Mar 12, 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.
Feb 28, 2008 | Non categorizzato, Word of
These wonderful words of Jesus can be repeated, in a sense, by every Christian and, if put into practice, they are capable of leading him or her far ahead in the Holy Journey of life.
Jesus, seated at Jacob’s well in Samaria, was concluding his conversation with the Samaritan woman. The disciples, having returned from the near-by city where they had gone for supplies, were surprised to find the Master speaking with a woman, but none of them asked him why. When the Samaritan woman left, they urged him to eat. Jesus intuited their thoughts and explained the reason behind his actions: “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
The disciples didn’t understand: they were thinking of material food and they asked one another if someone had brought food to the Master during their absence. So then Jesus said openly:
“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.”
We need food every day to keep us alive. Jesus does not deny this. In fact, he is speaking here of food, something natural and necessary, but he does so in order to affirm the existence and need for another kind of food, a food that is more important and that he cannot do without.
Jesus came down from heaven in order “to do the will of the one who sent [him] and to finish his work.” He did not have thoughts or an agenda of his own, but only those of his Father. The words he spoke and works he did were those of the Father; he didn’t do his own will but that “of the one who sent” him. This was the life of Jesus. Doing this satisfied his hunger; doing this nourished him.
Complete adherence to the Father’s will was characteristic of his whole life, right up to his death on the cross, where he truly finished the work that the Father had entrusted to him.
“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.”
Jesus considered doing the will of the Father as his food, because by carrying it out, “assimilating it,” “eating it,” identifying with it, he received Life.
And what was the will of the Father, his work, that Jesus had to finish?
It was to give salvation to all people, to give them the Life that does not die.
Shortly before, Jesus had communicated a seed of this Life to the Samaritan woman through his conversation with her and through his love. In fact, the disciples soon saw this Life spring forth and go out to others because the richness the Samaritan woman had discovered and received she communicated to other Samaritans: “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (Jn 4:29).
In speaking to the Samaritan woman, Jesus revealed the plan of God who is Father: that all people receive the gift of his life. This is the work that Jesus urgently wanted to finish, in order to entrust it then to his disciples, to the Church.
“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.”
Can we also live this sentence of the Gospel which is so typical of Jesus that it reflects his being, his mission, his zeal in an altogether special way?
Certainly! We also will have to live out our being sons and daughters of the Father through the Life that Christ shared with us, and in this way nourish our lives by doing his will.
We can do so by carrying out moment by moment what he wants from us, accomplishing it in a perfect way, as if we had nothing else to do. In fact, God wants nothing else.
Let us feed on what God wants from us moment after moment and we will experience that it satisfies us: it gives us peace, joy, happiness, it gives us—it’s no exaggeration to say—a foretaste of heaven.
In this way, even we can cooperate with Jesus, day by day, in finishing the work of the Father.
It will be the best way to live Easter.
Chiara Lubich
Feb 28, 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)
Feb 14, 2008 | Focolare Worldwide
I work as an English teacher in a school in Cairo. The pupils are mostly Muslims, and from very well off families. I began my job just before Ramadan, and as a first activity with my new classes, I suggested putting up decorations suited to the season. The other teachers, mainly Muslim, were very struck because they knew I was a Christian. Through this small gesture a very nice atmosphere of friendship was created among us, and while we put up the decorations in the class, it became clear that the most important rule was to love one another. The best result in the class. In one class there was a child who suffered from autism. He was often distracted, and found it hard to join in. Although he was ten years old, he couldn’t write, and everything had to be repeated for him. His mother was very worried and didn’t know what else to do, not having found a school that could take him. I tried to spend time with him during break times, playing, talking and encouraging him to study more at home. He was normally very serious and reserved, but one day he came in to class and gave me a big hug, exclaiming, “I love you, Sir!”. During the end of term exam I saw him take up his pencil confidently, and write down the answers to all the questions quickly and correctly. His was the best result of all! Pupils, parents, colleagues, all involved in a “game”. Each pupil, feeling loved in a special way, responded by making more effort during the lessons, doing their homework as well as they could, and voluntarily taking more work home. In class, whenever anyone finished their exercise, he or she offered to help someone else, making a kind of “game” among them. I began to receive lots of letters and phone calls from parents, thanking me for the way I look after their children, and often sharing personal situations with me. At break times I get asked by other teachers for advice on my educational methods, and this leads to a deep sharing with each one. At the end of the school year, a big surprise. At the prize giving, I received “teacher of the year”, for “the new spirit that gave new light to teaching” that many teachers now ask me about and want to copy. My latest practice was to introduce a daily rule for my two classes using “the cube of love”. Each morning we throw it, and one of the pupils explains (in English) how to live the rule of the day. In their weekly test they have to write about their experience of putting into practice the different rules on the cube. One day I came into class and found 22 letters on my desk. Twenty two experiences which, on their own initiative, they wanted to share with me. Be the first to love, love everyone, love your enemy… during lessons, at break time, in the school bus… I took them to the school principal. At the end of the morning all the teachers were called together for a special meeting. “This school needs a new spirit”, said the principal, “and this cube is the way to obtain it. From next term onwards, education using the cube of love will be introduced into all the classes”. Now each morning the teachers arrive with the cube under their arm, presenting “the art of loving” to everyone. The atmosphere in the school is changing, not just among the pupils, but also among the teachers and the whole administrative and teaching staff. (B. S. – Egypt)
Jan 31, 2008 | Non categorizzato, Word of
Jesus, surrounded by crowds of people, went up the mountain to give his famous sermon. His first words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit … Blessed are the meek,” already signaled the novelty of the message he had come to bring.
They are words of life, words of light and hope that Jesus entrusted to his disciples to enlighten them and give their lives zest and meaning.
Transformed by this great message, they were invited to transmit to others the teachings they received and to put them into life.
“Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Today our society, more than ever before, needs to know the words of the Gospel and let itself to be transformed by them. Jesus must be able to repeat once again: do not become angry with your neighbors; forgive, and you will be forgiven; tell the truth, to the point of having no need to take an oath; love your enemies; recognize that we have only one Father and are all brothers and sisters; do to others as you would have them do to you. This is the sense of some of the many words from the Sermon on the Mount. If they were lived out, it would be enough to change the world.
Jesus invites us to proclaim his Gospel. But before we “teach” his words, he asks us to “obey” them. In order to be credible, we should become experts in the Gospel, a living Gospel. Only then will we be able to witness to it with our lives and teach it with our words.
“Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
How can we live these words? The best way is to allow Jesus himself to teach us, drawing him to us and among us through our reciprocal love. He will suggest the right words to use when approaching people; he will show us how to open passageways into our neighbor’s heart, so that we can witness to him wherever we are, even in the most difficult environments and in the most complicated situations. We will see the world change: that small part of the world where we live will be so transformed that we will find harmony, understanding and peace.
What is important is to maintain his presence among us through our mutual love, to be docile in listening to his voice—the voice of our conscience that always speaks to us if we know how to silence other voices.
He will teach us to obey even the smallest laws with joy and creativity, so as to polish our life of unity to perfection. May it be said of us one day as it was of the first Christians: “Look how they love one another and how they are ready to die for one another.” As our relationships are renewed by love, the Gospel will be seen as capable of generating a new society.
We cannot keep the gift we received for ourselves. We are called to repeat with Paul: “Woe to me if I do not preach [the Gospel]!” (1 Cor 9:16). If we let ourselves be guided by our inner voice, we will discover ever-new possibilities to communicate, speak, write and dialogue. May the Gospel shine forth again, through us personally, in our homes, cities and nations. New life will flourish in us; joy will expand in our hearts; the risen Lord will shine forth with greater beauty; and he will consider us among the “greatest in the kingdom.”
The life of Ginetta Calliari demonstrates this in an outstanding way. When she arrived in Brazil in 1959 with the first group of focolarini, she was shocked at seeing the results of the country’s deep inequalities. She was determined to put reciprocal love before all else and the words of Jesus into practice. She said, “He will open the way for us.” As time passed, a community came to life and grew, a community that now numbers hundreds of thousands of people of every social class and age, inhabitants of the shanty towns and members of the well-to-do classes, people who put themselves at the service of those most in need. They have become a small and united people who continue to show that the Gospel message is true. This is the dowry that Ginetta brought with her when she left for heaven.
Chiara Lubich
(1) Tertullian, Apology, 39:7
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Jan 25, 2008 | Focolare Worldwide
In a society experiencing the limitations of science and technology, there is a thirst for “wisdom”, on the part of academics and people in general. This is the background to the future collaboration between Liverpool Hope University and the Focolare Movement, and especially with its embryonic “Sophia University” at Loppiano, near Florence, which will open its doors for the first time next Autumn.
Professor Gerald John Pillay, Anglican vice-chancellor of this English University, spoke about this recently in an interview with New City. It was an immediate response to the challenge issued by Chiara Lubich in her message written for the award ceremony of the Honorary Doctorate in Divinity (Theology). The University wanted to recognise the contribution of Chiara Lubich “to the life of the Church, to peace and harmony in society, to the unity of Christians of different denominations, and to dialogue and understanding between religions”. The award was the opportunity for the University and the Focolare Movement to get to know one another better. In her message, read on January 23 in a ceremony in Liverpool, Chiara Lubich said how “deeply struck” she was by the sharing of ideals rooted in unity, and looked forward to a collaboration that promised great hope for the future. Liverpool Hope University, with over 7000 students from many parts of the world, aims to be “an academic community”, inspired by Christian values, “ a sign of hope” open to the other faiths and belief systems, with a commitment to religious and social harmony, in “education, and religious, cultural and economic life”. The collaboration anticipated by Prof. Pillay – who at the beginning of January travelled with a delegation from the University to Rocca di Papa (Rome) to give the award to Chiara in person – is still being worked on. Some early ideas, Prof Pillay told New City, emerged at that meeting. “Already in Chiara’s writings, which I studied because of this award, I found that sense of unity and the centrality of faith in a very stimulating and interior way. When we met in Rome, I was very struck by the great synergy between Focolare’s vision and that of Hope University. We would like to establish ways of collaboration between teachers, and for the students, so that they can easily have access to the programmes of both Hope and of Sophia. This is a really fascinating opportunity.” Representatives of Hope University will be present at the inauguration of the Sophia University Institute, which will be an opportunity to further this project. An economist from the Focolare Movement has already been invited to take part next June in “The Big Hope”, a week-long conference for young people, future leaders, from many different countries, promoted by the University to mark Liverpool “European Capital of Culture 2008”. Liverpool Hope University is an academic institution that offers a wide range of disciplines. It has 7000 students from Great Britain and other countries. It is one of the newer universities, but its tradition in the sphere of higher education goes back over 150 years. It began with the coming together of two existing colleges, one Anglican and one Catholic, and later a second Catholic college. These formed an ecumenical federation in 1980 with the support of the Liverpool Bishops, Archbishop Derek Worlock (Catholic) and Bishop David Sheppard (Anglican). Both of these were actively involved in ecumenical dialogue, and their motto was, “better together”. They saw in this new cultural initiative a “sign of hope”. On that basis Liverpool Hope University was founded in 2005.
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Jan 18, 2008 | Focolare Worldwide
The “Sophia” University Institute, born from an intuition of Chiara Lubich, founder and president of the Focolare Movement (Work of Mary), and developed together with an international group of academics, was officially set up by the Holy See with a decree on December 7 2007. Campus – The Institute’s campus will be in Loppiano, the Movement’s little town near Incisa Valdarno (Florence). Beginning with the 2008/9 academic year, the Institute will offer a two-year Master’s programme in “Foundations and perspectives of a culture of unity”. Initially it is expected that there will be fifty students per year, and in time there will be a corresponding doctorate programme. What is offered – In the first year of the Master’s there will be courses in four principle areas: theology, philosophy, social sciences, and scientific and logical reasoning. In the second year the student can specialise in either the philosophy/theology or politics/economics track. 
Main features – the Institute will be like an academic laboratory, combining formation, study and research, and deeply rooted in Gospel relationships. It will be an original opportunity for human and cultural growth, bringing study and experience together in a community of life and thought, in which the relationship between people is the basis for the relationship between the various disciplines. The study, research and lessons aim to establish a constant dialogue between the teachers, and between the students and teachers. The result will therefore be harmony in what is taught by the teachers, and active and personal involvement in common research on the part of the students. The theoretical lessons will be integrated with practical exercises, guided visits, meetings with people of relevant experience, and periods of training or stages in various environments, especially professional cultural or social situations that express the “culture of unity”, like the businesses of the “Economy of Communion”. There will also be encounters with the civil and ecclesial world, with communities of various Christian traditions, with experts in the major religions and with representatives of the contemporary cultural world. Objective – The course aims to equip those who take part with a solid cultural base, with a humanistic and anthropological emphasis, building on the university education that they have previously acquired in different disciplines. They will be expected to integrate this with new specific skills of an interdisciplinary, intercultural and relational kind. The teaching staff – The President of the Institute is Piero Coda, who is presently Ordinary Professor of Systematic Theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and president of the Italian Theological Association. Among the teachers in residence who will also lead research in the main disciplines, are: Antonio Maria Baggio, Associate Professor of Social Ethics at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome; Luigino Bruni Associate Professor in Political Economics at the University of Milan-Bicocca; Judith Povilus, former mathematics lecturer in De Paul University, Chicago and coordinator of the international research group “Mathzero” in the field of formal logic; Sergio Rondinara, lecturer in Philosophy of Science in the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome and Environmental Ethics at the Pontifical Gregorian University; and Gerard Rossé, Professor of New Testament Exegesis at the Istituto Mystici Corporis in Loppiano and at the École di Foi at Fribourg (Switzerland). Pontifical decree – The decree was signed by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education. In his accompanying letter to Chiara Lubich, he underlines the novelty of the Institute that “is rooted in the Spirituality of unity and in the wealth of experiences of the Movement” and extends his good wishes for “this important project, well rooted in the academic tradition while at the same time courageous and forward looking” The Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, also spoke about this new academic Institute at a meeting with the diocesan priest focolarini (Centro Mariapoli, Castelgandolfo Rome January 15, 2008), calling it “a gift for the Church and for contemporary society”. He emphasised its “objectives of communion”, its markedly interdisciplinary nature, the consequences for “formation of leaders”, and its possibilities of influence in the “political and economic, scientific and philosophical” field. for more information: e-mail: info@iu-sophia.org
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Jan 15, 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.
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Jan 11, 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 thei
r 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
Jan 6, 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
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Jan 6, 2008 | Focolare Worldwide
“These last few days greatly exceeded all our expectations. The whole celebration was marked by an atmosphere of deep communion and joy. Each contribution demonstrated the real difficulties faced by families today, while at the same time witnessing to the hope and the strength that the life of “Christian families” can bring to the Church and society” This was how it was described by members of the Focolare Movement in Madrid who, together with members of Neocatechumenal Way, Saint Egidio, Charismatic Renewal, Communion and Liberation, and other movements, had taken an active part in the preparation of this event, in communion with the dioceses of Spain. Beyond all expectations, it attracted a million and a half people. Talks by five of the leaders of founders of these ecclesial movements and communities, including a message from Chiara Lubich, and the witness of families, acclaimed the beauty of united families, where each generation has its own essential and specific contribution. There were numerous children, young people and adults of all vocations, all the way to grandparents testifying to the value of fidelity. A moving moment was the direct linkup with the Pope during the Angelus in St Peter’s Square. His was a strong encouragement for “families, inspired by the love of Christ for all people, to be witnesses for the world to the beauty of human love, of marriage and of the family”.
Dec 31, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
This year the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” celebrates its centennial. The “Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity” was first celebrated from January 18-25 in 1908. Sixty years later, in 1968, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was jointly prepared by the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches and by the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity of the Catholic Church. From that time on, it has become common practice for them to meet together annually to compile the pamphlet using material with suggestions for the celebration of the Week of Prayer prepared by Christians from different Churches in a particular country.
The words of Scripture chosen this year by a large ecumenical group in the United States are taken from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, in Greece. They were a small young community, and Paul felt that the unity among them had to become more and more solid. That was why he urged them: “Be at peace among yourselves. … be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good both for each other and for all. … Pray without ceasing..” He wanted to stress that the life of unity of the Christian community is possible only through a life of prayer. Jesus himself prayed to the Father for the unity of his disciples: “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).
“Pray without ceasing”
Why should we “pray without ceasing”? Because prayer is essential to being human. We were created in the image of God, as a “you” of God, capable of establishing a relationship of communion with him. Friendship with him, spontaneous conversation with him, conversation that is simple and true – this is prayer. It is part of our very being, allowing us to become authentic persons with the full dignity of sons and daughters of God.
Created as a “you” of God, we can live in constant rapport with him, with our hearts filled with love by the Holy Spirit and with the trust that one has towards one’s own father. This is a trust that draws us to speak with God often, to tell him openly about ourselves, our thoughts, our plans. This is a trust that makes us yearn for those moments we dedicate to prayer – moments set aside in days filled with other duties at work and in the family – in order to enter into a profound connection with the One who we know loves us.
We need to “pray without ceasing” not only for our own needs, but also for our contributions to building up the Body of Christ, and our contributions to building the full and visible communion of the Church of Christ. We can understand something of this mystery if we think of a series of communicating vessels. When we pour water into one of them, the liquid level in all the others is raised as well. The same thing happens when we pray and raise our souls to God to adore and thank him. When one of us is elevated in prayer, the others are elevated as well.
“Pray without ceasing”
How can we “pray without ceasing,” especially when we are in the whirlpool of daily living?
To “pray without ceasing” does not mean multiplying our prayers. Rather, it means directing our hearts and lives towards God, living out God’s will for us, whether it be studying, working, suffering, resting or even dying for him. We will reach the point where we will no longer be able to live our daily lives without doing everything in agreement with him.
In this way our actions will be transformed into sacred actions and the whole day will become a prayer.
It may be helpful to offer to God everything we do by saying, “For you, Jesus,” and, in moments of difficulties, “What really matters? To love you is what matters.” In this way each thing we do is transformed into an act of love.
And thus prayer will be unceasing because love will be unceasing.
Chiara Lubich
Nov 30, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
These words conclude a large section of the Letter to the Romans in which Saint Paul presents the Christian life as a life of love for our brothers and sisters. This is, in fact, the new spiritual practice that Christians are called to offer to God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (see Rom 12:1), who first brings it to life in their hearts.
Summing up the content of this section, the apostle states that loving our neighbor enables us to do the will of God, contained in the Law (that is, in his commandments), and to do it fully and perfectly. Loving our brothers and sisters is the most beautiful, most authentic way of showing our love for God.
“Love is the fulfillment of the law”
But what does this fullness and perfection consist of concretely? One can gather it from the verses that follow, in which the apostle describes the different expressions and effects of this love.
First of all, real love does no harm to one’s neighbor (see Rom 13:10). It makes us live all of God’s commandments, without excluding any (see Rom 13:9), since their first objective is to help us avoid every kind of evil we could possibly fall into—every evil against ourselves or our brothers and sisters.
Besides not doing any evil, this love urges us to do all the good that our neighbors may need (see Rom 12:6-8).
This Word encourages us to have a love that is concrete and sensitive to the needs, hopes, and legitimate rights of our brothers and sisters. It is a love that is respectful of human and Christian dignity, a love that is pure, understanding, able to share, open to all—as Jesus has taught us.
This love is not possible unless we are willing to step out of our individualistic and self-sufficient ways. Therefore, this Word helps us to overcome those egotistical tendencies (pride, greed, lust, ambition, vanity, etc.) that we carry within us and that can be our major stumbling blocks (see Rom 12:9-21).
“Love is the fulfillment of the law”
How then can we live the Word of Life during this month of Christmas? By keeping in mind the various demands of loving our neighbor that this Word calls us to fulfill.
In the first place, we will avoid doing every kind of evil against our neighbor. We will pay close attention to the commandments of God that relate to our vocation, to our professional life, and to the environment in which we live. The first condition to live out Christian love is never to go against the commandments of God.
In addition, we will pay attention to what constitutes the very soul, reason and aim of all the commandments. Each one of them, as we have seen, wants to nurture in us a love that is ever more vigilant, more delicate and respectful, ever more concrete towards our neighbors.
At the same time, we will grow in being detached from ourselves, in overcoming our egoism; this will come as a consequence of living Christian love.
This is how we will do the will of God “fully”; we will show him our love in the way that is most pleasing to him (see Rom 12:2).
“Love is the fulfillment of the law”
This was the experience lived by a lawyer who works for his city’s Department of Labor. “One day, I presented the owner of a company with a claim that his employees had not been paid according to the prescribed regulation,” he stated. “After fourteen days of intense research, I found the documents that proved that he was not fully respecting the labor laws. I asked Jesus to give me the strength to remain faithful to his words that called for me to be truthful and, at the same time, to be an instrument of his love.
“When the owner was confronted with the proof, he defended himself by saying that certain laws seemed unjust to him and to others. I affirmed that our mistakes could not be justified by the behavior of others who do not comply with the rules. During the conversation that followed, I realized that he had the same desire for justice and equality that I had, but he had let himself be influenced by those around him.
“In the end he said to me, ‘You could have humiliated and crushed me, but you didn’t do that. Because of this, I realize I have a moral duty to right this wrong.’ He, however, had a pressing appointment and could not wait for me to write up my report of his infraction. He took a blank piece of paper and signed it. This proved to me that he was ready to make an immediate change.”
Chiara Lubich
Nov 12, 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.)
Nov 6, 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
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Nov 6, 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
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Nov 3, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
The international music group Gen Rosso have just spent five intense days in Tangiers, overwhelmed by their welcome from a people steeped in the Islamic tradition. There was a wide variety of events: at the faculty of economics and commerce; at an arts and music student club; at a meeting in the old town with a group of ethnic Senegalese, who through music want to hand on their traditions; in the main hall of the University with a concert for the students; and finally, in a setting reminiscent of the “Arabian Nights”, a concert at the Sultan’s Palace. In the Main Hall of the University their message for the students was of love, forgiveness and welcome for the other, to build together a huge “constellation”. Gen Rosso made an “immediate impact” on the 400 students, said the national papers, who, surprised by the level of enthusiasm, wanted “non stop” interviews. One of their muslim friends said, “You have touched the hearts of muslim youth, you have the language to speak with them”. And a student said, “You brought your hearts, and you have reached ours” 
At the Moulay Hafid (Sultan’s) Palace, there was a joyful response from the audience, who listened attentively to the message. Enthusiasm led to spontaneous dialogue, and to the desire to meet again and strengthen friendships, which although just begun, have the DNA of universal fraternity. Gen Rosso – the background. From the time it began up till now, Gen Rosso has involved over 200 performers and technical staff, and has visited 44 nations in Europe, Asia, North and South America. In 220 tours they have performed 2500 shows, taken part in 60 important international meetings, and held 250 workshops, singing in 24 different languages, reaching in all over 5,000,000 people. They have produced 54 albums and published 320 songs. Their shows have been performed in a wide variety of religious and cultural settings, and often in unusual places, for projects of solidarity, humanitarian aid, and for prisoners.
Oct 31, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
For the people of Israel, the journey of forty years in the desert was a period of trial and of grace. God purified their hearts and showed them his immense love.
When this people was about to enter the promised land, Moses recalled the experience they had lived. In a particular way, he reminded them of the greatest gift they had received together, the law of God, summed up in the Ten Commandments, and he invited them all to put the law into practice.
While he was delivering the instructions of God to them, Moses was deeply struck at the way God had drawn close to his people, had taken care of them, and had taught them rules for living filled with wisdom, and he exclaimed:
“What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law…?”
God has written his law in the heart of every person and has spoken to all peoples in diverse ways and at different times. All people can rejoice for the love that he has shown to each one of them. But it is not always easy to grasp God’s plan for humanity. This is why God chose a small nation, the people of Israel, to reveal his plan more clearly. Finally, he sent his Son, Jesus, who revealed the face of God in its fullness by showing him as Love and by condensing his law into the single commandment of love for God and for one’s neighbor.
The greatness of a people and of every single person is expressed in giving their assent to the law of God with their own personal “yes.”
This assent to God’s law does not lock us into an artificial superstructure or, even less, into alienation from ourselves; it does not mean resignation on our part to a lot that is more or less good, nor to submit to a certain fate, as if to say: it was ordained to be so, so it must be, it’s inevitable.
No, it is the best thing that we can imagine for ourselves. It means to collaborate in bringing about the remarkable plan that God has for each one of us and for all humanity: to make us all one family, united in love, and to bring us to live his same divine life.
So then we too can exclaim, as Moses did:
“What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law…?”
How should we live this Word of Life throughout the month?
By going to the heart of the divine law that Jesus synthesized into the single precept of love.
If we review the Ten Commandments given to us by God in the Old Testament, we can see that by truly loving God and neighbor, we can observe them all and to perfection.
Is it not true that those who love God refuse to let any other gods enter their hearts?
Is it not true that those who love God speak his name with reverence and never in vain?
Is it not true that those who love God are happy to dedicate at least one day a week to the One they love the most?
Is it not true that those who love each neighbor cannot but love their own parents? Is it not clear that those who love other people do not set out to rob them, or to kill them, or to take advantage of them for their own gain, or to witness falsely against them?
Is it not true that such people’s hearts are already full and satisfied, and that they certainly do not covet goods or a spouse belonging to someone else?
This is how it is: whoever loves does not commit sin but observes all of God’s commandments.
I experienced this at various times during my travels, while in contact with different peoples and ethnic groups. I remember above all the strong impression that the Bangwa people of Fontem, Cameroon, made on me, when in 2000 they received in a new way the invitation to love.
During the day, every once in a while, let’s ask ourselves if our actions are shaped by love. If this is the case, our life will not be meaningless; it will be a contribution to the fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity.
Chiara Lubich
Oct 25, 2007 | Non categorizzato
Oct 19, 2007 | Non categorizzato
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Oct 12, 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
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Oct 2, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
“We have witnessed a Prague Ecumenical Spring“. These words by the Romanian Orthodox bishop from Serbia, Daniil, express well the experience of intense communion, lived from the 20 to the 27 of September by 43 bishops from 18 churches and 17 nationalities of the four continents, convened in Prague, crossroads in the heart of Europe, for their 26th International Ecumenical Meeting. Next dates and locations: 2008 in Lebanon, with its ongoing tensions; 2009 in Wittenberg (Germany), the symbolic protestant town. The bishops concentrated – in the services and meditations during the meeting – on the actual historic shift with a conviction that the contemporary sufferings of humanity can lead the churches to an even greater commitment to bring the light of the Gospel in the world. “My Night has no Darkness: Beginnings of culture of the Resurrection” was the theme of the meeting, inspired by a lecture prepared by Chiara Lubich. In the final dialogue the bishops agreed that the challenge and wish to “live in the Light“, as expressed to them by the foundress of the Focolare Movement, was affirmed in the meeting. 
The Ecumenical Sunday celebrated in the Czech Republic on September 23, was the culmination of a week rich in meetings, reflections, visits to a variety of Christian communities and excursions to artistic and cultural treasures of Prague. In the Centre dedicated to Mother Theresa of Calcutta, the bishops met four hundred public and ecclesial representatives of the city. Among them: Catholics, Orthodoxes, Lutherans, Evangelists, Methodists, Baptists, Old Catholics, Pentecostals, Hussits and members of the Church of the Brothers. “Europe has emerged from the 20th century with many outer and inner wounds – said in this occasion Christian Krause, former president of the Lutheran World Federation, and – while still in office – signatory of the Joint Declaration between the Roman Catholic and the Lutheran churches on the Justification – but God intervened”. In his remarks he remembered, beside the “Velvet Revolution” and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the signing of this 1999 Augsburg Declaration, which removed a centuries-old barrier between the two denominations. An example is the commitment for reconciliation and for a common witness of the Christians, without rivalry spirit, in the post-communist society, expressed by the President of the national Ecumenical Council of Churches, Dr. Pavel Černý, and the catholic bishop of Pilsen, František Radkovský. The testimony of a number of bishop-participants on the topic of communion, which unites them in mutual love with “Christ in their midst“, was met by a long applause. Anglican bishop David Murray from Perth commented: “On my return to Australia I will keep other churches in my heart and continue hand in hand with other bishops“. “We experience a ‘dialogue of life‘ – Cardinal Vlk, archbishop of Prague and promoters of the Meeting, pointed out – “focusing on the realities we share, starting with baptism. 
Without ignoring difficulties that there are within and between churches, we are convinced that through the evangelical love and above all through love for Jesus crucified and forsaken, this gives us the strength to build the communion, there where we do live.” The main theme of the afternoon programme was the contribution of Christians in the process of the unification of Europe, as discussed in two previously held fora: the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu (Romania), organised in early September by European churches (Council of European Bishops‘ Conferences- CCEE, and Conference of European Churches- CEC) and attended by 3000 participants, and the 2nd meeting of Christian Movements and Communities entitled “Together for Europe” held in Stuttgart (Germany) on 12th May 2007. During the weekly program the bishops had the opportunity to listen to the testimonies of priests and lay people, who have lived according to the spirituality of the Focolare movement during times of persecution (some since 1960s‘), and have supported the Church in former Czechoslovakia by spreading the life of the Gospel.
Another spiritually profound moment was the visit paid to the Cathedral on Saturday afternoon where Catholic mass was celebrated in the historical chapel of Saint Wenceslas. The bishops commemorated the saints and martyrs from the historical beginnings of the Czech peoples and outstanding individuals from the Nazi and Communist eras resolving, both in their private lives and in that of their churches, to recognize the face of Jesus crucified and renew their love for Him, the only One who can bring the christians together to the so longed communion.
Sep 30, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
Yes, we ought to speak, to everyone, and always!
Many times the Word of Life invites us to live and to be an expression of love. But we also need to share the words of scripture with others, to proclaim them, communicate them, so that they join together with us in a life of giving, of brotherhood.
These were the final words of Jesus: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel…” (see Mk 16:15; Mt 28:19).
This was the passion that drove Paul to travel through the whole known world and to address people of different cultures and faiths: “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” (1 Cor 9:16).
Drawing upon the words of Jesus and the strength of his own experience in putting them into practice, Paul urges his faithful disciple Timothy and each of us to:
“Proclaim the word…”
In order for our speaking to be effective, it must, whenever possible, be built first on a relationship with the people we are addressing.
Even when it is not possible to speak with the mouth, it is always possible with the heart. At times, a word can be expressed only through a respectful silence, through a smile, or by showing interest in other people’s lives, in their concerns, their problems, by addressing them by name, so that each one feels that he or she is important to us. And they truly are: we can never be indifferent to anyone.
These silent words, if well-chosen, cannot fail to open up a way into a person’s heart. Oftentimes, the person becomes interested in me and asks me questions. This then is the moment to proclaim. We should not hesitate but go ahead and speak clearly, even if we say just a few words; but we ought to speak and tell that person why we live as Christians.
“Proclaim the word…”
How should we live this Word of Life and proclaim the gospel even during brief encounters? How can we share it with everyone?
We can do this by loving each person, without exception.
If we are real Christians, living what the Gospel teaches, our words will not be empty rhetoric.
Our proclamation will be even more clear if we know how to bear witness to the heart of the Gospel—unity among us—knowing that “this is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:33).
This is the uniform that ordinary Christians, men and women, married and single, adults and children, the sick and the healthy, can wear always and wherever they are, in order to give witness with their lives to the One they believe in, to the One they want to love.
By Chiara Lubich
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Sep 19, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
The spirituality of communion is highly important for the ecumenical process and the future of the faith in the 21st century. This conviction, backed up by experience, is shared by the 40 bishops, from 18 countries, from Australia to India, from Lebanon to Sweden, from Germany to Italy, and the Czech Republic, “friends of the Focolare Movement” of different Churches and cultural backgrounds, who have gathered in Prague for their 26th annual meeting. On September 23, which in Prague is “National Ecumenical Sunday”, the bishops will meet with religious and civil leaders and share their experience of living dialogue. As part of their programme they will also visit communities of the various Churches present in the city, to hear about their life, and their stories of times of repression, and persecution for practising their faith in public. 
The main theme of the meeting is, “My night has no darkness: towards a culture of the resurrection”. It is an invitation to look squarely at the symptoms of the cultural and collective “night” that affects a large part of the world today, including believers. They will also look at the many signs of life and hope, among which the recent ecumenical events in September in Sibiu (Romania) and in Stuttgart (Germany) in May. There will be many moments for sharing experiences among the bishops, and with representatives of the social economic and cultural world. These meetings are inspired by the spirituality of unity, characteristic of the Focolare Movement. Press Office in Prague: Irena Sargankowa – mobile. 00420604935872 Focolari Information Service – Rocca di Papa (Rome) tel. 0039.06.947989 – Carla Cotignoli mobile 348.8563347
Sep 18, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
I am twenty six years old and I study electronic engineering. When I was eight, I had an illness, wrongly diagnosed initially as a tumour on the brain, but which left me with a damaged optic nerve, and badly affected my eyesight. As a result I often wondered about suffering and the reasons for it. When I was eleven, I was advised by doctors that I would never be able to compete at the highest levels in sport. I could play sport, but only as a pastime. I began to play basketball, but because I lacked 3D vision I was not a good player and the others made fun of me. At school, when teams were picked, I was always the last to be chosen because no one wanted me on their side. Increasingly, I asked myself what life what about. When I was eighteen, I got a driving licence! It was a special one, renewable every two years, but it was hard to drive, because you have to foresee what other drivers are doing, and more than skill you need good eyesight. I saw how easy it was for my friends to “get up and go”, while I was unable to do so. It was hard to take and it still is. There was something, however, that helped me believe that suffering has a purpose. When I thought of Jesus who died on the cross, I said, “Jesus, you had many ways of saving us, why did you choose the cross? Suffering must have a high priority, otherwise he would have solved the situation in another way!” I was able to experience that the words of the Gospel, lived in a radical way, are really true, “to whoever loves me, I will show myself… give and there will be gifts for you…”. The times when I was able to live them in a serious way, I touched with my own hands the truth of everything that Jesus promises. And I experienced an immense, silent peace within, that no one could take away from me. This inner peace, that comes as a matter of course in those moments, leads me to believe that Someone up there loves me and has a plan of love for me. And everyday problems have become an opportunity to exercise charity, patience, faith and other virtues. After fifteen years, the device they put in my head wore out and stopped working. I knew that this would happen sooner or later, but the doctors took two weeks to discover that the valve was not working. In the meantime my field of vision deteriorated even more. I worked it out that if each time the drainage valve was blocked, my sight would worsen by a certain percentage, then by the age of 45 I would need a guide dog… When I left the doctor’s after that terrible news, I tried to listen to what Jesus was telling me. But all I had was an huge emptiness, a cosmic silence. I went ahead, loving in the only the moment I had, the present. My sense of justice was transferred into doing things for others. In the university there is an office that helps students who for various reasons cannot follow the lessons and study. For me, this was more a gym than an office, a place to love those in the worst situations. They gave me a camera and a portable PC so that I could video the most difficult lessons, for which there are no suitable textbooks, or which require the guidance of a teacher to explain them properly. This whole experience is like a gym where I can train day after day in patience, and humility, but most of all it opens a direct communication channel with those who suffer. The discovery of God who is Love gives me the strength and the joy to not close myself in my own problems, but to turn my gaze outside, towards my neighbours. (M. T. – Italy)
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Sep 16, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
The title of this Symposium is an apt description of its aim. For three days, experts from Gandhian academic and social institutiuons – Sarvodaya Illakiya Pannai, Shanti Ashram, and the Gandhigram Rural University from Tamil Nadu in South India – will meet at the Mariapolis Centre of the Focolare Movement at Castelgandofo (Rome) , The first part of the Symposium will offer an exchange of ideas and practical projects in the field of education, economics, politics, and ecology. It will be a further step in a journey that began a few years ago, involving experts in the culture inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and that inspired by the charism of unity of the Focolare Movement. On Wednesday the group will attend an audience with the Pope, after a visit to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Afterwards they will have a series of meetings at Focolare’s little town at Loppiano, and in Florence, a city with a special calling to interreligious dialogue and peace among peoples. Leaders of the City Council and the Region of Tuscany will be present. 
These events will show that India, in spite of occasional signs of religious intolerance, and stories of persecution of one group by another, is covered by a network that brings Christians and Hindus together to positive effect in social and cultural life. From September 20 to 23 the Indian delegation will be in Tuscany for an intense programme: – An exchange of experience of life between the little towns of the Focolare Movement and the Shanti Ashram, at the Focolare’s little town of Loppiano (Incisa Valdarno Florence) from the 20th until the morning of the 21st. – A convention on “Cities and Peace” at the Cenacolo di S Croce, on September 21 at 17.30 promoted by The Movement for Unity in Politics (Focolare), the Centro Regionale Toscana, the “Giorgio La Pira” International Centre for foreign students, Youth for a United World, and with the patronage of The Region of Tuscany, and the Province and Council of Florence. – A meeting with the Regional Consultation on Interreligious Dialogue and Peace between Cultures at the Presidenza della Giunta Regionale Toscana, via Cavour 18, Florence, at 10.00 on September 22.
Aug 31, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
“Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness” (1 Tim 6:11).
How will we in our daily lives be able to live all these virtues?
Perhaps it will seem too difficult to live them out one by one. Then why not live in the present with a radical measure of love? If anyone lives the present in the will of God, God then lives in that person. And if God dwells in a person, then love is there as well.
Those who live in the present, whatever the circumstances, are patient, perseverant, gentle, merciful, and not attached to anything because they have love in its highest and purest form. They truly love God with their whole heart, soul, and strength. They are enlightened from within, are guided by the Holy Spirit, and, therefore, they do not judge and do not think evil. They love their neighbors as themselves and have the audacity to live the Gospel challenges of “offering the other cheek” and of “going the extra mile” (see Mt 5:39, 41).
“Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.”
This advice is addressed to Timothy, Paul’s faithful collaborator, traveling companion, and friend; he was so trustworthy that he became a kind of son to Paul. After having condemned pride, envy, fighting, and attachment to wealth in his letter, the apostle wrote directly to Timothy: “But, as a man dedicated to God, you must avoid all that.” He then invited him to strive for a life that is resplendent in both human and Christian virtues.
In these words, we can hear resonate the commitment taken on at baptism to renounce (“avoid”) evil and to pursue (“strive for”) good. Here too it is from the Holy Spirit that such a radical transformation and a capacity and strength to live out Paul’s teaching can come about.
“Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.”
The experience lived out by the initial group of young women who gave life to the Focolare Movement in Trent, back in 1944, provides us with an insight into how we can live this Word of Life, especially the part about “love, patience, and gentleness.”
It was not always easy to live the radicality of love, especially at the beginning. Even among ourselves, in our relationships with each other, sometimes some dust would settle in and our unity would become less strong. This happened, for example, when we looked at the defects and faults of the others and we judged them, for then the current of love among us turned cold.
In order to remedy this situation, one day we thought of making a pact together and we called it “the pact of mercy.”
Every morning we made a decision to look at all the neighbors that we would meet that day—in the focolare, at school, at work, and other places—as if they were new, totally new, no longer remembering their defects at all and covering everything with love. This meant approaching each person with this total amnesty in our hearts, with this universal forgiveness.
It was a demanding commitment and all of us took it on together. It helped us to be—as far as possible—the first to love always, to live in imitation of our merciful God, who forgives and forgets.
by Chiara Lubich
Aug 26, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
Martigny, 25 August 2007 Dear young people and esteemed politicians, I too would like to address a word to you during your meeting dedicated to building up the future of “our” – allow me to so call it – beloved Switzerland, given that we have already journeyed a distance together. This year, the young people are the ones who gave us the possibility of adding an enriching new stage to our journey, by inviting everyone, politicians of every persuasion and office, elected officials and citizens, to together commit to choosing fraternity as the inspiring principle of politics. I would like to propose something to all of you: to make a pact, a real and true pact, between different generations in order to give an authentic spirit of community commitment to politics. A pact of mutual love between you young people, who have the capacity to believe in the actualization of great values such as universal brotherhood, peace and freedom, and who represent the Switzerland of tomorrow, and you politicians, who already work for your people, with the weight but also the wealth of your experience, and who represent what is possible to actualize today. Why not share these riches and so enhance your real capacity to remain faithful to the commitments that you will take on? I can assure you that if you have the courage to practice this way of listening and working together, you will set in motion a new way of doing politics that will open up to new ideas, which through the “osmosis” of love will be contagious. It will then be possible to bring about what we have believed and wished for together during these days. We can work for the unity of a people only if some first begin to experience it among them. I am with you and I pray to God-Love, that God whom the Fathers of your nation wanted as the guarantor of the Federal Pact, that He may help us to make of Switzerland a united community, open and helping, a living witness on the path to a united world. Chiara Lubich
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Aug 25, 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.
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Aug 24, 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
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Aug 15, 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”.
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Aug 14, 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”.
Jul 31, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
“Let us… persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2).
By Fabio Ciardi and Gabriella Fallacara
The life of Christians, to whom the letter to the Hebrews is addressed, is often marked by trials and sufferings. At times we are tempted to become discouraged and say, “Why not choose an easier way? Why not give up?”
The author of this writing invites us, instead, to continue on the road we have undertaken: it is difficult and costly, but it is the way of the Gospel and that way leads to fullness of life. In fact, he urges Christians to run and to stay on course even when they feel the weight of suffering.
We who decide to follow Jesus must do as every athlete does—in order to reach the goal, we need to have perseverance, that is, stamina, the capacity to stay the course, which comes from the conviction that God is with us and from our determination to make it.
Above all, we are asked to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, who forged the way for us and is our guide. Jesus on the cross, especially when he felt abandoned by the Father, is the model of courage, of perseverance, of endurance: he remained steadfast when he was tested and he even abandoned himself into the hands of that God whom he felt had abandoned him (see Lk 23:46; Mk 15:34).
“Let us… persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.”
Chiara Lubich often speaks of how Jesus courageously faced the greatest of trials without giving up: he is the best example of how to run our race, for how to overcome our trials. Each one of our sufferings or trials in life has already been taken on by Jesus in his abandonment on the cross.
Let’s allow Chiara herself to show us how to keep our eyes fixed on him.
“Are we overcome by fear? Didn’t Jesus on the cross in his abandonment appear to be overcome with the fear that the Father may have forgotten him?”
When we are overwhelmed by dejection and discouragement, we can still look to Jesus who in that moment “seems to be immersed in the impression that in his divine passion he lacks the Father’s comfort and appears to be losing the courage to endure his terrible trial to the end…. Do circumstances cause us to feel disoriented? In his tremendous suffering, Jesus seems to not understand what is happening to him since he cries “Why?” … And when we are surprised by delusion, or wounded by a trauma, or by an unforeseen misfortune, or by a sickness or an absurd situation, we can always recall the suffering of Jesus forsaken who personally took on all these trials and thousands more.”
He is beside us in every difficulty, ready to share in our every suffering.
“Let us… persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.”
How then should we live this Word? Let’s look at Jesus, Chiara says, and “let’s get used to calling him by name in the various trials of our life. We will call him: Jesus forsaken-loneliness, Jesus forsaken-doubt, Jesus forsaken-hurt, Jesus forsaken-trial, Jesus forsaken-desolation, and so forth.
And by calling him by name, he will see that he is discovered and recognized under every suffering, and will respond to us with more love; by embracing him he will become our peace, our comfort, courage, stability, our health and our victory. He will be the explanation and the solution for everything.”
“Let us… persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.”
This is how it was for Louise who, years ago, found a flyer with the commentary on this Word of Life. She herself tells us about it: “The news came unexpectedly: my first son, who was twenty-nine years old, was in a traffic accident and had been seriously injured. I ran to the hospital with my heart in my throat. My son was there, unable to move and with a blank look in his eyes. I felt desperate. In the anguishing days of waiting that followed, I stopped by the hospital chapel. There I found the Word of Life which invited me to keep my eyes on Jesus forsaken. I read it over with great attention. Yes, I told myself, it really speaks about my trial…. Going back to the intensive care unit that was so devoid of hope, it no longer seemed like martyrdom to me; it now connected me to the love of God. And I was able, while holding my son’s hand, to pray for him as he was leaving me. He did pass away, and yet I have never felt him so alive.”
Fr. Fabio Ciardi, OMI, is professor of theology at the Claretianum Institute and at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. Gabriella Fallacara is co-director of Centro Uno for the Unity of Christians, the Focolare’s international secretariat for ecumenism.
Quotations from Chiara Lubich are from On the Holy Journey (New City Press, 1988), pp. 142-3.
Jul 8, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
Jun 30, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
By the year 50 the apostle Paul had visited the region of Galatia in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey. There Christian communities had arisen that had embraced the faith with great enthusiasm. Paul had held up before their eyes Jesus crucified, and they had received the baptism that clothed them with Christ, giving them the freedom of children of God. Paul himself told them, “You were running well” along this new way.
Then all of a sudden they began to seek freedom elsewhere. Paul was surprised to see how quickly they turned away from Christ. This is when he pressed them to rediscover the freedom that Christ had given them:
“For you were called for freedom”
What freedom are we called to? Can’t we already do whatever we want? When Jesus told his contemporaries that “the truth” he brought “will set you free,” they objected, “We have never been enslaved to anyone.” Jesus responded. “Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin” (Jn 8:31-34).There is a subtle kind of slavery, the fruit of sin, that torments the human heart. We know its many faces well: self-sufficiency, the attachment to material goods, hedonism, pride, anger….
We will never be able to completely free ourselves from such slavery on our own. Freedom is a gift from Jesus: he set us free by making himself our servant and giving his life for us. Herein lies the invitation to align ourselves with the freedom that has been given to us.
This freedom is “not so much the possibility of choosing between what is good and what is bad, but rather to move more and more towards the good.” That is how Chiara Lubich explained it when young people questioned her on this topic. She went on to say: “I have experienced that good frees us, and evil enslaves us. In order to have freedom, we need to love. This is because what enslaves us the most is our own ego. When, instead, we always look to others, either to the will of God in doing what we ought or to our neighbor, we are not focused on ourselves and we are thus free from ourselves” (Rome, May 20, 1995).
“For you were called for freedom”
How then should we live this Word of Life? Paul himself tells us how: “For you were called for freedom… serve one another through love.” He explains why we must serve with love: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Gal 5:13-14).
We are free – this is the paradox of love – when we begin to serve others out of love, when, going against our selfish inclinations, we forget ourselves and we focus on the needs of others.
We are called to the liberty of love: we are free to love! Yes, “in order to have freedom, we need to love.”
“For you were called for freedom”
Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan was imprisoned because of his faith and he remained behind bars for thirteen years. During those years, he felt free because he could at least love the prison guards.
“When I was put in isolation,” he recounted, “I was watched by five guards: they took turns so that two of them were always with me. Their officers had told them: ‘You will be rotated every two weeks with another group, so that you will not be “contaminated” by this dangerous bishop.’ Later on they changed their minds and said: ‘There will be no more rotations otherwise this bishop will contaminate all the guards.’
“At the beginning the guards hardly ever spoke to me. They only answered ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ It was really a sad situation…. They avoided conversing with me.
“One night, this thought came to me: ‘Francis, you are still very rich. You have Christ’s love in your heart; love them as Jesus loved you.’
“The next day I began to love them even more, to love Jesus in them, by smiling, offering them a kind word. I began to tell them stories of my travels in other countries…. They then wanted to learn a foreign language: French or English … My guards had become my students!” (Testimony of Hope, Pauline Books and Media, 2000).
By Fabio Ciardi and Gabriella Fallacara
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Jun 29, 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.
May 31, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
The Gospel attracts people with its words of truth. In it, the one who said, “I am the Truth” (Jn 13:6), speaks to us. He opens before us the infinite mystery of God and makes us understand his plan of love for humanity: his gift is the Truth.
But the Truth has the infinite depth of mystery. How can we understand and live it fully? Jesus himself knows that we are not able to bear its “weight.” This is why during his last supper with his disciples, before returning to the Father, he promised to send his own Spirit so that he would be the one to explain his words to us and help us live them out.
«The Spirit of truth … will guide you to all truth»
The community of believers knows the truth because they live with Jesus. At the same time, they are also on a journey toward “the fullness of truth,” under the sure guidance of the Spirit.
The history of the Church can be read as the history of the gradual and increasingly deeper understanding of the mystery of Jesus and his Word. The Spirit leads it along this journey in many ways: “through the contemplation and study of believers,” through the charisms of saints, through the Teaching of the Church (See Dei Verbum, 8).
The Spirit also speaks in the hearts of all believers, where he dwells, making his voice heard. Time after time, he suggests that we forgive, serve, give and love. He instructs us on what is good and what is evil. He reminds us to live the Word of Life that the Gospel sows in us month after month.
«The Spirit of truth … will guide you to all truth»
How should we live this Word of Life? By listening to the inner voice that speaks within us, by being docile to the Holy Spirit, who guides us, urges us on, gives us a push.
Chiara Lubich explains how “Christians should move according to the promptings of the Spirit, so that the Spirit can work in their hearts with his creative power and lead them to holiness, divinization and resurrection.”
To better understand that inner voice—almost to amplify it—Chiara invites us to live in unity with each other, so as to learn to listen to the voice of the Spirit not only within us, “but also to his voice, present among us [as we’re] united in the risen Lord.”
When we have Jesus among us, the Spirit “perfects our ability to hear his voice within each of us. In fact, Jesus present among us is like a loudspeaker for the voice of the Spirit within us.
“It has always seemed to us that the best way to love the Holy Spirit, to honor him, to keep him alive in our hearts, is really to listen to his voice, which can shed light for us in every instant of our life. … And by listening to that voice, we experienced with great surprise how we progress in perfection: little by little our faults disappear and our virtues begin to stand out.”
«The Spirit of truth … will guide you to all truth»
This Word of Life, taken from the Gospel read on the feast of the Holy Trinity, invites us to pray to the Holy Spirit, as Chiara did:
“O Holy Spirit, we do not ask of you anything but God for God. … Grant that we may live the rest of our lives … only and always and in every instant for you alone, who alone we wish to love and serve. God! God, pure spirit, for whom our humanity can be an empty chalice to be filled. …
“God, who must shine through our being, our hearts, our faces, our words, our actions, our silence, our living, our dying, our appearing when we leave this earth (where we can, we must leave behind only a luminous trail of his presence, of him present in us, amidst the material and muddle of this world—whether it live or collapse—in the praise or the vanity of all things that can be a footstool or a stumbling block for everything), leaving for the place of the All, the Alone, Love.”
By Fabio Ciardi and Gabriella Fallacara
Quotes are taken from Chiara Lubich’s recent book, Essential Writings, New City Press, New York, 2007, pp. 148–149.
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May 28, 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
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May 27, 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
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May 24, 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
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May 11, 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)
May 9, 2007 | Non categorizzato
«You young people represent the future: tomorrow’s world will be in your hands and this often gives you antennas to tune into special waves, those that know how to transmit daring projects, like the dream of a new world, a more united one. The title of today’s program is also a confirmation of this: “Rays of Light Beyond the Darkness.” Yes, immersed like everyone in the struggles of our day, your hearts and minds are convinced that a radiant dawn will give meaning to your search. Only Jesus has said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” and whoever encounters and follows him finds the Light. Also Lorenzo, a young martyr from the beginning of Christianity, in looking at Jesus found the courage to say to his persecutors: “My night has no darkness, and all things are full of light to me.” We often hear said that humanity today is living through one of the darkest nights in history, that we are in need of light, a light that can break through the darkness. My experience, the experience of many in the Focolare Movement, shows us that God has not left us alone, not even in the darkest of nights. It was a discovery that totally changed our lives. When Jesus on the cross cried out: “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?” he took on every darkness, the sufferings of every human being in every era. This is an infinite mystery, the limitless measure of his love for us. And from that moment, every suffering took on one name: Jesus forsaken. He would reveal himself to us in a thousand ways: isn’t the person in anguish, or lonely, separated, disoriented similar to him? Isn’t Jesus forsaken the image of every form of division, of yearning for God, of alienation, and violence? And don’t you think it is stupendous to be able to share with him the sufferings that are within us and in every person we meet? If this is true, then we can choose Jesus forsaken as our “travelling companion” in life, and welcome him into our heart as the most precious pearl. Dearest young people, in looking at Jesus forsaken, you will be able to face up to any situation. In fact, you will be like “rays of light” in your environments, so as to guide our humanity towards universal brotherhood». Chiara Lubich
May 9, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
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May 9, 2007 | Non categorizzato
“The spiritual atmosphere of Europe can change”, Gerhard Pross, evangelical Christian of the YMCA in Germany, said this morning, speaking to 3000 people in the Liederhalle in Stuttgart. This is what Vatican Radio said: What is going on in Stuttgart is more than a congress, it is a deep spiritual experience. The testimonies of what the Holy Spirit is doing in Europe, mostly out of the gaze of the media, speak louder than words. “It is the strong witness”, said Gerhard Pross, “of a call of God to go out and bring new life to the desert of our society”. He referred to the first words of the newly elected Pope, Benedict XVI, saying “Our society has lost hope that the spiritual atmosphere of Europe can change”. “Where can we draw strength? From Jesus Christ. In Him is the source of the great riches of the spiritual life that we experience.” 
This experience will become stronger and more effective, the more it is lived in communion. In fact, “Together for Europe” is more than just an event. It is the experience of a journey that is growing and in depth and breadth, among catholic and evangelical, orthodox and Anglican movements and communities, and also those of the free churches of Europe. It is a journey that began in 1999, marked by an important step in 2004: the first preparatory congress and large-scale gathering, also held in Stuttgart. “God is the one at work in this ‘journey’ “, said Pross, “He is the one who has made possible the many sources of grace that the people of our time can draw on, to quench the deep thirst that they feel”. There are many striking effects of this journey. In Leipzig, sixteen movements together have been a sign of reconciliation for non-believers. They are new stimulus for overcoming persistent fears and diffidence between East and West Germany. In Albania, in a similar meeting, there are people from Kosovo: “A ray of light”. In Copenhagen, Denmark, the movements are breaking down prejudice between Catholics and Protestants. In Switzerland, a large day meeting with 48,000 people. All 2008 towns and villages are there with their flags, and a national movement of prayer is launched, the sign of a renewed spirit of faith and reconciliation. This morning they meditated on the spirituality of unity with a reading from a talk by Chiara Lubich. This afternoon, the participants are meeting in 20 different forums looking at a wide variety of spiritual and social themes. Carla Cotignoli for Vatican Radio
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May 2, 2007 | Non categorizzato
After three years of preparation, the second international gathering in Stuttgart on May 12, linked by satellite to parallel events in many European cities, is about to happen. Thousands of people from Western and Central Europe will be present at the Hanns-Martin Schleyer Halle, and simultaneous gatherings will take place in cities such as Paris, Moscow, Belfast, Madrid, Budapest and Prague. Afterwards, in the second half of May, the Stuttgart experience will be lived all over again in over 30 of the main cities of Italy. What is “Together for Europe?” It is a meeting of witness, inspired by the values of fraternity and sharing. It offers a way of overcoming prejudice, nationalism, historical wounds, social conflict, the fear of the future and loss of identity, and an answer to the big questions of meaning and values. “TOGETHER”, two hundred and fifty communities and movements from all over Europe meeting to build bridges between different cultures and peoples, between citizens and institutions, and to give a new impetus to the construction of the continent. THE PROGRAMME The historical, cultural and spiritual dimensions will be explored by: Ulrich Parzany, evangelical pastor and leader of the Pro-Christ movement for evangelisation; Nicky Gumbel, president of Alpha International, which came to life in the Anglican Church; Andrea Riccardi, founder of the St Egidio Community; and Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement. The second part of the event will focus on experiences and initiatives drawn from different parts of Europe, illustrating how the movements and new communities: 
support and encourage family life influence the world of work and the economy build relationships of fraternity and solidarity with the poor and the marginalised are committed to justice and peace in the world work for social cohesion in the cities and respond to the challenge of multiculturalism. Dialogue with representatives of European civil and ecumenical institutions. The dialogue will begin by describing progress since the 2004 event, and end with a view of the future. Those invited to participate include: Jacques Barrot, Vice President of the European Commission; Romano Prodi, Prime Minister of Italy; Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Union of Christians; Anastasios Yannulatos, the Orthodox Archbishop of Tirana and the whole of Albania, and one of the Presidents of the World Council of Churches; Arnold de Clermont, President of the Conference of European Churches (KEK) and of the Protestant Federation in France. The conclusion will be a Message to Europe. This will be a declaration of commitment by movements and communities of the various Christian churches, and a proposal for the involvement of politicians and civil society. Artistic contributions from various countries and cultures will run through the whole programme, demonstrating the wealth and variety of the European patrimony 
Since 2004… “Together for Europe” is, more than anything, a new journey of communion among movements and communities of different Churches, a “test bed” of Europe as a family of united peoples. The first large gathering at Stuttgart on May 8 2004, which, thanks to the effect of the media, reached almost 100,000 Europeans, present at simultaneous and other meetings, marked a stage of this journey. It is a growing process: one hundred and seventy movements and communities involved in 2004; two hundred and fifty in 2007. The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 1957; with Europe Week commemorating the end of the Second World War on May 8 1945; and Europe Day, May 9, the anniversary of Robert Schuman’s historical declaration of 1950, proposing a community at the service of peace, forerunner of the European Union. “Together for Europe” will be preceded and prepared by the congress “Together on the way” for those responsible for, and co-workers from, the various Movements and communities, in Stuttgart from May 10-11. Over 20 forums and 16 round table discussions will address many topics including: evangelisation, ecumenism, marriage and the family, the defence of life, political commitment, immigration, economics, the environment, mass media, peace and justice. Promoters of the event The promoters of the event are: Friedrich Aschoff, Charismatic Renewal in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germany; Christophe D’Aloisio, Syndesmos – a fraternity of 126 orthodox youth organisations; Nicky Gumbel, Alpha International – evangelisation courses which came to life in the Anglican Church; Chiara Lubich, Focolare Movement; Michael J. Marmann, Schönstatt (catholic); Helmut Nicklas, YMCA, international ecumenical youth organisation; Ulrich Parzany, Pro Christ, evangelisation initiative born in the evangelical Lutheran church; Gerhard Pross, Coordinator of periodical meetings for those responsible for Evangelical Movements and communities; Andrea Riccardi, Saint Egidio community; Thomas Römer, YMCA, Munich; Gérard Testard, Fondacio – born in the catholic church in France; Sr. Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche, Fraternity of Christ, of Selbitz, born in the evangelical Lutheran tradition. For more information: www.europ2007.org
Apr 30, 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
Jesus is seated at table with friends. It is his last supper before leaving this world, a most solemn moment in which to share his last will, almost a testament: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34). Down through the centuries, this will be the distinguishing mark of the disciples. By this mark everyone would recognize them!
It was like this right from the beginning. The believers in the first community in Jerusalem were so well-liked, “enjoying favor with all the people” because of their unity, that “every day” new people “were added to their number.” (See Acts 2:47; 4:32; 5:13.)
Even a few years later Tertullian, one of the first Christian writers, reported in his Apology what was said about the Christians: “Look at how they love one other, and how they are ready to give their lives for one another” (39:7). This was the fulfillment of what Jesus said:
«This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another»
Mutual love is therefore the “attire that ordinary Christians, old and young, men and women, married or not, adults and children, sick or healthy, can wear in order to shout out always and everywhere with their own lives the One they believe in, the One they want to love”.
In that unity, born from mutual love among the disciples of Jesus, there is a kind of mirror that makes visible the God whom he revealed as Love—the Church is the icon of the Trinity.
Today more than ever, this is the way to proclaim the Gospel message. A society often confused by too many messages seeks witnesses rather than teachers, it wants models rather than preachers. It is more easily engaged if it sees a Gospel that is lived out, that is able to create relationships, that is characterized by brotherhood and by love.
«This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another»
How then should we live this Word of Life? By keeping mutual love alive among us and forming “living cells” everywhere.
Chiara Lubich said, “If a city were set alight at various points… by the fire that Jesus brought on earth, and this fire, through the goodwill of the people who lived there, managed to resist the ice of the world, we would soon have the city aflame with the love of God. The fire that Jesus brought to earth is himself. It is charity: that love which not only binds the soul to God, but also souls to one another.
“Two or more people fused in the name of Christ—people who are not afraid or ashamed to declare explicitly to one another their desire to love God, but who actually make this unity in Christ their Ideal—are a divine power in the world.
“And in every city these souls could spring up in families: father and mother, son and father, mother and mother-in-law. They could meet in parishes, in associations, in social bodies, in schools, in offices, everywhere.
“It is not necessary for them to be saints already, or Jesus would have said so. It is enough for them to be united in the name of Christ and to never go back on this unity. Naturally, they will not remain two or three for very long, for charity spreads of itself and grows by enormous proportions.
“Every small cell, set alight by God in any point of the earth, will necessarily spread, and Providence will distribute these flames, these souls on fire, wherever it thinks fit, so that the world in many places may be restored to the warmth of the love of God, and hope again”.
By Fabio Ciardi and Gabriella Fallacara
(more…)
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Apr 18, 2007 | Non categorizzato
The project consists in recuperating computers dismissed by public and private bodies, in order to distribute them to schools, libraries and other institutions that do not have the means of purchasing new ones. In order to carry out this project, the Economic Development Minister and the Bank of Brazil Foundation elected Afago Centre as partner, for its seriousness in the job carried out in favour of the less well-to-do persons. Objective: overcoming of the technological gap – President Luiz Inacio Lula, at the inauguration of the Centre, underlined that the access to knowledge permits the reduction of social differences: “It is cheaper to build schools, than prisons,” he affirmed, while committing himself to equip all public schools with a broad band internet connection by the end of 2010. Present at the inauguration, besides President Lula and his wife, there was also tbe Minister of Economic Development, Paulo Bernardo, the Governor of the Bank of Brazil, Jacques Penna, the Federal District President of Brazilia, members of the federal government, aside from journalists of the most important Brazilian newspapers and TV networks. During the visit at the Afago Centre, President Lula spent some time with various young volunteers of the Centre, some of whom have been helped since infancy by “support at a distance,” carried out by Afago Centre in collaboration with New Families. “While conversing with R. for some minutes – Lula said – I understood that he will always be a man with a great soul, ready to help others because he has learnt to do so since childhood, thanks his insertion into a community.” What is the Afago Centre? – In 1990’s, while facing the serious situation of the street children, and with the concurrence of the launching of the “Adoptions at a distance” by the New Families, also known as the “Support at a distance,” the Afago-Df association was constituted. Presently, this association helps 220 children and adolescents, with ages varying from 4 to 14 years, who attend regularly the Centre and can make use of the canteen, and runs activities in education, computer science and sports.
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Apr 15, 2007 | Non categorizzato
More than 11,000 people, from all over Europe, will come together at the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle. The event will be linked by satellite with simultaneous meetings in many European cities. It is an event that testifies to something new in European history; a journey of fellowship which is growing all the time, among movements, communities and associations of various Churches, that stretches like a network across the whole continent from the Atlantic to the Urals. It aims to offer to Europe the experience of a “people”, a foretaste of unity lived in diversity. In the midst of the social, cultural, political and spiritual challenges that Europe faces at this time, “Together for Europe 2007” aims to witness, above all through experience, to the continual light that comes from living the Gospel in various situations: in the family; in cities that are increasingly multicultural and multifaith; in economics; in politics; with the poor and “new poor”; and in ecology. The meeting “Together for Europe” will be preceded and prepared by the Congress “TOGETHER, ON THE WAY”, for leaders and their fellow workers, from the movements and communities. It will also take place in Stuttgart, from May 10-11, 2007
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Apr 4, 2007 | Focolare Worldwide
Thirty-five projects in twenty-nine countries of the world, and 1,847 bursaries given over five years. A network of sharing has come to life at a global level, among “Schoolmates”- school friends at a distance. This is a project of Teens for Unity, of the Focolare Movement, which is reaching more schools each year. In 2006, 455 bursaries were awarded. What is Schoolmates? With this project, Teens for Unity promote a network of relationships among schools. Classes from different countries write to one another, to share their talents and their culture, language, traditions, and their current projects for a more united world. A solidarity fund provides bursaries for courses for children in less developed countries. The commitment: Any class or group that wants to join Schoolmates, must commit itself to living the Golden Rule, “to do to others what you would have them do to you, and not do to others, what you wouldn’t want them to do to you”, to start correspondence with other classes or groups, and support bursaries for studies. A class can commit itself to one bursary per year, with each child who takes part giving 1 euro per month. The contribution can come either from personal savings, or from the involvement of the whole class in various activities depending on the creativity of the children. Eagerly awaited activities each year are the Spring Fairs. In 2007 there are 30 projects in 26 countries. Here we take a closer look at some of them. In recent years, the lack of resources and of a national programme have resulted in the collapse of the Albanian school system. The most serious problems are low salaries for teachers, and the lack of teaching materials and suitable buildings. The project aims to give the poorest children the opportunity of completing compulsory schooling, and to take professional courses to improve their prospects and to contribute as adults to the life of their nation. See the project at: http://school-mates.org/progetti/main_albania_ita.html 
In Bandra the “queen of suburbs” of Mumbai, support for the most marginalized children. There are 20 million inhabitants in Mumbai, and the continual process of urbanisation has led to the formation of enormous slums where masses of people, attracted to the city by the possibility of earning minimal wages, live in extreme poverty. Before school starts, the slum children go to work in order to earn something, and are tired out by the time they arrive. Although they study hard, in those conditions they often fail. At present there are 16 bursaries in action to enable the recipients to finish their studies and find a decent job in the future. See the project at: http://school-mates.org/progetti/main_india_bandra_ita.html 
To improve school attendance in Albania.
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Apr 4, 2007 | Senza categoria
At the nineth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mk 15:34) 
Jesus Forsaken! You teach us the highest, divine, heroic lesson about love. So that we might have Light, you made yourself “darkness” So that God might dwell in us, you felt him far away. So that we might possess wisdom, you made yourself “ignorance” So that we might have life, you experienced death. So that we might be clothed with innocence, you made yourself “sin”. So that we might hope, you almost felt desperation. So that Heaven might be ours, you felt forsaken. Jesus Forsaken! You give us the certainty, that, by living you again, each one of us can, in our own corner of the world, give that necessary and decisive start to the change that humanity awaits, shining the light of the resurrection there. Chiara Lubich
