Set fraternity in motion in sport

1 Apr 2008 | Non categorizzato

 The 2008 congress of Sportmeet, “Sport in–credibile – Set fraternity in motion”, from March 28-30 in Rome, presented sport as both credible and beautiful, far from the threat of violence, racism, doping, and over-commercialisation.

The challenge of fraternity in sport, and through sport, was issued by 420 sports enthusiasts from 38 countries from all five continents, through important life experiences, reports from international experts, round tables, workshops, and sports and games.

Among the many testimonies from sportsmen and women at all levels were those of Josefa Idem, Olympic canoeing gold medallist 2000, Ippolito Sanfratello gold medallist in Turin in 2006 in speed skating, Marco Pinotti, pink jersey in the “Giro d’Italia 2007”, Karl Unterkircher, high-altitude (8000m) climber, Nicolo’ Corradini orienteering world champion ‘94 ‘96 and 2000, and Hungarian Petra Treveli who finished third in the 2007 Milan Marathon.

Alongside them were people involved in the promotion of socially oriented sports projects in developing countries (Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippines…), and animators of anti-Mafia and anti-Camorra peace education projects in Sicily and Campania. 

Teachers and students from 17 universities around the world, testified their commitment online at Sportmeet to develop and spread a new sporting culture, oriented to fraternity.

“Woman of intrepid faith, a meek messenger of hope and peace”

18 Mar 2008 | Non categorizzato

To Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone Secretary of State «I am spiritually participating in the solemn liturgy with which the Christian community accompanies Chiara Lubich in her departure from this earth to enter into the wound of our Heavenly Father. I renew with affection my condolences to the directors and to all the members of the Work of Mary, to the Focolare Movement, and to all those who have collaborated with this generous witness to Christ, who totally gave of herself for the spreading of the evangelical message into every expression of contemporary society, always remaining open to the “signs of the times.” There are many reasons for thanking the Lord for the gift given to the Church of this woman of intrepid faith, humble messenger of hope and peace, founder of a vast spiritual family that embraces many fields of evangelization.  I would like to above all thank God for the service that Chiara has rendered to the Church: a both silent and incisive service, always in harmony with the teaching of the Church.  “The popes,” she commented, “have always understood us.” This is because Chiara and the Work of Mary have always tried to respond with gentle faithfulness to every request and desire. The uninterrupted bond between my venerable predecessors – Servant of God Pius XII, Blessed John XXIII, Servant of God Paul VI, John Paul I, and John Paul II – give a concrete witness to this fact. The thought of the Pope was her source of direction and guidance. Moreover, looking at the iniatives that she gave rise to, one could affirm that she had an almost prophetic capacity to intuit and anticipate the thought of the Pope in her actions. Her legacyy now passes onto her spiritual family: the Virgin Mary, a constant model and reference point for Chiara, help each focolarino and focolarina to continue along the same path, contributing to make the Church, as our beloved John Paul II wrote on the eve of the Great Jubilee Year of 2000, always more home and school of communion. God of hope welcome the soul of our sister; comfort and sustain the commitment of  those who have embraced her spiritual testament. For this, I assure you of a special remembrance in my prayers and send to all those present at the sacred rite my Apostolic Blessing». Vatican, March 18, 2008

“Chiara Lubich’s life has been a song to the love of God, a God who is Love”

17 Mar 2008 | Non categorizzato

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Authorities, Dear members of the Focolare Movement, Dear brothers and sisters, The first reading encouraged us to meditate again on the well-known verse from the book of Job. The just man, harshly tested, proclaims, in fact, almost cries out: “I know that my Redeemer lives…Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him” (Job 19: 25, 27). While we pay our last respects to Chiara Lubich, the words of the saintly Job evoke in us the memory of the burning desire to encounter Christ that marked her whole life, and even more intensely during her last months and days in which she was tested with the worsening of her condition that stripped her of all physical energy, in a gradual ascent to Calvary, culminating in the sweet return to the bosom of the Father. Chiara travelled the final leg of her earthly pilgrimage accompanied by the prayers and affection of her people who gathered around her in a wide and uninterrupted embrace. In the heart of the night, weak but decided was her final “yes” to the mystical spouse of her soul, Jesus “forsaken and risen.” Now everything has been truly completed: the dream of the beginning has become a reality, the passionate desire has been quenched. Chiara is meeting the One she loved without seeing and, filled with joy, she can exclaim: “Yes, my Redeemer lives!” The news of her death gave rise to a huge wave of condolences from every sphere, from thousands of men and women worldwide, believers and non-believers, the powerful and poor of the earth. Benedict XVI, who immediately sent his comforting blessing, is now through me renewing the assurance of his participation in the great suffering of her spiritual family. Exponents of other Christian Churches and different religions joined their voices to the choir of deep esteem and profound participation. Also the mass media highlighted the work she did to spread Gospel love among people of different cultures, faiths and formations. In effect – we could well say – Chiara Lubich’s life has been a song to the love of God, a God who is Love. “Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16). How many times Chiara meditated on these words and how many times she mentioned them in her writings; for example, in the “Words of Life” which hundreds of thousands of people draw from for their spiritual growth! There is no other way to know God and to give meaning and value to human existence. Only Love, divine Love makes us capable of “generating” love, to love even our enemies. This is the novelty of Christianity, and herein lies the entire Gospel. But how should we live Love? After the Last Supper, in his moving farewell to the apostles – we just heard it – Jesus prayed “so that all may be one.” Christ’s prayer therefore supports his friends’ journey in every age. It is his Spirit that brings to life living witnesses of the Gospel in the Church; and it is still him, the living God, to guide us in our times of sadness and doubt, of difficulty and suffering. Whoever trusts in him fears nothing, neither the effort of going through stormy seas, nor every type of obstacle or adversity. Whoever builds his house on Christ, builds on the rock of Love which supports all, overcomes all and conquers all. The XX century is constellated with the bright lights of this divine love. It should not only be remembered for the wonderful conquests made in the technical and scientific fields and for its economic progress, which however has not eliminated but at times exacerbated the unjust distribution of resources and goods among peoples; it will not remain in history only for the efforts made to build peace, which however have not deterred horrendous crimes against humanity and conflicts and wars that have bloodied vast regions of the globe. The last century, though filled with many contradictions, is the century in which God gave life to countless heroic men and women who, while caring for the wounds of the sick and suffering and sharing in the lot of the young, the poor and the least, distributed the bread of charity that heals hearts, opens minds to the truth, rebuilds trust and gives renewed thrust to lives that have been broken by violence, injustice, and sin. Some of these pioneers of charity have already been recognized as saints and blessed by the Church: Fr. Guanella, Fr. Orione, Fr. Calabria, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and still others.   It was also the century where new ecclesial Movements came to life, and Chiara Lubich found her place in this constellation with a charism that is all hers and that is distinguished for its physiognomy and apostolic action. The foundress of the Focolare Movement, with a silent and humble style, did not create institutions at the service of humanity, but she dedicated herself to lighting the fire of the love of God in human hearts. She gave life to people who would themselves be love, who live the charism of unity and communion with God and neighbour; people who spread “love that is unity,” making of themselves, their homes, their work a “focolare” [hearth] where the burning fire becomes contagious and enflames all that surrounds it. This mission is possible for everyone because the Gospel is within everyone’s reach: Bishops and priests, children, youth and adults, consecrated and lay people, couples, families and communities, all called to live the ideal of unity: “That all may be one!” In the last interview that she gave, which came out in the very days of her agony, Chiara stated that “the wonder of mutual love is the life source of the Mystical Body of Christ.” The Focolare Movement is therefore committed to live the Gospel to the letter, “the most powerful and effective social revolution,” and from it were born the “New Families” and “New Humanity” movements, the Città Nuova Publishing House, the little town of Loppiano and other towns of witness in the different continents, and lay branches such as the “Volunteers of God.” In the climate of renewal brought about by the pontificate of blessed John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council, it found fertile ground for its courageous ecumenical scope and its quest to dialogue with other faiths. During the years of the youth protests, the GEN movement catalyzed thousands and thousands of youth, fascinating them with the ideal of Gospel-based love, expanding its concrete reach with “Youth for a United World.” Chiara proposed the Gospel with no half measures also to children, to teenagers for whom the “Young for Unity” movement was founded. In Brazil, in order to meet the needs of the many who lived in poverty on the outskirts of cities, she launched the project for an “economy of communion in freedom,” giving rise to a new economic theory and praxis based on fraternity, for a sustainable development in favour of all. May the Lord grant that many scholars and economic experts take on the economy of communion as a viable resource to shape a new shared world order! And still, how many other meetings with representatives from different faiths, with political and cultural exponents! Mariapolis, city of Mary: this is how she wished to call the gatherings and the proposals for a society renewed by Gospel love. Why city of Mary? Because for Chiara the Virgin Mary “is the precious key for entering into the Gospel.” And perhaps, precisely for this reason, she was able to highlight in an effective and constructive way the “Marian profile” in the Church. She decided to entrust her Work to Mary, by giving it her name: the Work of Mary. The Movement, Chiara stated, “will remain on earth as another Mary: all Gospel, nothing other than the Gospel and, because it is the Gospel, it will not die.” And how can we not imagine that it was the Holy Virgin herself to accompany Chiara to the threshold of eternity? Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue our Eucharistic celebration by placing our thank you to the Lord on the altar for the witness given to us by this sister in Christ, for her prophetic intuitions which preceded and prepared the great changes in history and the extraordinary events lived by the Church in the XX century. Our thanks is joined to Chiara’s thank you. Considering the many gifts and graces she received, Chiara used to say that when she would be face to face with God, and the Lord would ask her name, she would simply respond: “My name is THANK YOU. Thank you, Lord, for everything and for ever.” It is now up to us, especially her spiritual children, to carry on the work of the mission which she began. From Heaven, where we like to think she is being welcomed by Jesus her spouse, she will continue to journey with us and to help us out. Today, while we say good-bye to her with affection, let us listen to her very words that she often loved to repeat: “I would like the Work of Mary, at the end of time, compact, while it awaits to appear before Jesus forsaken and risen, to be able to repeat – making its own the words that always move me by the Belgian theologian Jacques Leclercq: “… On your day, my God, I will come to You… I will come to You, my God … with my wildest dream: with the world in my arms.” This was Chiara’s dream, may it also be our unceasing desire: “Father, may they all be one, so that the world may believe.” Amen!

The last farewell to Chiara Lubich In St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome

17 Mar 2008 | Non categorizzato

I learned with deep emotion the news of Chiara’s death which has crowned a long and fruitful life. Chiara’s life has been marked by her tireless love for Jesus Forsaken.” This is the beginning of the telegram by Pope Benedict XVI which reached us this morning. “In this hour of painful detachment”, the Holy Father assures us his spiritual closeness “with affection”, “to her relatives and to whole Work of Mary – Focolare Movement founded by her.” He is also close “to all those who appreciated the Movement’s commitment to constant communion in the Church, in the ecumenical dialogue and in the brotherhood among all peoples.” The Pope thanked the Lord “for the witness of her life which has answered the yearnings of contemporary society in full fidelity to the Church and the Pope”. Benedict XVI expressed the hope that “those who have known and met her, admiring the wonders that God has done through her missionary zeal, will follow in her footsteps maintaining alive her charisma.” The Pope concludes by invoking “the maternal intercession of Mary” and giving his apostolic blessing to “all.” The last farewell to Chiara Lubich will take place on Tuesday 18th March at 3:00 pm in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. The ceremony will be presided by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. It will be broadcast live via Internet and satellite. Throughout the whole morning there has been a constant flow of visitors to her home. The funeral parlour will be set up this afternoon at 4:00 pm and will continue up to Tuesday at 11am. It is located at the International Centre of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa (via Frascati 306).   She will be buried in the Chapel of the same International Centre of the Movement in Rocca di Papa.   The Mayor of Trent Alberto Pacher has declared today a day of city mourning.

Thousands of people pay homage to Chiara Lubich

15 Mar 2008 | Non categorizzato

In a very intense, serene and prayerful atmosphere, thousands of people of all ages continue to pay homage to Chiara Lubich. The funeral parlour is set up in the meeting hall of the Focolare International Centre at Rocca di Papa. Chiara lies in the middle of the hall surrounded by many flowers. Behind her, there is an icon of Mary with the child Jesus, which had been donated to her by Pope John Paul II.

Among the visiting dignitaries, there was Professor Salvatore Valente, Head of the Pneumology Department, who took care of Chiara in the last 30-40 days of her life at the Gemelli Hospital. He said: “During this period, Chiara has endured and borne all sufferings with serenity and cooperative attitude that was really moving. Usually, suffering is for many people just a painful burden. Instead, for her it was different: she maintained all the while a serene gaze that struck me very much, right up till the moment of her passing away.”

Cardinal. Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity came to Rocca di Papa: “I have had several meetings with Chiara: the latest one was during the Christmas festivities. However, every meeting with her has been an event in my life that has left a very deep impression. Her enthusiasm for the things of God has been contagious to every person she came in contact with.” The cardinal wrote a message to her spiritual children: “carry on the flame of her charisma with great courage: it is an event in the Church, which is not about to finish, rather, it has just begun.” The Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council, Guzmán Carriquiry, has also paid a visit to her personally.

Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio expressed with the following words both, his personal impression as well as the one of his community: “Chiara has taught me the dignity of the charisma, its value, which is the most precious thing we have” and added “Chiara belongs to everyone: she belongs to the Church and to the faithful of other Religions. Chiara belongs to the world, because she belongs to Jesus. Now that she is silent we must learn to listen to her more closely and we can do this only if we are united among ourselves.”

Salvatore Martinez, national coordinator of the Renewal in the Spirit said: “Chiara’s legacy is a legacy of love. This love is marked by a spiritual motherhood to which all of us lay people are grateful.” He dwelt further on Chiara’s testimony “who did not hesitate in front of secularization and of cultural, ideological and religious challenges of today’s society.”

Brother Alois, Prior of the Community of Taizé, successor of Frer Roger, together with two brothers also paused in prayer before Chiara. “At Taizé – Fr. Alois said – we give thanks to God for Chiara’s life. She has been a light for us and this light will remain among us.” He recalled “the great esteem and the great love that Fr. Roger had for Chiara.”

In the meantime messages from political and religious dignitaries keep on coming from all over the world:

The President of Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano defines Chiara Lubich as “one of the most representative figures in the inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. She has been a powerful and clear voice in the contemporary debate. She succeeded to found – he wrote – one of the most widely spread Movements in the world, capable of confronting with an open spirit the secular world on the basis of the supremacy of human ideals of solidarity, justice and peace among peoples and nations.”

The telegram signed by the President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Bagnasco and Secretary General, Msgr. Betori, speaks of Chiara’s experience as “an experience of communion which has enriched the life of the Church in Italy and in the world.” It also recalls “with gratitude her testimony’s particular strength that proposes a journey of faith founded on the principle of unity. This unity has been a source of life itineraries marked by the fullness of joy in the Church and in the world.”

Many are the testimonies coming from the founders and presidents of Movements with whom Chiara had been invited by John Paul II in 1998 to foster a spiritual communion among themselves. We would mention just two:

The community of Fr. Benzi in the words of his successor, Paul Ramonda, expresses gratitude “for the love to other movements, associations and new communities of which Chiara was a tireless leader in communion.”

Fr. Julian Carron, Fr. Giussani’s successor as head of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, in a letter “recalls the long years of friendship with Don Giussani.” He speaks of her charisma “born to give life to the Christian event as a light that gives hope.”

“May they all be one”: Jesus’ last will and testament

14 Mar 2008 | Non categorizzato

“May they all be one” If you have had the adventure of travelling to the Holy Land in springtime, among the thousands of things that Jerusalem offers for your contemplation and meditation, there is one that strikes you in a unique way because of what it recalls in its utter simplicity. Having endured in time and cleansed by the inclement weather of two thousand years, a long stone stairway, dotted with bright red poppies – red like the blood of the Passion – unfolds almost like a crinkled ribbon, descending down limpid and solemn towards the Kidron Valley. Bare and in the open, with grass growing along its edges, one has the impression that no temple dome could replace the heavens that crown it. Jesus descended those steps – tradition recounts – on that last night, after the last supper, and “raising his eyes to heaven” filled with stars, he prayed: “Father, the hour has come….”. It is moving to place your feet where the feet of a God once stepped; your whole soul is mirrored in your eyes as you gaze on the heavenly vault looked upon by the eyes of a God. And you may be so struck that this meditation nails you in adoration. His was a unique prayer before dying. And the more God, this “Son of man” whom you adore, shines forth, the more you feel that he is man and you fall in love with him. His is a discourse which only the Father fully understood, and yet he prayed aloud, perhaps so that such a melodious echo would ring out to us. 1943. We do not know why, but it is certain that the first focolarine, gathered together in search of the love of God, read that passage almost every evening by the light of a candle – because often there was no electricity. It was the magna charta of a Christian. Those words, unfamiliar to them, shone forth like the sun in the night: the night of a time of war. For three years Jesus had often spoken to the throngs: he had pronounced Heavenly words, sowed among the hard-headed, announced a program of peace, but had offered his divine patrimony almost adapting it to the minds of his followers, and his parables bear witness to this. But now that he is not speaking to the earth, and his voice is directed to the Father, he no longer seems to hold back his ardour. That Man, who is God, is splendid as he pours out – like a flowing fountain of Eternal Life – Water that engulfs the soul of a Christian lost in him, in the boundless seas of the blessed Trinity. And that farewell discourse appeared to be beautiful like him: To be one as Jesus is one with the Father: but what did it mean? We didn’t understand very much, but we understood that it had to be something great. This is why one day we gathered around an altar, united in the name of Jesus, and we asked him to teach us to live this truth. He knew what it meant and he alone could disclose the secret to accomplishing it. “But now I am coming to you… so that they may share my joy completely.” Hadn’t we experienced a new joy in that brief experience of unity that we had lived? Was Jesus speaking perhaps of that? It is certain that a Christian must be clothed with joy, and Someone within us made us understand that for those who follow Christ, joy is a duty, because God loves a cheerful giver. “I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.” This life – at least for us – was fascinating and new: to live in the world, which everyone knows is in antithesis to God, and to live there for God in a heavenly adventure…. “Consecrate them in the truth. I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one.” What kind of Christianity had we lived before, if we had passed each other with indifference, if not with contempt and judgement, when our destiny was to be fused in that unity invoked by Christ? With these words, it seemed to us that Jesus was throwing down a rope to us from heaven to tie us dispersed members in unity – through him – with the Father, and in unity among us. And the mystical Body was revealed to us in all of its reality, truth and beauty. “As you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us.” As Jesus is one with the Father, so each one of us would have had to be one with Jesus and, consequently, one with the others: it was a way of living we had barely thought of before: a way of living “according to the Trinity”…. “So that the world may believe that you sent me.” The conversion of the world around us would have come as the consequence of our unity. This perhaps explains why, from the very dawning of the Movement, many people returned to God without our trying to convert them, but only by trying to keep unity among us and to love them in Christ. “I have given them the glory you gave me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me….” People would have believed in Christ if we were perfect in unity. Therefore, we had to perfect ourselves in this life. We would have to put aside everything for unity. 1943 was also the year of the Mystici Corporis: Christ in Pope Pius XII echoed His Testament. Could it be that Jesus, who lives in his Head and in his Body, urged us also to emphasize the need for unity and to give this gift to many? Unity, unity, all one! In times in which the fundamental idea of Christ was becoming deformed and depleted into the cornerstone of the atheist revolution, God wished perhaps to underline it for us in the Gospel. We do not know. We know only that the Focolare Movement had that unmistakable stamp and that nothing has more value for us than unity: – because it is the subject of the Testament of the One we want to love above all things; – because from the experience lived so far, it is very rich and very fruitful for the Kingdom of God, for his Church. “I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” After saying these things Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley…. Published by “Città Nuova”, 15 December 1959

Chiara Lubich has concluded her earthly journey

13 Mar 2008 | Non categorizzato

Today, 14 March 2008, at 2 o’clock, Chiara Lubich at 88 years of age, has concluded her earthly journey in a serene and sacred atmosphere. She passed away in her home at Rocca di Papa (Rome), where she had returned after having been discharged from the Gemelli hospital the night before. This had been her desire during the last days of hospitalization. All day long, in the concluding hours of her life, hundreds of people – relatives, close collaborators and her spiritual sons and daughters – paid their last farewell in her room, and then stopped for a moment of meditation in the adjacent chapel. It was a constant and spontaneous prayerful procession. Afterwards, they lingered on around her house in recollection. Some of these people Chiara was able to recognize despite her extreme weakness. There is now an incoming flow of messages from all over the world expressing participation and sharing on behalf of religious, political, academic and civil leaders. These messages of love and unity are coming especially from her many spiritual children present in all continents.

Chiara Lubich has returned home at Rocca di Papa

12 Mar 2008 | Non categorizzato

For a few days already, Chiara Lubich had expressed her desire to “return home”. This decision was taken yesterday evening. She has returned to her home at Rocca di Papa after being discharged from the Gemelli Hospital where she had developed serious respiratory problems. Professor Salvatore Valente, Head of the Pneumology Department of the University Hospital has declared: “In accordance with Chiara’s expressed desire, she has been discharged home.” He assures: “She will continue receiving all the necessary medication including the respiratory support. Unfortunately – he adds – her present condition shows no response to the treatment.”   Up until yesterday afternoon, Chiara was able to be informed by her personal secretary, Eli Folonari, on all her incoming correspondence. This morning, Chiara wanted to greet the focolarine and focolarini who had started the Movement with her. She continues to inspire great serenity. Two days ago, she confided that she felt Mary’s spiritual presence near her. Chiara has lived all her life in profound communion with Mary. The Opera which she has founded is in fact called Work (Opera) of Mary, the name by which the Focolare Movement has been approved by the Church.   These last few days have been characterized by an intense unity and constant prayer throughout the Movement spread all over the world. Andrea Riccardi and Salvatore Martinez have assured of their respective prayers from the St. Egidio’s Community and the Renewal in the Spirit.

The transforming power of the Word of God

28 Feb 2008 | Non categorizzato

  The gospel message can become a “transforming and humanizing force in crisis situations”. This was the witness of Bishops at the world-wide meeting at the Centro Mariapoli, Rocca di Papa, from Sunday February 24 until Friday February 29. Around 90 bishops and cardinals from 42 different countries took part in the thirty second international meeting of Bishops, Friends of the Focolare Movement, which had as its theme, “The Word is alive: people, environments and structures are transformed”. Last Wednesday, a widely representative group of Bishops spoke at a press conference at the headquarters of the Italian Press Association. In the words of Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, Archbishop of Florence, “we have seen in the many testimonies how the Word renews family life, young people, parishes, with a deep renewal in communion.” “We have been strengthened in our conviction that the witness of the Word of God, listened to, lived and incarnated in life, and the sharing of experiences based on the Word, is a very important method of evangelisation today.” “People do not want merely to hear about Jesus, they want to see him”, as John Paul II wrote in Novo Millennio Ineunte, “and the movements, in a way, enable people to see him, to come into contact with the presence of the Lord, and the power of his Word that creates new life”. The contribution of Mons Alberto Taveira Correa, Archbishop of Palmas (Brazil) emphasised the importance of dialogue and the sects, stressing that this, “requires a dual commitment: to form individual Christians in the life of the Gospel, and to build relationships with the people who belong to these groups, trying to start a dialogue”. The emeritus bishop of Bamenda (Cameroon), Mons Paul Verzekov, witnessed to the commitment of the Church in difficult reconciliation processes, where “in four countries (Togo, Benin, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo), at the request of the people, and with the approval of the Holy See, the national commissions for mediation and reconciliation are presided over by Catholic bishops, with no threat to the government’s role”. He mentioned the peacemaking actions of movements and communities, like the community of Saint Egidio in Mozambique, and the actions of the Focolare Movement throughout the continent, thanks to “their commitment to live the Gospel in daily life”. As an example he spoke about the huge evangelising action of the tribal chiefs in Fontem and other villages, the involvement of the people, and the fruits of reconciliation and peaceful life together that are evident in these parts of his country. Speaking about the serious political and religious situation in Lebanon, the Maronite bishop of Baalbek, Simon Atallah, said that “while previously young people believed that armed struggle was the only hope for our country, now both Christians and Muslims are finding strength above all in religion. They have seen that there is hope neither in arms nor in politics.”. “It is important”, he said, “to read events, with the people, in the light of the Word, and find in religion love for others, rather than hatred”. Then he spoke of the rediscovery of the Gospel and the Koran, of meetings of young people from both religions, and mentioned the “Expectations of youth” movement that brings Christians and Muslims together in gatherings of over 1000. “They read the words of the Gospel and the Koran about solidarity, fraternity, and love for others.” The Archbishop of Delhi, Mons Vincent Michael Concessao, spoke about the increasing persecution of Christians in India, particularly in Orissa, stating, “we must blame not the Hindus, but the violent factions that are present in all religions. Unfortunately the political parties are using religion and these groups for their own purposes”. “This is an obstacle to conversions, because people believe they result from force or from bribery”, he went on. ”We have discussed this problem in the Bishop’s conference and are studying how to respond”. “In this context, the participation in this meeting of Bishops has strengthened me in my belief that love is the answer to everything, it is the most powerful force, because it is a sharing in the life itself of God, which is love”. And “these atrocities committed against Christians are a new opportunity to witness Christian love, love for our enemies.” Cardinal Vlk, Arhbishop of Prague and moderator of the meeting, also spoke about hope. “For me, these meetings are a reinforcement of hope, they open up a world-wide vision where we can already glimpse the things spoken about in the book of Revelation, “Behold, I make all things new. The shoots  are already appearing, can you not see them?” The Cardinal testified to this hope, by speaking of the years after 1952, when after secondary school all roads were closed to him because he did not belong to the Communist party. He was given light by the Word, “Submit to the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in good time”. After that, many doors opened for him. “The word of God is always fulfilled. This is my great hope, it is a certainty that has been with me all my life”, he concluded. (ZENIT February 28, 2008)

Cardinal Bertone: Communion is the basis of the Church

15 Jan 2008 | Non categorizzato

When Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone met over 600 diocesan priest focolarini, from 54 countries at the Centro Mariapoli at Castelgandolfo, the atmosphere was of intense, spontaneous and profound dialogue. It was the first time that he had visited the Focolare at its international centre since becoming Secretary of State. He had been invited for a dialogue with the priests who had come together for their annual meeting. The Cardinal listened to the testimonies of some “priest focolares” and heard of the effects that the “charism of unity” can have in various ecclesial and social-cultural situations. In Ireland, where there is a growing atmosphere of secularisation, he heard of a new relationship with the bishop and with other priests, a serious involvement in the universities, in the ecumenical and inter-religious field, and an effective presence in the media. In Switzerland, vocations have come to life through the witness of unity, the common life of the priests has become a reference point for other priests and an antidote to the crisis in vocations, and people are coming back Church on Sundays. In Italy (Ascoli Piceno) collaboration between priests and lay people animated by the spirituality of communion has brought new life to towns and cities. In October during an event organised by the young members of the Focolare Movement, civil institutions and the local residents became involved. Six questions were put to the Secretary of State, by priests from all over the world. They asked about the implementation of Benedict XVI’s teaching, the challenges of the Church today, about shortcomings in church communities, and about priorities in pastoral choices. Then they asked about the role of Ecclesial Movements, how to make the Church a Communion, formation in seminaries, and about help for priests in difficulty. And finally they asked about his personal daily rapport with the Pope. “The irrelevance of the faith” and “isolation and loneliness”. These are the two major challenges for Christians today, the Cardinal said, and recalling a reflection by the then Cardinal Ratzinger, published recently, where he says that “hell is the extreme trial of incommunicable loneliness”. “This tells us that loneliness is something that can begin here, and therefore hell can begin here”. He cited two quotes, one from Sartre, “Hell for me is the others”, and one from Gabriel Marcel, “The others are heaven for me”. “Therefore, he said, heaven, paradise, can start now with the spirituality of communion, with the charism of communion. This is the opposite of loneliness” On  relativism, he said, “We must never tire of searching for truth, and witnesses of the truth” A personal question: “You are a well known ‘child’ of Saint John Bosco. How does this ‘charismatic childhood’ help you in your present ministry?” “The Salesian charism has always helped me form the time I was a boy” he answered. “Then I entered the congregation, I assimilated this spirit of family, the willingness to listen, and to welcome others, the atmosphere of intimacy…” On the Ecclesial Movements: “The movements have full citizenship in the Church. Their lively, effective, transforming presence, arouses interest also in non Christians.” Speaking about new and ancient charisms, he said, “The Lord continues to be creative, the creation is happening in the universe, in the cosmos… it is happening above all through the action of the Spirit”. And he invited everyone to “strengthen the spirit and practice of communion between new charisms and historical institutions”. Cardinal Bertone addressed a “very warm greeting” to Chiara Lubich, after referring to the fundamental role of the founders in the live of the Church.

“Let’s Colour the city”. An action of Teens for Unity in all the continents

11 Jan 2008 | Non categorizzato

It is a tough programme: to “win over” a city. For some years now, “Ragazzi per l’unità”, (Teens for Unity), have been working in their own cities, wherever the local community faces challenges. Their motto joins together two words in one: Colori (= colours) and Amo (= I love). (The two words together give Coloriamo = Let’s colour!). All over the world, they try to choose the drabbest areas of their towns and cities.  With imaginations inspired by love, their aim is to colour them, with the think globally, act locally vision that society needs today. In Milan the choice of the young people is a Romany gypsy campsite. In Rwanda they have chosen an orphanage, the children’s ward in a hospital, and Aids sufferers. In California, in a school were racism is a problem, they have started a club to spread a culture of respect for diversity. In  India, Christian and Hindu young people go to help their disabled peers. Let’s hear from a group of young people from Africa, who have started to visit prisoners in Iringa, Tanzania. “The first challenge was to convince the guards to let us in. The next one was how to bring the gifts that we had put together in common: fruit, salt, soap….also the “Word of Life” leaflet, our experiences and our songs. We walked for three kilometres before we reached the entrance, which was guarded by police. ‘You can’t all come in’, they said, ‘and whoever you choose, they can’t sing in there’. They did however let us take our gifts in.” “We read the Word of Life with them and told them how it had changed our lives. While we were speaking about the love of God, which is for everyone and that we can love too, the guards were silent and listened. At the end, the prisoners showed their joy with songs and dances, it was their way of thanking us. The guards were left speechless and they asked themselves who we were. We went home happy and with new resolve to continue the colouring of our city” From Città Nuova n. 1- 2008

A great plan lies behind the family

6 Jan 2008 | Non categorizzato

When God created human kind he formed a family. When the Sacred writers wished to demonstrate the ardour and the fidelity of God’s love for his chosen people, they used symbols and analogies related to the family. When Jesus became incarnate, he gathered around him a family, and when he began his mission at Cana, he was celebrating the start of a new family. These simple ideas reveal just how important and precious the family is in the mind of God. Not only did he give it great dignity, he wanted it to be “in his image”, intermingling it with the mystery of his own life, which is both Unity and Trinity of Love. A great plan therefore lies behind the family, following on the path of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The family, a place where love is given and received, a place of communion, of fertility and tenderness, is a sign, a symbol and a model for every other kind of human association. It is not mere rhetoric to affirm that the family is the prime social good. Through the daily, freely given love, that gives meaning and value to its task of generation and education, the family brings to the fabric of society the irreplaceable good of human capital, thus becoming an effective resource for humanity. Furthermore, it opens its home and heart to the problems of society, and brings the warmth of the family to places where structures and institutions, in spite of all their good will, cannot reach. This is a great plan, and the commitment to follow it must be great too. Today more than ever, the family appears to the world in its fragility. Spouses faced with the first difficulties of married life begin to doubt their love for one another. Children deprived of a close relationship with united parents, find it difficult to undertake future commitments.  And older people, separated from their immediate families, find themselves without rights or identity. More than ever the family must be loved, protected, and supported. We must always go back to its original plan, where in lasting unity, it is consolidated and fulfilled. We have to fill the meaning family of life with a spirituality of communion, making it more itself, a little community of love. And public opinion must support family values and sensible family policies. I place this, my wish for the family, in the hands of Mary Most Holy, seat of wisdom and mother at home, for the good of the family today and for the fulfilment of the whole human family. Chiara Lubich

Love is a better law

12 Nov 2007 | Non categorizzato

Beyond the legal framework within which we live, love is the highest measure of justice, and resolves problems that appear to have no solution. As a lawyer, I often have to use my professional skills in the service of others, while offering as much love as possible. This way of understanding and of carrying out my job often produces a deep change in others. One day a lady phoned me, because her daughter had decided, after an argument, to separate from her husband. Her partner had found a lawyer who within 24 hours had prepared all the documentation for a legal separation; it only needed the wife’s signature. The lady was worried and asked me if I could help. She knew that the young couple’s action was a result of momentary anger, and didn’t want this to ruin their future. Without a mandate from either partner, I couldn’t intervene. The lady asked me, however, to see her daughter, who she would send to me with the excuse of seeking advice from a lawyer. I listened for a long time to the young wife, and realised that the marriage could be saved. They really had acted on impulse without thinking of the consequences, and one signature on the petition would probably mean the end of their relationship. At the end of the conversation the woman asked me to represent her. So I phoned the colleague who had prepared the petition. I told him that before finalising a separation I usually try to find out the reasons for the crisis in the marriage, and that 24 hours were not enough. I got him to send the draft of the petition. After a few days I called the woman. She replied that both she and he husband had had second thoughts and had decided not to go ahead. Recently I heard that they now have two beautiful children. (F.C.)

Chiara Lubich’s message

6 Nov 2007 | Non categorizzato

Dear New Families! With great joy I celebrate with you the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of our New Families Movement. I still remember all the enthusiasm, ardour, and passion I had in my heart on that distant July 19, 1967, when speaking to no more than a hundred married focolarini, I felt the need to give life to a Movement for the whole world of families. Over these forty years we have seen the development and fruits of New Families, and we can understand even more clearly the reason for that particular impulse of the Holy Spirit. In fact it was a very demanding initiative. Not only because the family, primary cell of society, is enormously important for the building of a world of values and of peace, but because God’s plan for the family is modelled after his own life, the life of the Most Holy Trinity. God’s plan for the family is indeed daring and very beautiful, but it is also demanding, especially today. Consider for a moment the way contemporary culture views a stable family and marital fidelity. You, New Families, exist precisely in order to be witnesses in this world, witnesses of unity, of lasting love, of the Gospel put into practice. In doing so you will not only be happy, but you will continue to attract many hearts to love, to the point of accomplishing, with the whole Focolare Movement, universal fraternity. I am with you always with great affection and I entrust each one of your families to Mary, Seat of Wisdom and a mother at home. Chiara  

To respond to the complex situations of families today, “The secret is to really live the Gospel!”

6 Nov 2007 | Non categorizzato

“Given the many social economic cultural and religious challenges in contemporary society all over the world, your work, truly providential, is a sign of hope and an encouragement for Christian Families to be a privileged “space”, where the beauty of having Jesus Christ at the centre, and following the Gospel faithfully, is proclaimed in everyday life”. These were the words of Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the 400 representatives of the New Families Movement, received in audience by him on November 3, 2007. This is the family “built on the rock”, that chooses to transform the gospel into action, in the spirit of the meeting organised by New Families from November 1 to 6. “The secret is to really live the Gospel”, the Pope said, at a time when families often live in “difficult and complex situations”. “I am thinking”, said Benedict XVI, “of the uncertainty of fiancés when faced with definitive choices for the future, the crises of couples, the separations and divorces, irregular unions, the situation of widows, of families in difficulty, the acceptance of abandoned children”. The Pope began by sending his greetings to Chiara Lubich, thanking her, “because with wisdom and firm adhesion to the Church, she continues to guide the great Focolare family”. During the afternoon, the families gathered at the meeting hall in Castelgandolfo (Rome) celebrated their 40th anniversary via internet with the New Families of the whole world. They were moved to hear again the words pronounced by Chiara Lubich in 1967, who foresaw the birth of a huge movement for families. And it was Chiara once more with a new message who filled them with enthusiasm for their task today and their future commitment. “After the passage of forty years, and seeing the development and the fruits of New Families, the reason for that special impulse of the Holy Spirit is becoming clear”, she says. “It was a very weighty sign, not just because the family, as the primary cell of society, has an enormous importance for building a world of values and peace, but because God has modelled it on His own life, the life of the Holy Trinity”. The family has a beautiful, urgent, and at the same time demanding purpose, especially today. Chiara’s desire for the New Families is that they be “in this world witnesses of unity, of lasting love, of the Gospel lived”. “You will continue to attract many hearts to love, to the point of bringing about, with the whole Focolare movement, universal fraternity”. Afterwards, during the two hour transmission via internet, there was a deep sharing of experiences of family life, and of responses to the challenges of family life over the last 40 years, demonstrated by many practical projects of varying size and scope: from courses for engaged couples to schools for families, and the support at a distance of numerous international adoptions. For more information: www.famiglienuove.info

[:it]”Le ragioni del dialogo: attualità di Igino Giordani”

25 Oct 2007 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Nel vivo della politica italiana, guardando a Igino Giordani

19 Oct 2007 | Non categorizzato

United world week 2007: Universal fraternity, work in progress

12 Oct 2007 | Non categorizzato

“Look around you and see the needs of others. Can you help? Go beyond animosity and prejudice, forgive those who have wronged you. Whatever idea you have – for orphanages, hospices, hospitals – remember, your city is your own!” That was one of the many invitations issued world wide, by Youth for a United World, for United World Week. Since Genfest 1995, and for the last eleven years, United World Week has issued an annual appeal to young people all over the world, to national and international bodies, and to everyone, to support projects that promote unity at all levels. The official start :Sunday October 14. Many projects, however, began on Saturday October 13.There are hundreds of events all over the world in which thousands of young people commit themselves to break down the barriers that divide us – through the sharing of ideas, material goods and experiences. World wide link up on Saturday and Sunday October 20 and 21. The high point of the week is the telephone call linking young people in over 100 cities: this year Nepal and Syria will join in for the first time. The call includes a message for young people by Chiara Lubich, and a sharing of experiences from some of the world’s most distressed areas. Here is a quick overview of some of the projects launched in United World Week: Asia The Philippines Manila – Dare to love. A series of activities at the Bukas Palad social centre, to collect funds for the education of children and the social development of families. On October 20, “U-nite” (Unite + Youth at night) an event of music, experiences and fraternity. On October 22, the “Step Up” concert, with a band from Youth for a United World, and other Philippine acts. Africa Congo In Lubumbashi, 2000 km from Kinshasa, Youth for a United World will visit the children and teenagers in an orphanage. They will play, sing and dance with the children, and share what motivates them. On October 18-19 they will work with other young people in the diocese to build several classrooms, and to tidy up the grounds of the basilica. America Venezuela Caracas: A concert at the Simon Bolivar University will get the week underway. That will be followed by forums on non-violence, and fraternity in politics. Europe Ireland Dublin, October 13. “Intercultural Exchange”. Brazilian samba, Chinese dragon dancing, martial arts, and Irish humour. These and much more at the multicultural fair at University College Dublin. The objective of the day is to celebrate the best aspects of the national groups of which Ireland, an increasingly multicultural country, is now composed. Part of “Intercultural Exchange” will be a workshop on workers and tenants legal rights. www.cinews.ie

A politics of listening, commitment to the common good, and priority for the poorest

25 Aug 2007 | Non categorizzato

  “Put aside your own ideas, preconceptions and political convictions and learn again to respect your neighbour”. A style of politics which brings together peace and justice, and the common good is the only way to meet the aspirations and expectations of young people. Laurent Moesching, a 22 year old student and president of the 14-strong committee behind the event, welcomed on their behalf the challenge laid down in a message from Chiara Lubich, who began the Movement for Unity in Politics (Focolare). “If you have the courage to listen and to work in common, a new style of political life will emerge”, she wrote. This is an approach eagerly awaited by young people, something evident from the lively dialogue and exchange of experiences with the politicians present at Martigny on August 25 and 26 2007. There were 300 participants, including 100 young people and politicians involved at national, canton, and local level. A moving experience from the Middle East: “Hand in Hand”. This demonstrated how listening and working together are possible even in situations of deep conflict. Sonia Chason and Nebal Bakoey described their involvement in the project, “Hand in Hand” in Jerusalem, a school based on the idea that both Arab and Israeli cultures have important values. Each class has an Arab and an Israeli teacher who prepare the programmes of the courses. Nebal Bakoey explained, “Respect is fundamental to all our relationships. This does not mean that we always have the same opinion, but we give importance to the things we discover together”. The weakest pillar is the most important one. In the main talk, Lucia Fronza Crepaz, president of the MppU (Movement for Unity in Politics) at the international level, presented universal fraternity as the “best category for the inspiration of political action”, and the basis for civil life in a multicultural society, using a striking image. “To test the strength of a bridge, it is important to assess the strength of the weakest column, not the strongest”. The weakest members of our society must have priority, “not out of pity”, she added, “but because the poor, when left to themselves, have no voice in democratic systems” Pop music after the talks. Politics-party: that is how this meeting was announced. After the politics, came the party. The talks gave way to pop music, and debates gave way to dance. The organization was in the hands of young people, and the symbiosis between politics and “party” was a great success.

Solidarity: the race to help victims of the earthquake in Peru

24 Aug 2007 | Non categorizzato

  Over 500 people are dead, 1600 injured and 20,000 homeless families. The damage to property is impossible to assess. This was the initial assessment of the effects of the earthquake that shook the cities of Pisco, Chincha, Ica and Canete on August 15, 300 km south of the capital, Lima. Members of the community of the Focolare Movement in Peru wrote the following:  “The cities look like war zones. Thousands of families have lost everything: close relatives, homes, food, work… A huge wave of solidarity began throughout the country. Thousands of people come to help the stricken population, donating food, medicine, blankets (it is the middle of winter in Peru). Towns, and associations and businesses have collected tons of humanitarian aid. We have begun work together with organisations like the Red Cross and other NGOs, in order to concentrate our efforts and make what we do more effective. In our houses there is a constant stream of people, those we know and others we don’t, bringing clothing, food, and medicines. The families of the Movement, with their children, have joined an aid project, filling canvas bags with a little jacket, a hat, a book, a soft toy, coloured pencils, a drawing pad, stickers, and a greeting card to a small friend in the affected area. The children are very happy to be able to contribute. The project now involves many children, and thousands of bags will be distributed on September 1 and 2.” AMU (Action for a united world), an NGO of the Focolare Movement, and recognised by the Italian Foreign Ministry, has sent an initial contribution of 7000 dollars for the most urgent needs, and has launched a campaign for funds to ensure continuity of aid in the near future after the emergency phase has passed, for rebuilding homes and finding work to support families If you wish to contribute to the action of solidarity for Peru, you can send your contribution marked “Emergenza Peru” to one of the following accounts: Associazione “Azione per un Mondo Unito – Onlus” Via Frascati 342 – 00040 Rocca di Papa (Roma) Postcode 81065005 or Account number  000000120434, Banca Popolare Etica – Filiale di Roma CIN G – ABI 05018 – CAB 03200 IBAN coordinates: IT16   G050   1803   2000   0000   0120   434 BIC (swift) code : CCRTIT2184D

Helmut Nicklas: “The important role he played in the communion among Christian movements”

15 Aug 2007 | Non categorizzato

“Helmut Nicklas, was truly a charismatic person for his capability to listen to the voice of God and follow it with radicality”. This is the way Chiara Lubich expressed herself in the message read in St. Matthew’s  Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Munich, on 17 August 2007, during the last farewell to this “beloved friend and true brother” who, with “passion”, spent his life for unity. Helmut Nicklas has concluded his earthly journey on Sunday 12 August, due to a painful sickness and taken ill more than a year ago. He was 68 years old. He was born in Nabburg (Germany), was married and had 2 children. From 1971 to 2002, he was YMCA responsible in Munich (Ecumenical Association for Christian Youth). From 1982 to 1998 he also held the office of vice-president of the YMCA World-Urban-Network (that includes over 2000 associations spread world wide), and since 1985 he has been a member of the Advisory Board of the International Charismatic Consultation. Above all, Chiara Lubich underlined his “decisive role”, carried out during the course of building communion among movements and communities of various Churches. This has been witnessed by the numerous rappresentatives of Evangelical and Catholic communities and movements present at the funeral celebration and by the messages, among which those of Saint Egidio’s Community and Schoenstatt Movement. That journey of communion had started in 1999, and resulted in the big manifestations entitled “Together for Europe”, which have been held in Stuttgart (Germany) in 2004 and last May, in order to contribute in giving a soul to the continent and overcome conflicts and barriers. Already in the 1960’s, there had been a first meeting between Chiara and Helmut. Let us quote Chiara Lubich’s entire message: “I saw Helmut Nicklas again after many years, in 1999 in Ottmaring, together with a number of leaders of Evangelical Lutheran Movements. It was then that a communion began among Movements of different Churches. Ever since then, this journey, in which we participate, has seen various stages all over Europe and beyond, with great, historic developments in the People of God. And Helmut always had a decisive role in the different stages of this journey of communion. In St. Matthew’s church on December 8, 2001, there was an exchange of spiritual gifts that we recall as being very important. After my talk on mutual love, Helmut invited the 800 leaders of different Movements present to make a “pact of mutual love” (Jn 13:34). This pact, renewed on many occasions, is considered to be the foundation of the communion among Movements and will accompany its journey also in the future. Helmut was truly a charismatic person because of his capacity to listen to the voice of God and to follow it in a total way. This capacity gave him vision and filled him with a passion for unity. He was one who served the communion among Movements, one who – as he himself said – must be capable of forgetting about him or herself and the interests of one’s community, and serving others. He gave us an example of this. All of us of the Focolare Movement will always carry Helmut Nicklas in our hearts, beloved friend and true brother.” During the illness, Chiara had kept continuous contact with him through the Focolare members in Germany. Two days before his death, Helmut gave a sort of last testament concerning the communion among movements to Severin Schmid, who had visited him at the clinic in Munich, where he was being hospitalized. This is what he said: “We have lived historical moments. They are like beacons that will also indicate the way for the future. We should remain faithful to all that God has made us live. We should narrate this story.” Helmut Nicklas was one of the two delegates of the German Evangelical Church, invited for the International Congress that preceded the great meeting of the movements and new communities with Pope Benedict XVI, on the eve of Pentecoste 2006. In answering to a question regarding what unites Evangelical and Catholic movements and communities, during an interview with Zenit agency, Helmut Nicklas had answered as follows: “It is the strong conviction that today’s men and women need Jesus Christ that unites us to Catholic movements”.

Switzerland: Chiara Lubich, honorary citizen of Mollens, and an appointment of the youth for the youth, on politics

14 Aug 2007 | Non categorizzato

“Since 1974, Chiara Lubich spends her summer at Mollens and we are honoured in welcoming this world-known personality, engaged in favour of peace and universal brotherhood among all peoples” These are the motivations backing the acknowledgment of this town, located in the upper Vallese. There will be another appointment taking place in Switzerland, on 25 and 26 August 2007: involving in a special way the youth and politics. This appointment deals with Politics-Party: an initiative inspired by the spirit of Chiara Lubich. This follows other appointments with several Swiss political personalities, among which the Mayor of Mollens, who declared the following, during an interview: “The Political Movement for Unity is a formidable challenge because it proposes an approach which is very different from the politics that we know. Rather than dialectic and conflict confrontation, dialogue is chosen, and this takes place at several levels of political engagement. I hope that our youth may be taken by this reflection, as I feel that this not a minor thing for the future. Let’s not forget our youth will decide politics one day”.

A life experience for a culture of peace

29 Jun 2007 | Non categorizzato

The “Biseri” (Pearls) nursery school is the first experiment of its kind in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The socialist regime did not allow much freedom of initiative in the field of education, and now the search is on for new reference points and values. In a multiethnic and multifaith country, a place of violent conflicts in the recent past, this school, embedded in a trilingual (Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish) university, will be a laboratory where education to peace can be experienced, and where the students can train and be formed in new pedagogical principles. During the inauguration, Adnan Cahil, the minister of education, expressed his desire that these initiatives might be a stimulus for the future of their society, and that they be multiplied throughout Macedonia and the other countries of South East Europe. In her message for its inauguration Chiara Lubich described the school as a “courageous and innovative idea”. Among the 150 people present, there were representatives of the Government, of the University “S. Kliment Ohridski” and of various educational institutes. The speakers were the Rector, Giorge Martinovski, the Dean Murat Murati, and Valeria Ronchetti, representing Chiara Lubich,. “This is an idea”, Chiara had written, “that finds its deepest meaning in the promotion of unity among persons, peoples, cultures and religions”. “My wish is that the children who attend this school might become “little pearls” and examples for many! And my wish for their teachers is that they can experience the true culture of dialogue and mutual love that is the essential way to build a new society, based on fraternity and peace”. The “Biseri” school is inspired by the educational methods practiced for several years at the nursery school “Ray of the Sun”, at “Faro”, (Krizevci) the little town of the Focolare Movement in Croatia. Founded in 1995, it is based on the educational principles of the pedagogy of communion of the Focolare Movement, and on the method developed by the Agazzi sisters, Italian teachers in the immediate post-war period. It uses didactic material that the child reworks using his or her imagination together with their peers, developing the capacity for collaboration and integration.  Since 1995, there have been many initiatives in the field of primary education, in order to rebuild, starting with the youngest citizens, the social fabric of the region of South East Europe, marked by years of conflict. After “Ray of the Sun”, in Croatia, the “Fantasy” school began in Belgrade. And in order to explore these themes, a post graduate course began February 2007 at the University of Zagreb (Croatia) comprising 180 hours of pedagogy of communion, and the Agazzi method. The educational experience of the “Ray of Sun” nursery school, where Anna Lisa Gasparini, has been working for several years with a team of experts, has been the subject of numerous seminars, supported by EDU (Education and Unity). These have drawn the attention of the Minister of Public Instruction of Croatia, and many universities from neighbouring countries: Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, and Albania.  And so the desire was born for a school in Macedonia where ethnic barriers would be overcome, and seeds would be sown for a future of peace.

New frontiers in communication media

28 May 2007 | Non categorizzato

  «Intermediating», a seminar for students and young professionals involved in mass communications –  Under the drive of the digital revolution, communication skills have multiplied and have become ever more specialised. Nevertheless, there is a continuous “bridging” between one skill and the other: between journalism and business communication, ICT and television, between literature and cinema… Focus – This international course would like to offer a “creative deepening” of particular communication fields (such as, information, cinema and tv, computer science and new technologies, marketing and enterprise/public communication), as well as, inter-disciplinary and intra-disciplinary openings. Who is promoting this seminar: NetOne, a network of professionals, students and operators belonging to five different continents, working and studying in mass communications, with the perspective of a united world. This 5-day course, is going to be held from 18th to 23rd June 2007, at Ciampino (Rome) for 120 young professionals and students between 20 to 35 years, coming from the whole world. The languages used throughout this seminar are Italian and English. Method – The interdisciplinary teachings of Inter-mediating, entrusted to some mass media experts, will offer to the participants, during the plenary sessions, an overall view of the communication reality they are working in. The remaining part of the programme will be divided into distinct workshops, each according to the field of communications. Time is allotted for contributions enhancing cohesion within the group: “exercises of dialogue and interpersonal communication”. In fact, an integral part of Intermediating will be the working method, based on this “living together” of the teachers and students and on their ongoing dialogue between them. There will be a visit to RAI, Vatican Radio and European Space Agency (ESA) in Frascati. Monday, 18th June 2007, the school will open to the surrounding territory for an evening – open to public – with the presence of Sergio Maistrello, giving a presentation of his last book, entitled: “The inhabited part of the Net”. If you wish to know more or if you wish to enroll:   www.net-one.org

AMU: Twenty years together, promoting international solidarity

27 May 2007 | Non categorizzato

AMU – Action for a united world (Azione per un Mondo Unito): an NGO with a familiar name in the field of international cooperation, that began with the aim of promoting projects in the southern hemisphere, and spreading a culture of dialogue and unity between peoples. Over the years AMU has created 20 long-term development projects in Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Uganda, the Philippines and Croatia, It has also supported over 260 micro-projects, designed and carried out in response to local needs, and working with local communities, in many countries throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The objective of all cooperative activities of AMU is the total development of the community that receives aid, achieved through the social and educational commitment of members of the Focolare Movement, present in those countries. One of the aims of the meeting next June 2 and 3, which is for supporters of AMU and anyone interested in cooperation and development, is to recap the story of AMU, interviewing those who have been involved. It will also look, via video linkup, at development projects in Palestine and Congo, and in Argentina and Indonesia at projects that are helping these countries to pass from emergency situations back to normal life.  A session called “AMU for a culture of fraternity”, will explore the concept of global awareness and citizenship. The final session will be devoted to the cultural implications of  “development and reciprocity” and the conclusion will look ahead to future projects and ideas in Italy and the rest of the world.  www.azionemondounito.org

AMU in figures

24 May 2007 | Non categorizzato

Principal ongoing projects D R Congo: social and health project, prevention and treatment of AIDS (Kinshasa) Cameroon: health, educational and cultural services, in Lebialem Division Brazil:  formation and micro enterprise development at Benevides (Parà) Argentina: rehabilitation centre for disabled children (Rosario) Uruguay: social animation and professional formation (Montevideo) Palestine: peace education and economic support for families (Bethlehem) Lebanon: social and economic reconstruction in the south after the 2006 war Vietnam: family assistance to prevent the abandonment of children (Kontum and Binh Duong) South East Asia: Emergency and reconstruction aid after the tsunami of 2004 Sudan: Schooling for child victims of the civil war Current microprojects Professional and school education (Algeria, Brazil, Burundi, Kenya, Pakistan) Infrastructure and hygiene (Ivory Coast, Pakistan, Tanzania) Child and family support (Brazil, Bolivia, India, Vietnam) Economic and social development (Argentina, Cameroon, Colombia, Kenya, Madagascar, Paraguay) Development Education projects “ABC … of solidarity for peace education and the development of the new united Europe”; “Water for all! International year of fresh water”, Water campaign 2003; “Water: a common good, everyone’s right” Principal formation courses for school teachers and staff The “other” in the teaching relationship (Benevento, March 2003) Intercultural integration (first, second and third course in Treviso, November 2004,2005, 2006) Education to values for responsible citizenship (Rome, February 2004) From fragmentation to unity. The point of view of the educator, the point of view of education (Rome, April 2004) Teaching and Intercultural methodology (Treviso, November 2004) Global village or global supermarket? Topics for reflection in economics and globalisation (Grottaferrata, November 2004) Education in knowledge and values, for an active and responsible citizenship (Piacenza, December 2004) Water a common good for all: education to active citizenship (Cagliari, January 2005) Encounter, the icon of pro-sociality (Caserta, January 2005) Relationships in the practice of the Law: is there space for fraternity? (Rome, November 2005) Active citizenship: communication and civil life (Caserta, March 2006) … the city as a school: international convention on pedagogy (Rome, April 2006) Education to active and responsible citizenship (Perugia, March 2006) Information sources Magazine: AMU notizie (news) Every three months Video: “Magnificat, a land of hope”, “Side by side” DVD:  AMU rehabilitation projects in South East Asia

Together for Europe 2007

11 May 2007 | Non categorizzato

The great manifestation “Together for Europe” started off in a festive atmosphere. This event is the outcome of an ongoing growing process of communion among Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Anglican Movements from all over Europe. The 8,000 adherents gathered here belong to over 250 Christian Movements and Communities. Pope Benedict XVI’s message, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcizio Bertone, wished that the initiative “strengthens the desire of communion” that animates this ecclesial reality and “contributes towards loosening prejudices, overcoming nationalisms and historical barriers and spurring on the commitment so that Europe’s spiritual dimension may not come short in these post-modern times”. Together for Europe: It is a life programme extends its roots in day-to-day living, which was traced out this morning at Stuttgart. “To whom should we go to? Where should we go? It is the question we ask ourselves regarding the future of Europe”, said Ulrich Parzany – Evangelical Pastor promoter of the evangelisation project ProChrist. “Along with the enthusiasm for Europe, a sense of scepticism, fear of enduring disadvantages has taken over. The currents of our times toss us here and there. With serene confidence we repeat: Lord, to whom should we go to? You have words of life”. He is the answer to the questions of the youth, as highlighted by Nicky Gumble, Anglican, responsible for the evangelisation courses Alpha International born in the Anglican Church: “Youth look for transcendence, a scope in their life”. Andrea Riccardi, founder of Saint Egidio Community,  spoke about the historical deep current that is becoming ever more important. “In an Europe with rigid institutions, where processes delay and politicians hesitate, there is a need for – he said – a prophetic people, capable of provoking a sentiment of unity that becomes a vital current among our European, Christian and non-Christian, believing and non-believing co-citizens, so that Europe may promote a new current of passion for unity, capable of overpowering rigidity and boundaries. In this way, Europe may look beyond its frontiers, towards Africa where two thirds are excluded from well being”. Chiara Lubich deepened the source from which a new current of life gushes out. Her words – read by one of her first companions, Bruna Tomasi – touched the mystery of Jesus in that moment on the cross when he cries out his abandonment. In him, there is the image of every wound, darkness, doubt, inner trouble. “In recognising and loving him, present in every countenance of sorrow, – she concluded – we could welcome the cry of today’s  humanity and having redeemed everything through his cry, we can create around us a renewed society that the world awaits”. In the afternoon the testimony of the Gospel vitality in the renewal of the family, economy and work, the day-to-day life in multicultural cities, old and new poverties, justice and peace. With the participation of political personalities such as the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and the Vice President of the European Commission Jacques Barrot. (From Stuttgart, Carla Cotignoli for Vatican Radio)