Apr 25, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide
I was born in Trentino, a region of northern Italy, 67 years ago. During my adolescence, my only interests were music and art. Because of the constant arguments with my parents, I soon left school and home. A guitar, long hair, my band: this became my world. With some friends we formed a commune where we lived, playing and dreaming together. It was a place of passage, where hashish circulated. I met Anna there when I was twenty years old, and in the joy and recklessness of youth she became my partner. She occasionally used heavy drugs as well. To help her quit, I made a gesture which I later regretted bitterly: I tried them too. It was the beginning of a downwards slope that day after day led us into a bottomless pit, and the humiliation of having to find increasingly strong doses. There followed years of fear, and the alternation of euphoria, withdrawal symptoms, hospital admissions and continuous relapses. And then prison. After serving my time, we decided to leave for India to learn how to play the Tabla, a typical percussion instrument. India fascinated us, to the point of making us forget the West and its materialism, and we were able to stay away from drugs. When we returned, the impact was very hard. Italy at that time was paralyzed by political terrorism. Bewildered, we found comfort again in the arms of heroin, which helped us not to think. In an even more ruthless way, we were sucked once more into the vortex of drug addiction. Years of physical and moral decline followed. Until we reached a dramatic crossroad: madness or death. I returned to India to detoxify myself. But I went alone, so that we would not condition one another and fall back again. When I returned to Italy, I accepted, reluctantly, to stay with an uncle in Tuscany. It was the turning point. Strangely, I felt accepted and respected by him like one of the family. What animated the life of his family was the idea that God is Love, that he loves everyone personally and without conditions. This idea began to fascinate me too. On 1 May 1982, I went to Loppiano with my cousins for a meeting of young people from all over the world. Ever more convinced of wanting to make this life my own, I tried to remain in close contact with the inhabitants of the little town, who, as I discovered, had adopted the Gospel as the basis of their lives. I wanted to tell Anna about what had happened to me, and I went to Trentino to see her. Her reaction was understandably harsh, she felt betrayed. After a few months, she wrote me a letter. She was in prison, and she wanted to see me. I thanked God: from the bottom the only place to go is upwards. “Use me as an instrument for her redemption!”, I prayed. Every week I went to see her and talk to her. After she had served her time, after a year and a half, we began a new life together, constantly helped by our new family, the Focolare. The desire grew in us to get married in church. Life became calmer and more secure, and was enriched by the arrival of two daughters. Anna qualified as a nurse. But after some time, she lost her head for a colleague at work. She asked me for a separation. After struggling in vain to avoid the breakup, I found an apartment and went to live alone. Then came the first signs of an increasingly serious liver disease, which eventually required a transplant. The doctors said that I had only a few weeks to live and admitted me immediately. The time spent in hospital was precious, as I tried to prepare my soul, fixing it in God alone, with daily acts of love for the other patients, especially the loneliest ones. A compatible liver was found and the transplant was carried out. The outcome was above expectations, and after some time I was discharged. Two years ago I received a phone call: Anna was asking me to look after our daughters, because she was to be hospitalized. I rushed to her side. The diagnosis of a terminal condition had unexpectedly brought the family together. We forgave each other, grateful to be able to make this last stretch of her journey together. In her final moments, while I slowly whispered “Hail Mary” in her ear, she occasionally accompanied my prayer with a sigh. We had never prayed together before. During the final words of the “Haily holy queen” … “and after this our exile show us…Jesus” .., Anna flew to Heaven. (S. B. – Italia)
Apr 24, 2018 | Non categorizzato
Photo: © CSC Audiovisivi
The Imam of Florence, Elizir Izzeddin, President of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy, with whose members the Focolare Movement has shared a long, deep and fruitful collaboration, also spoke. “We’re all brothers and sisters. It’s not our goal to start a single religion, but to build bridges. With our dialogue we can encounter that hope that goes beyond the fears that have been generated by international terrorism. We work together to move beyond our fears.” Among the testimonies given, was that of the Austrian Focolare community with Syrian refugees. Hedy Lipburger recounted: “Hundreds of refugees arrived in Lower Austria in 2015. They couldn’t be ignored, so we went to help them.” Syrian refugee, Mohammad Kamel Alshhada, went on to say: “I had to leave my country, there was no other choice because, otherwise, I would have had to follow ISIS in teaching their ideas, because I’m a teacher. During the first three months in Austrian refugee camps I was depressed and without hope, we couldn’t talk with local people. Then, for the first time, several people from the Focolare spoke to us and took an interest in us. We felt accepted and appreciated, as if someone had taken our hand and helped us, step after step, to begin a new life.” In the end came the testimony of strong unity between Mohammad Shomali, Director of the Islamic Centre of England, and Piero Coda, president of University Institute Sophia of Loppiano, who began “Wings of Unity”, a series of seminars for young Christians an Muslims that delve into the two faiths and into processes of dialogue and peace. Shomali affirmed: “if we sincerely ask God to guide us so that we can understand one another better, God will guide us. We have to ask God to talk to us together. In 2016, Piero Coda embraced this idea of mine at Loppiano and said we should come up with a name for this project which was clearly from God. Thus the name “Wings of Unity” popped up. Piero Coda continued: “I sensed that that God had a clear project in this. So I proposed a pact to Shomali: “Do we want to ask God to take our heart in his own hands, our mind? He welcomed the idea with joy.”
Apr 24, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide
103 years ago, this huge tragedy was the first on the deplorable list of disasters that occurred in the 20th century: the Armenian genocide. Recalling it, in 2016, Pope Francis made an appeal: “Having seen the pernicious effects to which hatred, prejudice and desire for dominion led in the last century, I express my lively hope that humanity will learn from those tragic experiences the need to act with responsibility and wisdom to avoid the danger of a return to such horrors. May all join in striving to ensure that whenever conflicts emerge between nations, dialogue, the enduring and authentic quest of peace, cooperation between states and the constant commitment of international organizations will always prevail, with the aim of creating a climate of trust favourable for the achievement of lasting agreements that look to the future”.
Apr 23, 2018 | Non categorizzato
“Ten years after her death, we’re here to remember a great woman», announced the Archbishop of Belgrade, Serbia, Most Rev Stanislav Hočevar while celebrating an anniversary Mass on 14th March. He continued, “At a time when darkness overshadowed the world, a new Light illuminated Chiara’s heart. Even as sin, hatred and evil were creating divisions, Love came close, connecting and unifying, to restore and rebuild. Today, as in those times, surrounded as we are by the chaos of social, cultural and historic conflicts, we too are called to enkindle a new light of understanding, unity and cooperation.” Connecting, coming close, uniting, rebuilding’: these words convey something of the global celebration which began in March and is still ongoing; each event an occasion to recall and relaunch the spiritual legacy of the Focolare founder, Chiara Lubich. «If I was to leave this earth today and you were to ask for my last words, the last word on our Ideal, I would say, sure that you would understand exactly what I mean: Be a family.” Chiara said this back in December 1973, but her words, her legacy, touch hearts today as powerfully as ever, as seen in the news arriving from all over the world of encounters and actions inspired by this anniversary. 
First to the mountainous region of Northern Thailand with its hundreds of elaborately-decorated Buddhist temples, to the city of Chiang Mai. Sixty members of the Focolare community, from five different ethnic groups (Thai, Karen, Akha, Lahu, Kachin), together with others from the Philippines, gathered together to mark the anniversary by offering practical assistance to a rural community in need, the Kachin tribe. As the Focolare members explained, “After celebrating Mass, we set off from the city, adults and children alike, on the 7km journey to a rural village where our friends of the Kachin tribe live in very simple and at times difficult conditions. At their request, we cleared a patch of land and prepared it as a playground for the children. When we had finished transforming that space, we realised that the biggest transformation had actually happened within our hearts and in the relationship among us, as we worked together under the burning sun. In that small place, we experienced the presence of God. We saw how we can work with Him to change the world, one village at a time.” 
In six regions of Kenya, each in their own way subject to socio-political tensions and at times openly violent conflicts, the local Focolare communities held a series of day meetings proposing a message of unity, more needed than ever to tackle the challenges and difficulties of this multi-ethnic multi-faith nation. Venues included Garissa, eastern Kenya, where tension remains high between Christians and Muslims, Amukura and Seme in the west, Mombassa on the coast, as well as Karatina in the central region and Meru in the North East. “Chiara continues to guide us to this very day,” was the general reaction. 
The presence and participation of religious leaders and Church representatives in numerous events was appreciated around the world. In Warsaw, Poland, the head of the Methodist Church sent a warmly-received message, and the Papal Nuncio conveyed greetings from Pope Francis. In Russia, a gathering in Moscow recalled with renewed joy the pioneering era of the 1970s when the first Focolarini arrived in the then Soviet Union. Nearly 2,000km away on the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, a Focolare community met in Chelyabinsk. While 4,000km from Moscow, in Central Siberia, a 3-day “Mariapolis” at Krasnojarsk also reflected Chiara’s call to be “a family”. Chiara Lubich’s “legacy” rang out loud and clear in Dublin, Ireland, the city preparing to host the forthcoming World Meeting of Families in August. Particularly moving were testimonies of care and support between the generations inspired by Chiara’s life and words. In Stockholm, Sweden, a group of young people prepared an abundant supper for the whole Focolare community. Over the meal, the conversation revealed the lasting effects of the spirituality of unity in each person’s life. Yet another characteristically “family” celebration. Chiara Favotti
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Apr 23, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide
Copyright © 2018 Nomadelfia
Fr. Zeno Saltini. Foto © 2018 Nomadelfia
22 April 2018: Official visit to the international centre of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa (Rome). ©CSC Audiovisivi
Apr 21, 2018 | Non categorizzato
Earth Day is celebrated yearly, the day after the spring equinox. It is the biggest environmental manifestation of the planet, promoted by the United Nations to encourage the protection of the Earth. The idea of creating an “Earth Day” was discussed for the first time in 1962, and finally took form in 1969, following the environmental disaster caused by the seepage of oil from a well in the open sea of Santa Barbara, California. In the last editions, the Day involved up to a billion people in 192 countries in the world, and became a planetary, educational and informative event on themes of pollution, desertification, destruction of the ecosystems, and the depletion of nonrenewable resources. But also included is individual responsibility towards sustainable consumption, as inspired by the idea of the “Common home” of mankind.
Apr 21, 2018 | Non categorizzato
“We are not victims of chance or swept up in a series of unconnected events; on the contrary, our life and our presence in this world are the fruit of a divine vocation!” This is what Pope Francis reminds us of in the very first words of his message for the 55th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which is addressed in a special way to young people. The Day of Prayer is scheduled for April 22, and its theme will be: “Listen, discern and live the Lord’s call.” The relationship between young people, faith and vocations will also be central to the upcoming synod in October. “On that occasion,” the Pope observed, “we’ll have an opportunity to see how at the centre of life there is a call to happiness that God extends to us.” The young people and youths of the Focolare were reminded of Chiara Lubich’s words, which she spoke to them in 1998: “God calls to a variety of different paths: He calls to a variety of missions and tasks; for example, he calls young men to the priesthood, to be another Christ; he calls men and women to all those colourful flowerbeds that are the Religious Families in the Church; he calls men and women to the modern ecclesial movements, to consecrate themselves to God both individually and communitarily, or to start families that are actually many little churches. And remember: God calls at all ages; he also calls teenagers and children. He calls everywhere on earth.”
Apr 21, 2018 | Non categorizzato
We must not cease praying for peace to return. … In this moment, we should all feel called to follow determinedly a life style which corrects, at least within us (and through the communion of saints in many others) the mistake that has been made. Human beings have not done the will of God, the will of the God of peace. They did their own will. We must do all we can, as never before, to carry out God’s will perfectly. “Not my will but yours be done”. Today these words of Jesus acquire an altogether special importance for us. Compared to His word, everything else must become secondary. We shouldn’t give much importance in our lives to being healthy or sick, to studying or serving, to sleeping or praying, to living or dying. What matters is to make his will our own, to be his will lived out. This is how we lived at the beginning of our Movement when, in the setting of another war, the Spirit gave us the light to understand the true value of things. Faced with the destruction caused by hatred, God revealed himself as the one ideal that does not pass, that no bomb could destroy. God Love. This was the great discovery, a spiritual bomb of such power that it made us literally forget all the bombs falling around us in the war. We discovered that above and beyond everyone and everything there is God who is love. There is his providence which makes all things work together for the good of those who love him. We discovered the signs of his love in each circumstance, even under the lash of suffering. He loved us immensely. How could we love him in return? “It is not the one who says Lord, Lord, who loves me, but the one who does my will.” We could love God by doing his will. Living like this we got used to listening ever more attentively to “the voice” within us, the voice of our conscience which emphasized the will of God expressed in different ways: through his Word, in the duties of our state in life, through circumstances and inspirations. We were certain that God would draw us into a divine adventure, at first unknown, where, as both spectators and actors in his design of love, we could give the contribution of our own free will, moment by moment. A short while later he let us perceive something of our future, helping us see clearly the purpose for which the Movement was coming about: to fulfill Jesus’ prayer in his testament, “Father, may they all be one”, working together to achieve a more united world. We can live like this now too. Have we experienced an abrupt and painful change? … Are we at times fearful and anguished, even wondering whether we are going to be killed? Or are we living life as usual, with all our daily tasks, far from any danger? For all of us what matters is what has most value: not one thing or another, but God’s will. Let’s seek to ‘listen’ putting his will in the first place in our heart, our memory, our mind. Let’s put, before all else, all our strength at his service. … In this way, Christ will remain in our hearts and we will be more together, more united, more ‘one’, sharing everything, praying powerfully for one another and for peace to return.”
Apr 20, 2018 | Non categorizzato
Jesús Morán. Photo © 2018 World Council of Churches
Secondly, «in dialogue, each person is made complete by the gift of the other. We need each other in order fully to be ourselves. In dialogue, I make a gift of my ‘otherness’, of my being different to the other person». Indeed, «every occasion of dialogue is a personal encounter. Hence, it’s not so much about words or thoughts, but rather a matter of giving our very being. Dialogue is not simply ‘conversation’, even less ‘discussion’, but rather it’s something which touches at the very heart of those involved». «Dialogue requires silence and the ability to listen», he continues. It is «an existential factor, because (in dialogue) we put at risk our very selves, our vision of things, our own ‘identity’, our cultural identity and even our ecclesial identity. Yet none of these, in fact, is lost but rather enriched by such openness». «Authentic dialogue deals in truth. It always goes more deeply into the truth. […] Everyone who participates puts in common with the others their own participation in the truth, which is one for everybody». Such dialogue, continues Dr Morán, requires great strength of will, what Chiara Lubich referred to as “making yourself one, as deeply as possible”. «The sublime and mysterious model of this dynamic of love is, as we know, Jesus Forsaken. He truly represents the risk of ‘otherness’ which brings us to reciprocity. […] His ‘losing’ won for us – and in us – an eternal space of light and Truth: the Holy Spirit». Another point to note is that «dialogue is only possible among real and true people» in accordance with a particular law, the law of reciprocity which confers legitimacy and meaning. Jesús Morán goes on to outline a further aspect, one that characterizes the Focolare’s contribution to progress towards Christian unity, namely “the dialogue of life”. This encourages «relationships to be based on the Gospel, on the exchange of experiences, on sharing what is most precious with brothers and sisters of another Church». He quoted Catholic theologian Cardinal Walter Kasper, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity: “Ecumenism of love and ecumenism of truth, important as they are, must be implemented by means of an ecumenism of life”. Dr Morán observes, «we must recognise that this dimension – vital to dialogue – is not devoid of theological thought. Rather, it is situated on a more primal, deeply rooted level of it. Only through this dimension, in fact, can one then gain access in a truly beneficial way to the level of theological reasoning». «Dialogue – concludes Dr Morán – is the ‘rhythm’ of trinitarian relationships, a continual exchange of roles and of gifts. […] Nothing gets lost. Dialogue’s risk contains all of ourselves and all of the other, in the transcendent ‘space’ of the Holy Spirit which we all share. This includes the whole of humanity. Those who dialogue are making history». Photo gallery: https://oikoumene.photoshelter.com/galleries
Apr 20, 2018 | Non categorizzato
On 16 April, the Sophia University Institute welcomed the fifth edition of the Wings of Unity dialogue and collaboration project, which involves teachers and experts from the Christian and Muslim community.The promoters of this project, in addition to Sophia University, are the Islamic Centre of England (London) and the Risalat International Institute (Qum). Through the initiative, co-directed by Piero Coda and Mohammad Shomali, several innovative ideas have been developed in the context of interreligious dialogue through seminars, public conferences, summer schools and publications. The day of study took place in the broader context from 15 to 18 April, in Loppiano, where Sophia University Institute is located. During these days the group of Muslim friends had the opportunity to discover more in depth the roots of the original multi-cultural co-existence born from the charism of Chiara Lubich. https://vimeo.com/265783668
