[:it]«Ti dono la croce che il Papa ha dato a me»

May 6, 2001 | Non categorizzato

Chiara Lubich in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

May 4, 2001 | Non categorizzato

Engagements at an ecclesial and civic level. Meetings with members of the Focolare Movement in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Ukraine. Prominence given by to this visit by the media in the Czech Republic. The expansion of the Focolare Movement in Eastern Europe during the 1960s . Program – The spread of the Focolare Movement First visit to the Czech Republic On 27 April, a press conference was held with Chiara Lubich. It was attended by journalists from leading national television networks and radio stations, from independent newspapers as well as from the Christian press. On 28 April, Chiara gave a talk on “The New Evangelisation” to the 2nd National Gathering of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities in Prague. On 30 April she spoke to around 2,000 members of the Focolare Movement who had come together for a three-day meeting in Prague from the Ukraine, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Lucia Fronza e Antoni Baggio, representatives of the international secretariat of the Movement for Unity in Politics, met with a group of about 60 adherents of the Focolare Movement who work in the field of politics. They presented the birth of this new initiative, its developments and current actions. On 3 May, Chiara was invited by the Episcopal Conference of the Czech Republic to speak on “The Charismatic Dimensions of the Church and the New Evangelisation”. Giuseppe Zanghì, editor of the Focolare’s cultural journal “New Humanity”, spoke on the theme “Jesus Crucified and Forsaken, Key to the Spirituality of Communion” drawing parallels between it and the Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, “Novo Millennio Ineunte”. Fr Silvano Cola, delegate for the Dialogue among Movements and New Communities, spoke on the topic “Dialogue and Communion among the New Charisms”. Chiara Lubich concluded her visit in the Czech Republic with a visit to the newborn little town of the Focolare Movement in Vinor, in the vicinity of the Prague.   From the 6th of May, visit to Slovakia 7-8 May – Meeting with the men and women focolarini of the Czech Republic and Slovakia 9 May – Chiara Lubich has been invited to give her personal experience, and the experience of the Focolare Movement, to the Episcopal Conference. 10 May – Chiara has been received by the President of the Parliament, Josef Migas, and by the Vice President, Pavol Hrusovsky. This has been followed by a meeting with a delegation of MPs and representatives of various political groups. Chiara will speak on “Fraternity in Politics”. On 12 May, at the Sports Stadium in Bratislava, more than 5,000 people will gather for a meeting which will include experiences from the beginnings of the Focolare Movement, local experiences and artistic contributions. There will be a presentation on the spirituality of the Movement with its impact on youth, on the family, on the economy, in politics and within the Church.   In the afternoon, Chiara Lubich will illustrate one of the cardinal points of the spirituality, “Unity and Jesus Crucified and Abandoned”, with the growth and development of various dialogues, including ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.

[:it]Esperienza del Movimento “Luce – Vita” (Oasi)

Apr 27, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]"Spiritualità di comunione per l’ecumenismo del Terzo Millennio"

Apr 21, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]"Mi era sempre mancata una famiglia più grande…"

Apr 13, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Chiara Lubich alla 1a Scuola Internazionale per imprenditori 5 aprile 2001

Apr 8, 2001 | Non categorizzato

Relaunch of the ECONOMY OF COMMUNION PROJECT

Apr 8, 2001 | Non categorizzato

   9 April 2001 Q – What are the innovations, ten years on, which have emerged at the conclusion of this school for entrepreneurs who adhere to the Economy Communion project? After ten years following the birth of the Economy of Communion project we felt the need everywhere to take stock of the situation, to see what new horizons were opening up in front of us. This line of action was indicated to us by Chiara Lubich, in her keynote speech, in which she expressed the desire to emphasise and to relaunch the original inspiration underlying the project. The theme focussed on four fundamental points: The original intention of the project which is to give help to the needy through the sharing of business profits. The “culture of giving” seen as the cultural humus which lies at the basis of business activity. “New people”, that is, lay people who wish to consecrate human realities. As a consequence of this, the development of schools of formation for entrepreneurs. By launching these four points, Chiara Lubich indicated the paths to follow, paths which the business men and women present undertook to pursue with great seriousness and commitment. In the three-day program, the first day was dedicated to the life and the reality of the businesses. The second day was dedicated to the ideas and the economic theories which underlie the Economy of Communion and which could illuminate the life and action of the businesses. A great contribution was also given by experts who gave entrepreneurs the impetus to launch this idea. Business men and women of the same industry sector got together in workshops, according to language groups. This gave the opportunity for dialogue, for in-depth discussions and for the gathering of ideas. Another important point was the launching of Chiara’s idea to create industrial parks within the little towns of the Focolare Movement. Q – Have new initiatives emerged from this school? The new initiative was precisely that of creating industrial parks within the little towns of the Movement. Already ten years ago, an industrial complex was developed adjacent to Araceli, the little town of the Movement near San Paolo in Brazil. The complex now includes 6 businesses and is a credible witness to the Economy of Communion. This year Chiara launched the idea that a similar industrial park be constructed in Loppiano, the little town of the Focolare Movement near Florence. Chiara repeated what she had said in Brazil “We are poor but we are many”, and so it’s a matter of raising funds, not only through the contributions of business owners, but through contributions given by all those – within the Focolare Movement and outside it – who love the idea of the Economy of Communion. Q – Do you mean shareholders? Yes, a sort of share-holding system which came into effect during the meeting itself. A significant sum of money has already been raised to start off this activity. Q – What would the significance be of these little towns with an industrial park? The identity of the little town of the Focolare Movement is that of shouting out the Gospel through its way of life. It is a witness of evangelical life in a normal context, with relationships of charity, of unity, of solidarity among people and ethnic groups. The industrial park would endow the town with another dimension: to give witness to that evangelical life which is capable of penetrating all aspects of human life, spiritual aspects as well as earthly aspects. Q – Through the dialogue that emerged during these days, what will the Economy of Communion bring to the current world economic crisis which is creating an ever-increasing gap between rich and poor? In this sense Professor Stefano Zamagni gave a specific contribution during the panel discussion which was composed of four experts of different nationalities. He said that one of the essential contributions of the Economy of Communion was that of injecting a new paradigm into this climate of competition – which is typical not only of economic activity but which is invading all dimensions of life, from the family unit to the political arena, causing grave repercussions for human life – a paradigm which is not one of competition, but a paradigm of love, of unity. He considers this to be one of the greatest contributions the Economy of Communion can give. Another expert, Professor Emanuela Silva, from Portugal, affirmed that the Economy of Communion gives a theoretical contribution to the importance of solidarity and sharing in a world, such as that pertaining to economics, in which individualism reigns, in which scientific rationality and the affirmation of self are the fundamental paradigms. With the Economy of Communion what is introduced into this fabric is the sense of solidarity and the sense of sharing. Q – In view of the current research in the field of economy, would you say that the values of Economy of Communion businesses constitute a response or do they contradict what is maturing in the theoretical elaboration of economics? It is in contrast with the dominant trends of globalisation. In the world of economy there exists a sector which we could call an alternative economy or third sector or economy for solidarity, or civil economy. There are a whole series of proposals which are in direct contrast with the rational and individualistic economy, the neo-liberal and market economy. The Economy of Communion aligns itself with these forms of alternative economies giving, however, its own specific contribution. Q – What sort of contribution? Precisely that of permeating the economy of profit with those values of solidarity and sharing which are normally inherent in a non-profit economy, that is, an economy which is not after the accumulation of wealth. The Economy of Communion operates within the market economy, that is within a profit-making economy, which does seek to produce profits but which volunteers to share these profits with the disadvantaged members of our society. Q – Can we envisage then, since we’re in the new millennium, that this new economic trend will have an impact on the great economic currents of the world? We certainly hope so because, as Chiara affirmed very strongly, this is not purely the work of human beings but the work of God. We are believers; we are convinced that the paternity of God, that His presence operates also in our earthly affairs and therefore this project is not only dependent on our efforts but that there is a powerful impetus by the Holy Spirit who responds to the needs of humanity. This is where our wisdom, hope and certainty lies: that the Economy of Communion will have a future, a powerful future for the development of the economic world and the economic ideas of this third millennium.  

Relaunch of the ECONOMY OF COMMUNION PROJECT

Apr 8, 2001 | Non categorizzato

“The Economy of communion was born to rekindle the spirit and the way of life of the first Christians: ‘They were one heart and one soul and no-one among them was in need’. Nowadays a little bit of charity is not sufficient. We need entire businesses to freely put their profits in common. Used in this way, our capital will yield immeasurable returns because our giving will open God’s hands”.  (Chiara Lubich) In relaunching the Economy of Communion ten years after its birth, Chiara Lubich, at the opening of the School for Entrepreneurs, spoke in depth about the spiritual foundations on which the Economy of Communion has been based since its debut at San Paolo in Brazil. These spiritual roots “must always sustain it as a guarantee of its authenticity”, Chiara said. The Economy of Communion (EOC) is certainly an audacious project. It concerns business proprietors willing to donate a part of their profits to those in need instead of getting rich themselves. And while part of the profits are used to develop the business itself, another part is allocated for the formation of “new people”. But how can such businesses survive within the rigid confines of the market economy? From the beginning of her talk, and using no half measures, Chiara Lubich affirmed that the EOC is not only an activity that is the fruit of projects and ideas of talented people. It is a reality present in one of the modern day Movements inspired by the Holy Spirit, and thus the work of God. Everything started 10 years ago during one of Chiara’s trips to Brazil where she saw the drama of the poverty in the favelas (shanty towns) that surround the big cities. With great passion, Chiara focussed on the intention for which this project had arisen: to fulfil those words from the Acts of the Apostles which refer to the early Church: “They were one heart and one soul; everything among them was in common. No one was in need”. Her appeal to keep at the forefront of our minds “our fellow brothers and sisters burdened by their daily struggle for survival” was a strong reminder. “Nowadays a little bit of charity is not enough,” she continued, “We need entire businesses and companies to freely put their profits in common.” She spoke with just as much passion of the “culture of giving” that has its roots entirely in that promise: “Give and you will be given, with a measure pressed down and overflowing”, a promise which can be verified even in the running of the business. “Using our capital in this manner,” she said, “yields immeasurable returns, because our giving opens God’s hands”. Of course we must form “new people”, those lay people of this new millennium who become saints not “in spite of” economics or politics, but even when fully immersed in politics and economics. At this point Chiara launched the idea of repeating this first school of formation all over the world. 750 businesses in 5 continents draw their inspiration from the Economy of Communion which is attracting increasing interest on the part of economists and sociologists, in universities and other educational institutions. Innumerable meetings have addressed this topic in varying degrees, and over one hundred academic theses on this subject have been completed. The history and developments that have occurred during these 10 years were outlined by the sociologist Vera Araujo and by entrepreneur Alberto Ferrucci. In their talks, they touched on the following two aspects: the distribution of profits to more than 10,000 families in need, and the guidelines for running the businesses which emerge from the experience of the businesses themselves. Many entrepreneurs present then gave their experience. Among the businesses presented were: “Solidar Capital” (Germany) and the businesses it finances in Lebanon and Israel, Unilab – Information Technology (Italy). Then followed a video presentation of the ‘Spartaco Industrial Complex’, the pilot industrial structure built in the Focolare Movement’s little town Mariapolis Araceli (now known as Mariapolis Ginetta), near San Paolo, Brazil. Other businesses presented were from Goa (India), from Italy, from Cameroon, as well as the Asia Management Training Centre Project in the Philippines which is collaborating with Italian entrepreneurs who want to adopt this project in Europe. During the interval, various workshops were held according to the type of business activity: information technology, manufacturing, commerce, academic studies, consultancy services, tourism and human services. These were important moments of dialogue among businesses from all over the world who had gathered together for the first time since the birth of the Economy of Communion. “Challenges and prospects of the Economy of Communion today” was at the centre of a lively debate between the participants and a panel made up of the Brazilian sociologist Vera Araujo, Professor Luigino Bruni, lecturer in History of Economics in the State University of Milan (Italy) and Alberto Ferrucci entrepreneur. Professor Bruni outlined the first ideas of a new economic theory in his talk: “Economy of Communion: Facts and Ideas for a New Humanism”. Sociologist Vera Araujo presented a broad study of “The Culture of Giving”. Professor Benedetto Gui, lecturer in Economics at the University of Padova, Italy, gave his talk: “Towards an economic conduct based on communion”. “The challenges of the Economy of Communion in present day economics” was debated by a panel of experts composed of university lecturers Manuela Silva (Portugal), Cristina Calvo (Argentina), Rocio Marques (Malaga, Spain), and Stefano Zamagni (Bologna, Italy) who concluded the meeting with a presentation welcomed with great enthusiasm by all the participants. Professor Zamagni indicated the Economy of Communion, and its culture of love, as an antidote to the culture of “competition” that invades all the spheres in human relations (politics, family etc). This Economy of Communion, according to the economist from Bologna, will increasingly become a ground breaking experience in this delicate phase when new avenues for a truly just and promising economy are being researched.

[:it]Il polo imprenditoriale laboratorio di una nuova economia

Apr 4, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]"Bisognava far festa e rallegrarsi …" perché era alcoolizzato ed ora è risanato

Mar 14, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Cronaca del Convegno

Feb 16, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]«Allora, vogliamo prenderlo questo caffè?»

Feb 14, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Lettera del Santo Padre G.P. II

Feb 14, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Discorso di Chiara Lubich agli indù e membri di altre religioni a Coimbatore

Jan 6, 2001 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Conferito a Chiara Lubich il premio Difensore della Pace 2001

Jan 6, 2001 | Non categorizzato

CHIARA LUBICH IN INDIA

Jan 6, 2001 | Non categorizzato

  Chiara Lubich, using the most powerful human force of love and a strong faith in the unity of all humankind as espoused in the teachings of Jesus Christ, you have been chosen to play a tireless role in sowing the seeds of peace and love among all peoples. Starting during the dark days of the Second World War in Italy and thereafter all over the world, in the last six decades you have worked ceaselessly to help people discover love for and understanding of each other. This has allowed you to continuously strengthen the fragile framework of peace on which much of world’s prosperity, health, culture and spirituality is developing. In particular, you have built the lay Christian Movement of Focolare serving the people of the world through prayer and action and in promoting better dialogue, tolerance and purposeful cooperation among people of various religions. Importantly the empathy that you and the Focolare movement enjoy with young people and the deep understanding of evolving changes in this world displayed by yourself have ensured that the message of Jesus Christ stays relevant, fresh and healing in solving contemporary issues. In honour of your achievements, the peace loving people from the ancient country of India and in particular the Sarvodaya Movement and Shanti Ashram, present you with the eighth Defender of peace Award on the fifth day of January, two thousand and one. Shanti Ashram                                            Sarvodaya Movement Minoti Aram, President                                Dr. N. Markandan, President

[:it]Un patto di fraternità per l’Italia

Dec 14, 2000 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Ecumenismo: segni di speranza

Dec 9, 2000 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Simposio sulla Dottrina Sociale di Igino Giordani nel ventennale della sua scomparsa

Nov 29, 2000 | Non categorizzato

A New Pedagogy

Nov 14, 2000 | Non categorizzato

An important meeting took place on Friday, 10 November, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the U.S. Capital. It was the ceremony for the conferral of an honorary Degree in Education awarded to Chiara Lubich by the Catholic University of America. Three thousand people filled the basilica. Among those present were Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim African-American delegations.
Cardinal Hickey of Washington spoke of the signs of a new “springtime in the Church”.
In the laudatio he emphasised the prayer of Jesus – “That all may be one” – which lies at the heart of the spirituality of the Focolare Movement and which continues to inspire great numbers of people of every religious tradition to endeavour to reach this goal. In her address, Chiara Lubich traced a new pedagogy: the spirituality of unity, which has its source in the Gospel.
“It is a pedagogy which moves the world away from being a soulless Babel to being an experience of God in our midst, who is capable of embracing the whole of humanity.”
Professor David Schindler, a theologian from Washington, in an interview spoke of a “timely response” in view of the current situation in America, and of the shattered hopes and the cynism that is so widespread today. “It’s enough to see what’s happened in this election,” he commented.

The last leg of the intense schedule in Washington was Chiara Lubich’s meeting with students and academic staff at the Catholic University of America on Tuesday, november 14th.
Before responding to their questions, Chiara wanted to give a strong witness to the action of the Holy Spirit who had brought to life her movement. She said the reason why she has accepted all these awards – this was her 12th honoris causa degree – was for the glory of God, “so that they may see the good works of the Father” not only in the spiritual sense, but also “to demonstrate that God, and his Spirit, had brought about a renewal also in the human field”.
Through the dialogue that ensued, what emerged was truly this renewal in the field of study, of the economy, of pedagogy, of theology in their relationship with other religions.
Professor Schindler highlighted the source underlying everything Chiara had achieved: “No economic, social or political activity can do without the realism of innocence through which love transpires”.

[:it]Comunità di fedi diverse, insieme verso una convivenza armoniosa della famiglia umana

Nov 11, 2000 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Laurea h.c. in Pedagogia a Chiara Lubich dall’Università Cattolica d’America

Nov 9, 2000 | Non categorizzato

First World Conference of Children for the Future

Oct 11, 2000 | Non categorizzato

To the heads of the countries of the world To the civil and religious leaders To those responsible for the mass-media To national and international organizations We are 213 children from 40 nations of the world, gathered together here in Japan to participate at the “Conference of Children for the Future”. One great ideal binds us: to build a world of peace. Belonging to different religions, we want to live the “Golden Rule” which is present in our beliefs: “To do unto others what you would like them to do unto you, to not do unto others what you would not like them to do unto you”. Practically, we want to live this reciprocal respect, the love which is present in each person’s DNA. And this means: to love everyone, forgetting ourselves and thinking about others, without discriminating against those who have ideas that are different from our own or who belong to another race or ethnic group; to be the first to love, without expecting others to take the first step; to love our enemies as well, forgetting past offenses, learning to forgive, telling one another with compassion what we can change and improve in ourselves. In these days we have experienced that love can change every relationship if we look for what unites us rather than what divides us. Why cannot this happen among nations as well? We would reach the point of loving the other country as our own and peace will then be guaranteed. The human person cannot live alone. We have to support one another to live. We believe that to be grateful to those who support us and to become those who can do something for them in return will create our bright future. The future belongs to us. We would like you to hear our voice: let’s make an appointment in our countries so that we children will be able to meet and have a dialogue with you. We would like to become the voices of all the children who suffer in the world because of exploitation, wars, diseases as AIDS. Aware that there are many differences still present between rich countries, where consumerism reigns, and poor countries, we have decided to begin to live and spread a new culture, a culture of giving and of sharing. If we were to live like this among nations, all the resources of the earth would be distributed equally without any differences. We would like the elimination of the foreign debt of poor countries to be the first step towards this goal, so that they may have a better possibility for development and a higher standard of living. In order to put an end to all wars and conflicts, let’s encourage dialogue and collaboration, committing ourselves decisively to disarmament and use money intended for weapons for non-violent goals. We would like sports not to be a means to make money, but an occasion of encounter and of friendship among people, where we learn to work together, to win, to lose and to start again. Drugs destroy the future of children and it is a very serious problem in some countries. If we had better prospects for the future, many would not use drugs. We ask you to firmly fight this evil, with laws which would protect us. Let us not indiscriminately take advantage of the natural resources, but thinking of our future generations, let us do as plants do: take from the earth only what is needed. We know that people are happy if they live in peace with themselves and with the nature that surrounds them. Help us to defend and preserve nature, stopping deforestation and promoting recycling. Create “green” spaces in the cities where we can all get together. Let us give special care to the elderly, because they give a precious contribution to society with their experience and wisdom. Let us use science and technology not as a means to themselves but as a service to humankind, encouraging also the research of alternative sources other than nuclear energy. Peace begins in the heart of every person. We would like values, like knowledge and respect of all cultures and religions, to be implemented into schools and that education for peace may be included in the curriculum. We would like that globalization, which the world is heading toward, not be based only on financial and economic interaction, but on a cultural and religious exchange so that all people may become one family. We ask that the mass-media spread the positive that is in the world; we ask for objectivity and that they inform us about the difficult situations in the various countries in order to be able to live more in solidarity. We ask you to prohibit the broadcasting of violent programs, which do not respect human dignity or the value of the human body. Let us put an end to the production of games and cartoons that encourage violence as well as the Internet sites that can harm us children in any way. We have already started to build peace. We know, however, that in order to reach this goal, we need you. For this reason, we ask for your help, especially for those places we cannot reach. Every day we pray for the achievement of this goal, certain that we will receive help from Heaven to reach a new and more united world, where all people of the earth can live happily and as brothers and sisters. The participants at the Conference of Children for the Future

[:it]Conferenza dei ragazzi per il futuro

Oct 11, 2000 | Non categorizzato

Chiara Lubich, honorary citizen of Florence

Sep 21, 2000 | Non categorizzato

Chiara Lubich, honorary citizen of Florence

 20/09/2000

Over 3000 people participated in the ceremony in Palazzo Vecchio, along with those linked through the maxi screen in Piazza della Signoria. The Mayor, The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and Chiara Lubich addressed the participants. Present were Cardinal Piovanelli, a number of bishops, mayors of Italian and other European cities, a Muslim Imam, representatives of the Buddhist faith and of other Churches and ecclesial Movements.
“This honorary citizenship recognises the work of Chiara Lubich in the area of dialogue among people of different religious beliefs, and among peoples, and her tenacious will to always seek common ground even with those who do not profess any religious faith, thus promoting human development above all in this time which is marked by a closed mentality and intolerance towards all that is different.”

This was one of the main reasons given in the motivation read by the President of the Florence City Council, Alberto Brasca, in the famous historical setting of the Hall of the Five Hundred in Palazzo Vecchio.

“Chiara’s message is not only for believers,” affirmed Mayor Leonardo Domenici, “It also has something to say to those who, while not professing any religious belief, have never ceased believing that this world, this society is in need of profound changes in order to respond – as Chiara herself says – to the challenge that this millennium may see the building of a new world of peace.” He defined this day as, “a day of commitment and of reflection, and not simply an occasion for celebrating a new citizen”.

Openness and dialogue are what Europe is so urgently in need of as it undergoes a seachange which President Prodi defined as “dramatic”: it is “faced with the choice between remaining closed or bringing to completion the unity of western and eastern Europe with the consequent population increase from 370 to 500 million people, while the increase in revenue is only eight percent.”
Prodi recalled a very demanding slogan used by Chiara Lubich: “Love the other’s country as one’s own”. He pointed out that “this openness is not a denial of our identity. It’s an openness towards others which reinforces our identity. This concept of unity in diversity gives us the courage to maintain our own identity in every debate or discussion”.

Having recalled the role of Florence in the world and those historical figures who have contributed to its reputation as a crossroads of dialogue, Chiara Lubich spoke in depth of the “spiritual and cultural gifts the Focolare Movement brings to the city” (Il Corriere di Firenze). In her talk, the new citizen showed the courage of her convictions by offering the very diverse audience the witness of her experience of God based on the Gospel which is the soul of dialogue in all the fields in which the Focolare Movement works. Her words were received “with an almost religious silence” according to the Italian television news service TG1.

One of the councillors, Eugenio Giani, said: “Chiara Lubich has been recognized for her capacity to dialogue”. The ceremony itself was an experience of this. The following day, when interviewed at the Sports Stadium of Florence, prior to the Gen Rosso concert, Mr Giani commented on the previous day’s ceremony:

“I have never seen in that hall such a diverse range of people, representing different disciplines and faiths, ranging from the Orthodox Church to Buddhism. Their presence  was a tacit recognition of Chiara Lubich’s spirituality which goes beyond any individual denomination. In fact it gives witness to profound spiritual values which, in one way or another, all of us accept and respond to. We all experienced a very deep joy to have lived such a special moment. So many dignitaries – mayors of Italian cities – were proud to be present. By conferring an honorary citizenship on Chiara Lubich, we felt that in some way or another we were interpreting the deep sentiments of the representatives of our communities from all over the country who, on this occasion, renewed the sense of dialogue, of openness, of internationality with which Florence would like to be characterised and which is characteristic of its history.”

[:it]«Ero ricca delle mie ragioni…»

Sep 14, 2000 | Non categorizzato

[:it]Esperienze GENFEST 2000

Aug 22, 2000 | Non categorizzato

World Youth Day

Aug 22, 2000 | Non categorizzato

 “Will the day ever come when we can share our culture with the western world?” This was the question posed by Martin Nkafu, professor of African culture at the Pontifical Universities in Rome. He was giving voice to the suffering of a continent which is still lacerated by the deep wounds caused by Western exploitation through colonialism and slavery, wounds that are still the underlying cause of many conflicts and situations of extreme poverty. Martin was speaking to a cosmopolitan gathering of more than 25,000 young people, representing five continents, who filled Flaminio Stadium in Rome to participate in the Genfest 2000, one of the youth gatherings of World Youth Day. Genfest is an international event promoted by the Focolare Movement’s “Youth for a United World”.   One of the projects launched was “Project Africa 2000” which was received with great enthusiasm by the youth present. The project involves: first the twinning of African cities with cities in other countries in order to promote a better understanding and appreciation of their diverse cultures; fund-raising projects for the hospital in Fontem, located in the heart of the forest in Cameroon, to enable the building of a new wing for AIDS patients; the establishment of dispensaries and vocational schools in other parts of the country. Personal outreach also has an important part to play. Young medical practitioners and teachers were invited to dedicate a period of their life to work in Fontem, perhaps opting to do community service in the place of military service where this is possible. But opportunities to build ties with the African people are manifold, especially with those who work or study in our cities. Another opportunity is that of campaigning for the cancellation of foreign debts in developing countries. The project was launched by Chiara Lubich who challenged the young people with a new vision: to contribute towards the development of “new peoples”. The idea was the result of her recent visit to Fontem in Africa where she returned after an absence of 30 years. She told the story of the Bangwa people – referring to it as a “fairy tale” – who were dying out due to the high infant mortality rate, but who, instead, have achieved a very high degree of development. They also became the centre of a new evangelisation for many other African countries due to the witness of mutual love among the African and white people through which many works were born: hospitals, schools, cottage industries. This has been the experience of the Focolare Movement in these lands. Martin Nkafu, the son of a Bangwa tribal chief, said: “I myself have found the answer to the question I posed at the beginning. We can say that today Fontem is a model town, one among many, in which the mutual sharing of African and western cultures is possible”. Genfest 2000, an event promoted by “Youth for a United World” every five years, was an expression of today’s youth culture and creativity: music, choreography, folklore. A very moving item was that performed by a group of young people from Lebanon: there were Muslims, Christians, members of the Maronite and Coptic Churches. There were many testimonies shared, such as that given by Jean Bosco from Congo, a country torn by ethnic conflicts. Together with his friends, they risked their lives: “We placed ourselves like human shields in front of those who were in danger of being beaten to death. We succeeded in saving many lives.” There were also stories of solidarity in Kosovo among refugees, and testimonies of dialogue between people of different religions: a Muslim girl from Mindanao, in the Philippines, shared her experience, as well as an afro-american Muslim boy, a Hindus, and Japanese Buddhists. “Don’t be afraid to be saints of the third millennium”. This was the Pope’s invitation to the young people. When the story of Chiara Luce Badano was shared during the Genfest, it was an emotional moment for all those present in the stadium. At 18 years of age she died from a tumour. She had said: “At times I feel overwhelmed by the pain. But it’s Jesus who comes visit me”. And she wanted to be buried dressed in a wedding gown, ready to meet her Spouse. The cause for her beatification is underway. “And the Word came to dwell among us.” These words chosen by the Pope for World Youth Day were the focus of Chiara Lubich’s experience. With freshness and invoking a sense of wonder, she recounted at length the divine adventure of the beginning of the Focolare: the discovery of God who is Love in a climate of hatred and violence during the war, the commandment of mutual love, the heart of the Gospel which brought about an experience of unity in times of great trial. “We experienced a joy we had never experienced before, a new peace, a new ardour. It was a light – His light – that was guiding us. It was Jesus who was fulfilling his promise: ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name – that is, in my love – there am I in their midst’ .” And it was this joy stemming from the many experiences of peace, of profound dialogue between young people of different religions, which overflowed onto those present at Flaminio Stadium. The mandate given by Chiara to the young people was this: “If we love, the world will change. A united world will not be a utopia”. This mandate was taken up the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli, in his concluding address at the Genfest. He described the young people that had invaded Rome as “a river of love” and he added, “Perhaps you came to Rome to learn something. Instead we are the ones who have much to learn …”

World Youth Day

Aug 22, 2000 | Non categorizzato

   My dear young people, welcome to this Genfest which is being celebrated in the context of the World Youth Day, in the heart of the great Jubilee year 2000, a celebration of the Christian faith manifest throughout the world and especially here in Rome. I am going to tell you a story now, a wonderful story that began with young people in the past, a story I personally witnessed and which has continued with the collaboration of young people today. The beginnings of an extraordinary adventure    It’s a story known to many of you, but not to all. The protagonists of the story are not the people who, along with me, became involved in an extraordinary adventure, an adventure whose vastness and complexity seems at times to be overwhelming. Rather, the protagonist is one alone – God – who follows our small personal and collective story just as he follows the whole course of human history. The Second World War was raging in Trent, in the northern part of Italy. Bombs were falling night and day, destroying everything. My companions and I had our dreams, our ideals. One of us wanted to form a family, for example; another was looking forward to furnishing her home; still another was seeking fulfillment in studies… But… that fiancé never returned from the front. That home was damaged. I had to leave my philosophical studies in the university of another city because of the barricades of the war. All the things we were hoping to do were crumbling. All our dreams were being shattered by a crude reality. What to do? In view of this general desolation, of the evident realization that everything passes, a question came to my mind: is there an ideal that no bomb can destroy, for which it is worthwhile spending our life? All at once, an almost blinding light: yes, there is! It’s God. God who is Love. God who loves each one of us, even if we don’t know it. In a flash, I, we, decided to make Him the reason, the Ideal of our lives. We felt that his love was being expressed in thousands of ways. If he loves us – we decided – we will love him in return. Meanwhile, the ruthless war with its bombings gave no respite. We had to run for refuge many times a day. All we could take with us was a small book: the Gospel. In it we would learn how to love God. We read it: a light illumined those words one by one and an inner impulse urged us to put them into practice. We found the words: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 19:19), and we made every effort to love the sisters and brothers we met, as if they were ourselves. “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me”, (Mt. 25:40) we read. “You did for me,” says Jesus. Once out of the air-raid shelter, we looked for these least ones: they were the orphans, the mutilated, the wounded, the poor, the hungry, the homeless… and we loved Jesus in them. The Gospel says: “Give and gifts will be given to you” (Lk. 6:38). We gave the little we had and many things arrived, so many that sacks and packages daily filled the hallway at home. The Gospel admonishes: “Seek first the kingdom of God… and all these things will be given you” (Mt. 6:33). We sought to make love reign within us and whatever we needed arrived. It arrived. It always arrived. We seemed to be living a miracle. Two things made a deep impression on us. The first: every promise of the Gospel was fulfilled. Therefore, the Gospel is true. Jesus keeps his word today too. The second: in the Gospel Jesus asks for love first of all, and in order to love, he asks us to give. A new culture was emerging from that book. Later on, we would call it “the culture of giving”. In the meantime, more young women and then young men and others joined us in living the same experience. But the dangers of the war increased. Even though we were young, we could have died from one moment to the next. A desire came to our heart: we would have liked to know the words of Jesus that are dearest to him so as to live them in depth, at least in what might be the final moments of our life. We discovered them. This is what he says: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn.13:34). And he loved us to the point of giving his life for us. We gathered in a circle, we looked at one another and each one declared to the other: “I am ready to die for you”, “I for you…” All for each one. Of course, we continued to carry out all our duties (work, study, prayer, rest), but on the foundation of mutual love. However, it was not always easy to love one another, to keep this unity alive among us. There were times when, due to our shortcomings, we would feel terribly uncomfortable. How could we recompose unity once it was broken? Quite soon we found the answer in the Gospel. Also Jesus, because of us, experienced the pain of disunity: when he cried out on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46). But he didn’t remain in that separation, in that crack. With the words: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46), he went on, thus recomposing his unity with the Father. We decided to do the same with our brothers and sisters. Living this unity, and recomposing it always, brought about something wonderful! Jesus, who had said: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, (that is, in my love), there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20), came into our midst spiritually, but truly. When he was in our midst, we experienced a joy we never knew before, a new peace, a new ardor; and his light guided us. And because Jesus was among us, a growing number of people around us acquired or re-acquired the same faith we had. Approximately two months later, there were already five hundred of us, people of all ages, social categories and vocations. Thus Jesus’ dream, implored of the Father before dying, was beginning to come true: “Father, may all be one”. Certainly, there was also the incomprehension of the world, and trials were not lacking, but the tree that bears fruit must be pruned, says the Gospel. And there were countless fruits. That first group in Trent expanded and had now become a Movement which – once the war had ended – spread like fire, first in Italy, in Europe and then in the other continents. Now it is present in 182 nations of the world, practically everywhere. Thus love, true love is ablaze in every corner of the earth: it is an authentic revolution of love. Besides the Catholics who participate in the life of the Movement, there are Christians from 350 Churches, faithful of the major religions, as well as people of good will who have no specific religious belief. They are all linked by the duty to love which is inscribed in the DNA of every human being and present in the principal sacred books of most religions. From the beginning of our adventure, we had understood that through this spirit of love, unity, and brotherhood, we would see across the globe the birth of “new men and women” renewed by the Gospel. And so it is today. At this point, it is a consoling phenomenon which involves millions of people. We had understood that we would see “new cities” completely transformed by true love, by peace, justice, and freedom. And now twenty little towns, more or less complete, have risen up in different parts of the world. At the heart of these towns are people of different ages, nations, races, and languages; all united, all one heart, a witness to the possibility of a future united world. We also foresaw the renewal of entire nations, the rising of “new peoples”. Youth: the Gen Movement, New Generation, was born       Over the years, other young people came to whom we passed on, so to speak, our flag. On one side of the flag is written: unity, our goal; on the other side, the key to accomplish it: Jesus forsaken. This marked the birth of the Gen Movement, the new generation. Throughout the years, the young people of the Movement have always represented for us the authenticity, purity, courage, vastness and concreteness of our Ideal, owing to their characteristic natural and spiritual qualities. During these past decades their contribution to the common cause has been consistent and decisive. Africa: in Cameroon a tribe was leading to the extinction of the population    Today I can tell you about only one of their projects. In order to understand it well, I must tell you a story, which sounds almost like a fairytale, about an African people in the English-speaking part of Cameroon. In 1966 we learned of the situation of the Bangwa tribe, people who were living in the heart of the forest, in very poor conditions, affected by many illnesses, with a ninety percent infant mortality rate, which was leading to the extinction of the population. In desperation they decided to pray incessantly for a whole year to the supreme Being of their traditional religion, but without results. “Maybe we have prayed too little,” they said; “let’s pray for another year.” But at the end of the second year, still nothing. “Maybe we are too bad. Let’s entrust ourselves to the prayers of the closest Catholic mission and give them an offering,” they concluded. The bishop, who later came to Rome, asked us for focolarini doctors. They left immediately and shortly afterwards opened a dispensary in a squalid shed where even snakes occasionally passed by. They felt that their first duty was to love one another in order to bear witness to the Gospel they were living. They also loved all those people, indiscriminately, one by one, following the example of the heavenly Father who sends the sun and the rain on the good and on the bad. They loved always, they loved first without waiting to be loved…. In one of my first visits there during those years, something curious happened. While groups of Bangwa took turns performing dances in a large clearing in the forest in front of us and in the presence of their wise and prudent king, Fon Defang of Fontem, I had like a foresight. It seemed to me that God, like a sun, was enveloping all of us together; and in that sun, which was almost like a divine sign, I seemed to foresee a city rising up there, in the middle of the tropical forest, a city we would build together, a city to which many people would go in order to see what love is, what human brotherhood is. And on that occasion I announced what I had seen. 1968 – Our young people launched the so-called “Operation Africa”     Quite soon all kinds of help arrived. Our young people, the gen around the world, became involved in this in a special way. They launched the so-called “Operation Africa” and encouraged many others to join the project. Thus it was possible to build a modest hospital and to open schools. They channeled a spring of water running down the mountain in order to generate a bit of electricity for the hospital. At first they built mud huts and later on more solid houses. From time to time, some gen would go there; they would roll up their sleeves and offer to work for one or two years. The focolarini and the gen continued to love all of those brothers and sisters who were in dire need, and to tenaciously strengthen their love for one another. They themselves, their way of behaving, were the only living words they could offer to that people. Some of the Bangwa people observed them for months: still marked by years of colonialism, they wanted to see if these white people were motivated by selfish interests. Convinced of the sincerity and transparency of these new guests, they decided to collaborate. Thus focolarini, gen, and Bangwa found themselves all joined together as brothers and sisters in building the common good of that population. The  developments       Years passed and everything grew: the hospital was enlarged; the infant mortality rate was reduced to two per cent; the plague of sleeping sickness was eradicated; a college was built with all the lower and higher classes; twelve roads were opened to connect the various villages; our people, with the help of the Bangwa, built about sixty more houses; the Bangwa, with our help, built many others. A beautiful church was built to meet the needs of the many Christians present. In the meantime, Fontem became first a sub-prefecture, and then a prefecture. The government opened some schools and installed an aqueduct to bring electric light. My return to Fontem after thirty years      Recently, I returned to Fontem after more than thirty years. The new beautiful and large town is there for everyone to see. It is frequently visited by people of other African nations, and others as well. The fame of it’s special characteristic is spreading. We visited every corner and we saw happy people, very beautiful, healthy and well-nourished children, robust and strong young people, well-dressed women… They all greeted us with a smile. They lavished us with gifts during those days. We learned that the hospital is so esteemed that even people from the capital prefer to be treated there. The schools are highly regarded. The children are sent there by their Bangwa parents who themselves earned degrees in these schools and now occupy positions of responsibility as bank directors, lawyers, university professors, as well as deputies, consuls, ambassadors… also in some European nations and in the United States. We saw what love can do, what brotherhood can build when it is lived among people of different continents who have become one. And now? Many Bangwa continue to profess the traditional religion, and the main framework of their life is still supported by an ancestral system based on thousands of traditional norms, but we can say that brotherhood prevails and that it works “miracles”. The new king, Dr. Lucas Njifua Fontem, son of the previous king, saw and understood: “All those who follow this way,” he told us, “are upright and just and they work together for the good of the people.” He openly declares that the inhabitants of Fontem who follow the Movement never present any problems. They don’t fight over land boundaries – they define them in harmony and live in peace. They do not rob from one another; they do not injure and much less kill; they do not seem to have any need for the police; illiteracy is diminishing; they find solutions to all their family problems; they defend life, which has always been greatly respected by the African culture, at all ages; they meticulously look after their health; they respect authority and have profound esteem for the elderly; they are incredibly generous: the “culture of giving”, effect of brotherhood, excels. For this reason, during my stay there, the king acting as the head of his people, invited everyone, with determination and ardor, to adapt the spirit of our Movement. Living the gospel message of love is therefore transforming a tribe into a people, and this people has turned the portion of humanity present there into a socially solid brotherhood, which has also achieved its political goal: the common good. And mutual love is transforming this people into Kingdom of God, almost into a small Paradise. This, then, is really the moment of new peoples. As you have heard, the leading figures of the “miracle” just described were both the focolarini, who spent their energies, their time, and some, even their lives, and our young people who worked hard and long in every part of the world. Project Africa 2000     Today, many things are still lacking in Fontem. And not distant from the Bangwa people, in Fonjumetaw, lives another people whose king has the same dream as the king of Fontem. We met him and we have begun to help. But Fonjumetaw is still surrounded by an impenetrable forest; there is illness and hunger… During my stay there, ecclesiastical and civic authorities, who know of the presence of the Movement in many nations of the African continent, encouraged us saying: “What you have done in Fontem, you must do all over Africa and in Madagascar.” My dear young people, this is a challenge. Shall we accept it? The focolarini, to the extent that they can and with the help of God, have already said “yes”. What will the young people say? I am certain of their generosity. The mandate        Let us love, my dear young people, let us continue to love and the whole world will change. Let us love and contribute toward building the “civilization of love” which our planet awaits, in the midst of tensions, but also in view of the new openness and opportunities of our times. Jesus wants the world to be invaded by love: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk. 12:49). Let us give him the possibility of seeing it blaze also through our commitment. Then the idea of a more united world, of a united world, towards which many young people are striving today, will not be only a utopia, but it will become, with time, a great and very consoling reality. The future is above all in your hands. With God in our heart, everything is possible. And God certainly wants it! Will we, will you be equal to the task?