[:it]50° Città Nuova: città in dialogo, città della fraternità[:fr]50° anniversaire de Città Nuova : villes en dialogue, villes de la fraternité
[:it]CHIESA-COMUNIONE. Paolo VI e Giovanni Paolo II ai Vescovi amici del Movimento dei Focolari, Città Nuova Editrice, Roma 2002
[:it]Nuova Umanità – Marzo-Aprile 2006
“Share the riches of your own spirituality to generate fresh vigor in Christian life in Latin America”
“Fraternally share the riches of your own spirituality and experiences to generate fresh vigor in Christian life in this part of the world, where the Church pins many of its future hopes.” This was the invitation addressed by Benedict XVI, in a message signed by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, to the participants of the 1st Meeting of ecclesial movements and new communities in Latin America. The meeting, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Latin American bishops’ council (CELAM), reflected on the theme: “Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ Today.” The experience in Bogotà was one of communion and mutual esteem among the different charisms which brought to light the particular gift that each movement or ecclesial community is for the Church and humanity. The solemn concluding Mass was a thanksgiving to God for all that had been accomplished during those days. Aside from the President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and his collaborators, the participants of the Meeting included the head of the CELAM, the members of the Bishops’ Conference preparations committee of CELAM, a Bishop-delegate representing each of the Latin American episcopal conferences and the directors of the different movements and new communities present in the Latin American continent. The representatives of the Focolare Movement included Cristina Calvo (Argentina), who spoke during the round-table discussions on “Ecclesial movements and new communities: the creativity of love,” referencing the Economy of Communion; and Sandra Ferreira (Brazil), who participated in the Forum entitled, “Ecclesial movements and new communities: how Christ’s new disciples are generated and formed.” The Bogotà meeting served to reinforce the ecclesial movements and new communities’ awareness of their mission to contribute to the evangelization of the many spheres of social life. The experience made in this first continental meeting will be brought to the next meeting of the Bishops’ conference, (which is centered on this same theme) as the particular contribution of movements and new communities. Meanwhile, in Europe preparations are under way for the large worldwide meeting of the ecclesial movements and new communities with Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Square on June 3, 2006 – a follow-up of the first historic encounter with Pope John Paul II on the Vigil of Pentecost 1998.
Not only health care, but holistic personal attention
Ayubu, 42 years old, lives in Akum, Cameroon. His job is raffia bag-making, a craft which is typical of his village. “When I was told that I had AIDS, I felt like a dead man walking. I was two persons at the same time: one was already dead, and the other was a body in motion. Then I was invited to the Club. To my surprise, I saw a lot of people in my own situation, who laughed and talked as if they were normal. Little by little, I came back to life: I wasn’t two persons anymore but one. I became alive again. Even my bags are selling and I am now learning how to create ceramics.” The “Club” Ayubu talks about is one of the support groups for AIDS patients, promoted by the Focolare Movement in Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This network of “Clubs” in the different districts treats each patient according to a global approach, sustaining the patient, his/her family and other people at risk. The project has been integrated with UN projects. At the XIVth World Conference on AIDS held in Barcelona last July 7-12,2002, the results obtained by the project were presented, namely, the building up of diffusive, self-sufficient, low-cost social welfare networks in local communities. These results were also published in the Conference Proceedings as one of the “Interventions and programmes for improvement.” How the idea was born – The project began in 1992 in a mission hospital in Nigeria, under the guidance of two doctors and a nun who realized that in order to control the spread of the disease and avoid marginalizing those who are afflicted, it was not sufficient to follow the hospital protocol for AIDS patients. The collaboration of health care personnel, family members, schoolteachers, local authorities and traditional healers was necessary to help create a sense of brotherhood and acceptance around HIV-positive persons. Here is the experience of one of the pioneers, Spanish doctor Fernando Rico Gonzales: “For various reasons, in particular due to lack of formation and information, HIV-positive persons often refuse to accept their diagnosis. The deep and hopeless suffering I saw in many of these people led me to talk about this right away with my patients and ask them if they would like to meet with others like them, so that they can help one another with their common problems.” From Nigeria, the experience was repeated in other African countries. Today, around a hundred people are linked to the club of Akum and Bali in Cameroon, including about 20 children. Patients in more serious condition are cared for and visited in their homes. These “clubs” are supported by the NGO “Azione per un mondo unito” (AMU) (tr. “Action for a United world = AMU). To date, €16.048,24 have been raised. The annual budget requires approximately €18.600. Donations to AMU – Azione per un Mondo Unito may be named to the “Bamenda Project.” from Amu Notizie issues 1/2004 – 2/2005 and 4/2005, and Living City issue 5/2005
[:it]Intervista della Radio Vaticana all’Arcivescovo Mons. Rylko
[:it]Un atto di verità … e gli opposti si riconciliano
Chiara Lubich's commentary on the Word of life of March 2006
“To live” the truth? We “learn” the truth; we “speak” the truth…. But for Jesus, truth is “lived out.” Jesus always takes us by surprise.
Even Nicodemus, a Rabbi and a member of the Sanhedrin, was surprised. He had gone to ask Jesus how one could enter into the Kingdom of God. Jesus replied that he would have to be reborn, that is, he would have to accept the new life that Jesus had come to bring on earth and to allow himself to be inwardly transformed by it to the point of becoming a son of God and thus enter into his very world. Salvation, rather than being a human accomplishment, is a gift from on High.
Nicodemus, who came to see Jesus at night, in the darkness, went away full of light.
«Whoever lives the truth comes to the light.»
This Word of Life is an invitation to act in conformity with the truth, in harmony with the Gospel. It asks us to be people who are “doers of the word and not hearers only” (Jas 1:22; see 1 Jn 3:18). One of the Fathers of the Church, Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, said that “there is nothing about the Word of God that cannot be lived out: everything that is said in it needs to be put into practice. The Words of God are decrees” (PL 9,295).
Our faith and our moral behavior are closely linked together.
In Jesus, as clearly appears in his intense discourse with Nicodemus, the light, the life and the love he lived out all coincide. So too they should coincide in those who accept him and become, in him, sons of God. Another Father of the Church, Clement of Alexandria, wrote: “Those who obey the Lord and because of him live their lives according to Scripture will then be fully transformed in the image of the Teacher: he or she will make it to live like God on earth” (PG 9,539C).
The same coherence is asked of those who do not profess a specific religious creed. The deep convictions that conscience dictates require that they be translated into deeds.
«Whoever lives the truth comes to the light.»
The result of living out the truth is to come to the light, “to accept Christ.” Jesus promised us: “Whoever loves me… I will reveal myself to him” (Jn 14:21). He is the “true light” (Jn 1:9).
But the result of living out the truth is also the witness that radiates beyond ourselves and into that area of society we live and work in. Jesus had already said this when he invited us to make our light “shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:16).
A consistent life is more eloquent than any speech. Children ask that their parents practice what they preach: they want them to be united, to be intent on maintaining and consolidating the harmony in their family. Citizens expect consistency in the political leaders they have elected: that they be faithful to their campaign promises, that they be effectively concerned about the common good, and that they be honest in their administration of financial resources. Students ask their teachers to be consistent in their obligations to teach and to educate. Honesty, transparency, competence are all elements that are asked of people in business, in professions, and in every kind of work.
Society is built up and improved also through the witness of consistency between the ideals we profess and the practical choices we make each day.
«Whoever lives the truth comes to the light.»
This is the experience of people like Nelson Mandela, who remained steadfast in his quest for equality, enduring many difficult years in prison, only to emerge victorious as his nation’s leader, and of people like Martin Luther King, Jr., who paid with his very life for living out what he believed.
This is also the experience of many men and women who remain unknown but are no less authentic and heroic in the choices they make. For instance, this was the case of a small business owner who was asked to accept an illegal bid in exchange for new supplies. He opted to remain faithful to his principles. It was a difficult decision, for he made it with the full awareness that by being honest, he risked losing a large part of his sales. In fact, the merchandise chain that sold his products held back its orders, bringing his business to the brink of bankruptcy. After a few months, however, the merchandise chain was forced to backtrack on its decision because so many shoppers had complained when they no longer found the small business products on the shelves. A consistent way of life was rewarded.
Chiara Lubich
[:it]Al fisico Ugo Amaldi il Premio Renata Borlone[:es]Al físico Ugo Amaldi el Premio Renata Borlone[:pt]O físico Ugo Amaldi recebe o Prêmio Renata Borlone
[:it]“Noi e l’Islam”
A world without poverty, Christian identity and religious plurality
A world without poverty, Christian identity and religious plurality
have been among the themes of the 9th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches which took place in Brazil, Porto Alegre, 14-23 February 2006
20/02/2006
The World Council of Churches’ strategy to promote economic justice, a world without poverty, Christian identity and religious plurality was the central topic dealt with in the 9th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches, which took place in Porto Alegre (Brazil) from February 14 to 23. The Assembly met under an auspicious title: “God, in your grace, transform the world.”
The participants numbered 4,000 and included delegations from the 347 member Churches of WCC which have a total following of 550 million faithful (Protestants, Anglicans and Orthodox).
A Catholic delegation also attended the Assembly, guided by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for promoting Christian Unity. During the opening of the Assembly, he read the message of the Pope which re-affirms the commitment “to seek ways to cooperate ever more effectively in the task of witnessing to God’s divine love.” Joan Back (from the “Centro Uno,” Focolare center for ecumenical dialogue) was part of the delegation. Though not a member of WCC, the Catholic Church nevertheless offers its collaboration through the meetings of a joint working group between the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC, and through the commitment to carry out joint projects.
During the plenary on “economic justice,” various experiences of church alternatives to the present economic system were shared. Vera Araujo, Brazilian sociologist, presented the Economy of Communion project, initiated by the Focolare Movement 15 years ago.
The leaders of the various Churches expressed their concern about the “increasing inequality, the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, and the destruction that is threatening our planet – all problems which are aggravated by the scandal of poverty in the South, that is now expanding to the North.” Such statements were offered vigorously in the Appeal composed by the “Justice, peace and creation” Commission, and explain the reason behind the choice of the Assembly logo: “Gathered at Porto Alegre, the place where the World Social Forum was held, we are encouraged by the constructive and positive message” launched by those Movements “which tell us that there are other possible solutions.”
[:it]Sports4Peace in Austria
[:it]Il progetto “Sport, Peace & Development”
Sports, medals and peace
Michael Walchhofer, born in Radstadt, Austria on April 28, 1975, is an Alpine skier. At the Winter Olympics 2006 in Turin, Italy he won the silver medal in downhill freestyle. Walchhofer, who skied in 10th position, remained in the lead for a long time, but in the end he was beaten by seventy-two one-hundredths of a second by Frenchman, Antoine Deneriaz, the 30th skier. Walchhofer made his Alpine skiing debut in the 1999 World Cup series. In the same season he became the Europa Cup winner. He gained his first victory in the World Cup at the combined event in Kitzbühel, Austria in 2003. At the Alpine Skiing World Championship in St. Moritz, Switzerland in 2003, he won the gold medal in downhill freestyle; in 2005 he won the bronze plus a silver in the Super-Giant Slalom. In the 2004-2005 seasons, he was adjudged World Cup champion in downhill freestyle. On several occasions, Michael Walchhofer has openly expressed that what matters most to him – even more than his successful sports career – is his values. Speaking of his family, he said, “The birth of my first daughter was a more touching experience than the highest sports success I have ever achieved.” His tenacious yet approachable manner makes him not only pleasant but also a model for the young. His victory was a great joy for us because he was one of the supporters of Sports4Peace, a sport-oriented project of the Focolare Movement for teen-agers, within its vaster Lifestyle4Peace Project which the Teens for Unity of Austria are promoting in collaboration with Sportmeet, the worldwide network of sportsmen, sportswomen and sports operators who practice sport as an important and positive aspect of their personal life and the life of other people, and draw inspiration from their desire to contribute to building a more united world also through sports.
50 years with Città Nuova
In this, our era of globalization, media plays a crucial role. It is not by chance that we speak of “a society of information” that covers the globe. It is a fascinating epoch which is calling everyone’s attention – no one excluded – to the need for a new kind of dialogue among people, nations, cultures and religions. It is precisely in this epoch that God has brought about the charism of unity to contribute to the fulfillment of Jesus’ priestly prayer, “That all may be one.” Città Nuova, one of our first initiatives and the publication that has linked us together since the time of its birth in 1956, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. 
We cannot help but think of the first mimeographed issues distributed in the valley of Primiero (Trent, Italy), and the joy of the participants in the Mariapolis (which means “city of Mary”) upon receiving the copies. Città Nuova, modest though it was, was the expression of this city. We cannot help but remember its pioneers, firstly, Fr. Pasquale Foresi, then Bruna Tommasi, Vitaliano Bulletti, Gino Lubich, and later on, Igino Giordani, Spartaco Lucarini and Guglielmo Bosselli. Through the decades, the magazine has acquired a dignity all its own, evidenced by the fact that it is published in 37 editions and in 22 languages worldwide. Città Nuova, therefore, is part of the process of globalization. In fact, in some way, it was a forerunner to this process. No one more than the Holy Spirit knows the urgent needs, questions, and problems of humanity, is able to reveal God’s plans for today’s world. Now, the charism embodied by the Focolare Movement comes from the Spirit; this has been repeatedly recognized in the Church by the last five Popes. Therefore, Città Nuova, which is an expression of the Focolare, has something valid to say to many people. Why then has it remained a “small” magazine? Perhaps it is because it has its own distinctive traits; it does not bother to follow the trends that come and go. It is not an entertainment magazine, just one of the many illustrated periodicals in the news-stands. Città Nuova would like to present itself as an organ of opinion to those who, in one way or another, share its ideals of peace, justice, freedom, and truth. How does the magazine respond to the needs of humanity today in the civic, social and ecclesial spheres? In the religious arena, the magazine announces, helps, supports and spreads one of the Church’s current options, indicated by John Paul II in the Novo millenio ineunte: to make the Church-as-communion a reality, through the spirituality of communion. In the civic and social spheres, Città Nuova tries to adequately respond to a new longing of our day, on the heels of recent wars and the upsurge of terrorism: the world is longing for brotherhood. If we look at our own cities, what people yearn for today, what draws their attention is precisely this “new city”; a city where brotherhood reigns making us brothers and sisters to one another, beyond every division. Città Nuovawants to build fraternity, an instrument of dialogue at all levels, an instrument of communion and unity. (from Città Nuova no. 1/06)
[:it]“Non vedo l’ora che arrivi il giovedì”
The “Social Welfare Club of Akum and Bali”
On the outskirts of Bamenda, a small town situated in western Cameroon, almost at the border with Nigeria, there are many villages without any doctor. There are however health centers: small structures with about 50 beds, run by religious order priests or nuns and members of lay associations and coordinated by one or more dioceses. The desire to do something more for AIDS patients, and thus break through the isolation created by prejudice and mistaken beliefs, lies at the root of the “Social Welfare Club of Akum and Bali” experience. In the few months following its opening, 25 HIV-positive persons offered to collaborate with the visiting physician by welcoming other people in their same situation. Together with the women religious and lay people who run the Center, they then founded two clubs where the patients could meet weekly. These regular meetings are at the heart of this project: occasions where members can share their experiences of life, reflect, and – for those who are able to – work together. At Akum, the meetings take place every Thursday. They start at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast together where, when available, nourishing food is offered. For example, for four months now, there is a supply of fresh milk (a rarity in those parts), and wholemeal bread. The patients interconnect in a very simple way, with moments for spiritual reflection (the groups include Muslims and Christians, Catholics and Presbyterians), as well as moral and psychological support through the sharing of experiences, hopes and needs pertinent to their respective life situations. A part of the time is also dedicated to small handicraft activities or gardening – modest jobs, but which are very important because they allow the people to feel part of the society around them, to earn a living, and to get nourishment and medicine. In the small clinic at Akum, 296 cases of AIDS were diagnosed in one year. Recent decreases in the cost of medical care have encouraged many people to undergo check-ups. With early diagnosis there is greater hope for a more effective treatment plan.
[:it]«Educazione e solidarietà» e «I tesori di Gibì e Doppiaw»
[:it]Strade di solidarietà aperte a tutti
[:it]Nuova Umanità – Gennaio-Febbraio 2006
[:it]L’Islam che non fa paura
The crucified and forsaken Christ: countenance of God who is Love, and pathway for humanity
Bishop-Friends of the Focolare Movement are holding their 30th meeting, centered on spirituality, at Castelgandolfo from February 11-17, with 100 participants from all over the world. As a group the Bishops met for the first time with Pope Benedict XVI during the General Audience on Wednesday, February 15. The meeting, which is promoted by Card. Miloslav Vlk, Archbishop of Prague, focuses on the encyclical, “Deus caritas est,” a subject which has been deepened particularly through a commentary offered by Card. Ennio Antonelli, Archbishop of Florence. Following Pope Benedict XVI’s line of thought, the themes are centered on Jesus crucified as the wellspring and model of love, with particular attention to the abandonment, that aspect of Jesus’ suffering which is so difficult to understand and yet is so close to the people of our times, as Chiara Lubich brings to light in the spirituality of unity. Other topics of interest are the evangelization of the youth; collaboration among the ecclesial movements in view of the forthcoming gathering, to be held in St. Peter’s Square at the invitation of the Pope, on the Feast of Pentecost this year; the opportunities ahead for spiritual ecumenism. These topics are developed also through life experiences to be shared by priests, lay people and the bishops themselves. The liturgical celebrations are entrusted to a different group of bishops each day, according to their respective continents. These moments, together with those dedicated to fraternal sharing of insights and experiences, are animated by the participants’ desire to re-live the atmosphere of the Cenacle, where the Apostles were gathered as one soul around Mary, the Mother of our Lord. For the Bishops who have participated in this meeting, this 30-year experience has been a stimulus to discover ever-new spaces for communion. It has also been a source of encouragement to travel with optimism, together with their respective diocesan communities, along the roads of dialogue, in their efforts to be a leaven of reconciliation and peace in the midst of so many conflicts. The aim of the Bishops’ meeting is to make an ever deeper experience of spiritual sharing and brotherhood among Bishops. It was started in 1977 by the late Bishop Klaus Hemmerle of Aachen (Germany). It was then blessed immediately by the encouragement given by Pope Paul VI and later by Pope John Paul II. These meetings are inspired by the spirituality of unity, by which they aim to put into practice and promote the “spirituality of communion” that Pope Wojtyla had repeatedly proposed to the People of God, and to Bishops in particular.
Prayer: breath of the soul that makes us brothers and sisters
It is from prayer that I draw the strength to live for a united world, and overcome the conflicts and injustices that are part of daily life. There is much hatred in the world, yet in different places, people actively seek peace, holding public manifestations, prayer vigils and through fasting. If we base our lives on the law of love, we can bear witness to the fact that brotherhood is attainable and that it is possible for different peoples to live together.
I am 18 years old. I come from Somalia and I am a Muslim. I have been living in Italy for 17 years now.
My family and I are part of a group of Christians and Muslims who meet together to dialogue and exchange life experiences in an atmosphere of brotherhood.
Some time ago, I was invited to attend a meeting in Rome with Muslims who want to live for a united world. I still remember those very beautiful and profound days with people who came from all over to discuss equality and mutual respect among religions, and about peaceful living together.
I also remember Chiara Lubich’s words: “So that good may triumph over evil, there has to be a common effort to create all over the globe that universal brotherhood in God which the whole of humanity is called to fulfill. Brotherhood which, alone, can be the soul, the springboard, for a more just sharing of goods among peoples and nations.
From this meeting, I learned new ways of sharing peace with everyone. For example, our neighbor who lives in the apartment below us often used to come and knock indignantly at our door because we are a large and lively family. We calmly explained to him that we have two small children and we have tried our best to solve the problem by keeping quiet at night. To reach out to him with love, we brought him a little food, or some meat, whenever we have it.
Another experience: during our Italian lesson, our professor once mentioned some very negative things about Islam which were not true. I did not react aggressively; I merely explained to her that Islam considers “peace” as one of its pillars, and that one of its greatest values is the freedom to follow God’s law. When I finished, she said, “Thanks to you, now I understand. I realized I do not know your religion very well.”
(N.A. – Italy)
February 2006
What a full day Jesus had that Saturday in the city of Capernaum! He spoke in the synagogue and he astonished everyone with his teaching. He freed a man from an unclean spirit. After leaving the synagogue he went to Simon and Andrew’s house where he healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Then in the evening after sunset, all the sick and the possessed were brought to him and he healed many of those afflicted with various illnesses and expelled many demons (see Mk 1:21-24).
After having spent a whole day and night in such intense activities, Jesus got up while it was still dark and left the house before daybreak.
«…he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed»
He yearned for the life of heaven. He had come from there to reveal the love of God to us, to open up the way to heaven for us, to share in every aspect of our lives. He had journeyed along the roads of Palestine to teach the crowds, to cure diseases and illnesses of every kind, and to form his disciples.
But the life-giving power that flowed like “rivers of living water from within him” (Jn 7:37-38), came from his constant relationship with the Father. He and the Father know each other and love each other; they are in each other, for they are one (see Jn 10:15,30,38).
The Father is “Abba,” which means “daddy,” the dad he could turn to with infinite trust and boundless love.
«…he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed»
Since the Son of God came on earth for us, he was not content to be the only one to enjoy this privileged relationship in prayer. By dying for us and redeeming us, he made us sons and daughters of God, his brothers and sisters.
Therefore we too can use his divine invocation, “Abba, Father,” with all that comes with it: certainty of his protection, security, blind trust in his love, divine consolation, strength and ardor – the ardor that is born in a heart that is sure that it is loved.
Once we have entered into the silence of the “inner room” (Mt 6:6), the inner space of our soul, we can then converse with him, adore him, declare our love for him, thank him, ask him to forgive us, entrust to him all our needs and humanity’s too, as well as our dreams and hopes. What can’t we say to someone we know loves us immensely and who can do anything?
We can also speak with the Word, with Jesus. Above all, we can heed his voice and allow him to repeat his words to us: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” (Mk 6:50), “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). He also invites us with words such as: “Come, follow me” (Mt 19:21), “I say to you, [forgive] not seven times but seventy-seven times” (Mt 18:22), “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (Mt 7:12).
These conversations can be extended, or they can be brief and frequent moments throughout the day, almost like a glance of love in his direction, whispering to him for example: “You are my only good” (see Ps 16:2), “This act of mine is for you.”
We cannot do without prayer. We cannot live without breathing, and praying is the breathing of the soul, the expressing of our love for God.
After such moments of recollection with him, moments of communion and love, we will come away refreshed and ready to face our daily lives with new strength and confidence. It will also help us build a more authentic relationship with others and with the world.
«…he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed»
“If we do not close the shutters of our soul by recollecting ourselves, you, Lord, would not be able to keep company with us as your love sometimes would want to. But once we have set everything else aside in order to recollect ourselves in you, we would never want to turn back, for so sweet to the soul is union with You and so fleeting all the rest.
“Those who sincerely love you often feel you, Lord, in the silence of their rooms, in the depths of their hearts, and this sensation moves their souls each time as if they were touched to the core. And they thank you for being so close to them, for being everything for them, for being the one who gives meaning to their living and their dying.
“They thank you, but often they do not know how, or what to say. They only know that you love them and that they love you, and that there is no sweeter thing on this earth that comes even close to this feeling. What they feel in their soul when you appear is Heaven, and they say: ‘If Heaven is like this, oh, how beautiful it will be!’
“They thank you, Lord, for their entire lives, for having brought them up to this point. And even if shadows still exist on the outside that could darken their paradise here on earth, when you manifest yourself all these other things seem remote and distant: they no longer exist.
“You exist.
“That is how it is.”
Chiara Lubich
Politics: the city as the place for accepting the challenge of brotherhood
The theme: “The city as the place for accepting the challenge of brotherhood,” led politicians, administrators, public officials and citizens of the city and province of 
Verona to pose the question: what is the meaning of their political experience. This reflection on the significance and consequences of brotherhood in city life was offered during a meeting with a public belonging to different parties, of the most varied political tendencies.
The subject was addressed also through a video-taped address given by Chiara Lubich in June, 2001 in the city of Trent, Italy. “Brotherhood – Chiara said – is not an external adjunct to political reflection and practice; rather, it can be considered as the soul with which we should face today’s problems.” After the video presentation, two experiences on how brotherhood can be practiced even in politics were shared.
The participants expressed the difficulties encountered by one who practices such a value in the complex and conflictual political world, where a person easily loses the original spirit of service to the common good.
Nonetheless, the life experiences shared by those who, for some time now, have been gearing their efforts in this direction, as well as the comments contributed by other participants, strengthened the hope that a more peaceful climate of collaboration can actually be created in the city’s political sector.
The meeting offered a small sign that wherever there is room for the aspects of dialogue and listening, it is possible to create the conditions favorable to a political experience based on brotherhood.
(taken from Lino Cattabianchi’s article, published in L’Arena, February 6, 2006)
Dialogue in the spirit of brotherhood: a challenge to the society of tomorrow
Building up a culture of unity in diversity, to contribute to the unity of the human family: this was not merely a proposal but an actual experience for 250 Christians, Jews, Muslims and representatives of other religions who were present at the Forum held at the Focolare Movement’s “Unity” meeting center “at Rotselaar, near Louvain, Belgium. Dialogue is the road to survival – Albert Guigui, Grand Rabbi of Brussels, cited the biblical narrative of Cain and Abel to emphasize that absence of communication is often the source of conflict. He also addressed the issue of religious fanaticism, saying that a believer is one who puts himself at God’s service while a fanatic is one who puts God at his service. Opposed to fanaticism is the attitude of welcoming the other as he or she is, and not as we would like him or her to be. “Dialogue is the road to survival,” the Grand Rabbi forcefully affirmed. We must go on pursuing the dialogue of the people – Mohammed Boulif, consultant in Muslim economic affairs, underscored the importance of giving preference to what unites us so as to reach deeper knowledge and mutual enrichment. In these dynamics, sincerity is a must. In his address, Mr. Boulif recalled that some of his Algerian Muslim friends have re-discovered in a very deep manner – thanks to their contacts with the Christians of Focolare –their sense of religiosity. He thus underscored the importance of “the dialogue of the people,” as something to be pursued “in a permanent way.” The keys to dialogue – Paul Lemarié of the Focolare Movement’s international Center for Interreligious Dialogue shared highlights of his 25-year experience in Algeria and in other Middle East countries where his contacts with Muslims and Jews had helped him re-discover certain aspects of his Catholic faith. Paradoxically, therefore, interreligious dialogue reinforces one’s own creed as it opens one to the creed of the other. Lemarié then explained how the keys to dialogue can be found in the evangelical art of loving. This “art” is a kind of love that urges a person to take the initiative in loving, to consider the other person as his/her other self, and to love unconditionally and concretely. It is a demanding art that requires constant training; it puts dialogue on such an elevated plane that it is rendered fruitful and always open to new horizons.
Education to dialogue to prevent fundamentalism – The forum participants were particularly moved by the stories shared by a group of children from St. Joseph’s School of Uccle (Brussels), who organized a large gathering of Jewish, Muslim and Christian children in March, 2005. Communicate – dialogue – know – love were the steps they indicated to everyone so as to reach true dialogue. Their experience, which was referred to during the round-table discussion that followed, underscored the point that education to dialogue can (Rotselaar, January 29, 2006)
[:it]“Dio è amore”: una nuova speranza per il mondo
“Klaus Hemmerle Award” to eminent ecumenist, Lutheran Bishop Christian Krause
The award named after Bishop Klaus Hemmerle was conferred this year on Lutheran Bishop Christian Krause, during the ceremony held on January 20 at the imperial dome of Aquisgrana. For Christian Krause, it was particularly significant to receive the award since, as he commented, “This award touches my heart in a special way because it commemorates an exceptional person: Klaus Hemmerle.” This is the second time the award has been given to commemorate the deceased Bishop of Aquisgrana, a pioneer of ecumenical life in the German Church and at the same time, a great theologian linked to the Focolare Movement where, he said, he had found his “vital sap”. The first awardee was jewish Prof. Ernst-Ludwig Ehrlich. Bishop Krause, second awardee, is an eminent exponent of world Lutheranism and a dedicated ecumenist. A good friend of Hemmerle, Krause was a bridge-builder in different situations. In 1971 he was called to direct a large project of the Lutheran World Federation in favor of refugees in Tanzania. From 1972 to 1985, he was entrusted with the foreign relations of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Germany. While holding this office, and successively as secretary-general of the “Evangelical Church Day (1985-1994), he has dedicated his time and talents to ecumenism and solidarity on a world scale. He established profound ties of friendship with many Christians all over the world, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The trust he had garnered was proven by his election as president of the Lutheran World Federation during the world meeting held in Hong Kong in 1997, shortly after his consecration as Bishop of the regional church of Braunschweig. It was in such role that he later signed the Augsburg Joint Declaration on the doctrine of justification, together with Roman Catholic Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, in 1999. Today, Bishop Krause is the director of the Lutheran Center of Wittenburg, the city where Luther’s Reformation began in 1517. This center is inspired by the idea of giving to the ever-growing “Lutheran tourism” “a spiritual, ecumenical and world-wide dimension.” Krause’s wish for the future of the Lutheran Church is that a new relationship may develop between the hierarchy and spiritual and charismatic movements. “This could give rise to a totally new comprehension of the Church,” he said. His ecumenical inspiration is that of Klaus Hemmerle: “We must learn, at all levels, to become friends and treat one another as such.” (by Joachim Schwind – Città Nuova – no. 1/06)
Traveling together on the road to reconciliation
They have been married for almost 35 years now, with three grown-up daughters and a grandson. The wife is Catholic, and the husband Evangelical Lutheran. Thirty-five years ago, it certainly was not easy to live as a couple belonging to two different Churches.
E. : I grew up in a small Catholic village. When I was pursuing my studies as an elementary school teacher, my eyes were suddenly opened to the division among the different confessions. I was then living in Nuremburg where there was an Evangelical university specializing in education. At that time, there was a rigid division between Catholic and Evanglical schools. To avoid the risk of not finding a job, I had to look for a Catholic university and transfer to Eichstätt, another city.
P. : I spent my childhood at Ochsenfurt along the Main River (Germany). We Evangelicals were living in the diaspora, and we had no contacts at all with the Catholic parish. At the end of the 60s, I took a specialization course in Munich on differentiated schools.
E. : I was there taking the same course, and that was how we met and started seeing each other. At the beginning, we avoided the idea of forming a family. Our respective Churches then kept us on guard against “mixed” marriages.
By coincidence, I received an invitation from a friend to travel to Rome. I read the invitation hastily thinking it was for tourism, and I decided to go. I found myself in an ecumenical meeting of “Centro Uno,” the ecumenical center of the Focolare Movement. I did not know anything about what was going on, and in the beginning I was not enthusiastic at all. But then Chiara Lubich’s explanation of Jesus’ words in St. Matthew’s Gospel, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18,20) struck me. It did not say, “Where two or three Catholics…,” nor “Where two or three Evangelicals…,” but “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” I invited my friend to come with me to the next meeting.
P. : It was then that we found the courage to start a family together. I pledged to myself to love my wife’s Church as much as I love my own. Naturally, I too had my own difficulties in accepting typically Catholic forms of piety, such as when our daughters participated in the procession of “Corpus Domini,” proudly donning their white dresses. I joined them, but just out of sheer love for my family.
E. : For me it was something new and unusual to see him read from the Bible everyday, according to his Evangelical tradition. For a while I let him read alone, then – also for sheer love at the beginning – I kept him company. Now I can no longer do without it. Since the time we took Chiara Lubich’s meditation on Jesus in the midst as our own, we always finish the reading by promising each other to do everything to keep His presence among us. In spite of all our mistakes, limitations and weaknesses we try to maintain reciprocal love and start over and over again.
(E. and P. – Germany)
Not only aid, but friendship too
By January 16, 2006, the funds gathered by AMU for the Southeast Asian disaster has reached about € 1 million. The amount has been allotted mainly for projects in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India. Aside from the projects already under way, new projects are being studied for future implementation.
The funds were gathered from all over the world; in many cases, they came from the little that a large number of people could afford: for example, from children from Kenya, Colombia, Russia and many other countries where giving away just € 1 is already a great act of generosity.
Below is the report of Stephen Comazzi, AMU representative, who traveled to the site, a year after the Southeast Asian disaster:
I went to make an on-site visit to the different projects being carried out by our volunteers and collaborators in the area. I traveled with a group of European youth of the Focolare Movement who already had carried out AMU projects in favor of Indonesia.
They had started at Nias Island, south of Sumatra, where they had opened work camps to help rebuild a village and to animate a large number of activities for children. Then they proceeded to the province of Aceh, the hardest-stricken area, in the northern tip of Sumatra Island.
I was appalled by what I saw in Banda Aceh and in the nearby village of Lampuuk, where some Indonesian Focolare youth had lived for weeks with the local population to help out. Months after the disaster, a lot of things have changed, but remnants persist as a reminder of the extraordinary force of nature, such as a huge ship which the waves had carried from the sea up several kilometers inland, demolishing a whole neighborhood. Entire districts of Banda Aceh, like the village of Lampuuk, have turned into stagnant swamps, completely razed to the ground.
The entire population is Muslim, and our young collaborators have gained the people’s esteem and friendship, which expresses itself in small, caring gestures. A house offered to them free of charge – which has become a lodging for a large number of us – is an eloquent example. With AMU funds, a project to build fishing boats has been started at Lampuuk.
In Medan, the most spread out city of the island of Sumatra and one of the main cities of Indonesia, I got acquainted with AMU collaborators – Christian, Buddhist and Muslim youth who belong to the Focolare Movement. Their being together is already in itself an impressive living witness, not to mention the fact that not all of them are Indonesians; for example, there is J.P.W., a Malaysian student who has interrupted his university course for several months now in order to dedicate himself full-time to managing and organizing current activities as well as to helping his collaborators with visa procedures.
In the southern part of the province, just beyond the boundaries of Medan and Aceh, there are several fishing villages. Also the people here have become “friends” of our volunteers, and they welcomed us warmly at our arrival, with a banner from their newly-formed association called SILATURRAHMI (meaning, “everybody’s welcome”).
Our young Indonesian guides had already met them in their previous trips to this place, and had shared the few goods they had, and above all, listened to each person’s story, to the survivors’ accounts of suffering and bewilderment. Thanks to AMU funds, these young people returned subsequently, now equipped to organize the work of reconstruction and revival together with the villagers.
Still in Aceh province, in the villages of Blang Nibong and Padan Kasab, we personally saw how many fishing boats had been completed and how many are still under construction. The people of Blang Nibong were waiting for us to officially consign the first ten boats to beneficiaries chosen according to the number of members in the family (large families were given one boat while smaller families shared one boat) and according to the damages they had undergone. Our young guides attended the launching of one of the newly-built boats, after which we all went for an inaugural tour on the hot sea of Malacca.
I would say that this trip was indeed meaningful. It made us believe even more how important it is to work “with” the people, the grassroots, giving utmost value to listening and to sharing in their lives; one finds out soon that this listening and sharing becomes reciprocal.
(taken from the AMU NOTIZIE newsletter,no.4/2005)
Chiara Lubich's commentary on the Word of life of January 2006
“Emmanuel,” “God is with us!” This is the extraordinary news announced to us at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel (1:23). God has come to dwell among us through Jesus, the Emmanuel.
This Gospel then closes with an even greater and more astonishing promise: “I am with you always, until the end of the ge” (28:20).
The presence of God among us is not limited to a certain period in time, to Jesus’ physical presence on earth. He remains with us for all times.
How does he remain? Where can we find him?
We can find the answer right in the heart of Matthew’s Gospel, there where Jesus gives directives on how to live to his community, the Church. He spoke about it a number of times: he stated that the Church was founded on the rock of Peter; he envisioned it gathered together to meditate on his word and to celebrate the Eucharist. In this passage, however, he revealed to us its truest identity: the Church is his very presence among those who are united in his name.
We can always have him present among us. We can experience the living Church, for we can live out an experience of Church in its deepest essence, one that is life-giving.
«For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them»
If he, the Risen Lord, is the one who unites believers to him and to each other, making them one body, then every division in our families and our communities alters the countenance of the Church. Christ is not divided. A fragmented Church disfigures the face of Christ, rendering it unrecognizable.
This is true also for the relationships among the different Churches and ecclesial communities. The ecumenical journey has made us aware that “there is more that unites us than divides us.” Even though there are still certain doctrinal and ritual practices on which the Churches differ, “the Risen Lord lives in all of them and is the bond that unites us.”
To unite in the name of Jesus, to pray together, to get to know and share each other’s riches, to forgive each other – this is the way to overcome many divisions. These may seem like small initiatives to us, but nothing is small if it is done out of love. Jesus among us, “the source of our unity,” will show us “the way to become the instruments of unity that God desires.”
This is how the international Committee of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity expressed themselves in proposing this “word of life,” which was written by an ecumenical group in Dublin. Indeed, each year we have all been living the same “word of life” during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity since 1968. This is a sign of hope for our common journey towards the full and visible unity among Churches.
«For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them»
But what does it mean to be united in the name of Jesus?
It means to be united in him, in his will. We know that his deepest desire, his own commandment, is that there be mutual love among us. So, wherever there are two or more people ready to love each other in this way, ready to set aside all things in order to merit his presence, everything around them changes. Jesus can then enter into their homes, into their work places and schools, and into their congresses and stadiums, and he can transform them.
His presence will shed new light on problems; it will give creative strength to resolve personal and social dilemmas; it will give people courage to remain faithful to the most arduous decisions; and it will be leaven for all the different fields of human endeavor.
His spiritual but real presence will be alive in our families, among workers at the factory, the mechanic shop, the construction side; he will be present among farmers in the fields, among shopkeepers and civil servants, and in every environment.
When Jesus lives in our midst because of mutual love, a love that is declared and constantly renewed, he will make his presence felt anew in this world and will free it from its trappings. And then the Holy Spirit will open up new roads for us.
«For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them»
Given our experience, we can, with gratitude to God, attest to the truth of what I wrote many years ago, that if we are united, then God is among us. And this is worth more than every other treasure our heart can possess. It’s worth more than having a mother, a father, brothers and sisters, or children. It is worth more than a home, than work, than property; worth more than the art treasures of a city like Rome, worth more than our business, than natural surroundings with their flowers and meadows, than the sea and the stars; more than our very soul!
What a witness can be given to the world, for example, with Gospel-based mutual love put into practice between Catholics and Armenians faithful, between Methodists and Orthodox faithful!
And so let us live today the life he gives us moment by moment in this mutual love.
The fundamental commandment is to have brotherly love. Everything has value if it is an expression of sincere brotherly love. Nothing has value unless it is done out of love for our neighbor, for God is a Father and always has only his children at heart.
Let us live so that we always have Jesus with us, so that we can bring him into a world that does not know his peace.
Chiara Lubich
[:it]In carcere per 26 anni: come riprendere in mano la mia vita?
Christmas 2005 – New Year 2006
It’s Christmas. 
The store windows are all decorated with golden ornaments, small Christmas trees, sales on precious gifts. At night, the streets shine with hanging lights or stars of Bethlehem; the trees lining the sidewalks, their boughs full of red, blue or white lights, create a surreal effect in the boulevards… There is an atmosphere of expectation. Everyone is touched by it… Christmas is not just a traditional feast: the birthday of a child born 2005 ago… Christmas is alive! Not only in churches with manger scenes, but among people in this climate of joy, friendship, and goodness that it brings with it each year. And yet, the world is still overwhelmed by huge problems: poverty to the point of famine, the earthquake victims in Pakistan, dozens of wars, terrorism, hate between cultures, but also among groups and between people… We need Love. We need Jesus to come back with power. Baby Jesus is always the immense gift of the Father to humanity, even though not everyone recognizes him. We have to offer our thanks to the Father also for them. We need to celebrate Christmas and renew our faith in the infant-God who came to save us, to create a new family of brothers and sisters united by love, extended all over the world. Let’s look around us… so that this love may reach everyone, but especially those who are in pain, who are most in need, all those who are alone, poor, small and ill…. May the communion with them of affection and goods make a family shine forth of true brothers and sisters who celebrate Christmas together and continue even beyond it. Who can resist the power of love? In preparing for Christmas, let us display gestures which bring about concrete action. They will be remedies to problems that may seem small, but applied on a vast scale, they can be light and solutions for the serious problems of the world. Merry Christmas to all of you! Chiara Lubich
[:it]Natale 2005 – Hanno sloggiato Gesù!
[:it]Nuova Umanità – Novembre-Dicembre 2005
Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI
Dear young Friends, I would like to send my cordial greetings to you all, gathered in Nieuwegein for the First National Day of Young Catholics of The Netherlands. I greet Cardinal Adrianus Simonis, Archbishop of Utrecht and President of the Bishops’ Conference, and all the Dutch Bishops, expressing deep appreciation for the organization of this propitious initiative. I would then like to thank the Werkgroep Katholieke Jongeren for its work in these years and the priests and lay people involved in the pastoral care of youth, who are following you in your reflection. With this Message, dear young people, I wish to make myself spiritually present among you and to assure you that I accompany you in prayer. I know that a great many of you took part in the World Meeting at Cologne and it therefore gives me great joy that you now want to continue the experience that began with World Youth Day, involving others of your age who did not have the grace to take part in it. Holding today’s meeting at the invitation of your Bishops is a very beautiful sign for Dutch society: it means that you are not afraid to say that you are Christians and want to witness to it openly. In fact, the deepest reason for your gathering together is to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how it was for those who took part in the recent World Youth Day, whose theme was: “We have come to worship him” (Mt 2:2). In the footsteps of the Magi, impelled by the yearning to seek the truth, young people from every corner of the earth met in Cologne to seek and worship God made Man, and then, transformed by their encounter with him and illumined by his presence, they returned to their country, like the Magi, “by another route” (Mt 2: 12). So it was that you returned to Holland, eager to communicate to one and all your rich experience, and today you want to share it with your peers. Dear friends, Jesus is your true friend and Lord; enter into a relationship of true friendship with him! He is expecting you and in him alone will you find happiness. How easy it is to be content with the superficial pleasures that daily life offers us; how easy it is to live only for oneself, apparently enjoying life! But sooner or later we realize that this is not true happiness, because true happiness is much deeper: we find it only in Jesus. As I said in Cologne, “The happiness you are seeking, the happiness you have a right to enjoy, has a name and a face: it is Jesus of Nazareth” (Address at the Poller Rheinwiesen Wharf, 18 August 2005; L’Osservatore Romano English edition, 24 August, p. 4). I therefore invite you every day to seek the Lord, who wants nothing more than for you to be truly happy. Foster an intense and constant relationship with him in prayer and, when possible, find suitable moments in your day to be alone in his company. If you do not know how to pray, ask him to teach you, and ask your heavenly Mother to pray with you and for you. The recitation of the Rosary can help you learn the art of prayer with Mary’s simplicity and depth. It is important that you make participation in the Eucharist, in which Jesus gives himself for us, the heart of your life. He who died for the sins of all desires to enter into communion with each one of you and is knocking at the doors of your hearts to give you his grace. Go to the encounter with him in the Blessed Eucharist, go to adore him in the churches, kneeling before the Tabernacle: Jesus will fill you with his love and will reveal to you the thoughts of his Heart. If you listen to him, you will feel ever more deeply the joy of belonging to his Mystical Body, the Church, which is the family of his disciples held close by the bond of unity and love. You will also learn, as the Apostle Paul says, to let yourselves be reconciled with God (cf. II Cor 5: 20). Especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus waits for you to forgive you your sins and reconcile you with his love through the ministry of the priest. By confessing your sins humbly and truthfully, you will receive the pardon of God himself through the words of his minister. What a great opportunity the Lord has given us with this sacrament to renew ourselves from within and to progress in our Christian life! I recommend that you make good use of it all the time! Dear friends, as I said to you above, if you follow Jesus, you will never feel lonely because you are part of the Church, which is a great family in which you can grow in true friendship with so many brothers and sisters in the faith scattered in every part of the world. Jesus needs you to “renew” contemporary society. Take care to grow in the knowledge of the faith in order to be its authentic witnesses. Dedicate yourselves to understanding Catholic doctrine ever better: even if at times in looking at it with the eyes of the world it may seem a difficult message to accept, in it is the answer that satisfies your basic questions. Trust your Pastors and guides, Bishops and priests; become actively involved in the parishes, movements, associations and Ecclesial Communities to experience together the joy of being followers of Christ, who proclaims and gives truth and love. And truly impelled by his truth and love, you will be able, together with other young people who are seeking the true meaning of life, to build a better future for all. Dear friends, I am close to you with my prayers. May you generously accept the call of the Lord, who holds up to you great ideals that can make your lives beautiful and full of joy. You can be certain of it: only by responding positively to his appeal, however demanding it may seem to you, is it possible to find happiness and peace of heart. May the Virgin Mary accompany you on this journey of Christian commitment, and may she help you in all your good resolutions. With these sentiments, I cordially impart a special Apostolic Blessing to all of you who are gathered in Nieuwegein, as well as to those who accompany you with love and wisdom on your path of human and spiritual growth. From the Vatican, 21 November 2005
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
Thirst for truth
A vibrant, joyful, authentic Church, moving towards – and with – society, was what attracted over 2,300 Dutch youth to Utrecht, one Sunday at the end of November. The event was the first national appointment, set as a follow-up of the World Youth Day (WYD) last August in Cologne, Germany. A participation as numerous as this has not been seen in decades. The event was the fruit of collaboration between dioceses and ecclesial movements, carried out in an atmosphere of profound communion. These ecclesial movements include Charismatic Renewal, the Committee of Young Catholics, Emanuel and the Focolare. It was a communion among charisms, like the one already experienced during the preparation of the WYD. “The happiness you seek, the happiness you have the right to enjoy, has a name, a face: that of Jesus of Nazareth.” This sentence is the center of the Pope’s profound and warm message, personally signed by him and welcomed by the youth with a long applause. Benedict XVI encouraged the young people to deepen their relationship with Jesus through the Sacraments and so be able to assume their responsibilities, both in their personal lives and in society. 
The meeting continued with workshops and group discussions regarding catechesis and its social application. The discussions thus ranged from such topics as faith, ethics and science, how to practice politics and economy as a Christian, ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. It was amazing to see how much these young people longed to deepen their faith and what a thirst they had for the truth. “The fog that has hung over the Dutch Catholic youth for decades has disappeared,” said Auxiliary Bishop of Roermond (Netherlands) De Jong, during his homily. Bishop De Jong, who is in charge of youth apostolate, concelebrated with Cardinal Simonis at the Mass which concluded the youth day. His words expressed the commonly felt certainty that in their increasingly secularized society, in the womb of the Church something new and irreversible is born. What is happening in the Netherlands is also happening in other European countries. As Lorenzo Fazzini wrote in the Dec. 8 issue of Avvenire, “there is an atmosphere of spirituality,” and this new-found interior life is reflected in openness to others which – in many cases – is translated into social commitment and the choice to serve the poorest.
Chiara Lubich's commentary on the Word of life of December 2005
Isaiah’s cry of hope was heard by the people of Israel who had been in exile for 50 years in Babylonia (modern Iraq). Finally the Lord sent his messenger to announce their liberation, their freedom to return to their homeland. Just as when they were enslaved in Egypt, God once again revealed himself as their leader who would guide them to the Promised Land. They then had to repair the roads, fill in the holes; remove all the roadblocks, as was customary to do when a king traveled to one of his provinces.
And then five centuries later on the banks of the Jordan River, John the Baptist repeated this joyful cry of the prophet Isaiah. This time, it announced the coming of the Messiah himself.
«Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight… a highway for our God! »
Every year, as we draw closer to Christmas, we hear this same invitation. In every age God has revealed his ardent desire to remain among his sons and daughters, and now he has “made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). Today too he stands at our door knocking because he would like to come in and “dine” with us (see Rev 3:20).
We ourselves often yearn to meet him, to have him as our traveling companion through life’s journey, and to be filled with his light. In order for him to enter our lives, however, we first need to remove the obstacles. It is no longer a matter of clearing the roads, but of opening up our hearts to him.
Jesus himself named some of the barriers that close off our hearts: “theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly” (Mk 7:21-22). At times it may be anger against our relatives or friends, prejudice toward persons of another race, indifference to our neighbors, a lack of love and caring in our families.
As we face these many obstacles that impede our encounter with God, we hear once again the invitation:
«Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight… a highway for our God! »
How can we do something concrete to prepare the way of the Lord?
By asking for his forgiveness each time that we have put up a barrier that prevents us from being in communion with him.
This sincere gesture of humility and truth allows us to stand before him as we are, acknowledging our fragility, our mistakes, and our sins.
This is an act of trust by which we accept his fatherly love, which is “merciful… and abounding in kindness” (Ps 103:8).
It expresses our earnest desire to improve and to begin again.
Then at night, before going to sleep, we might stop for a moment to take stock and see how we did and ask for God’s forgiveness.
If we are Catholic, when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist we can be more aware and fervent in the expression of contrition repeated at the beginning of the liturgy. It is the moment when together as a community we ask for forgiveness for our sins.
Then individual confession, the sacrament of God’s forgiveness can be of enormous help. It is a moment of encounter with the Lord when we can hand over to him all our mistakes. We leave confession with the certainty that we have been saved and made new, and we experience the joy that comes from discovering that we are true children of God.
And God himself, through his forgiveness, is the one who removes every obstacle, who “makes straight the highway” and establishes a bond of love with each one of us again.
«Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight… a highway for our God! »
This is what Louise experienced. She had a troubled life with her friends who were involved in drugs and had morally empty lives. In time, she struggled to break away from this group and she finally made it to overcome her addiction. Still she felt her life was scarred by this experience. After having gone through a hasty civil marriage, she began to recognize the first symptoms of AIDS. At that point, her husband left her.
Louise found herself alone, facing all her mistakes, until one day she met a group of Christians who were living the Word of Life and sharing their experiences. She discovered a whole new world. Soon she came to know God as a Father and as Love. When she began to believe in his forgiveness, she could no longer hold on to her sins. Her life took a complete turn. Knowing that she had been forgiven, now—even in the midst of her suffering and illness—she felt a joy she had never experienced before. Her countenance radiated a beauty that even the progress of the disease could not disfigure. The doctors were surprised to see her so peaceful. She was experiencing a new life.
The day she died, she was dressed in white, as she had asked to be. The road had been cleared for her to reach Heaven, for her encounter with the Lord.
Chiara Lubich
“Relationships in Law: is there a place for fraternity?”
“The principle of fraternity from a judge’s point of view – he said –can be applied under two aspects: it relates strongly to the interpretation of the norm, and also to concrete behaviour” “We are faced… everyday with the living reality of man. Before us there are no folders or papers but dramatic personal and family situations.” This was the statement by the President of the National Association of Magistrates, Dr. Ciro Riviezzo, during his greeting on Sunday 20 November, expressing his view of the judge’s work in the light of fraternity.
“The steps forward must be taken together and not in isolation”. This was the realization that emerged in the conclusions presented by the members of the central commission “Communion and Law”, presided over by the magistrate Giovanni Caso, ex judge of the Supreme Court of Cassation, to the 1st International Conference “Relationships in law: is there a place for fraternity?” The Conference was organized by “Communion and Law”, on 18-20 November 2005, in Castelgandolfo (Rome), and it provided the opportunity for a rich and lively exchange of reflections and experiences on the various areas in the field of Law. Fraternity and law. A proposal that has old roots. We find traces of it in Roman law, later developments in the Middle Ages – with the institution of the “fraternization” – and it finds its way into the famous “liberty, equality, fraternity” of the French Revolution, as Prof. Fausto Goria, of Turin University points out in his opening speech. Which fraternity? Chiara Lubich opens a wide horizon. The founder and president of the Focolare Movement says – in a message read at the beginning of the Conference: “Fraternity is inscribed in each man’s DNA, it constitutes every man’s ultimate vocation. It is part of God’s plan, which is the total fulfilment of man and humanity” and it can be accomplished by introducing the evangelical commandment of mutual love also in the juridical world.
All different sectors in the world of law and justice were examined in this light
International law:it emerged that the principle of fraternity can inspire concrete models for action, and methods of analysis in the present process of growing interdependence among nations. Administrative law: in the relationship between public administration and citizens, this principle can become a catalyst to “accelerate” democratic participation, as Dr. Nino Gentile pointed out and as clearly shown by the transformation of a depressed area in Gela, Sicily, and the resolution of a serious conflict between farmers and mining companies in Perú. Private law: both the sectors of family law – with developments such as the introduction of new figures like the family mediator, who acts as a support for the family and helps resolve controversies -, and that of business law were dealt with. The latter showed how fraternity can moderate the profit motive and lead to the birth of companies ran on the principles of the Economy of communion. In criminal law, Prof. Adriana Cosseddu, of the University of Sassari, highlighted the fact that crime is considered today essentially as a violation of the law, rather than as an offence to the victim and an injury to the tissue of social relationships. That is why – she said – we cannot limit ourselves to “retributive justice”; what is needed is a justice that restores relationships – “restorative justice”. It is a new style of juridical action, which goes “beyond” what is “formally correct” without, however, straining procedures: situations that seemed to be at a dead end, find an unexpected way out to recovery. The bond of fraternity among the participants has created a network of relationships, which will continue its activity even at a distance, through the exchange of experiences, reflections, and cultural elaborations, working for a kind of justice which responds always more to the needs of humanity.
Fraternity humanizes justice. New perspectives on the cultural level
Fraternity can become a new lymph to revitalize relationships and humanize justice. It also opens interesting perspectives on the cultural level. This is the most significant finding that emerged at the end of an intense 3-day conference with nearly 700 participants working in the field of law. Magistrates, scholars, lawyers and students from more than 35 countries and 4 continents convened in Castelgandolfo to explore the subject “Relationships in Law: is there a place for fraternity?”, an initiative of the international group “Communion and Law” of the Focolare Movement.
The difference fraternity can make in all sectors in the field of law appears clearly, primarily from many experiences that have taken place on different fronts in the most varied countries: in Perú, serious conflicts were solved between farmers and mining companies that wanted to exploit lands where they had lived since time immemorial; in Europe, magistrates and lawyers were at the front line, safeguarding the values of fraternity in family law; in South America, in the field of juvenile law; in USA and Austria, new paths were open in the area of social rehabilitation, and work was done also to transform international law into peoples’ law and not only State’s law. In this way, practical experience triggers off cultural research.
The Conference opened with a message from Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement. Do her words shed light on the task awaiting those involved in the world of law, pointing precisely to fraternity? Prof. Fausto Goria, Lecturer in Roman Law at the University of Turin, gives his answer in an interview with Vatican Radio:
Chiara has certainly said something very important: that in God’s plan – as she, being a charismatic, sees it – relationships among people are meant to be a mutual gift, and it is in this relationship of reciprocal self-giving that each one fulfils himself or herself as a person. This holds true also for groups and nations. I believe that translating this principle into actual practice, and then into a juridical norm, will require a certain number of years, but it can provide an interesting and useful perspective for development.
“Zenit”, Gen Rosso’s new CD
Gen Rosso is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a new CD composed of 10 of the group’s most popular songs, chosen from its repertoire of over 300 compositions. The selections are presented with new arrangements and there is one completely new release. “Zenit” is the result of the valid collaboration of a number of musicians, including well-known Italian singers in ‘duet’ with Gen Rosso’s soloists. These artists include Francesco Guccini, Antonella Ruggiero, Rosalia Misseri, Francesco Silvestre (Modà), Cheryl Porter and Kate Kelly who share the wealth of values that Gen Rosso upholds, and have therefore contributed their talent to produce an album that combines message and content with refined musical sensitivity. “Zenit” was given a press conference last November 17 at the Carroccio Hall of Campidoglio, Rome’s city hall, in the presence of the artists who collaborated for its production. The new CD is distributed by Multimedia San Paolo. Part of the profit from its sales will be donated for the construction of a new Multicultural and Interreligious Center for the promotion of dialogue among peoples in Jerusalem. Multiethnic by birth, ecumenical by vocation, musical loudspeaker of love, peace and brotherhood: Gen Rosso is all this. In its 40 years of energetic activity, it has asserted itself as one of the most mature expressions of music inspired by Christian values. It has characteristically been made up of a wide variety of musicians, singers, dancers and technicians who put together their professional and human experience to give life to a unique musical group that stirs audiences everywhere. It has given 2,000 concerts and gone on 170 concert tours in 43 nations, besides producing 53 albums and publishing 300 songs.
[:it]Relazionalità nel diritto: quale spazio per la fraternità?
[:it]Un’avventura illuminata dall’Infinito[:es]Una aventura iluminada por el Infinito[:pt]Uma aventura iluminada pelo Infinito
Experiencing the Gospel’s force in the refugee camp
At the conclusion of United World Week 2005 last October, the youth participants from different parts of the world took part in a telephone conference call, where two Tanzanian teen-agers shared their experience. After having fled from Burundi at the outbreak of the war, while living as refugees in a camp in the Kigoma region, they bore witness to the strength that comes from unity and from sticking to one’s Christian convictions. Together with others they thus brought a ray of hope into the refugee camp. They were both able to leave the refugee camp, thanks to a scholarship they received from Project Africa, and are now studying journalism. “I was living at home with my whole family when civil war broke out in Burundi, in 1993,” said R.. “I was then a kid and the Gospel I tried to put into practice had always been my source of strength in continuing to love in such a climate of hatred and violence. I went on loving everyone, even our ‘enemies,’ certain that good always wins out over evil. One day, I remember, together with my family, I helped some children who belonged to another tribe. In the situation we were in, I could have considered them as my enemies. Instead, we were able to save them even at the risk of our own lives. “In 1996, the situation worsened. At my school violence reigned and I, too, became a victim of torture. Even in the midst of this painful situation I prayed to God to give me the strength to forgive and to help those who had harmed me to change their life. Since my life was in serious danger, I was forced to escape to one of the refugee camps in the Kigoma region of Tanzania, where I lived for 9 years.” “Life in the refugee camp was not easy,” continued K. “We had to face serious difficulties: lack of a home, lack of food and clothing… But in all this, our personal choice to live as Christians has always helped us make of every difficulty a springboard and transform it into love. “We were 42 committed Youth for a United World in the camp. This year we were able to build two huts with mud and hay for two elderly refugees who had nowhere to live. We also went to two high schools in the camp to share with the other youth our experiences of putting the Gospel into practice. Through the help of many young people from all over the world who are committed to Project Africa, we organized some small businesses, for selling of cassava starch, sweet corn flour, palm oil, and so on. “Some weeks ago, we received a gift through Project Africa we never expected: we were able to leave the refugee camp to go to Tanzania, and thanks to two scholarships, we can now start a course in the Faculty of Journalism. “We can feel your concrete love and solidarity. Thank you for your prayers for our country. We feel we are part of one big family with all of you.” R. and K. – Tanzania
November 2005
The promise of land brings to mind another homeland, that which Jesus, in the first and last beatitudes, calls “the kingdom of heaven”: the life of communion with God, the fullness of life that will never end.
Those who live meekness are blessed even now, because even now they experience the possibility of changing the world around them, especially by changing how they relate to other people. In a society often ruled by violence, arrogance and injustice, they become a “sign of contradiction” and radiate justice, understanding, tolerance, gentleness and esteem for others.
While the meek are working to build up a society that is more just and more in tune with the Gospel, they are also preparing themselves to inherit the kingdom of heaven and to live “in a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1).
«Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land»
To know how to live this Word of Life it would be enough to look at the way Jesus lived, he who said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29). In him meekness appears as a quality of love. And true love, which the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts, is in fact “joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22).
Yes, whoever loves is not agitated, is not unduly hasty, does not offend, does not hurt others.
Those who love control themselves and are gentle, meek and patient.
The “art of loving” is found everywhere in the Gospel. Many children have learned this art. I know that they play with a special cube that they call the “cube of love.” Each side of this cube has a phrase written on it suggesting a way to love following Jesus’ example: to love everyone, to love one another, to be the first in loving, to share the other’s joy or hurt, to love Jesus in the other, and to love our enemies. At the beginning of the day they roll the cube [like rolling dice] and they try to put into practice the phrase that turns up. Then they share their experiences on how they tried to do so.
Francis is a three-year-old boy who lives in Caracas, Venezuela. One day his father came home quite upset because he had had an argument with a colleague at work. He told his wife about it and she too became angry with that colleague. Francis went into his room and came back with the cube. “Roll the cube of love!” he told his parents. They rolled it together. “Love your enemy” turned up. His parents knew what they had to do.
If we stop to think about it, we will realize that there are people who live exemplary meekness in their daily life. Through their meekness, great figures who have departed from this earthly life—John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Frere Roger Schutz, for example—made a tremendous difference in society and in history, and they continue to urge us along in our journey.
Chiara Lubich
[:it]Il tuffo in Dio: i 40 giorni di Carlo e Alberto
[:it]Nuova Umanità – Settembre-Ottobre 2005
In the hospitals, among the casualties, a lesson in faith from Muslim brothers and sisters
The dramatic picture of the disaster that struck Kashmir is well-known: over 50,000 dead, 65,000 wounded and more than 4,000,000 homeless. There are still some mountain villages that cannot be reached, even by helicopter. More than 5,000 wounded have been transported by helicopter to the hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, but the structures are absolutely inadequate. The state of emergency grows by the hour due to the risk of epidemics and infection. Many cases of tetanus have already been reported. The ground continues to tremble, not just with aftershocks but with strong earthquake tremors. At night it is difficult to sleep while during the day rescue activities continue at a pressing pace. Notwithstanding the fact that the aid extended is insufficient it is still a display of great generosity from governments of a large number of countries, as well as from international organizations. Someone commented that the prompt response of Europe and the United States is beginning to close the gap between the West and the Muslim world. Also the people’s generosity is impressive; it knows no barriers of class, religion or nationality. In front of the wounded and homeless who have lost everything, one is edified by their great lesson of faith, that beyond all things, there is God who with personal love is helping men and women to discover what really counts in life. Pakistani friends, both Muslims and Christians, have written us a touching letter that helps us know the human side of this catastrophe: “Most of all we wish to share with you the story of some earthquake victims so that you may get to know them at least through these few lines. We want to take upon our shoulders at least a little of their suffering and pain, so that they may not feel alone but rather understood and helped in this situation they are in.” Here are some of their experiences:
Among the victims in a hospital in Rawalpindi: As the wounded were extracted from the ruins, they were brought to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and then to the different hospitals. We try to give support to the wounded because there is no one to listen to, and assist them especially in their personal needs. The hospital workers suggested that we give this kind of help which they deemed absolutely necessary. We feel it is important for us to be there to bear with them their suffering and be a concrete sign of God’s love.
Alessandro, who went to Rawalpindi General Hospital says, “The scene one finds upon entering the hospital is beyond words. The lobby, the corridors, every empty space is occupied by stretchers and beds with women, men, and children – some in visibly serious condition – assisted as best as possible. Almost everyone is silent, with an absent gaze, probably in shock.” The biggest lesson, however, comes from the earthquake victims themselves. They tell us very sorrowful and terrifying stories. A 17 year old student says: “I was in the classroom when the first shocks came. I was near the door and I quickly ran outside. As I turned, I saw the ground open up before my eyes and swallow all my classmates. I was the only survivor.” A great number of persons have lost everything, and in many cases, their entire families. But the faith that these people draw from Islam makes them believe that in spite of everything there is a God who loves them and wants them to re-discover what really counts in life. Rani visited a hospital ward. She stopped by a child who was still in shock. One of her legs was in a cast and the other, wounded. Rani offered her an apple and the little girl barely reacted. “Come on, tell her your name,” her father told her gently with a smile. Rani was touched by the scene and she asked the man where the girl’s mother was. “She’s gone,” the father replied with the same smile and profound serenity. In such an atmosphere one realizes so clearly that everything vanishes, and all that remains is a true and concrete love that joins us together as one family.