the most precious things one could possess.
The Scriptures also spoke of wisdom, that is, of the knowledge of God, as something that was so valuable that it could not be compared to “any priceless gem" (Wis 7:9).
What emerges in the parable, however, is the description of an unusual and surprising event: the merchant caught sight of a pearl, perhaps in a bazaar; only his expert eye could see that this pearl had enormous value. From it he could derive considerable profit. This is why, after careful calculation, he decided that it was well worth it to sell everything he had to buy the pearl. Who wouldn't have done the same thing in his place?
This, then, is the profound meaning of the parable: the encounter with Jesus, with the kingdom of God among us, is the pearl. It is the unique opportunity we must jump at, involving all our energies and all that we possess.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
This is not the first time that the disciples are faced with a radical choice. In order to follow Jesus, they have to leave everything–everything that is most precious to them, like family affections, financial security, guarantees for the future.
Jesus, however, is not asking something pointless or absurd. For the “everything” that we let go of, there is the “everything” that we find, which is immeasurably more precious. Each time Jesus asks for something, he promises to give much, much more.
With this parable, he assures us of a treasure that will make us rich forever.
And if it seems to be a mistake to leave what is certain for what is uncertain, a possession for just the promise of one, let us remember that merchant: because he knows that that pearl is most precious, he can confidently await the profits it will bring.
Likewise, whoever wants to follow Jesus knows–sees with the eyes of faith–what an immense gain it is to be heirs with him to the kingdom for having left everything, at least spiritually.
God, moreover, offers such an opportunity to all men and women.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
It is a concrete invitation to put aside everything that can take the place of God in our hearts: a career, marriage, studies, a beautiful house, a profession, sports or entertainment.
It is an invitation to give God first place in our hearts, for everything in our life must converge towards him and come to us from him.
If we do this, if we “seek his kingdom,” according to the Gospel promise, the rest will be given to us in addition (see Lk 12:31). If we put aside everything for the kingdom of God, we “receive a hundred times” as much in “houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother (Mt 19:29), because the Gospel has a real human dimension. Jesus is the God-Man, who along with spiritual food assures us of bread, shelter, clothing, family, and the rest.
Perhaps we should learn from the "little ones" to trust more in the Providence of the Father, for he never fails to give to those who give the little they have out of love.
A few months ago, a group of young people in the Congo started making greeting cards out of banana peels. The cards were then sold in Germany. At first, they kept all the profits since some of them had to support their families. Later on, they decided to share half of their profits in order to help thirty-five young people who were unemployed.
The story of what they did circulated in their area. Some shopkeepers who were looking for workers heard it too and offered eleven of the young people permanent jobs. God does not let himself be outdone in generosity.
The Word of Life, taken from Scripture, is offered each month as a guide and inspiration for daily living. From the Focolare’s beginnings, Chiara Lubich wrote her commentaries on each Word of Life, and after her death in March 2008, her early writings are now being featured once again. This commentary, addressed to a primarily Christian audience, was originally published in July 1999.
This commentary on the Word of Life is translated into 96 different languages and dialects and reaches several million people worldwide through print, radio, TV and the Internet. On page 24 you will find experiences some of our readers shared in their efforts to live a previous month’s Word of Life.
By Chiara Lubich
Tra religioni NEW EN
Another side of the world games
Food, health, primary and secondary school fees coverage, after-school programs. One hundred and thirty children and their families are now able to share in these services. These are some of the “fruits” of development programs begun in South Africa by the Action for New Families Foundation, financed by sponsorship from abroad. South Africa, an immense country with nearly 50 million inhabitants, the home of Nelson Mandela, is in the limelight these days for the World Cup, which instead of covering over, has actually highlighted the wounds of this society that was released not long ago from the terrible scourge of apartheid. However, alcoholism, drug abuse, child prostitution, and high unemployment (50%) remain among the main ills that afflict this country today. Even though they knew it would only be a drop in the ocean, the AFN Federation chose to work in South Africa since 1992 through its Distance Support Project. A solid team of volunteers who work on location, helps to ensure efficient coordination and service. It is involved in trying to improve the human and social condition not only of children, but also of their families, so that assistance will continue to bear fruit in their ongoing growth and development. Assistance does not end when children finish school. The plan foresees that beneficiaries continue to receive professional training and assistance through the activation of microcredit and college scholarships. There have been several projects to date. The first goes back to 1992 with a kindergarten in Zonda, a suburb of Soweto (Johannesburg), in the slums of Silver Town. A canteen has also been set up 10 km from the town of Mafikeng (North West Africa), operated in collaboration with Mary’s Mission. In Soweto (Johannesburg), children who have been orphaned by AIDS find welcome in foster care as they await adoption into a permanent home. Also through support from abroad Angolan military families who are living in economically disadvantaged villages receive support: in this case the project covers food, school fees, and transportation for school children. Finally there is support for some Congolese refugee families (and other African countries) through economic aid, and group and/or personal therapy. Worldwide, the AFN Foundation offers real opportunities for development to 16,400 children in 102 projects in 52 countries on 4 continents (Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia). In Africa, about 3,500 children are supported through 18 projects in Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Republic of South Africa, Central African Republic, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
EcoOne: The Person and Nature
Environmental sustainability and energy. This was discussed at the EcoOne meeting, a cultural initiative born from the charism of the Focolare Movement in the world of ecology. The meeting took place at the Mariapolis Centre of Castel Gandolfo the 14th and 16th of May and was attended by fifty ecologists and professionals from Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Italy.
The subject was pondered by experts from various areas related to energy: from engineering to physics, from politics to sociology. University professors, industrial managers, scholars and experts discussed energy in nature, renewables, nuclear energy, climate change, political involvement and social solidarity which are all inherent to the energy issue.
A portion of the program was dedicated to examining the itinerary of EcoOne and the cultural elements that have characterized it since the first conference organized by Sergio Rondinara from Sophia University, ten years ago. “If the relationship between the human person and nature was harmonious in the past,” stated Luca Fiorani, ENEA researcher and coordinator of EcoOne, as she presented its work, “it has now led to an environmental crisis which is pointing to an even deeper anthropological and ethical crisis. Faced with this situation, the research plan of EcoOne is to uncover a new person-to-nature relationship which comes through recuperating the significance of each individual’s ties with nature. This is something that will take place on the level of our thinking in the religous sphere and in the rediscovery of pre-industrial traditions”.
“Let us pause and look at how far we’ve come on this path,” she continued: “We were joined by experts in the environmental field: professionals, academics and researchers from public institutions. This open and enriching cultural dialogue is not something decorative, but the very essence of EcoOne. We see that, over the years, a small body of ecologists with a well-defined point of view has been born within the Focolare Movement and is in dialogue with other professionals in the field. “
EcoOne has drawn up its own ecological thinking which is based on certain key elements: custodianship, which places the human person as the guardian of creation; responsibility and environmental awareness, that is, realizing that damaging nature means threatening life and this stimulates moral consciousness about environmental issues. A new person-nature relationship is needed, which can overcome anthropocentrism or physiocentric extremism. And finally the concept of sustainability, namely, the realization that “we need radical structural changes and behavioral development to be sustainable.”
“Man is not the center of the universe: God is.” These are words that Chiara Lubich wrote to the 2005 EcoOne Conference indicating that an ecological paradigm for human action would only be found in God who is Love.
Today her words have become the Magna Carta of EcoOne. “Let us not venture – Chiara continued – to go against God! We’ll find only death.if we do. If , instead, man’s goal becomes not economic interest, egoism, but love for others and the love of nature, then, with human help, the earth will be transformed and become an earthly paradise.”
Parrocchie: quale direzione? EN
Conclusione Anno Sacerdotale
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Sportmeet in the Universities of Argentine
More than 500 educators joined in the dialogue with the international director of Sportmeet, Dr Paolo Crepaz, during his visit to Argentina at the beginning of June. The conferences dealt with a vision of sport from the prospective of brotherhood. Some of the themes of their discussion included: educating through sport; a culture of defeat for a new culture of winning; creating a constructive relationship between sports and media; inclusion; human and social development. The cooperation has already begun between universities and other institutions where Sportmeet educators teach. A visit to the Casa del Niño in an impoverished district of Florencio Varela, a suburb of Buenos Aires, allowed everyone to see firsthand the setting in which the last Deporchicos was held – a sport event promoted by Sportmeet workers each year where you can see children of different social strata playing together on the field. This event, together with other social assistance projects, helps to build fraternal relations and solidarity. The last two days of the South American visit were spent in the picturesque little town of the Focolare Movement, Mariapolis Lia, which is nestled in the Argentine pampas. Every year dozens of young people from around the world go to visit this place to have an experience of true brotherhood. Reflections on some important issues, the sharing of many experiences from real life, the intense dialogue, and some relax time, allowed the participants in the weekend training not only to feel part of the family of Sportmeet, but also to renew their commitment to respond, through sport, to the many social questions that live in each one of them.
Net-One: “Prove di dialogo” EN
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Oriente e occidente verso una nuova civiltà EN
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Pagine di luce EN
L’associazione culturale Net-One promuove, dal 10 al 13 Giugno prossimi, un convegno internazionale dal titolo “prove di dialogo”.
From the ‘Land of the Cedars’
The commitment to take the charism of unity into politics has always been part of the history of the Focolare Movement, above all because of the presence, next to Chiara Lubich, of an Italian member of parliament – Igino Giordani.
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The ‘Movement for Unity in Politics’ was founded on 2 May 1996, and today politicians, members of parliament, mayors and local councillors from around the world are part of it. Whilst remaining part of different political parties they are united in a common aim: to make universal fraternity a fundamental political category, and to translate it into facts, into rights and duties, support it through political action, and to review institutional and international structures in this light.
In Lebanon as well, the members of the Focolare lived the different stages of preparation for the elections as ‘an occasion to build sincere and honest relationships with people of every political persuasion’, they wrote to tell us. ‘The desire to commit ourselves for the good of our towns and villages and above all to introduce a new way of relating to each other in our local councils’ was what had decided them to get involved in the local elections. A Mayor, Deputy Mayor and several members of local councils were elected, all committed to ‘putting the common good in the first place, and to help each other to be faithful to this aim; this gives us an added possibility today of putting into practice the Apostolic Exhortation of John Paul II’.
In fact, in 1997, John Paul II made an unforgettable visit to that country, and speaking to the young people in the Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, gave them a challenge: ‘Your task,’ he said, ‘is to build bridges amongst people, amongst families and between the different communities. In your day-to-day life, be signs of reconciliation – you must transform diffidence into trust! Your task is to make sure that every Lebanese, especially young people, can participate in every aspect of society, of your common home. In this way a new fraternity will be born and solid relationships will be formed, because the principal for building Lebanon is love.’
Tomorrow’s Church
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There were songs, experiences, and artistic pieces from around the world, all celebrating the figure of the priest in today’s world. This event was promoted and put together by priests of the Focolare and Schoenstatt movements, in collaboration with the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal and other Church organisations.
The main objective of the gathering was to highlight examples of authentic communion in priestly life which are supported by the new charismas, and how these can be a gift for clergy. A particularly meaningful artistic piece prepared by the musical group Gen Verde together with a Romanian Orthodox choir, the Psalmody Transylvania and the drama group Ars Amoris, about the life of Jean Marie Vianney.
Three survivors shared the story of the massacre of a group of seminarians in Burundi, one of them now a priest, in memory of those who bore witness with their lives that unity between these warring peoples (Hutu and Tutsi) is possible. This was followed by the story of Brendan Purcell, an Irish priest who overcame a spiritual trial in which his celibacy was put at risk, by embracing even more radically his choice of God. Finally there was the story of a German priest who fell into alcoholism and was saved by his community..jpg)
“The breath of communion is essential for the health of the body of the Church,” said Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who came to bring greetings from the pope. A priest, who spoke at the conference, said: “Today I start again to live my priesthood with the enthusiasm of the first years and the maturity of the 40 years that I have been a priest.” The reactions of the laity were also significant:. “Today I saw the Church of tomorrow, the Church that will accompany my children as they grow.” The global embrace of the Church, the unity of the Church that I’ve discovered, has taken up a central place in my heart.”
For texts meeting, photo downloads, TV connections and other information go to: www.sacerdotioggi.org
The Conclusion to the Year for Priests
‘Priests today’ is the title of an afternoon of testimonies and artistic presentations, organised by the Focolare Movement and the Schoenstatt Movement in collaboration with the International Catholic Charismatic Movement and other ecclesial bodies, to contribute to a renewal of the life and ministry of priests, in the Church and in today’s society. The new charisms are at the root of this meeting, gifts of the Spirit with which God enriches the Church, in this time of particular difficulty, to lead it to a ‘new springtime’. Testimonies – Amongst the main speakers: a priest from Ireland speaking about faithfulness to a calling from God: from Burundi, the survivors from an attack on a Junior Seminary in Buta where 40 young seminarians were martyred; from Germany, a priest who overcame a drink problem with the help of his community. Others will speak about illness; emotional life and celibacy lived in a fraternal context; pastoral work in our multicultural and multi-religious world of today. From Brazil – a major evangelisation programme together with lay people in the South of the country. Television Transmissions – the programme can be seen on the Internet in many countries (http://www.sacerdotioggi.org/page.php?id=10); on satellite from Vatican Television Centre, on Telepace, EWTN, Canção Nova, Telelumière e Mariavision; and later in the day on TV2000 from 22:00 (Italian time) on 9 June (http://www.sacerdotioggi.org/page.php?id=9) The event precedes the Vigil on 10 June in St Peter’s Square with the Pope and the solemn celebration of the Eucharist on 11 June (see: www.annussacerdotalis.org).
[:it]Una chance di riscatto[:es]Una oportunidad de rescate[:pt]Uma chance de resgate
Families of Hope
290 leaders of the Family of Hope Association (‘Familia da Esperanca’) visited the International Centre of the Focolare Movement on 28 May to celebrate and to thank Chiara for the approval that they had just received from the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The members of the Association – of Brazilian origin but now spread all over the world – are involved in many social areas, the main one being their work with young drug addicts. At the Centre they met with Eli Folonari, who was Chiara’s personal secretary, and Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, President and Co-President respectively of the Focolare Movement, for a moment of reflection and sharing on the theme of ‘God who is Love’.
‘What is it that links us together?’ Maria Voce asked. ‘The main link is the life of the Word, which is translated into concrete actions, day by day, and takes us along a path of sanctity, no matter where our starting point was, but is something to be lived in the present moment,’ she went on to explain. Giancarlo Faletti continued: ‘The Word of God is not like other words. Other words produce a plant that lives for a short while and then dies. Instead, the Word of God produces a big plant that lasts forever. I believe that you are witnesses to this vitality.’
The beginnings of the association go back to 1983, to a corner of a street in Guaratingueta, in the inland part of the State of San Paolo. Nelson Giovanelli got to know a group of young drug addicts in his neighbourhood in an attempt to live out the words of the Apostle Paul when he said: ‘ I’ve made myself weak with the weak …’ One of them called Eleuterio, was the first to become involved and to ask help in overcoming his drug dependency. Many others followed. Somebody who helped the work of Nelson Giovanelli right from the start was a German Franciscan friar called Frei Hans Stapel, who knew the spirituality of unity of Chiara Lubich and the spirituality of poverty of St Francis of Assisi.
A community was born and grew with these young people based on an evangelical lifestyle. The association has spread throughout the world today. There are 68 Fazendas (40 in Brazil alone) working with around 3,000 young people. It is present in nine ther countries in the world: Germany, Russia, the Philippines, Mozambique, Mexico, Guatemala, Paraguay, Uruguay, Columbia and Argentina.
The ‘Fazendas da Esperanca’ became better known after Pope Benedict XVI visited the community of Pedrinhas on the occasion of his apostolic visit to Brazil in 2007. The meeting of the Holy Father with the young people of the Fazenda was one of the most moving moments of that trip. The Pope launched a strong appeal against those that sow death through drugs: ‘They will have to answer God for what they have done.’ And to the young people who have returned to life because of the Fazenda da Esperanca he gave a mission for the future: ‘You must be ambassadors of hope!’
The ‘Family of Hope’ – the official name of the Association of the faithful which has just.jpg)
been approved – is not a congregation or a secular institute, and cannot be defined as a spiritual movement like the Charismatics or the Focolare – it is a new community of lay people. It is something new in the Church. Speaking of this Maria Voce said: ‘The Church doesn’t approve a Rule as such. It approves a reality, a life that already exists. This recognition is a sign of joy. With this joy in our hearts – yours, ours and the whole Church – I think we can truly thank God.’
Parishes: which direction?
‘The Parish – a witness of God’s love’: was the theme of the Parish Movement and Diocesan Movement Congress which was held at the Mariapolis Centre, Castel Gandolfo from 16 to 18 April. The theme was inspired by the reflection the Focolare Movement is dedicating to ‘God Love’ and the encyclical of Benedict XVI ‘Deus caritas est’. There were over 1,500 delegates coming from different continents.
‘The biggest certainty that we have taken away with us’ – a young person writes – ‘is that God loves us immensely, the phrase that was most repeated in these three days! We have acknowledged this and it entered inside of us with a new certainty and conviction …. We can only rejoice in this and draw strength from it!’
During the congress a face of God not always present in today’s mentality emerged: Don Silvano, who was the first focolarino priest and who died in 2007, wrote: ‘Without wanting to, we have often preached a Kingdom of God where it appears that a paternalistic father is saying to the child: if you are good, and do what I tell you I will give you the prize.’
The Parish changes from a ‘place where the Church is administered locally’ to a ‘place capable of announcing the God that Jesus has revealed to us’, ‘a space which shows the community of people gathered in the name of Jesus.’ This is the experience of a number of parishes where they try to live communion and sharing.
A very relevant experience in this year dedicated to priests, the living heart of the parish.
Of prime importance is the fraternal relationship between people, families, groups, associations and movements – amongst everyone. In this way the parish becomes an ‘Epiphany’ of God, a witness to his love. One of the participants said ‘The important task I have to do now is to help to nourish a spirit of fraternity amongst all the realities present in the parish where I am.’
A Parish which is a witness to God’s love is capable of responding to today’s challenges: young people’s expectations, the crisis in family life, situations of suffering, the new poverty, the urgent need for dialogue.
The witness of Chiara Luce Badano, told by her mother and father through a video and by others who knew her, made a deep impression on everyone. Her yes to Jesus when she was told of her illness encouraged many to adopt a new attitude of total trust in the will of God.
June 2010 – Fill your day
In this Word of Life, two kinds of existence come into relief: the earthly life that is built in this world, and the supernatural life that is given by God through Jesus, a life that does not end with death and that no one can take away from us.
We can, therefore, choose between two attitudes. One is to be attached to our earthly life, considering it as our only good. This attitude leads to thinking only of ourselves, only of our own affairs, only of our children, thereby sealing ourselves up within a shell and affirming only our ego. This road inevitably ends up in the emptiness of certain death. The other choice, instead, is to believe that God has given us a much more profound and authentic existence. This gives us the courage to live in a manner that merits this gift to the point of “losing” our earthly life for that other life.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
When Jesus said these words, he was thinking of martyrdom. Like all Christians, we should be ready to follow the Master and to remain faithful to the Gospel, to lose our life, even to die a violent death, if necessary. Then, with the grace of God, we will obtain the true life. Jesus was the first one who “lost his life,” and he regained it glorified. He warned us, “Do not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Mt 10:28). Today he tells us:
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
If we read the Gospel carefully, we will see that Jesus goes back to this thought six times. This shows how important it is and how much Jesus values it.
But for Jesus, the exhortation to lose one's life is not only an invitation to martyrdom. It is a fundamental law of Christian life.
We must be ready to reject the temptation to set up our own selves as the ideal of our lives; we have to give up our selfishness. If we want to be authentic Christians, we must put Christ at the center of our lives. What does Christ want from us? Love for others. If this becomes our lifestyle, we will have “lost” our own lives and found eternal life.
And not living for oneself certainly does not mean, as some may think, to be laid back and passive. Indeed, Christians need to be firmly committed and fully responsible.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Even in this life, it is possible to experience that by giving of ourselves, by putting love into every action, “life” grows within us. When we spend our day at the service of others, when we transform our work (which is perhaps monotonous and tedious) into a gesture of love, we experience the joy of greater fulfillment.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
By following Jesus' commandments, which all focus on love, we will find after this brief life eternal life as well.
Let us remember what Jesus will say and do on the day of judgment. To those on his right: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father … for I was hungry and you gave me food … I was … a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me" (Mt 25:34-36).
To let us participate in the life that does not pass away, Jesus will look at just one thing: if we loved our neighbors. He will consider done to himself whatever we did to them.
How then should we live this Word of Life? How should we “lose” our life even now in order to find it? By preparing ourselves for that great and decisive final examination that we were born for.
Let's look around us and fill our day with acts of love. Christ presents himself to us in our children, wife, husband, people we work with and relax with and even politicians. Let's do good to everyone. And let's not forget those we hear about each day through friends or through the media. Let's do something for everyone, according to our means. And when we have exhausted our means, we can still pray for our neighbor.
Loving is what counts.
Chiara Lubich
No more Violence
Time-out, 12:00 in Thailand. A moment of prayer for peace, for those who have lost their lives, and for this beloved land plunged into a state of guerrilla fire that is spreading death, destruction, and fear. The faithful of other religions join us in asking for peace, for it is a common value to all religions. The delegates of the Focolare Movement in Thailand, Helen Oum and Chun Boc Tay write: “The cu
rrent situation is of great concern to us all. We continue to believe in the power of prayer offered in unity during our daily appointment for the “time-out”, a moment of prayer for peace in our beloved nation. This appointment has become international and interreligious since many of our dear friends of other faiths have joined with us in asking the gift of peace. As we pray, our thoughts go to those who have lost their lives and to their families who are left suffering, and to all those who suffer due to the current situation.” In our prayer, we ask Almighty God to give light and wisdom to those in positions of responsibility and influence, that they may make right decisions for the common good. No more sacrificing human lives and no more violence! Through our prayer, we place ourselves God’s hands, to be instruments of His love in practical ways, even through the tiniest acts of love. Only love can heal the wounds and overcome so many sorts of problems of the both the past and future. What can we do concretely? Love everyone and be the first to love. Visit a family that suffers and offer them our spiritual and material support. Do acts of love wherever we are, which create bridges and overcome divisions. Forgive and be reconciled. These are the qualities of Christian love, and all religions contain the same message: We share the Golden Rule. “Do unto others what you would have others do unto you.” and “Do not do unto others what you would not want done to yourself.” We will strive to ensure that our country becomes the “land of smiles” again! We will do our part and God will do His. In His great love, He will draw a greater good from all the misfortune. Let us contribute our part for the achievement of Jesus’ prayer: that all be one. Truly we are brothers and sisters of one great family.”
Net-One: “Dialog Tryouts”
From the 10th to the 13th of June, the Mariapolis Center will host the international seminar promoted by Net-One: the “Net” of communicators, reference point for many media agents. Thanks to this net, they will share in-depth cultural and professional experiences with a single aim: putting back at the center of their work the human being. The latter, is being considered as the main mean of communication from the perspective of universal brotherhood and of a more united world. “Dialog Tryouts”, this is the title of the event. The event is considered to be more like a seminar than a common conference. The speakers and the professionals of the various fields of communication will only give hints. This will allow all those attending -coming from all over the world- to give their meaningful contribution and new importance to todays reality, through this mean. “The aim of communication is the change established by love found within communication itself” said the philosopher Guy Lafon. Net-one’s first years of life clearly show this: we must increase the value of communicating with others, we must understand who is behind the mean, we must do it in order to manage and promote an immediate good communication in an always more complex universe made of printed press, T.V., Internet and social networks. Throughout the seminar, we will try to rediscover the meaning and the extraordinary potential of being communicators by building new relationships and discussing themes regarding the medias world through plenary sessions and workshops. The speech of Maria Voce -the President of the Focolare Movement- will close the Seminar. By connecting to the website of Net-One you will find the Program of the Seminar and the Contacts and informations needed to attend.
[:it]Cristiani in politica[:fr]Des chrétiens engagés en politique[:pt]Cristãos na política
An injection of trust
Could you tell us something about the ‘Together for Europe’ meeting in Munich? ‘It was a very constructive experience because it gave the possibility for members of different movements to meet again and to participate in the many expressions the movements have. This participation in the life and charism of the other is an enrichment because it opens us to the gifts of the other. It’s always interesting to see that at the end of the day, notwithstanding the variety of charisms, there is a common foundation to all of these movements: belief in God, in Jesus Christ, sent by the Father for the salvation of the world. I often think that the expressions of the Movements are like lots of flowers on the one tree. You could see this tree very well in Munich – and it was solid, very solid.’ What is the role of these movements in the Church and in Europe today? ‘To give witness to the possibility of communion. To be a committed and knowledgeable laity. Not a laity where each person goes their own way, but one that decides to share with others the same aim: unity. The unity of the churches, the unity of Europe, unity amongst everyone. We may go ahead in different ways, but we are all going in the same direction and all together. The presence of the bishops was important, in this sense, and the recognition they gave of the usefulness of the path followed together so far for a more Christian Europe, not only more united, but more Christian because founded on Christian principles. But Christians in Europe are divided. How significant is this division? ‘It is the suffering of living together for a unity which is not yet complete. When we have reciprocal love and the sufferings of one become the sufferings of the other, it’s possible to be open. It’s possible to become aware of the difficulties that still exist and also the possibilities we have of overcoming them a little at a time. We also have to understand what can be done as we wait for the theologians in charge of dialogue to find the right words and means to reach expressions of truth that we can all agree about. Surely truth must be one, not multiple. We must reach a truth that is expressed in a way that everyone can accept. Logically this is the work of the Holy Spirit, but we think and we see that the more reciprocal love there is between Christians, the easier it is to agree on some points that may be controversial and to find a way to understand each other and to go ahead together. It’s like when you are climbing a mountain: sometimes you need to stop a moment to think about the next stage. I think this witness is very important at a time when there are many shadows on the Church. We must show the truth of what Jesus says about himself: my words will not pass away. The accusations that weigh on the Church today will disappear if we can show the Church as it should be, that is, if we show this reality of communion between us and our decision to live the Gospel in a radical way. Is this the answer the movements can give in the current situation the Church is in? ‘We must convert ourselves to living the Gospel more and to live it more in communion. The main thing is to help everyone to believe in God’s love and to live out what God asks of us in the present moment with generosity and in a radical way.’ The theme of the Kirchentag was hope. Was the “Together for Europe’ meeting a sign of hope? ‘Definitely. You could see that from the joy in everybody there. In whatever moment you entered, you had the impression of an injection of trust. Trust in God, trust in humanity, trust in the Church.’ From our correspondent Maria Kuschel
A citadel surrounded by green
35 kilometers from Paris stands the newly begun citadel of the Focolare in France. It is surrounded by greenery, in the Parco d’ Arny (Bruyeres-le-Chatel). The population is quite diverse in this area, made up of just over a million people. It is a rural setting, endowed with high tech industry,
The cathedral, mosque, and large pagoda, give an idea of the religious diversity of population. Bishop Dubost, the local bishop, met Chiara Lubich personally during the Synod in Rome; and now he was warmly welcoming Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. For the bishop, the citadel is a “chance” for the diocese, and he hopes that these “spaces of life” that testify to the love of God increase and multiply. He underscored the cultural importance of having the Nouvelle Cité Publishers in the region.
The day continued with a visit to the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame, which is the spiritual center of the capital.
In the evening there was a meeting for young people in a very familial atmosphere. Maria and Giancarlo were flooded with questions: How do you live in a society where time is such a rare thing? Maria Voce responded: “Have the freedom of someone who knows that she is loved by God and act accordingly.” And, after stressing the importance of having respect for everyone, whatever their beliefs, she encouraged the youths to live in the freedom of the children of God who push ahead and dare to take risks, and are open to whatever the future may hold.
On the next day, May 12, they visited every corner of the citadel. After visiting the town of Bruyeres-le-Chatel where they admired the magnificent 11th century Church of St Didier, Maria Voce and Giancarlo began their tour with a cup of hot coffee at the “guardian’s house” where there are two flats which have been renovated to accommodate guests. From there they went on to the “main house” which houses the women’s focolare and a family that moved to the new citadel.
They continued their tour visiting the premises of Nouvelle Cité Publisheres: typography, editing, local administration and shipping. Maria Voce speaks French very well and so the meeting with the employees was very spontaneous and direct.
At the conclusion of the visit, the president of the Focolare strongly affirmed her certainty: The Focolare town of Arny should be a showcase, an “expo” of God, not so much because of the buildings but through the witness of mutual love which you live, and which must shine beyond France. Now beyond the gloom of the day, another sun is shining, especially for the people involved in this promising project of our newly born citadel.
[:it]Incontri a Parigi: 10 maggio[:fr]Rencontres à Paris
Paris welcomes Maria Voce
Sunday 9 May. In the western outskirts of Paris the Boulogne-Billancourt Theatre is crowded. There are over 600 people from all over Northern France, from Vandea to Alsace, not forgetting those from the capital itself and surroundings as well as representatives of different nations, most noticeably a numerous group from Cameroon. Explosions of joy alternate with moments of silence, of listening. The diversity and richness of the Focolare’s work in these regions are presented to Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. In Alsace, for example, there are a number of initiatives to encourage people from different political parties to meet together in search of a common good; the Western region presents its work with the different churches and ecclesial communities in the ‘Together for Europe’ project, where about 800 people participate; the Ile de France area tells of an experience of fraternity between children of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds; while a teacher from the Northern outskirts of Paris tells of his work with his students to change the climate of violence which dominates their school by putting into practice the points of the Art of Loving. Their experience has spread to other schools; and finally the work carried out around the small town of Arny, in the context of the Economy of Communion, giving a light of hope in an economic world that is so disorientated. In the second part of the programme, Maria Voce replies to questions that are put to her on different topics, in an atmosphere of great joy and freedom. Songs and choreographies, animated by a group of young people, envelope the hall in a final festive dance. 
The following day begins under the protection of Mary at the Sanctuary of the Miraculous Medal, a place of pilgrimage for millions of visitors each year. Afterwards, a press conference at the Centre d’Accueil de la Presse Etrangere (CAPE), near the Champs-Elysees. In the afternoon a visit to Cardinal Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris and President of the French Bishop’s Conference. Maria Voce updates him on her recent visit to the Pope; then to the Nunciature, with a warm welcome from the Nuncio, Mons Luigi Ventura, and a special Italian coffee as a sign of welcome. At the end of the afternoon, Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti meet with a group of priests of the Movement coming from different regions: they are dynamic, and well known and valued in their dioceses. They are often entrusted with important responsibilities. The day finishes with a meeting with the directors of the different branches and aspects of the movement in France (about 40) who provide the guests with a rich and varied overview of the work done by the Focolare in France. Maria Voce takes the occasion to underline the importance of this group – ‘which forms the heart of a territory and from which everything should begin’, thanks to the reciprocal love amongst its members and an attentive listening to the Holy Spirit, in order to understand which initiatives to take ahead.
‘The essential thing is to share’
Southern France, 6 – 8 May 2010 Thursday, 6 May 2010. Visit to the Mariapolis Center in St Pierre de Chartreuse where more than 2,000 people are welcomed each year. “This centre is a jewel,” said Emmaus, which carries its name so well: The People of God.” In the afternoon, Maria Voce and Giancarlo were with the Abbot of the Great Chartreuse, the Reverend Father Marcelin. It was a meeting and communion marked by the memory of Chiara. Change of scene: From the great silence of St Pierre to the noisy traffic of Lyon! But the same active presence of God was present in the evening at a meeting between Maria Voce and Giancarlo and a group of leaders from various Movements from the South of France as Maria Voce underscored that “the essential thing would be to share what we live interiorly, to live this communion, this mutual love which later allows everyone to discern – with the help of the Holy Spirit – what should or shouldn’t be done, and how it should be done.” Friday, 7 May 2010, Lyon, the Capital of Gaul Following a short tour of the city, three significant events marked the afternoon and evening: An interview with Maria Voce on RCF (French Catholic Radio) where she talked about the specific charism of this movement and its “Marian profile” in the heart of the Church and of Humanity. Then there was an encounter of profound communion with Cardinal Barbarin, during which was mentioned the current interest of the Church concerning the forthcoming beatification of Chiara Luce Badano, and the Focolare Movement’s ecumenical dimension. The evening ended with a meeting for young people. It was a moment of joy and free expression. Maria Voce and Giancarlo replied to several questions, including one on true love: “What does it mean to give and not want anything for yourself, to serve instead of making use of others to serve your needs?” It was an intense moment born from the life and needs of young people in today’s world. Then there was the conclusion with celebration, souvenir photos, and the profound joy which was visible on every face. Saturday, 8 May 2010 In the morning, Maria Voce and Giancarlo met members of the focolares of Southern France. It was a special moment of communion in which joys and sorrows were shared, forging strong bonds of unity around the One Treasure for whom they had each given up everything: God. In the afternoon there was a meeting for the community, with about 500 people from the regions of Lyon , Drome-Ardèche, French Riviera, St Etienne, Montpellier, Toulouse, Aurillac, Corsica, Isle de la Reunion. After a presentation of the groups, many of the issues that have so strongly influenced these regions were described through experiences made by some of the participants including a Muslim: injustice, sharing, openness, tolerance and fundamentalism, fear, responding, safety, crisis, violence , commitment, stress, truth. With their lives, the members of the Focolare Movement saw that they were able to offer real and authentic answers to each of these problems. Maria Voce concluded her visit in France urging everyone to look at people and events through the eyes of God, recognizing the miracles God works both within our lives and around us.
“Keep it up!”
In recent days a group of young people from the Buddhist Rissho Kosei Movement concluded their visit in Italy, for an encounter with youths of the Focolare Movement. This was the third such meeting. A dozen young Japanese spent a week in Italy with meetings for dialogue with other youths from around the world. The program began on the first of May with the traditional Youth Day at Loppiano, a small town of the Focolare Movement near Florence. The contribution of the Japanese delegation greatly enriched the event not only by giving it a religious flavour, but also by engaging the participants in the collection of signatures for the Arms Down Project, launched last November by the Religions for Peace in Costa Rica and by several other youth organizations including Rissho Kosei Kai and Youth for a United World of the Focolare Movement.
Then there was a day-long symposium held at the Mariapolis Centre in Castelgandolfo on the commitment to build peace. The perspectives of the two religions emerged in the light of the experience of the two movements which highlight how compassion and love are such masterful ways to building the value of peace, first in one’s own heart and, then, transmitting it to those around us. The moment in which people shared their life experiences was particularly engaging and touched deep chords in the life of the young people. The experience of a young Christian from Colombia who, trying to preserve forgiveness in her soul for those who had killed her father when she was a girl of eleven, was able to find peace in heart and hold on to her father’s memory without being filled with rancor. Her experience echoed that of a young Buddhist with serious family problems, who told how he understood the importance of family for someone who was at least still lucky enough to have one.
As mentioned, these meetings have been taking place for three years and they are creating an interfaith network of friendship and brotherhood which is both intercultural and international. This is real education for peace which Benedict XVI himself encouraged during the audience which was attended by the youths. “Keep it up!” was his comment to the two leaders of the delegation, who were able to greet him personally. It was precious advice for the future of these initiatives.
Maria Voce in France: Visit to Toulouse
Before leaving Lourdes, for Toulouse, Maria Voce shared a few reflections: "We wanted to begin this visit to France, in Lourdes; we wouldn’t have had it any other way. And Mary, Seat of Wisdom, invited us to look at all the miracles happening around us, not only physical healings but also the people who are returning to God, and the small conversions in our own lives. Who knows how many miracles we’ll witness during this trip? But, like Mary at the Visitation, we need to wait a bit still. The seed is planted and so it will sprout. »
In Toulouse she met about 120 members of the Focolare Movement who were able to be free from work on a Wednesday afternoon. She was given a warm and festive welcome. There was a quick presentation of the groups present. So much diversity! As some of the historical, sociological, and religious background was presented, a portrait of the region was gradually formed that gave a good idea of the place and its people. Then Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti answered a few questions. For example: "How might we love the people who have fallen out of contact with us?" Love without expecting anything in return, not even recognition from people . . . . but God always responds.
After an intense meeting of two hours the time came to say goodbye.
(Compiled by Jean-Marie Dessaivre, our translation)
Maria Voce in France: First stop Lourdes
Maria Voce started her visit to France (4-12 May) in Lourdes on Tuesday 4th May. It was raining and snowing – just like when Chiara Lubich make a historic visit there in 1958.
The Focolare Movement participates actively in local church and civic affairs throughout France. These activities can be parish-based or at the level of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue – several Muslims, Jews and Buddhists are members of the Movement. Members of the Movement are very involved in inter-religious activities in the town of Evry, to the southeast of Paris, while others support the work of the WCRP (World Council of Religions for Peace). Many participated in ‘France’s Social Weeks’ and in the ecumenical meetings for Together for Europe; in Nantes there was an event called Gusts of Unity, which involved 800 participants from 10 different movements and new ecclesial communities. There are over thirty business men and women involved in the Economy of Communion, a project that works for a fairer sharing of wealth
Often it’s the day-to-day presence of members of the Movement who try to take a spirit of peace to their places of work or study that makes a difference. There are many examples – Ennouar, a Muslim who is a friend of the Focolare and works as a bus driver in Tremblay-en-France, Jean-Christophe and Ewenaelle who are in contact with many other families; Bruno, a student who gives one evening a week as a volunteer with the Red Cross etc.
During her visit Maria Voce told how in the fifties she also had been to Lourdes and on that occasion had asked Our Lady’s help in understanding what her vocation would be. After meeting the Movement and Chiara, Maria Voce never returned to Lourdes again until now, when as President of the Focolare Movement she wanted to begin her trip to France in Lourdes, to thank Mary and to entrust to her the Movement that carries her name (The Work of Mary).
Word of life May 2010
Love is at the center of Jesus’ farewell discourse: the love of the Father for the Son, our love for Jesus, which means keeping his commandments.
Those who were listening to Jesus could easily recognize in his words an echo of Jewish wisdom literature such as, “Love of her [i.e., Wisdom] means the keeping of her laws” (Wis 6:18; see Prov 8:15-17; Sir 24:22-23) and, “She is readily perceived by those who love her” (Wis 6:12). In particular, revealing himself to those who love finds another parallel in Book of Wisdom 1:2, where it says that the Lord will manifest himself to those who believe in him.
The point of this Word of Life is: the Father loves those who love the Son, and the Son in turn loves them and reveals himself to them.
"Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him" (Jn 14:21)
Such a revelation of Jesus, however, requires love. We cannot conceive of Christians who do not have this dynamism, this driving force of love in their hearts. A clock doesn't work, it doesn't tell the time – we wouldn't even call it a clock – if its batteries are dead. It's the same with Christians. If they are not constantly striving to love, they don’t deserve the name of Christian.
The reason for this is that all of Jesus' commandments can be summed up in one: love of God and love of neighbor in whom we recognize and love Jesus.
Love is not just a matter of feelings. Love needs to be expressed in concrete terms, in serving our brothers and sisters, especially those who are near us, beginning with the little things, the most humble acts of service.
Charles de Foucauld once said: “When you love someone, you are really in that person through love, you live in that person through love, you no longer live in yourself, you are detached from yourself, outside of yourself.”
When we love in this way, the light of Jesus makes its way into our hearts, just as he promised: “Whoever loves me … I will … reveal myself to him” (Jn 14:21). Love is the source of light. By loving we have a greater understanding of God who is Love.
This leads us to love even more and to deepen our relationship with our neighbor.
This light, this loving knowledge of God is therefore the seal, the proof of true love. And we can experience it in different ways, because light takes on a particular color or shade in each one of us. But it also has some common characteristics: it helps us to understand the will of God, it gives us peace, serenity, and an ever-new understanding of the word of God. It is a heart-warming light that encourages us to walk along our way of life with growing confidence and determination. When the shadows of life make our way uncertain, when darkness threatens to stop us, these words of the Gospel will remind us that a light is turned on by loving and that even one small gesture of concrete love (a prayer, a smile, a word) will give us enough light to go forward.
Some bicycles have headlights that work as long as the riders keep peddling. If they stop, they find themselves in darkness, but when they start peddling again, the dynamo will provide the light one needs to see the way to go.
We can apply this to our lives: we only need to set love in motion again — our true love, a love that gives without expecting anything in return — in order to rekindle in us faith and hope.
By Chiara Lubich
The opening of UWW 2010 took place in Hungary
Esztergom, a city on the border between Hungary and the Slovak Republic. It was in this city that took place the official opening of the 2010 United World Week with a live Internet connection that linked up youth from all over the World. From this city it was broadcasted the peace and brotherhood message that will be leading the week. The conclusion will be the 9th of May with an on line live connection from Mumbay, India.
Just by scrolling the United World Week blog you can see the capillarity and the internationality of this event: Haiti, Santiago de Chile, Los Angeles, Londrina, Paraná in Brazil, Man and Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, Buenos Aires, Asunción, Lisbn, Bruxelles and many Italian cities.
Back to Hungary. Why Esztergom? The Youth for a United World from Hungary and the Slovak Republic chose a common aim: to build bridges of brotherhood between their countries. They said : ”In the last decades, both our peoples -where minorities live- have faced challenges and difficulties do to coexistence. This circumstances have generated prejudices which are difficult to overcome. Togethere, we want to face the reality and take the needed steps to place ourselves in each others shoes”.
A bridge, a symbol: During the years many have been the approaching initiatives. For example in 2001 it was reconstructed and inaugurated a long time closed-down bridge between Esztergom (Hungary) and Sturovo (Slovack Republic). In 2006, the two Bishop Conferences met for a Reconciliation event between the two countries in the Basil of Esztergom and every year they renew the gesture. In 2005, during Run4unity (a world relay race for Peace) hundreds of Hungarian and Slovak youngsters crossed running that same bridge as a sign of brotherhood.
A tree, another symbol: A tree will be planted together with the Civil authorities of Esztergom and Sturovo -the two protagonist cities of the opening day of the United World Week- as a sign of growing brotherhood between the two nations.
The daily challenge: Many are the youngsters who daily commit to this challenge of brotherhood. Listen to their experiences live on the Internet: http://live.focolare.org
“The Esztergom – Štúrovo bridge and a view of Slovakia (c) 2008 Martin Q – Used with permission – flickr.com/martinq”
An audience with the Holy Father
‘A very special and intense occasion … which has left a deep joy in our hearts’, this was Maria Voce’s comment immediately after her meeting with the Holy Father on Friday 23 April last.
Coming back from a long journey which took her to various Asian countries to meet the communities of the Movement, also in an inter-religious context, the President of the Focolare told the Pope everything that had happened in contact with these different cultures where the Gospel is becoming a hope for many.
They spoke about many subjects regarding the life of the Movement during the audience, including the forthcoming beatification of the young girl Chiara Luce.
There are 17 causes for beatification for members of the Movement underway at present, including the one for Igino Giordani who was a writer and politician.
The Pope gave his blessing at the end of the audience, with the invitation to extend it together with his greetings to the whole of the Movement.
Let’s face the Challenge!
All over the planet, from 1-9 May, the ‘United World Week’ takes off at the same time. This is an initiative that has been promoted by Youth for a United World (the wide-reaching youth section of the Focolare Movement) since 1996 to influence public opinion.
It is made up of many different types of events including cultural evenings, celebrations, sports competitions; meetings on subjects that interest young people, from disarmament to immigration. Above all solidarity projects in run-down neighbourhoods. With just one aim: to spread the values of fraternity, peace, and unity amongst peoples. And to show that universal fraternity is possible. ‘United World: let’s face the challenge’ is the slogan for this year’s events.
In a presentation of these events in an American magazine called ‘Living City’ we read: ‘The activities organised by the Youth for a United World throughout the world are like a mosaic of fraternal love, where they try to put into practice the true meaning of the word “love” and with the word “fraternal” they transmit a sense of equality and fraternity.’
Chiara Lubich said to the young people: ‘Your main aim is to apply the Gospel to earthly realities to make it come alive.’ The young people welcomed her words with great enthusiasm. This message is common to many of the great religions and other spiritual leaders. Mahatma Gandhi used to say: ‘You and I are one. I cannot harm you without harming myself.’ In the Suras of the Koran we read: ‘Give your relation what he is due, and do the same with the poor person and the traveller.’ It is the application of the Golden Rule, which is present in all the great religions, which says: ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you’ (Lk 6:31).
There are many websites giving information in different languages on the different events:
http://settimanamondounito2010.blogspot.com/p/gmu-nel-mondo.html or simply:
www.mondounito.net.
The young people like to use a name for their events that Chiara Lubich suggested: Fragments of Fraternity. Fragments because it may simply be an activity involving a home for old people, a nursery or a school. Fraternity because they are projects which have an aim: to promote in the world we live in and with all the means suggested by love a culture of communion, interdependence and love amongst different peoples, races and cultures.