[:it]Intervento di Chiara Lubich

Nov 14, 2003 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Un popolo nato dal Vangelo, Chiara Lubich e i Focolari

Nov 10, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Message from Chiara Lubich, President of Focolare Movement

Nov 9, 2003 | Non categorizzato

 
Mr. Edward Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania, Professor Benjamin Barber, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honor for me to address such a distinguished audience gathered today in Philadelphia to declare their commitment to building a world that is more united, more just and more fraternal. I would have liked to be present in person, but since this was not possible, allow me to offer you a brief, personal reflection through this message. When Professor Benjamin Barber informed me of this first World Day of Interdependence during a long and cordial meeting in Rome last June, it was a joy for me to support it right away. Actually the reality of interdependence calls to mind an ideal which is very dear to me, an ideal for which I decided to give my life, together with many people of good will involved in politics, economics and different fields of action and study, the unity of the human family. On the day after September 11, many of us felt the need to reflect deeply about the causes, but above all, to work towards a true, responsible, resolute alternative to terrorism and war. For me, it was a little like reliving the devastation and feeling of human powerlessness that I experienced in the Italian city of Trent as it was bombed during World War II. And yet it was precisely beneath the bombs that my first companions and I discovered in the Gospel the light of mutual love which prompted us to be ready to give our lives for one another. It was in the midst of that debris and destruction, convinced that “Love wins everything”, that we felt the strong desire to share this love with all our neighbours, without discriminating among persons, groups, peoples, and without paying attention to social conditions, cultures or religious convictions. Likewise, many of us are asking today, in New York as in Bogota, in Rome as in Nairobi, in London as in Baghdad, if it is possible to live in a world of peoples who are free, equal and united, not only respecting one another’s identity, but also attentive to their particular needs. There is only one answer: not only is it possible, but it is the very essence of the political plan for humanity. While respectful of thousands of different identities, the unity of peoples is the very goal of politics. This is put into question today by the violence of terrorism, war, the unjust distribution of the world’s resources and social and cultural inequities. In many places in the world today, a cry of abandonment rises from millions of refugees, from millions of people who are starving, from millions of people who are exploited, from millions of unemployed who are excluded and seemingly “cut off” from the political body. It is this separation, and not only the privations and economic difficulties, which makes them even poorer, which increases their desperation, if this is possible. The goal of politics will not be reached; its vocation will not be fulfilled unless this unity is rebuilt and these open wounds in humanity’s political body are healed. But how is it possible to reach such a demanding goal, a goal which would appear to be beyond our strength? In front of the challenges of the present and future of humanity, liberty and equality alone are not enough. Our experience teaches us and we believe that there is need for a third element long forgotten in political thought and practice: brotherhood. Without brotherhood, no person and no people are truly free and equal, deep down. Equality and liberty will always be incomplete and precarious until fraternity is an integral part of the programs and political processes in every part of the world. Dear friends, doesn’t the name itself of the city you are in – Philadelphia – evoke a program of brotherly love? Brotherhood can give new meaning today to the reality of interdependence. Brotherhood can give rise to projects and actions in the complex political, economic, cultural and social tissue of our world. Brotherhood brings peoples out from isolation and opens the door of development to those who are still excluded. Brotherhood shows the way to peacefully resolving differences and relegates war to history books. A lived brotherhood allows us to dream and even to hope for some kind of communion of goods between rich countries and poor countries, since the scandalous inequity in today’s world is one of the main causes of terrorism. The profound need for peace expressed by humanity today indicates that brotherhood is not only a value, not only a method, but it is a global paradigm for political development. This is why a world that is always more interdependent needs politicians, entrepreneurs, intellectuals and artists who put brotherhood – a tool of unity – at the center of their actions and thoughts. Martin Luther King dreamed that brotherhood would become the order of the day for businesspersons and the password for statesmen and women. Dear friends, what a change would take place in relationships among individuals, groups and peoples if only we would recognize that we are all children of one Father, God, who is Love and who loves each one personally and immensely and who takes care of everyone! This love, translated into infinitely many forms, including politics and economics, would lead to overcoming narrow-minded nationalism and limited perspectives, opening the minds and hearts of peoples and their governments, urging everyone – as I affirmed in a speech to the United Nations in New York in 1997 – to love the others’ country as their own. This is the decades-long experience of the Focolare Movement, present in 182 countries of the world by now, with millions and millions of adherents around the globe. My wish for this first World Day of Interdependence then, is that it will be an opportunity for all those supporting it, to have a new commitment to live and work together for the unity of the whole human family, always helping one another out with dedication and trust. Translated from Italian

Citizens of the world for building the future

Nov 9, 2003 | Non categorizzato

“We the people of the world do herewith declare our interdependence as individuals and members of distinct communities and nations. We do pledge ourselves citizens of one CivWorld …” Just a few yards from Philadelphia’s Independence Hall which witnessed the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in the historic Benjamin Franklin Hall of the American Philosophical Society, 350 noted figures in politics, business, academia and the arts gathered to inaugurate the first annual “Interdependence Day.” Sponsored by the CivWorld Citizens Campaign for Democracy at the University of Maryland, the initial idea for Interdependence Day was rooted in the conviction that citizens themselves can be agents for building a more democratic society. Benjamin R. Barber, Professor of Civil Society at the University of Maryland, and fomer presidential advisor, played a key role in organizing the event aimed at focusing attention on the importance of passing from an attitude of ‘independence’ to one of ‘interdependence’ on the local and global level. To open the event, well-known personalities helped to capture the essence of the project. The message from United Nations’ Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted that the Declaration of Interdependence is similar to the beginning of the UN Charter, “We the peoples.” He defined the current challenge as moving towards a process in which decisions are taken no longer by single nations alone, but together. The message from former Czech President Vaclav Havel warmly encouraged all to develop “new networks of commitment to the common good”—to build up an interdependent world on the basis of responsibility and solidarity. Focolare founder Chiara Lubich was also present through a message which conveyed a powerful challenge to build a truly interdependent world by focusing on that third element which is often forgotten in political theory and practice: “Without fraternity, no person and no people is truly free and equal.” She encouraged, “doesn’t the name itself of the city you are in—Philadelphia—evoke a program of brotherly love? Brotherhood can give new meaning today to the reality of interdependence”. Then, beneath the watchful gaze of the classic portraits of Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, lively exchanges and artistic presentations all expressed the profound reality of our interdependent world, and the commitment to work towards creating positive alternatives to war and violence. From the participants’ responses, and from the fact that Interdependence Day’s initial spark already enkindled parallel celebrations in Budapest, Hungary, and on several college campuses throughout the United States, it is clear that the time is ripe for the step ahead, from independence to interdependence. Plans are already underway for Interdependence Day 2004 – possibly in Rome, Calcutta, Johannesburg, Beijing, and many other global cities!

Loving in silence

Nov 7, 2003 | Non categorizzato

I was one of two doctors assigned to do night duty at a local hospital. My co-worker was a Christian, but not a practicing one. Since he saw me go to Mass almost everyday, he would often tease me. We were supposed to be available the whole night, but in the late afternoon he would usually disappear and leave me all alone. This meant that I did most of the work. It didn’t seem right, but the words “Blessed are the poor in spirit …” kept coming to my mind. I tried to keep an open, non-judgmental attitude towards him. This went on for a month, then two months … One day he said he wanted to go to Mass with me. “It’s because I’ve learned a lot from the way you silently put love of neighbour into practice all these months,” he added. From that day on, not only did he stop leaving the hospital when we were on duty, but he also tried to be sure I did not get overly tired. At one point I began to share my room with a Muslim doctor. Our conversation sometimes focused on our religious practices: Lent and Ramadan, for example. One day I learned that his mother had died the year before, and he had no one to help him fix his clothing or personal belongings. Actually, I noticed that his surgeon’s uniform often needed to be washed and mended. One evening I thought of washing his uniform along with mine and sewing on a few buttons. Naturally, the next day he noticed and asked who had done it. When he found out it was me, he embraced me, saying, “Now I understand. The way you silently loved the other gives much more meaning to the practice of self-denial than I had imagined.”

[:it]Quella fedeltà del presente che cambia la vita

Nov 3, 2003 | Non categorizzato

The Gospel revolution

Oct 19, 2003 | Non categorizzato

P. (from Great Britain) has two classmates who always pick on him. “I’ve tried not to fight back,” confided P. to his grown-up friend, C., “but they still keep picking on me!” “Let’s ask Jesus to give you the strength to love them even more,” suggested C. One day, P. brought a huge tray of sweets to school to celebrate his birthday. The teacher told him that he may go to the other classrooms, too, to offer the sweets. “Choose two of your classmates to come with you,” she added. P. would have wanted to call his two best friends. The words, “… love your enemies,” came to his mind. “May T. and L. come with me?” he asked the teacher. They were just the ones who were bullying him. P. told C. all about what happened. “See?” said P., “Jesus gave me the strength to do it, and you know what? They’ve stopped bullying me.”

F. d. M. (from Guatemala): “The other day, Mom and Dad had a fight. That made me very sad. I wanted them to be happy and I wondered what I could do. Then I went to my younger brothers. We cut out paper flowers and hearts and stuck them on the wall. Mom and Dad were sitting in silence watching TV. We turned off the TV and sung them a song about how we should love one another. Mom and Dad were so touched they apologized to each other. Mom was so happy she cried. I was happy, too. We all went to bed very happy. ‘Thank you,’ I said to Jesus.” E. (from Trent) received some money from her grandparents when her baby teeth fell out. She was very happy because she had something to give to the poor who are getting help from the Focolare Movement. “Why don’t you keep some of the money to buy yourself that pair of shoes you need?” her Dad asked. “But Dad,” replied E., “the poor children don’t have shoes!” Her Dad understood. A short time afterwards, E. received a gift from her uncle and aunt: it was the pair of shoes she needed. E., 5 years old (from San Paulo, the biggest city of Brazil). Mr. C. takes E. to school everyday. He does not believe in God, and he is known to be a person who is hard to deal with. One morning, as Mr. C. was driving E. to school, she asked him, “Do you know what an act of love is?” “No,” he answered, “what is it?” “An act of love is when you see Jesus in everybody and treat every person the way you would treat Jesus,” she explained. Mr. C. became very pensive. A few days afterwards, at dinner time, E.’s father said that he noted that Mr. C. seemed different. He did not get upset so easily anymore. “When people ask him what happened, he answers, ‘Ask little E.’. I think we’ve got a lot to learn from children.”

Every obstacle a springboard

Oct 19, 2003 | Non categorizzato

“My dear young people, never let difficulties stop you. They exist and they will always exist. Instead, turn every obstacle into a springboard for an ever greater, ever deeper, ever truer love!”

This was the core of Chiara Lubich’s message, launched during a telephone link-up with thousands of young people in 105 cities all over the world, gathered on Sunday, October 12 for the conclusion of the World Unity Week (WUW).

Chiara’s message was followed by experiences of life – lived in conditions of war, discrimination, poverty and injustice – shared by young people from Jerusalem, New York, Ivory Coast, Cebu, Uganda, Central Africa Republic, Recife (Brazil), and so on. These experiences helped the youth, especially the European youth, to overcome the crushing sense of helplessness they often feel in the face of the world’s evils. They were brought to see that love is the strongest force there is, and that, united together, young people can lift up the world. Youth from Burundi, presently living in a refugee camp in Tanzania, also shared their experiences. For the first time Medan, Indonesia – where 50 Christian, Buddhist and Muslim youth bound by one ideal of a united world were also gathered – also took part in the conference call.

“If you continue with renewed energy to bring God’s love to the world (…) then you will be truly free of yourselves! Then, yes, you will go against the current; actually you will create an entirely new current on our planet – the current of love, of fire…” This was Chiara’s challenge to the youth.

What is WUW all about: It is an opportunity for the youth, national and international organizations, and public and private institutions to appreciate the different existing initiatives aimed at promoting unity in all levels of society. During the week of October 5-12, in cities and towns, a series of activities were held – solidarity projects, concerts, sports events, prayer vigils, and open forums – all of which had as their principal theme “how brotherhood can be a way to build a united world”. Many interviews were broadcast on radio and published in newspapers at local and national levels to spread the message of the WUW.

Initiatives worldwide

Rosario (Argentina) – the municipality declared the WUW to be an event of public interest and advertised it on the city’s bus and rail tickets, even several months after it was held.

San Paulo (Brazil) – 70,000 daily planners were distributed that offered a “peace-building” motto to put into practice during each day of the WUW. The response from numerous students, teachers and authorities of public and private institutions was beyond all expectations.

New Caledonia – countless youth activities were held which joined together all ethnic groups, usually in conflict with one another.

Kampala (Uganda) – the young people visited the city orphanage where children sick with AIDS are housed. They also worked to gather clothes and other needed items for the people of Gulu (northern Uganda) which is in grave need due to guerrilla warfare occurring there.

Sicily (Italy) – the calendar of activities was packed. The Italian daily “Avvenire” published the following press release: “’In the name of brotherhood’ – this is the title of the initiative undertaken by The Youth for a United World – a youth sector of the Focolare Movement which is dedicated to carrying out activities aimed at world peace and brotherhood. Since yesterday hundreds of Youth for a United World in Sicily launced 16 initiatives in different cities and provinces – Palermo, Caltanisetta, Messina, Catania, Syracuse and Ragusa.

The funds will help finance scholarships for youth from the Middle East, Argentina and the Congo, and to support Project Africa which Chiara Lubich initiated in 2000 and which, this year, plans to sponsor activities aimed at providing work and training for the 60,000 people in the refugee camps of the Great Lakes and Tanzania.”

New hope is born

The outcome of the World Unity Week was well-expressed by one of the participants from Uganda: “Sometimes, just when love, brotherhood, and even God seem so distant, signs like this appear and give you the push you need to continue pursuing your goals.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, “admirable teacher of the art of loving”

Oct 19, 2003 | Non categorizzato

My fondest memory of Mother Teresa is that final very warm embrace that we exchanged the last time we met, which was in May 1997.

She was sick in bed. I went with the intention of staying only a few minutes but at one point Mother Teresa started to talk about the work of God entrusted to her. It was her Magnificat, and it was something wonderful! She was radiant. That embrace has remained with me as a sign, a promise that she would continue to love us in a preferential way, because that was how she had always loved us. Ever since she left this earth I have counted her among our holy protectors, and I was certain, as everyone else was, that she would be declared a saint.

She fulfilled to perfection what the Pope describes as the “feminine genius”, something that Mary characteristically personified. She was not invested with a ministerial position. She was invested with love, with charity, the greatest gift, the greatest charism heaven created.

Mother Teresa is our model. She is the admirable teacher of the art of loving.

She truly loved everyone. She didn’t ask people whether they were Catholic or Hindu or Muslim. They were people and in that humanity rested all their dignity.

Mother Teresa took the initiative in loving. She went out to look for the poorest of the poor. She had in fact been sent by God for them.

Perhaps more than anyone else She recognized the presence of Jesus in them. “You did it to me,” in fact, was her motto.

Mother Teresa “made herself one” with everyone. She made herself poor with the poor, but she especially made herself poor “like” the poor. And in this her actions were very different from those of a social worker or a volunteer. She didn’t want to have anything that a poor person couldn’t allow himself or herself to have. It is well known, for example, that she and her sisters refused to accept a simple washing machine. Many people couldn’t comprehend her refusal. “But in this day and age!” they said. But since the poor couldn’t have one she didn’t want one either.

She took upon herself all the misery of the poor, their sufferings, their illnesses, their deaths.

Mother Teresa loved the others as she loved herself to the point of offering them her very ideal of life. For example, she invited the temporary volunteer workers who assisted her to look for their own ‘Calcutta’ when they returned home. After all, she wisely observed, “The poor are pretty much everywhere.”

Mother Teresa undoubtedly loved her enemies. She never wasted time responding to the absurd accusations made against her. Instead she prayed for her enemies.

After her death I learned even more about her and I eagerly read books about her. I admired Mother Teresa especially for her determination. She had an ideal: the poorest of the poor. And she remained faithful to it. Her whole life was aimed in that direction. In this aspect too she is a source of inspiration to me to remain faithful to the ideal that God has entrusted to me.

A “Thank you” to the Pope, craftsman of the Church of the future: the Church as communion

Oct 15, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Q. – Among the different prophetical aspects of John Paul II’s pontificate, one would have to include the new page he opened on the vigil of the Feast of Pentecost in 1998, that first historical gathering of hundreds of thousands of members of ecclesial movements and new communities. He publicly recognized them as “significant charismatic expressions of the Church” and he re-affirmed the co-essentiality between the petrine-institutional dimension and the Marian-charismatic dimension. What perspectives are opened up by this vision the Pope has of the Church?

A. – On that day the Pope ignited in us a dream, the dream of the Church of the 3rd millenium, the Church as communion. In this time of re-discovery of the charisms working in unity with one another and in deep communion with the Pope and with the Bishops, I feel great hope that the work of the Holy Spirit will shine forth and will lead the world to Jesus. From that day on, in order to respond to the wish the Pope expressed for communion among the Movements, I assumed the task of initiating a journey of exchange among the people of the movements and new communities. I never would have imagined the developments that we’re seeing today. The Pentecost event was repeated in countless dioceses all over the world, with many bishops present, gathering together hundreds of movements and communities. The result? New vitality and great hope. News of the progress of this journey reached persons of movements and communities of dozens of different Churches, for example, in the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Germany. I don’t believe such a phenomenon existed before this. And ever since 1999, there has been such friendship, such brotherhood, that the idea came to us to render this brotherhood visible, for example in a wide-scale meeting, and on May 8, 2004, such a meeting will take place in Stuttgart. Through this event we will try to bring through our different charisms a contribution to that reality of the “spirit of Europe”. Q. – Could you describe your relationship with the Pope? A. – My relationship with the Pope has increased in depth over the years. As a matter of fact, on one or two occasions, I experienced something extraordinary. For example, after an audience with him, in which I experienced a moment of great unity with the Pope – daughter to father, one could say – I had the feeling that Heaven had opened up, and I experienced a very special union with God. What made it unique was the fact that I felt there were no intermediaries. The Pope is an intermediary. But when a mediator has fulfilled the function of helping the other reach union with God, then that mediator disappears. I sensed that this depends also on the fact that the Pope received the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Scripture says: “And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom”. Perhaps he uses these keys not just to cancel our sins, but also to open us up to a deeper union with God. This might explain certain profound changes of heart and changes in the course of history that he has operated over these past 25 years. He communicates God and God is the one who makes all things new. It is a Presence that becomes stronger and stronger the more it is refined by suffering. Q. – Do any particular episodes with the Pope come to your mind? A. – Many special moments come to my mind. They mark milestones in the history of our Movement and beyond. One such moment was on Sept. 23, 1985. An audience with the Pope was concluding and I was about to leave. I had in mind the future of our Movement and I dared to ask the Pope, “Would you think it possible that the President of the Focolare Movement (of this Work of Mary, which is “of Mary”), would you think it possible that the President might always be a woman?” “Yes,” he answered, “if only it could be so!” His words, the sentiments that motivated that “yes,” opened up for me for the first time a new awareness about the Church in its two dimensions – the petrine or institutional dimension and the Marian, charismatic, dimension. “Both were present in the early Church,” he said, citing the theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, “and they need to remain!” And this is the new element that the Pope has mentioned on several occasions since then. What’s interesting to note is that the Holy Father doesn’t see the Marian profile of the Church as simply a spiritual or mystical reality. He sees it as an historical reality as well, and he bears witness to this conviction with facts, opening up the doors to all the new things that the Holy Spirit wants to work. Q. – And another episode? A. – Over the years, the same vocations that exist in the Work of Mary among the Catholics came to life also among the youth, families, persons of various backgrounds, Anglicans, Lutherans, Orthodox and persons of other Churches,. This is something new, and the canonists needed to study it over the years. At one point I thought we would never find the solution. Then I spoke about it with the Pope. He was very open to the idea! During the second audience on this topic, again just as I was about to leave, he said to me with his characteristic intuitive sense, “I understand. It should be said. ‘Don’t interfere with the Work of Mary. It is Mary’s work’!” With that the situation turned around. That very night, a thought came to me: if there is a point which is an obstacle in the ecumenical journey, it’s the magisterium of the Pope. Yet who is the one “welcoming” these focolarini of the other Churches? The Pope. This will remain in our history. The Holy Father then went even further: he was the one who suggested that even the bishops of other Christian traditions meet regularly as they have been now for years, so as to undergird their ministry with the spirituality of unity already shared by many Catholic bishops. The Pope approved that bond, not a juridical one, but a spiritual bond, with the Work of Mary.

157 Marian congresses all over the world – Mary rediscovered as a model for one’s life

Oct 14, 2003 | Non categorizzato

“In a world stricken by terrorism, war, and vengeance, the Marian Congress heralds the dawn of a world of hope, peace, love and holiness,” was the spontaneous remark of a participant in Taiwan right after the event held there. A young Austrian said, “It was all so very new, nothing old-fashioned. To offer Mary like this is a stroke of genius!” .“I discovered that the rosary is indeed a peace prayer, an antidote to war!” they wrote from the Philippines. From Argentina: “Today I discovered Mary as a woman of peace, a strong woman who is a model for the whole human race!” . And from Uganda, “It’s marvellous to understand Mary in a new way. This encourages us to bring her home with us, to live with her in our changing society.” These are just a few of the many comments received after the 157 Marian Congresses which took place all over the world during the Year of the Rosary. Mary was rediscovered particularly in her role as mother and model for one’s life. She showed the way for many people who now want to follow in her footsteps.

The peak moment was the International Marian Congress held at Castelgandolfo (Rome), which served as a model for the numerous Congresses which later studded the globe, almost as a chorus of praise to Mary on a planetary scale.

Participants at some of the Congresses: Milan – 9,000; Slovakia – 1,900; Korea – 2,250; Manila (Philippines) – 1,800; Malaysia – 1,300; Mexico – 1,200; Buenos Aires (Argentina) – 3,400; Paraguay – 2,000; Congo – 1,500; Burundi – 3,000. Wherever a Marian Congress took place, it proved to be a remarkable experience of the life of the Church. In most cases the Congress was organized jointly by the members of various Movements and associations of an entire diocese or region. In this way, the event highlighted the charismatic and marian dimension of the Church.

News of the Congresses appeared in newspapers or in some cases on television. Bishops, politicians, artists, representatives of ecclesial Movements and personalities of the cultural sector offered their significant contribution. Another characteristic note was the presence of brothers and sisters of different Christian denominations. In some cases they also shared their experiences.

Some followers of the Great Religions spoke about the idea of Mary in their respective faiths.

Since November 2002, “Città Nuova” magazine offered a column entitled “The Year of the Rosary”. A new book by Chiara Lubich, Mary – Through her God shines, was printed, and for children a small, colourful volume entitled, “She was so very beautiful”.

On October 16, 2002, in St. Peter’s Square, Pope John Paul II handed a letter to Chiara in which, among other things, he wrote, “I wish to entrust the prayer of the Holy Rosary ideally to all the Focolarini (…) Give your contribution so that the following months may be an occasion of inner renewal for all Christian communities.” Chiara immediately adhered to the Pope’s request, and soon ideas and initiatives came up on how to concretize the Focolare Movement’s response to the Pope. Messages of thanks from all over the world were later sent to him for the many fruits of new, unexpected spiritual life born thanks to the Marian Congresses

[:it]La riscoperta del Padre

Oct 7, 2003 | Non categorizzato

No matter what, don’t give up!

Sep 16, 2003 | Non categorizzato

My new job as a dental aide could not have started any better: a good salary and a bright future. After a few months, the rosy horizon darkened. “You’re too slow and the colour of the patient’s teeth doesn’t come out as it should be,” my boss started telling me – at first once in a while, then almost daily. I couldn’t understand. Every morning when he distributed the jobs, he would almost ignore me and it seemed that he was always on the verge of firing me. In the evening when we reported after a hard day’s work, almost always I had to do everything all over again. I lived through days of inner tension and struggle. I felt tempted to rebel; judgements against by boss started piling up within me, but I kept trying “to cut” and “start again” each day. One morning, I went to work under the pouring rain. The storm was like a picture of what I felt inside. Then I remembered the image of Jesus crucified which I have kept in my room for years; in those days I would gaze at it without getting a reply. I realized that I was like him when he cried out and then entrusted himself to the Father, believing in his love. And slowly, an idea made its way inside me: “Keep on loving, and no matter what, don’t give up!” When I got to work, I tried to interiorize all the suggestions my boss had given me, setting aside the subtle mistrust which had been with me for months. I then regained the inner freedom I had lost. A short time afterwards, my boss called me. He said he had just had a check-up with his eye doctor, who discovered that he had a defect in his vision. This was what caused him tension and altered his ability to distinguish colours. So that was the cause of our arguments! and of all the over-time work! Some days later, during a conversation with him, he said among other things: “I’m getting close to retirement age. I thought of proposing that you take over my clinic, because I saw that in the face of difficulty, you don’t give up.” F. L.  

Can religious leaders be partners on the pathway towards peace?

Jul 28, 2003 | Non categorizzato

“Without brotherhood there is no peace” On the surface, religious pluralism, seems to be a source of division and war. In reality religious pluralism is- Chiara Lubich said in her address -a challenge: all religions are called to work together to re-established the unity of the human family, because in all religions “the Holy Spirit is present and active in some way”. The phenomenon of terrorism, which cannot be fought with conventional means, shows that religions can make a significant contribution for reaching peace. “The root cause of terrorism” is “grievous suffering” in a world where the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, Chiara Lubich emphasised. There is a great need for more equality, more solidarity, and above all for a more equal distribution of goods. “But, as we know, goods do not move by themselves: we need to first move people’s hearts.” “From whom, if not from the great religious traditions, could there begin a strategy of brotherhood capable of marking a complete turnabout even in international relations?”. In fact without brotherhood- Chiara affirmed -there is no peace. Without losing one’s identity The idea of unity and love is rooted in all religions: “In practice, this means that we are partners on the road to brotherhood and peace.” Chiara underlined that persons of great religious traditions of humanity can meet and understand one another without losing one’s identity. The founder of the Focolare Movement indicated the way of love as the principle means for reaching understanding. “If we begin to dialogue with one another, if we are therefore open with one another in a spirit of good faith, of reciprocal esteem, of respect, of mercy, we are then open to allowing God – as John Paul II once said – to be present amongst us.” Chiara Lubich expressed conviction that it is really with the presence of God that we can find viable solutions to the present problems. The secret of dialogue The Focolare Movement has a wealth of experience in interreligious dialogue: “In an atmosphere of reciprocal love it is possible to establish dialogue with one’s partners. In this dialogue one tries to empty oneself in order to ‘enter’ the other. This ‘making ourselves one with the other,’ Chiara indicated, is the secret for establishing that dialogue that leads to unity. It requires true poverty of spirit: “We need to empty our heads of our notions, to free our hearts of our affections, and our will of its inclinations” in order to be at one with the persons before us and truly understand them. The other remains touched by such an attitude and he or she starts to ask about it (such is Chiara’s experience). “And so we could pass on to a ‘respectful announcement’, and, out of loyalty to God and to ourselves and also in all honesty to our neighbour, explain what our faith upholds regarding a given topic without imposing anything on the other, without intending to convert the other, but simply out of love. It is the moment when, for us Christians, dialogue leads to the announcement of the Good News.” A great simplicity Afterwards, Cornelio Sommaruga, president of “Initiatives of change”, underscored the “extreme simplicity” with which Chiara Lubich shares her message of love. Rajmohan Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’ grandson, professor at the University of New Delhi, and co- promoter of the seminar, added: “This woman reaches people’s hearts. Not with a loud voice, as many others do, or a forceful manner, but with softness and passion. The interreligious dialogue promoted by Miss Lubich is of great importance, especially in our times”. Rabbi Marc Raphael Guedj, founder of “Racine et Source” (Root and Source) spoke of being very impressed by Chiara, a person who speaks of love by being love, wisdom, the wisdom of daily life,… love that transforms the world”. by Beatrix Ledergerber-Baumer for KIPA agency, 3 agosto 2003 (our translation)

Can religious leaders be partners on the pathway towards peace?

Jul 28, 2003 | Non categorizzato

“First of all I would like to express my joy in being here today in this Center of Caux, which abounds in initiatives aimed at reinforcing the moral and spiritual foundations of society, and at promoting the peaceful encounter of cultures, civilizations and religions. I especially thank Dr. Cornelio Sommaruga who invited me to give my contribution to this important interreligious seminar. The subject I have been asked to address today is “Can Religions be Partners on the way to Peace?”  We all know how extremely important and relevant this question is today. Many interpret the violence of terrorism and the wars raged in response, the ongoing tensions in the Middle East as symptoms of a “clash of civilizations”. They say that it is marked and even intensified by the different religious affiliations. However, in considering the facts more attentively, this viewpoint provoked by various forms of extremism and fanaticism which distort the religions proves to be very partial. Never as in this hour of the world have believers and leaders of all religions felt the duty to work together for the common good of humanity. Organizations such as the World Conference on Religion and Peace or initiatives such as the day of prayer for peace in Assisi promoted by John Paul II in January of 2002, are a confirmation of this. On that occasion the Pope stressed, on behalf of all those who were present, that “whoever uses religion to foment violence contradicts its most authentic and profound aspiration” and that “no religious goal can justify the practice of violence on the part of one person against another” because “the offence against the human person is ultimately an offence against God.” On September 11, 2001 humanity discovered, in shock and horror, the nature of the great, enormous danger of terrorism. It is not a war like others – we still have about 40 on our planet today – which are usually the result of hatred, of discontent, of rivalries, of personal or collective interests. Instead, terrorism, as affirmed by the Pope, is the fruit also of the forces of Evil with the capital “E”, of Darkness. Now, forces of this kind cannot be opposed only by human, diplomatic, political and military means. The forces of Good with the capital “G” are needed. And Good with a capital “G”, we know, is God and all that is rooted in Him. Therefore, we can combat terrorism with spiritual forces, with prayer, for example, with fasting, as the representatives of the world religions did in the city of St. Francis. However, we feel that we must say that prayer is not enough. We know that the causes of terrorism are many, but one, the deepest, is the unbearable suffering in the face of a world divided in two: the rich part and the poor part, which has generated and continues to generate resentment which peoples have been harbouring for years, violence, revenge. More equality is needed, more solidarity, especially a more equal sharing of goods. We know, though, that goods do not move by themselves, on their own. We need to move hearts, we need a communion of hearts! This is why we need to spread the idea and practice of brotherhood, and given the vastness of the problem, of a universal brotherhood among as many people as possible. Brothers or sisters know how to look after one another, they know how to help one another, how to share what they have. To meet this unprecedented challenge, the contribution of religions is decisive. Where, if not in the great faith traditions can a strategy of brotherhood start, a strategy capable of determining a turning point even in international relationships? The enormous spiritual and moral resources, the contribution of idealities, of aspirations to justice, of commitment in favor of the needy, along with the political leverage of millions of believers, all springing from religious sentiments and channeled into the field of human relations, could undoubtedly be translated into actions capable of having a positive influence on the international order. Much is being done in the field of international solidarity by non-governmental organizations. Now the various States must in their turn take up those political and economic choices suited to building a fraternal community of peoples committed to realizing justice. In the face of a strategy of death and hatred, the only valid response is to build peace in justice. But there is no peace without brotherhood. Only brotherhood among individuals and peoples can guarantee a future of living together in peace. Besides, universal brotherhood and the consequent peace are not new ideas that have emerged today. They were often present in the minds of deeply spiritual persons because God’s plan for humanity is brotherhood, and brotherly love is written in the hearts of every human being. The golden rule,” said Mahatma Gandhi, “is to be friends of the world and to consider as ‘one’ the whole human family.” And Martin Luther King: “I have a dream that one day…” we will realize that all men were created to live together as brothers and that brotherhood will become the order of the day for businessmen and politicians alike. Along the same lines, the Dalai Lama, commenting what happened in the United States two years ago, wrote to his followers: “The reasons (for the events of these days) are clear to us. (…) We’ve forgotten the most basic human truths. (…) We are all one. This is the message that the human race has greatly ignored. Forgetting this truth is the only cause of hatred and war.” In spite of the destruction then, one great, age-old truth can emerge even from the debris of terrorism: that all of us on earth are one big family. But the one who indicated and brought this essential gift to humanity was Jesus, who prayed for unity before he died: “Father, may they all be one” (Jn 17:21). In revealing to us that God is our Father and consequently, that we are all brothers and sisters, He introduced the idea of universal brotherhood. In doing so he knocked down the walls which separated “the same” from the “different”, friends from enemies. Now undoubtedly each one of us, prompted by our own religious faith, has had positive experiences which can be useful towards the solution to problems similar to those of our present-day situation. And because this is a moment in which – as a bishop, expert in this field, said – “religions must draw spiritual strength from their deepest recesses so as to help humanity today and to lead it toward solidarity and peace”, allow me to offer you my experience in contact with people of all ages, languages, races and especially different religions in every corner of the world. It is an experience of dialogue that can provide a key for a brotherly and peaceful living together, an experience which I think is also in the spirit of the sessions of Caux, which favor personal witness to theoretical statements. The Art of Loving The Focolare Movement, which I represent, has sixty years of experience, and yet we are always surprised to see that God has led us along a spiritual pathway that intersects with all the other spiritual ways of Christians, but also of the faithful of other religions. In practice, we become partners along the journey of brotherhood and peace. While maintaining our own identity, it enables us to meet and come to a mutual understanding with all the great religious traditions of humanity. In other words, as we listened in obedience to the Spirit, we were taught how to successfully put into practice that word which is inscribed in the DNA of every man and every woman, because each one was created in the image of God who is Love, God who is our Father: to love, to love our neighbor, to love our brothers and sisters. This word is the only one that can make all humanity one family. Love, not as we might generally think of it, but as a way of behaving which has indispensable requirements. For Christians, this love is a participation in the very love which is in God, but it is not lacking in the Sacred Books of the other religions. The first step for us, the first illumination with regard to this new lifestyle dates back to World War II. Face to face with the crumbling of ideals and the loss of all our material goods, we felt that we had to cling to something that would not pass and that no bomb could destroy: God. We chose Him as the only ideal of our life, believing, in spite of everything, in His love as our Father, His love for all men and women on earth. But obviously it was not enough to believe in God’s love; it was not enough to have made the great choice of Him as the Ideal of our life. The Father’s presence and loving care was calling each person to be a daughter or son, to love the Father in return, to live, day by day, according to the Father’s loving plan for each one; in other words, to do His will. And we know that a father’s first desire is that his children, all his children, treat each other as brothers and sisters, that they care for and love one another. He wants us to love as He does, making no distinctions. We cannot choose between the pleasant and the unpleasant, the beautiful and the no so beautiful, the white, the black or the yellow, the European or the American, the Christian or the Jew, the Muslim or the Hindu…. Love knows no form of discrimination. We found this same faith in God’s love for His creation in many brothers and sisters of other religions, beginning with those that trace their roots back to Abraham, religions which affirm the unity of humankind, God’s care for all humanity and the duty of every human being to act, like the Creator, with immense mercy toward all. A Muslim maxim says: “God forgives a hundred times, but He reserves His greatest mercy for those whose piety has spared the smallest of His creatures.” And what shall we say of the boundless compassion for every living being taught by Buddha, who said to his first disciples: “Oh Monks, you should work for the wellbeing of many, for the happiness of many, moved by compassion for the world, for the wellbeing… of men and women”. For a Christian, everyone must be loved because it is Christ whom we love in each person. One day He Himself will tell us: “You did it to me” (Mt 25:40). To love everyone, then, without distinction. But this love has another characteristic which is known by many because it is related in all the sacred books. If it is lived out, this rule would be sufficient in and of itself to make of the whole world one big family: To love each person as ourselves, to do to others what you would have them do to you, and not do to others what you would not have them do to you. It is the so-called “golden rule”, also mentioned in the presentation of this seminar. It was very well-expressed by Gandhi when he affirmed: “You and I are one and the same thing. I cannot hurt you without harming myself.” In the Islam tradition it is known in these terms: “None of you is a true believer until you desire for your brother or sister what you desire for yourself.” The Gospel announces it in this way: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (Mt 7:12). And Jesus comments: “This is the law and the prophets” (Ibid). Thus this simple norm, sowed by the Spirit in all religions, contains a concentrate of all God’s commands. Great importance should be given to it then in interreligious dialogue. From this rule – which is rightly called “golden” – flows a norm which, if applied, could on its own provide the greatest impetus towards bringing harmony among individuals and groups. Another way which teaches how to practice true love towards others is expressed by a simple formula, made up of only three words: make yourself one. “Making ourselves one” with others means making their worries, their thoughts, their sufferings, their joys, our own. “Making ourselves one” applies first of all to interreligious dialogue. It has been written that: “To know the other’s religion implies putting yourself in the shoes of the other, seeing the world as he or she sees it, grasping what it means for the other to be Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, etc.” This “living the other” embraces all aspects of life and it is the greatest expression of love because by living in this way we are dead to ourselves, to our ego and to all attachments. We can achieve that “self-nothingness” to which the great spiritualities aspire and that emptiness of love which is accomplished in the act of welcoming the other. “Making ourselves one” means relating to others always with an attitude of learning, because we really do have something to learn. A further requirement of this love is perhaps the most demanding of all. It tests the authenticity and purity of love, therefore, its real capacity to generate unity among all people and universal brotherhood. It is to be first in loving, that is, not to wait for the other person to take the first step; to be the first to move, to take the initiative. This way of loving lays us open to risks, but if we want to love in the image of God and to develop this capacity to love, which God has put in our hearts, we must do as He did. He did not wait for us to love Him in return. Rather, He showed us always and in thousands of ways that He loves us first, whatever our response might be. We have been created as a gift for one another and we fulfil ourselves by striving to love our brothers and sisters with a love that makes the first move before any gesture of love on their part. This is what all the great founders of religions teach us with their lives. Jesus gave us the example, He who said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). He really did give His life. And He gave it for us who were sinners, certainly not lovers. Furthermore, when two or more persons live this being the first to love, we have mutual love, the premise and most solid foundation for peace and unity in the world. We know from experience that whoever wants to move the mountains of hate and violence in today’s world faces an enormous and heavy task. But what is beyond the strength of millions of separated, isolated individuals, becomes possible for those who firmly believe and put into practice mutual love, understanding and unity as the guiding force of their lives. There is a reason, a secret key, and a name for all this. When we enter into dialogue among ourselves of the most various religions, that is, when we are open to the other in a dialogue made of human kindness, reciprocal esteem, respect, mercy, we are also opening ourselves to God and, in the words of John Paul II, “we let God be present in our midst.” This is the great effect of our mutual love and the secret force which gives vigor and success to our efforts to bring unity and universal brotherhood everywhere. It is what the Gospel announces to Christians when it says that if two or more are united in genuine love, Christ Himself is present among them and therefore in each one of them. And what greater guarantee than the presence of God, what greater opportunity can there be for those who want to be instruments of brotherhood and peace? This mutual love and unity gives great joy to those who practice it. However, it calls for commitment, daily application and sacrifice. And this is where one particular word, in the language of Christians, appears in all its brilliance and power. It’s one that the world does not want to hear, a word it considers foolish, absurd, futile. This word is the cross. Nothing good, nothing useful, nothing fruitful for the world can be achieved without meeting and accepting weariness and suffering; in a word, without the cross. Committing oneself to live mutual love always, to bring peace and promote brotherhood is not something to be taken lightly! It calls for courage, knowing how to suffer. What I have explained is not a utopia. It is a reality that has been lived for more than half a century by millions of people, a pilot experience of that universal brotherhood and unity we all long for. Loving in this way has given rise in our Movement to fruitful dialogues: with Christians from many Churches, with believers of various religions, and with people of the most varied cultures. Together we move toward that fullness of truth we all strive for. Now I would like to say something more about encounters we have had, from the beginning of the Movement, with brothers and sisters of other religious faiths. Our first noteworthy experience was in contact with the Bangwa people, a Cameroon tribe rooted in the traditional religion. They were on their way to extinction because of the high infant mortality rate and we had begun to assist them. One day their head, the Fon, and thousands of members of his people, gathered for a celebration in a large open space in the middle of the forest to offer us their songs and dances. Well, it was there that I had the strong impression that God, like an immense sun, was embracing us all, them and us, with His love. For the first time in my life I sensed that we would have something to do also with people of non-Christian traditions. But the event which in some way “founded” our interreligious dialogue took place in London in 1977 at a ceremony for the conferral of the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. After I had delivered my speech and was about to leave the hall, the first people who came up to greet me were Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus…. The Christian spirit I had spoken about had made an impression on them. And so it became clear to me that we would have to devote ourselves not only to people of our own Church and of various Churches, but also to these brothers and sisters of other faiths. This marked the beginning of our interreligious dialogue. Two years later, in fact, there was the encounter with a great Buddhist leader, Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, founder of the Rissho Kosei-kai, who invited me to Tokyo to speak of my spiritual experience to ten thousand Buddhists. Afterwards, a great brotherhood began between the focolarini and the followers of the Rissho Kosei-kai wherever they meet in the world. But the most surprising meetings with Buddhism came about with outstanding representatives of Thai monasticism. During an extended stay in our international little town of Loppiano, in Italy – where 800 inhabitants seek to live the Gospel faithfully – two of these Buddhists were deeply touched by the unity among all and by Christian love, which they were not familiar with. Thus the obstacles fell which up until then had prevented a true dialogue between them Buddhists, and us Christians. When these monks returned to Thailand, they missed no opportunity to tell thousands of faithful and hundreds of monks about their experience in meeting with the Focolare Movement. This gave life to a Buddhist-Focolarino Movement, if we can say this, that is, to a Buddhist-Christian Movement which is a segment of brotherhood that we are building up in the world. Later on, I was invited to Thailand to address one of their Buddhist universities and in one of their temples to speak to nuns, monks and many lay men and women. Here again, they showed considerable interest, while we, in turn, were edified by their characteristic detachment from everything, by their asceticism. And the dialogue with Islam? Currently 6,500 Muslim friends belong to our Movement. Again, what links us to them is our spirituality, in which they find incentives and confirmations for living out and adhering more deeply to the heart of their Islamic spirituality. We have held a number of meetings with Muslim friends which have been characterized above all by the presence of God. One is aware of this especially when they pray and it gives us great hope. I personally saw hope become a reality in the Malcolm Shabazz Mosque of Harlem (USA), six years ago, while I was in front of 3,000 African-American Muslims, to whom I was invited again to present my Christian experience. Their welcome, beginning with that of their leader Imam W. D. Mohammed, was so warm, sincere and enthusiastic that it opened our hearts to the most promising dreams for the future. I returned to the United States, to Washington, three years ago, to tell many others about our collaboration at a Convention which they organized and which gathered seven thousand people, Christians and Muslims. In an atmosphere of joy and celebration which was more than simply human, in a sincere embrace, with unending applause, we promised one another to continue our journey in the fullest union possible and to extend it to others – thus other segments of brotherhood. I cannot help but speak of the evermore frequent meetings with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel and in various parts of the world. The last meeting I personally had with them was in Buenos Aires, where I met with one of their largest communities there. Other members of the Movement continued these contacts on different occasions. It was with great emotion that we exchanged a pact of mutual love, so profound and sincere that it gave us the impression that we were suddenly overcoming centuries of persecution and misunderstanding. Three years ago a promising dialogue began in India also with Hindus. We have friendly and frequent contacts with Gandhian Movements in the south of this immense nation. In Mumbai, a profound dialogue was born with professors of the Somaiya University and with the Indian Cultural Institute. More recently, a relationship began with the very large Swadhyaya Movement, which has our same goals of unity in diversity and brotherhood. A year ago, for the first time, we held a Hindu-Christian Symposium. The atmosphere created was so beautiful and profound that we were able to share with them many truths of our faith. The impression we had is that of a new unexpected horizon opening up before us. A few months later I returned to India and we were able to continue this dialogue on the level of spirituality which – to use the words of the authorities of my Church – “is the culminating point of the various forms of dialogue and meets the deepest expectations of people of good will”. We are planning to have other similar symposiums: Buddhist-Christian and Islam-Christian. Due to the universal expansion of our Movement, we are now in contact with all the main religions of the world. Approximately 30,000 members of these religions share, insofar as it is possible for them, the spirituality and goals of the Movement. Our interreligious dialogue had such a rapid and fruitful evolution because the decisive and characteristic element was the art of loving which I spoke of earlier. In an atmosphere of mutual love kindled by the “golden rule”, we can in fact establish a dialogue with our partner, a dialogue in which we seek to be nothing so as to “enter”, in a sense, into who they are. “Making ourselves nothing” or “making ourselves one” with the others, which is synonymous. In these three simple words, which I already mentioned, lies the secret to that dialogue which can generate unity. Actually, “making ourselves one” is not a tactic or outward behavior; it is not only an attitude of benevolence, of openness and respect, or the absence of prejudices. It is all this, yes, but with something more. This practice of “making ourselves one” demands that we remove from our minds the ideas, from our heart, the affections, from our will everything, in order to identify with the other person. We cannot enter the soul of others in order to understand them, to share their suffering or joy if our own spirit is rich with a worry, a judgement, a thought… with anything at all. “Making ourselves one” demands that we be poor, poor in spirit in order to be rich in love. And this very important and indispensable attitude has a twofold effect: it helps us to inculturate ourselves in the world of the others, to become familiar with their culture and terminology, and it predisposes them to listen to us. We noticed, in fact, that when someone dies to himself, really in order to “make himself one” with others, they are struck by this and ask to know more. Then we can pass on to a “respectful announcement” in which, faithful to God, to ourselves, and sincere with our neighbor, we share what our faith affirms on the subject we are discussing, without imposing anything, without any trace of proselytism, but only out of love. For us Christians, this is the moment in which dialogue flows into announcing the Gospel. Our work with many brothers and sisters of the major religions and the brotherhood we experience with them has convinced us that the idea of religious pluralism can shed its connotation of division and conflict, and emerge to represent for millions of men and women, the challenge of recomposing the unity of the human family, so that the Holy Spirit may in some way be present and active in all religions, not only in the individual members but also in the inner workings of each religious tradition. In speaking of the wonderful event of Assisi, John Paul II described it as “a splendid manifestation of the unity which links us together beyond the differences and divisions.” Let us fill our hearts then with true love. With it we can hope for all things, for unity among the faithful of the major religions and for brotherhood lived by all humanity. May God embrace us all with His love.” Chiara Lubich

Initiatives of change

Jul 28, 2003 | Non categorizzato

   The former president of the International Red Cross is now the president of the Swiss Foundation “Caux- Initiatives of change” as well as of the International Association for Initiatives of Change. Both emerged from the former Oxford Group which was, Sommaruga said, like the Focolare Movement, a product of World War II.” In 1938, when countries were preparing for war, the founder of the Movement, Frank Buckmann, encouraged a “moral and spiritual rearmament” for “a world without hatred, fear and greed”. Towards the end of the war, the Movement, under the name “Moral Rearmament,” (MRA) promoted the process of reconciliation of old enemies, first of all between Germany and France. Today “Initiatives of Change” comprises a network of persons of different backgrounds, religions and generations who are dedicated to working at the ever necessary process of “renewing the world.” Every year in Caux, near Montreux, Switzerland, seminars on different themes are held. This year the themes included “From conflict to encounter”, “The spiritual-religious factor in a lay society,” “Initiatives for peace,” and “Human safety for the prevention of conflicts.” by Beatrix Ledergerber-Baumer for KIPA agency, 3 agosto 2003 (our translation)

I may be an atheist, but you are crazy!

Jun 17, 2003 | Non categorizzato

One day a friend of mine came to see me to talk about a sorrowful situation that had struck his family: his parents were on the verge of a divorce because of his father’s unfaithfulness. My friend suffered because he saw that the love between his parents had grown cold, but what he could not bear was the thought that somebody else was going to decide which son would go with which parent. This meant that he was going to be separated from his only brother, to whom he was very attached.
I was deeply affected at hearing this news and I had a hard time overcoming the sadness I felt. What was more, my friend did not practice any particular religious faith and I feared I would only make things worse if I mentioned God. I felt sure I would be misunderstood; nevertheless I also felt that, as a Christian, it was my duty to try to be an expression of God’s love for my friend in some way.
This realisation helped me to see beyond the painful circumstances and recognise that this was a countenance of Jesus crucified and forsaken who had taken upon himself every human suffering. I offered this thought to my friend saying, “In your place, I – as a Christian – would give my suffering to God; I would put my problem in his hands so his will be fulfilled for the greater good. I would trust that whatever he has reserved for my future is the best thing for me.”
His answer was: “I may be an atheist, but you are crazy!”
Far from getting discouraged, I insisted: “Come on, it’s worth trying. Simply say to Jesus, ‘I put this suffering of mine in your hands;’ then be at peace and wait for things to develop.”
As he was leaving, I assured him that he could call me anytime, whenever he needed help. I could see that he was still struggling.
The next day, to my great joy, he phoned me saying that out of desperation, he was “forced” to follow my advice and put his suffering in God’s hands. I could tell that he felt a little better. After another couple of days, he called again saying that things had settled down; for the moment there was no talk of divorce and he would not be separated from his brother. His mother had forgiven his father and they were reconciled.

S.D. (Italy) – from Fioretti di Chiara e dei Focolari
St. Paul Publications

God’s love hiding behind an illness

May 25, 2003 | Non categorizzato

   Just lately, I fell ill. As in other moments of my life, here too, I found God’s super-abundant and generous love. As a result of chemotherapy, I lost my hair. Jesus’ words are true: “I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink”. In these days, I can say that I also experienced: “I was hairless and you gave me your hair”. In fact, three young girls cut their hair to make me a wig which was exactly the same colour as mine. On top of my sickness, there were the economic difficulties as well, not only due to the expensive treatments I had to undergo, but also because I could no longer continue giving the extra private lessons I was getting paid for. At first, I was terribly worried, so I tried to entrust everything to Mary; Jesus within me was asking me to trust. Yes, trust that this sorrowful physical trial, my doubts and temptations, were nothing but manifestations of God’s purifying love. In a few days, his response came: my sick-leave compensation was higher than my regular salary; moreover, they gave me an added allowance for the lessons I was not able to give! This proved to me that if I remain in his love and put his words into practice, I can ask for what is needed and it will be given to me. I felt like a branch that was engrafted in the true vine. From my heart surged the song: “It’s impossible not to believe in you; it’s impossible not to make of you the Ideal of my life.” G. – Brazil from I Fioretti di Chiara e dei Focolari – St. Paul Publications, p. 27

My name was on the blacklist

May 24, 2003 | Non categorizzato

 No Burundi national will ever forget the year 1993. The assassination of the newly-elected President had unleashed tribal hatred, anger, and thirst for revenge, much greater than that which already gnawed the hearts of the youth. Like everybody else – men, women and children – I too had to learn how to handle a gun. And yet a question kept surfacing in my mind: how can I change this situation? One day, a conflict occurred right in my village between the rebels and the government forces. Fifty people were killed. These were my friends, people I used to see everyday on the street. I could not swallow this, so I decided to take up arms and defend my people. One Sunday, I took refuge in a church during a heavy rainfall. I found myself in a hall where a “Word of Life” meeting was going on. Since I was invited to stay, while waiting I started observing the people around me. They were sharing stories of their life interwoven with the Gospel. They talked of unity and brotherhood, but more than anything else, I saw it being lived among them. I was overwhelmed. I wanted to give it a try, to take up the challenge of love. I chose the university as my training ground. In those rooms which I entered everyday, there was an even more acute feeling of division because of the presence of youth from different tribes. Many of them have lost relatives in war, and they still had hatred and revenge in their hearts. It was certainly not easy to study in these conditions … In spite of all this, I entered class each morning greeting everybody, even if some of my classmates considered me a fool. I withstood accusations and criticisms from people of my own tribe. I knew I was walking on quicksand, but I did not change my behaviour. I wanted to prove that dialogue was more powerful than arms, that the solution to our problems was love. Jesus, too, had passed through these same things, and like him, I wanted to give my life for a more united world. Outside the university, my new friends and I certainly did not waste time. We did everything to love, to spread the idea of a culture of peace. We collected food and clothing for the poor; we organised meetings parties, and sportsfests, all to encourage dialogue and to show that it is possible for us to live as brothers and sisters. It was only after two years that one of my schoolmates found the courage to confess to me that he had put my name on the list of enemies to be eliminated. It was my way of acting that made him change his mind. He threw away the gun which he always used to carry with him because now he has decided to live a new life. Jovin from Burundi

[:it]Convegno nazionale ’Polo Lionello, casa degli imprenditori’

May 13, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Unpublished account of the intervention of Mary in history

May 4, 2003 | Non categorizzato

 It was an unpublished account revealing Mary’s strength of peace, in action in the history of peoples, in moments of grave suffering, that Prof. Tommaso Sorgi, Director of the Igino Giordani Centre in Rome, presented to the Marian Congress. He showed that the “Rosary is an effective weapon even in the political arena”. To give an example, he spoke of what happened just a few years ago. Half way through the 1980s, the bishops in the Philippines launched a prayer campaign for their own conversion, that seemed necessary to obtain from heaven the liberation from the Marcos’ dictatorship. Five million Filipinos adhered to the campaign and the world saw a complete turnaround of events: “The dictator fled into exile and the revolution of the Rosary liberated the people without bloodshed”. It was the Magnificat in action: Mary magnified the Lord who “scattered the proud and brought down the powerful from their thrones…”. The Magnificat, therefore, “can be assumed as the model for political action”. This was the perspective opened up by prof. Sorgi in these times when there is an urgency to “bring down the fundamental categories of power”. He proposed “the Magnificat as the social ‘magna charta’” But the regality of Mary, he underlined, is a “regality of love”, a “maternal regality”. Politics can therefore assume “the warmth of a service of love … the soul it so badly needs”. Following the talk given by prof. Sorgi, prof. Adam Biela, an academic and politician, shared in his testimony how prayer is a source of inspiration and strength in his political commitment to go against the current in favour of a true development of his country

“The great civilised and democratic countries have opted for war as the means for resolving conflict.” This was the strong message given by prof. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the St Egidio Community, in his address on the second day of the International Marian Congress. In his talk he poses a question which “makes everyone uneasy”: “Will war once again be the future of the world?” And here, prof. Riccardi highlights the strength of peace emanating from femininity, illustrating that Mary, at the foot of the cross, is the one who, though “overcome” by the violence of the death of her Son, “conceals in her tears the strength of life and hope” and is “unbending in the face of the logic of conquered and conqueror, friend and foe.” “The mystery of faith that we see in Mary,” prof. Riccardi continues, “is that strength can be found in weakness, lowliness can be found in greatness, life can be present in a body destined to die.” Today, “Mary represents the strength of peace in the midst of war”. “A mother’s concern” for the needs of others, “even though unspoken”, as shown by Mary at the “Marriage Feast of Cana”, was the focus of a talk given by Anna Pelli. It was a reflection on this Gospel episode, one of the Mysteries of Light that was deepened during the Marian Congress. This Gospel episode was reflected in an experience recounted by Carmen and her daughter, Maricel, from the Philippines. Their family had undergone many sufferings: financial difficulties, alcohol, drugs, constant arguments and the repercussions all this had on each of the eight children. They lived in a shack on the outskirts of Manila. Theirs was a story of resurrection starting from the discovery of God’s love and of Mary as a model to imitate. Carmen, the mother, shared how her life changed when she came into contact with the Bukas Palad Social Centre, run by the Focolare Movement. She was able to start again with her husband, who for years had been drinking and gambling. Maricel shared her experience of giving up the life of drugs she had led for seven years, finding the strength to forgive her father who, during their estrangement, had changed so dramatically. Maricel looked after him in the last days of his life. It was a miracle of love which flowed on to other poor families in their district through the Bukas Palad centre where Carmen and Maricel now dedicate their time as social workers.

The artistic contribution of today’s program was truly extraordinary. It was focussed on this Mystery of Light, the “Marriage Feast of Cana”, leading everyone into the very heart of the Gospel. The choreography “Do Whatever He Tells You” by Marinel Stefanescu illustrated not so much the wedding feast but rather the profound meaning of the miracle of the water changing into wine, symbol of the blood which Jesus himself would shed in order to work the greatest miracle of all: the Resurrection. Another moment in the intense program of the Marian Congress was the contribution given by the new charisms on the vital understanding of Mary and the Rosary. There was a round table session composed of representatives of various movements and ecclesial communities including: Catholic Charismatic Renewal, St Egidio Community, Cursillos, Schoenstatt and the Legionaires of Christ. “I enjoyed the sharing of testimonies by representatives of the different charisms; it was as if we could see Mary alive and present in each one in the heart of the Church,” wrote a person from Paraguay who had followed the congress through the Internet. And a participant from Argentina commented: “The series of testimonies shared by exponents of various movements was a witness to the variety of gifts which make the Church beautiful.”

A particularly profound testimony was that shared by Fr Pasquale Foresi, co-founder of the Focolare Movement and the first focolarino to be ordained a priest. What emerged through his talk was a renewed priesthood, a Marian priesthood, and the fruitfulness of a life lived in the development of the Focolare Movement.

Mary, the living Word of God

May 2, 2003 | Non categorizzato

 “I don’t agree with suicide bombers.” “And I don’t agree with the bombardments over your cities.” This conversation, between a young Palestinian girl and an Israeli soldier, took place at a check-point in an occupied Palestine territory. Comments like these are the opposite to what you hear elsewhere, but they reflect the type of experiences that are being shared on the stage at the Mariapolis Centre in Castelgandolfo, where the International Marian Congress is being held to promote the Year of the Rosary nominated by Pope John Paul II. His intention was to relaunch this Marian prayer, defined by him as a “compendium of the Gospel”, in order to encourage today’s men and women to search for peace and a new dimension of the Spirit, to “contemplate Christ with the eyes of Mary” and to be like him “builders of peace and of a world more in accordance with the plans of God”. The experiences shared during the congress demonstrate the power of the Gospel which is capable of crushing hatred through love for one’s enemies. It is a way we’re obliged to undertake “following the 11th of September which placed us at a crossroad. It’s up to us to follow the right road”, as Mgr. Piero Coda said in his talk. Dieudonné from Burundi shared his experience: 12 members of his family were massacred during bombardments in his city, but this isn’t what made him change his way of life. He decided to put into practice the art of evangelical love even in his encounters with the military who, though often quite merciless, were in need of assistance. He recounted, for example, the episode when he saved the life of a drunken soldier who was about to fall off a bridge. This is just a glimpse of the many testimonies inserted in the sections of the program dedicated to the five “Mysteries of Light” which, together with theological reflections, penetrated in depth the various stages of the life of Jesus and Mary. The first mystery, the Baptism of Jesus, was presented by Fr Fabio Ciardi who commented, “It is an invitation to recognise Jesus as the Son of God so as to submerge our old self in the waters of baptism and so be reborn to new life in order to find ourselves brothers and sisters in the heart of the one Father.” As Mgr Domenico Sorrentino, Archbishop of Pompei, underlined in tracing the history of the Rosary, the Holy Father invites us to take a step further, “He does not limit himself to entrusting peace to the intercession of Mary, but he presents it as the fruit of this prayer, which is a ‘prayer for peace’, since it consists in the contemplation of Christ.” “It has a peaceful effect.” The participants of the Congress at Castelgandolfo have been living an experience of contemplation, and this hasn’t been limited to the 1500 participants from 70 countries present in the hall. The proceedings have also been followed through 11 satellite linkups generously donated by ESA, Telepace, EWTN and the CRC (Canada) which have made it possible for local and national television channels to transmit the entire event. On the first day of the conference there were 7000 live Internet connection points with an audience of 20,000. Messages were received from all over the world, and here is an example of some of the feedback: “It’s amazing to see how sublime spirituality and down-to-earth living can go together,” wrote someone from Amersfoot in Holland. “We’re watching the transmission. It’s full of light and we feel part of the event,” a message from Edinburgh said.

The profound spiritual dimension of the Marian conference was announced right from the beginning: “We will be focussing on the Rosary which is a constant song of love to Mary,” said Professor Giuseppe Zanghi, Director of the New Humanity theological journal, “It will be above all an opening of the eyes of our soul on the mysteries of the life of the Son of Mary. And while we will be opening our minds and hearts to Jesus, Jesus himself will speak of Mary to our hearts and minds – in the way that He speaks, a way which does not end in poor words but in a new creation.” One of the many novel aspects of this event was the charismatic dimension in the understanding of Mary and the Rosary. The Marian Congress offered this contribution in response to letter that Pope John Paul II consigned to Chiara Lubich on 16 October 2002, the same day on which he had relaunched the prayer of the Rosary. The culminating moment of the day was the talk given by Chiara Lubich who communicated the gifts of light from the origins of the Focolare Movement, which is recognised by the Church as the “Work of Mary”. Chiara recounted a dramatic moment of the beginnings of the Movement: “One day, beneath an atrocious bombing, face-down on the ground and covered with the thick dust that filled the air, I picked myself up almost as if miraculously preserved. Calm and filled with peace in the midst of the cries of the people around me, I realised that in those moments I had experienced a deep suffering: that of never again being able to say the ‘Hail Mary’”. Later on she understood that this “‘Hail Mary’ had to be made up of living words, of people who, almost like other little Marys, would give Love to the world.” It has to be that Love which is Jesus himself, that Jesus who, as Chiara added, “we can spiritually generate today as the Gospel promises when it says: ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name (in my love, as the Fathers of the Church explain), I am in their midst” (Mt 18:20). This is a task which, as Cardinal Vlk, Archbishop of Prague, said during his homily, has been defined as the “primary task awaiting today’s secularised society”. Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolare Movement, spoke of her discovery of the new countenance of Mary who is of “an incomparable beauty. She is all Word of God, all clothed in the Word of God”. She also spoke of “the call of every Christian to repeat, like Mary, Christ, the Truth, the Word, expressed in the personality that God has given to each one”. This is a vision “rich in consequences, for example, in the ecumenical field”. On Wednesday there will be testimonies shared by members of the Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Reformed Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church and Coptic Orthodox Church. An ulterior novelty which will permeate the whole conference is the ample space given to artistic items: songs, music, dances from various cultures and literary works (Dante, Sartre), because, as the words of Chiara Lubich’s meditation sung by Gen Verde say, “of Mary we cannot speak, but sing. Love flourishes in poetry”.

[:it]La forza della preghiera

Apr 22, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Interview with Chiara Lubich

Apr 10, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Could you explain the meaning of the title of this Congress: Contemplate Christ through the eyes of Mary? No person has known, or will ever know Jesus as Mary did, because she is the Immaculate One, she is his Mother; she is a living Gospel, and therefore “another Jesus”. In order to see, know and contemplate Jesus through her eyes, we have to try as much as we can to imitate her in her “constant yes” to the will of God. And in a certain sense, to re-live her life in us. What relevance do Mary, the Rosary and prayer have in today’s world? Mary and prayer have an enormous value in our times. There is now a new type of terrorism in the world – the most terrible – which could be an effect, as many think, of the presence of Evil with a capital E. The normal means aren’t enough to combat this evil. We have to turn to Good with a capital G, therefore to God and to everything that He represents. This is why prayer is so important; the Day of Prayer for Peace held in Assisi is one example of this and so is reciting the Rosary. Today’s world is divided between rich and poor and this is one of the main causes which gives rise to terrorism. We’re called to work as never before to bring about solidarity, the sharing of goods, universal brotherhood, in order to make humanity one family. Because Mary is the universal Mother, She can give us a hand as no one else can. What would you say to those who don’t believe in prayer and in its effectiveness in everyday life? Usually those who don’t believe in prayer have little faith in God. We need to help them rekindle this faith. There are many means at our disposal. One of the most effective means is the witness that we Christians can give when we love one another. In fact, Christ promised the conversion of the world to those who are united in love. He said, “That all may be one so that the world may believe” (Jn 17:21). What is the relationship between Mary, with the spiritual life she represents, and the creative work of artists? Artists are predisposed towards creating beautiful things. In fact, I’ve seen that for them, if they are believers, the greatest attribute they can give to God is beauty. It’s true that God is Truth, that God is Love, but God is also Beauty. And Mary is the one who is “all beautiful”; you could say she is the incarnation of beauty. That’s the reason of her relationship with artists and of their relationship with her. They are truly attracted by Mary: they have painted her, sculpted her, sung songs in her honour in all ages and in every imaginable way. What was the idea behind the Marian Congress, which is starting next Monday? It all started on 16 October 2002 at the end of the Wednesday audience with the Holy Father after he signed the Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae. I was among the 600 or so people of our Movement present in St Peter’s Square. On that day he handed me a long letter which, among other things, said, “On this occasion I would like to entrust to the focolarini the Rosary (…) I am certain that your devotion to the Holy Virgin will help you give prominence to the initiative of dedicating the coming year to the Rosary.” From that moment on, all over the world, there has been an abundance of ideas to promote the Rosary as widely as possible. The Marian Congress is one of these activities. Can you tell us, in a few words, what the three-day program of the congress will consist of? There will be reflections on the Apostolic Letter of the Holy Father on the Rosary and on the new “Mysteries of Light” with testimonies given by families, politicians, consecrated men and women, priests and young people. There will be two round table discussions: one dedicated to the various ecclesial movements, on the subject of the Rosary, and the other dedicated to Christians of other denominations who will comment on the Pope’s letter. The talks will be interspersed with artistic performances and exhibits worthy of honouring Mary, the “all beautiful”. Mass will be celebrated by Cardinals and Archbishops, among whom Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, Vatican City, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Archbishop of Prague, Monsignor Rylko, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and others.

Contemplating Christ through Mary’s eyes to be as He is builders of peace

Apr 10, 2003 | Non categorizzato

  The Focolare Movement has promoted, from 28 to 30 April 2003, at the Mariapoli Centre of Castelgandolfo (Rome), the International Marian Congress Contemplating Christ through Mary’s eyes in the Year of the Rosary proclaimed by Pope John Paul II in October 2002 in “this year fraught with great concern for the future of humanity” so that “in contemplating Christ through the eyes of Mary,” we may become “builders of peace, of a world more in accordance with the plan of God.” LIVE TELEVISION AND INTERNET TRANSMISSION with additions of various interviews and film clips www.focolare.org/live The Gospel perspective of the Pope’s Apostolic Letter on the Rosary and the new “Mysteries of Light” will be the main focus of the entire convention and the program will include brief theological reflections and testimonies. The aim is to reveal the riches and potential for renewal through the Gospel that is proposed by the Rosary. The Bishop of Pompei, Mgr Domenico Sorrentino, will trace the story of the Rosary throughout the centuries. Program Highlights – The contribution of the new charisms to the essential understanding of Mary and of the Rosary: Monday afternoon: Chiara Lubich, founder and President of the Focolare Movement Tuesday morning: Fr Pasquale Foresi, co-founder of the Focolare Movement and the first focolarino to be ordained a priest; Tuesday afternoon: Andrea Riccardi, founder of the St Egidio Community and presentations by other representatives of lay movements and ecclesial communities. – Testimonies from the Middle East, the United States of America, Burundi, the Philippines and Eastern Europe: Youth, families, politicians, priests and religious show how the seeds of unity have flourished even in the most difficult situations. – The intervention of Mary in history: Tuesday afternoon: Professor Tommaso Sorgi will present a previously unpublished account of many historical and contemporary events including the overthrow of the Marcos Regime in the Philippines and the war in Angola. This will be followed by the testimony of Professor Adam Biela, a Polish academic and politician. – Ecumenical dimension: The Pope’s letter and the vision of Mary in the different Churches: Wednesday morning: discussion panel with representatives of the Rumanian- Orthodox Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church (Egypt), the Anglican Communion, the Evangelical Reform Church (Switzerland) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Germany). – Interreligious dimension: a Song to the Father in the language of Mary; her place in Islam: Wednesday afternoon: Song by Jewish singer Miriam Meghnagi; talk by an Iranian Muslim academic Sharzad Houshmand. – The contribution of art: expressing in the language of art, Mary, as Masterpiece of Beauty, model of the fulfillment of a new humanity: The program will include numerous musical items: songs, dances and artistic presentations from different cultures, some of which have been prepared especially for the occasion, e.g. the first performance of The Miracle of the Wedding Feast by the Classical Ballet Company Cosi-Stefanescu. – Live television coverage of the entire convention: This live television event will be enriched by additional material which will be aired during program intervals. These will include numerous interviews and 27 film clips. The live telecast has been made possible through the generosity of ESA and MEDIA SPACE Alliance, TELEPACE with 4 satellites, EWTN and CANCAO NOVA of Brazil. Numerous local and national television stations will be linked up. � 1400 people are expected to participate with the presence of over 20 cardinals and bishops from more than 80 countries from all continents – from Russia to the United States, from Columbia and from the Congo to Pakistan and Australia. � The Eucharistic liturgies will be celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State; Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Silvano Piovanelli, Archbishop Emeritus of Florence; Bishop Stanislaw Rylko, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and Bishop Vincenzo Paglia, Bishop of Terni. � Where did the idea for this initiative originate? It was in response to the Pope’s message to Chiara Lubich on 16th October last year in St Peter’s Square, the very day on which he relaunched the Marian prayer of the Rosary throughout the Church. In his message to Chiara, he wrote, “I would like to entrust to the Focolare Movement the prayer of the Holy Rosary which I have proposed to the whole Church”. He asked us “to offer our contribution so that these months might become for every Christian community the opportunity for an inner renewal.”

God’s love hiding behind an illness

Apr 8, 2003 | Non categorizzato

 Just lately, I fell ill. As in other moments of my life, here too, I found God’s super-abundant and generous love. As a result of chemotherapy, I lost my hair. Jesus’ words are true: “I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink”. In these days, I can say that I also experienced: “I was hairless and you gave me your hair”. In fact, three young girls cut their hair to make me a wig which was exactly the same colour as mine. On top of my sickness, there were the economic difficulties as well, not only due to the expensive treatments I had to undergo, but also because I could no longer continue giving the extra private lessons I was getting paid for. At first, I was terribly worried, so I tried to entrust everything to Mary; Jesus within me was asking me to trust. Yes, trust that this sorrowful physical trial, my doubts and temptations, were nothing but manifestations of God’s purifying love. In a few days, his response came: my sick-leave compensation was higher than my regular salary; moreover, they gave me an added allowance for the lessons I was not able to give! This proved to me that if I remain in his love and put his words into practice, I can ask for what is needed and it will be given to me. I felt like a branch that was engrafted in the true vine. From my heart surged the song: “It’s impossible not to believe in you; it’s impossible not to make of you the Ideal of my life.” G. – Brazil from I Fioretti di Chiara e dei Focolari – St. Paul Publications, p. 27

[:it]La ragazza del capo. Droga, discoteca, vandalismo. Poi l’incidente.

Apr 2, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Brotherhood as a political category

Apr 2, 2003 | Non categorizzato

The time dedicated to political reflection last March 22 in Martigny (Switzerland) took on particular importance in view of the world situation, and in particular in view of the war in Iraq. This point was underlined by the Mayor of Mollens, Stéphane Pont, moderator of the convention which was entitled: “The challenge of authentic politics.” Promoted by a group of mayors, the Convention aroused the interest of a surprising number of politicians; in fact, there were 300 participants, among whom were politicians working on the national, regional and municipal levels from all over Switzerland. There were also participants from France and Austria, as well as a delegation from the World Council of Churches in Geneve (WCC). “In our days, politics is extremely demanding. Today we were presented with a political vision which may be a bit idealistic – commented Kipa Christophe Darbellay, member of the administration of the Federal Office of Agriculture – but I believe that it is important to have idealistic goals and perspectives also in political life. The best propeller of political commitment is a solid relationship with other people and with God. This was what we have seen today.” Chiara Lubich was invited as the keynote speaker. In her talk, she proposed that brotherhood be assumed as a political category, since this is ever more urgent now, with the present dramatic international scene. “In its essence, politics is love – she stated – and it renders as necessary the development of mental categories which take into account the fundamental unity among human beings, while conserving full respect for their differences.” She concluded by launching a challenge to Switzerland: “Being a small country, it could become for Europe a model of unity in the diversity of cultures and languages.”

Lucia Fronza Crepaz, former Italian Congresswoman, spoke about the developments in the Movement for Unity in Politics, which began in 1996 with the aim of encouraging political commitment and democratic debate in the perspective of serving the common good; the Movement also underscores those aspects of political action which contribute to successfully working for the common good and for universal brotherhood.” This new political culture was demonstrated by the concrete examples shared by numerous politicians. The report presented by Marco Fatuzzo, former Mayor of Syracuse (Sicily) was particularly significant. He related how majority and opposition forces were able to collaborate to the benefit of the citizens, during a particularly difficult situation.

[:it]Il Movimento Politico per l’unità

Apr 2, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Peace on the offensive

Mar 27, 2003 | Non categorizzato

 The unstable world situation particularly in the Middle East and in parts of Africa are a call for a counter action or actions that aim at building peace, or better, at establishing a culture of peace.

Last October Pope John Paul II re-launched the practice of saying the rosary for world peace and in support of the family, another targeted area in our society.
On October 16, 2002 asked the members of the Focolare Movement to be among the first ones to take up this instrument of peace, entrusting Chiara Lubich with a significant mandate: “I would like to ideally hand over to the focolarini the prayer of the Holy Rosary as a preferential way of contemplating and assimilating the mystery of Christ.”
As a result, many families and young people are praying the rosary for peace. And many other peace-building initiatives are underway.

Ecumenical and Interreligious Initiatives

Norway – March 23 – A vigil for reflection on peace in the Mosque in Oslo – 600 attended: adults and children, Catholics, Lutherans and Muslims. The event received coverage in the media. Sample headlines: “No religion urges aggression.” A Christian-Muslim committee was created to follow up on further developments.
An e-mail message entitled “The Snow-Ball Effect” read: “Instead of war we want to build peace and spread the idea of reconciliation. We intend to carry out concrete actions for peace in our daily lives. For example: to welcome those being discriminated against; to forgive; not to let the sun go down without having resolved misunderstandings, between husband and wife, for example; to apologize; to avoid speaking badly about someone, and instead to highlight the positive; to collaborate better with one’s co-workers and avoid introducing elements of disharmony; to raise awareness that love is more powerful than bombs. Will you join us?”

Philippines – The decision to hold an interfaith gathering for peace with friends of different religions, Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, was warmly welcomed, especially by members of the Muslim community.

Belgium – “Drums for Peace.” This year 60,000 children were involved in an annual march for peace promoted by the Focolare and supported by UNESCO, the Minister of Education, and various local administrations. The event received widespread media coverage.
Bulgaria – Catholics and Orthodox made a pilgrimage together to an Orthodox monastery dedicated to Mary, close to the capital city, Sophia.

United States – In Chicago a benefit dinner attended also by Muslims friends of the Focolare, concluded with a moment of silence and the reading of the prayer of St. Francis for peace. At Mariapolis Luminosa, the little city of the Focolare for North America, in Hyde Park, NY, every evening the community gathers to pray together a rosary for peace.
In New York City, the Youth for a United World worked together with their friends to organize a vigil, “Seeds of Hope: Experiences of Unity in a Divided World.” In an atmosphere of hope, they reflected on the serious consequences of the war in Iraq, prayed for all who suffer from violence and war, and highlighted positive and concrete ways of building relationships of peace and unity.

Ireland – Many schools took part in the Drums for Peace initiative. In Belfast, the principal of a Catholic school invited the neighboring Protestant school to collaborate on the project. In County Cork in the south of Ireland, at the suggestion of a teenage boy, many gathered to pray the rosary at the local “Holy Well,” a traditional place to gather for prayer in times of crisis.

Italy – Of the thousands of peace marches that took place around the world, the one organized in Milan on March 22 by members of the Focolare and St. Egidio Community proposed peace as a lifestyle. The march included a rally where personal witnesses were shared by a young Muslim from Algeria, a young woman from Israel, and a Buddhist from Sri Lanka. Youth from different movements and associations in the diocese began a prayer chain.

Slovak Republic – After having prayed the rosary for peace, a group of children came up with the idea of sending a letter to the national Catholic newspaper, addressed to children everywhere. Julia, 5, wrote the title: “Let’s pray that there will not be another world war.” “Dear friends,” they wrote, “the Holy Father suffered very much when he heard that the war had begun in Iraq, and he started to pray right away. We started to pray, too, saying a part of the rosary every day, at least ten Hail Marys. We are praying that there will be no more wars. We are asking everyone not to fight: at school, at home, on the playground, on our buses, streets, and in places of government. Come and let’s pray together, as many children as possible. Hopefully our prayers will bring the war to an end quickly. Invite other children and adults to do the same, too. Thank you! Bye!”

Brazil – In Sao Paulo fliers were handed out to passersby, inviting the public to transform their daily commute into a pilgrimage for peace by reciting a simple prayer or two as they walked down the street.

Argentina – The local Catholic Church, joined by other Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, set up a tent in the popular Plaza de Mayo where people can gather 24 hours a day to pray for peace.

To bring an end to the war: initiatives and prayers for peace Live for universal brotherhood at all costs

Mar 23, 2003 | Non categorizzato

Act for peace “That which, together with the Pope, we hoped would never happen has happened: the war in Iraq.” With these words Chiara began her message to the people of the Focolare Movement inviting everyone to take action for peace: “When he was informed of the attack on Iraq the Holy Father, after having the week before explored every possible avenue to save peace, he retreated in prayer, anguished. Our knowledge of the facts and the Pope’s example urge us now in every nation where the Movement is present, to foster initiatives in favor of peace, and not just in Christian circles.” Chiara suggested in particular that the Movement’s members and supporters in particular increase the initiatives of prayer for peace “because we call on God’s help in a matter -war – where the prince of Evil is at work: prayer, therefore, pilgrimages, liturgical events, coming together to pray the rosary.” A passionate call “at all costs” for universal brotherhood In a message sent to the participants at a gathering for Muslim families of the Focolare Movement which began on March 26 in Algeria, Chiara wrote: “It is a difficult time for international relations. Such times require an extra measure of faith in the merciful love of the One God, a passionate effort at living for universal brotherhood, no matter what the cost, a more generous and more complete concentration of our life in the values of our Ideal of unity: an Ideal of mutual love, acceptance and solidarity that prepare the dawn of a united world. I know that many voices around us push us in the opposite direction, but we know and believe that justice can really live only where there is mutual love, that love that comes from God. My wish for you is that your time together may be the source of an enriching spiritual experience that will help you grow both in your love for one another and in the example of faith that you offer to your communities. A family that lives in accordance with God’s will is like a beacon of light that illuminates the pathways of humanity and its interactions. I am there with you with my whole heart.”

[:it]"La sfida di una politica autentica"

Mar 21, 2003 | Non categorizzato

They could have been the last moments of my life

Mar 11, 2003 | Non categorizzato

I live in Rio de Janeiro: one of most beautiful cities in the world. For some time now I have been living the Word of Life and taking it to various people with Chiara’s commentaries. One evening, I left work later that usual, yet I didn’t want to go home without consigning the last copy of the Word to a family I visit every month. So I called my mother to let her know I would be late. But in order not to be too late, I took a taxi. In the rearview mirror I saw the face of the driver who said, “You got in the wrong car, this is a stolen taxi and now you’re coming with me.” I shuddered: “A kidnapper, where will he take me?” The taxi left the city. We pulled up in front of a Motel, a house of prostitution. He made me get down and pushed me into a room. He remained in the hall and I sat on the bed and thought “what will happen to me?” It could have been the moment of my life … Then I remembered I still had the Word of Life and so I began reading it slowly. That person came in and shut the door. Sitting down beside me, with his arm over my shoulder he asked, “What are you dooing?” I told him it was a commentary on a phrase spoken by Jesus’ in the Gospel which I tried to put into practice. “Read it to me out loud!”, he said aggressively. I think I lived that moment in solemnity, reading each word with love. I hadn’t finished reading when he wripped the page out of my hand and said, “Go on go, get out, you’re too good!”. The Word saved my life. M.A.C. – Rio de Janeiro (From “I Fioretti di Chiara e dei Focolari” – San Paolo Editrice)

[:it]Un momento di tregua per cercare le radici di un comune impegno per la pace

Mar 7, 2003 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Momento di riflessione sulla pace

Mar 7, 2003 | Non categorizzato