Let’s direct our lives towards God
Let’s direct our lives towards God
Never tire in hoping
Never tire in hoping
The General Councillors have been elected
Today, the 20 general councillors of the Focolare Movement were elected; during the new term of office, they will support the President of the Focolare Movement in her role.
In accordance with the General Statutes, they, together with the President and the Co-President, are responsible for representing the entire Movement and expressing its unity.
They will be called upon to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the President, in particular overseeing the practical aspects of the life of the Movement (summarised in the “seven colours”) and the support of the geographical subdivisions (the “zones”). Each one, in their own role, will have at heart the unity of the entire family of the Focolare Movement, safeguarding and promoting it at every step.
They will be called upon to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the President, in particular overseeing the practical aspects of the life of the Movement (summarised in the “seven colours”) and the support of the geographical subdivisions (the “zones”). Each one, in their own role, will have at heart the unity of the entire family of the Focolare Movement, safeguarding and promoting it at every step.
Stefania Tanesini
with the Multimedia and Linguistic Services Communication Team
Photo: © CSC Audiovisivi
Middle East emergency: outcomes and stories of solidarity
In recent years, the Middle East has gone through one of the most difficult periods in its recent history.Wars, political instability and economic emergencies have affected millions of people, forcing entire families to leave their homes and putting access to the most basic necessities at risk. In this context, the projects supported through the funds raised for the Focolare Movement’s Middle East Emergency Appeal, implemented by AMU and AFN, sought to offer concrete responses to the most urgent needs, reaching a total of 3,337 people, thanks to the use of 362,754 euros allocated to humanitarian interventions.
Gaza: Supporting the Displaced
October 7, 2023 marked the beginning of a new phase of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. According to the United Nations, about 90% of the population has been forced to leave their homes and almost the entire population is now facing extreme levels of food insecurity.
In collaboration with the local network, in particular with the Caritas organization in Jordan and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, it was possible to support 1,750 displaced people. The interventions involved the purchase and distribution of basic necessities, food assistance and the welcoming of hundreds of people in two parishes. In addition to food and medicine, a safe place was provided where people could find shelter and care.
Photo 1: © Caritas Jordan – 2 3 © Patriarcato Latino di Gerusalemme
Lebanon: hospitality and support
In 2024, the intensification of conflicts in southern Lebanon resulted in over one million displaced people. Many families had to leave everything and seek refuge elsewhere.
Thanks to the collaboration with the local Humanité Nouvelle association, 195 people were welcomed at the “La Sorgente” Mariapolis Centre and at the Institut de Réducation Audio-Phonétique (IRAP), in the province of Beirut. Here, displaced people received accommodation, food, medical assistance, clothing and hygiene supplies.
Particular attention was paid to children and young people: 7 classes were organized for 39 students up to the age of 15, allowing them to continue their education even during displacement. Recreational activities, moments of sharing and initiatives promoted by young volunteers helped to create spaces of hope in a situation marked by uncertainty.
Also in Lebanon, the SOSTENIAMOLibano (Let’s Support Lebanon) project was continued. It was established to help people cover the cost of medical treatment in an increasingly fragile healthcare system. The project reached 112 beneficiaries, offering help for the purchase of medicines, psychological support and assistance for hospital treatment.
Another intervention supported small local agricultural producers. Through the “From All Lebanon to All Lebanon” initiative, agricultural and artisanal products were purchased from small producers and distributed to displaced families in the Beirut metropolitan area. This project involved 80 people, contributing both to food support and to the protection of local economic activities.
Photo: © Focolari Libano
Syria: Supporting Families in Difficulty
After more than fourteen years of war, Syria continues to experience an extremely fragile situation. In 2024, during a phase of political transition, many families suddenly found themselves without access to money due to the temporary closure of banks.
Thanks to the local network of the Focolare Movement, it was possible to offer financial support to 305 families in Aleppo, Damascus, Homs and other cities, reaching around 1,200 people. The contribution enabled them to meet their most urgent daily expenses such as food, medicines and basic necessities.
A concrete sign of closeness
Beyond the numbers, these projects above all tell stories of solidarity and collaboration between local and international realities. The goal was not only to respond to the immediate emergency, but also to strengthen community bonds and support the resilience of the people involved.
Prepared by Emergency Coordination Team of the Focolare Movement
To make a contribution to the Middle East Emergency click here
Header: © Patriarcato Latino di Gerusalemme
Care for our common home
Care for our common home
Support one another
Support one another
Thank God for his gifts!
Thank God for his gifts!
Chiara Lubich: I have found you
I have found you in so many places, Lord!
I have felt you beating in the perfect stillness of a little Alpine church, in the shadow of the tabernacle of an empty cathedral, in the breathing as one soul of a crowd who love you and who fill the arches of your church with songs and love.
I have found you in joy. I have spoken to you beyond the starry firmament, when in the evening, in silence, I was returning home from work.
I seek you and often I find you.
But where I always find you is in suffering.
A suffering, any sort of suffering, is like the sound of a bell that summons God’s bride to prayer. When the shadow of the cross appears the soul recollects itself in the tabernacle of its heart and forgetting the tinkling of the bell it “sees” you and speaks to you.
It is you who come to visit me. It is I who answer you: “Here I am, Lord, I desire you, I have always desired you.”
And in this meeting my soul does not feel its suffering, but is as if inebriated with your love: filled with you, imbued with you: I in you and you in me, that we may be one.
And then I reopen my eyes to life, to the less real life, divinely trained to wage your war.
Chiara Lubich
in Meditations, New City, London 2005, pages 74-75
Photo: Bruno Kraler by Pexels
Let’s go ahead together!
Let’s go ahead together!
“Revitalising relationships, building peace”
Following on from the confirmation of their election, Margaret Karram and Roberto Almada have relaunched a joint commitment: to revitalise relationships, overcome indifference and walk together for peace.
(Turn on automatic subtitles)
Margaret Karram re-elected as leader of the Focolare Movement and Roberto Almada, new Co-President
“With the grace of God and the help of all of you, I accept. I was deeply moved in today’s liturgy by Psalm 94: “O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts”. In response to this new call, I renew my “yes”, my full commitment to God together with all of you, at the service of the Church, the Movement and humanity ”.
These were Margaret Karram’s first words, just minutes after her election as President of the Focolare Movement on the 12th of March 2026, for a second five-year term.
She was re-elected by the 261 participants with the right to vote, representing the Focolare communities from all five continents, who are taking part in the General Assembly from the 1st to the 21st of March.
The new Co-President is Roberto Almada, an Argentine focolarino who is a priest, who was also elected by a two-thirds majority. He succeeds Jesús Morán, who has completed his second and final term (in accordance with the Decree of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life of the 11th of June 2021).
“I accept this election with the grace of God and the protection of the Virgin Mary,” said Almada, “and I will give it my all, with my strength, my intelligence and my heart; you can count on me!”
The elections were confirmed by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, as the competent authority of the Holy See, in accordance with the General Statutes of the Focolare Movement (Work of Mary, Articles 79 and 88).
Margaret Karram, a life dedicated to dialogue
Margaret Karram is the third President of the Focolare Movement, after its foundress, Chiara Lubich. She succeeded Maria Voce in 2021. Maria Voce passed away on the 20th of June last year.
Margaret is a Christian Arab born in Haifa, Israel, she grew up in a multi-religious environment, developing from a young age a strong commitment to dialogue between different cultures and faiths. She graduated in Judaism from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles (USA), before taking on positions of responsibility in the Movement in the Holy Land, while also working for 14 years at the Italian Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Internationally recognised for her contribution to interreligious dialogue – Mount Zion Award (2013) and Saint Rita Award (2016) – she participated in the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens in 2014 with Pope Francis and the Israeli and Palestinian presidents. She was elected President of the Focolare Movement for a first term in 2021 and has strengthened the Movement’s action in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. She met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and participated as a guest in the recent Synod of the Catholic Church.
In 2023, she was appointed Member of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life. She has travelled to Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific to meet with Focolare communities and organisations engaged in interreligious dialogue. Among her most recent visits were Genfest 2024 in Brazil, the peace forum in the United States in 2025 and the international conference for the tenth anniversary of Laudato si’. Co-author with Monica Mondo of the book Per non sfiorarci invano [So as not to pass each other by in vain] (2023, Ed. Francescane), in 2025 she published Prossimità, via alla pace – Pagine di vita [Closeness, the path to peace – Pages of life] (Ed. Città Nuova), dedicated to the culture of fraternity and dialogue.
Roberto Almada is the new Co-President of the Focolare Movement
Roberto Almada is an Argentine focolarino who is a priest, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. With a doctorate in philosophy, he was one of the promoters of the School of Logotherapy in Uruguay and Paraguay. He is part of the group that coordinates spiritual and psychological accompaniment programmes at the Sophia University Institute for Latin America and the Caribbean and at the Logos Institute in Caserta (Italy). His pastoral activity has focused on the family through the New Families Movement, where he follows projects accompanying couples.
Author of the book El cansancio de los buenos [The Weariness of the Good], which explores the dynamics of burnout and has been translated into several languages (in Italy: “Il burnout del buon samaritano” [The Burnout of the Good Samaritan], published by Effatà), and co-author of Desafío Parejas [The Challenge of Married Couples], both published by Ciudad Nueva. He served as a collaborator at the International Centre of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa (Italy) from 1999 to 2009 and as a Councillor for the same Centre from 2014 to 2021. Until 2026, he lived in Buenos Aires, working for the Movement in the Southern Cone in the areas of evangelisation, supporting local communities where he facilitated processes of reorganisation, of cohesion and of study.
He has gained considerable experience in ecclesial and educational settings across various Latin American countries, including Colombia, El Salvador, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina; supporting priests, religious communities and Catholic teachers through courses and spiritual retreats, with a particular focus on offering support during times of pastoral burnout and helping them rediscover the meaning of their mission. He has also worked in youth ministry and in the social sector with migrants.
Role of the President of the Focolare Movement
According to the General Statutes, the Presidency will always be entrusted to a woman focolarina who has taken perpetual vows: a choice that reflects the lay and female leadership envisaged by the foundress, Chiara Lubich, and confirmed by Saint John Paul II. The President is called to accompany, “in a spirit of unity”, the Focolare communities present in 150 countries, which embrace the Gospel message of universal fraternity within a context of cultural, social and religious diversity. Her tasks include guiding and directing a movement that addresses the local and global challenges of our time and is called in particular to heal the personal and social divisions of humanity. The Statutes also outline the way in which the President is to exercise her responsibility: a leadership based on service and Gospel-based charity, in accordance with Jesus’ invitation to be a servant to all (see Mark 10:44). She is called to be a bridge-builder, a promoter of unity and a witness to the central message of the spirituality of the Focolare Movement, acting as its spokesperson with coherence and dedication.
The task of the Co-President
The Co-President – elected from among the focolarini who are priests in the Focolare Movement – is called first and foremost to work in close collaboration with the President, sharing decisions with her and helping to ensure the Movement’s discernment and unity. Alongside this primary role, the Co-President collaborates in the general guidance of the Movement, offering his input on the most significant issues and ensuring that the life of the Movement is fully in line with the faith and doctrine of the Church.
The Assembly of the Focolare Movement continues
Over the coming days, the Assembly shall also elect the Focolare Movement’s new governing body – the general councillors, who will serve as the President’s closest collaborators – and shall discuss proposed amendments to the General Statutes.
On the 21st of March, the participants and observers of the Assembly will be received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV.
Stefania Tanesini
Be involved in dialogue
Be involved in dialogue
Feed souls
Feed souls
Give witness in the way we welcome others
Give witness in the way we welcome others
News 4 – 2026 General Assembly
Insight and realism to guide the future
The General Assembly has begun in earnest with intense dialogue and collaborative work. From the 6th to the 11th of March, everyone at the Assembly is exploring nine topics that emerged from proposals received from individuals and communities of the Movement around the world. La Asamblea General ha entrado en materia con un intenso trabajo de diálogo y co-elaboración. Del 6 al 11 de marzo, todos los de la Asamblea están profundizando en nueve temáticas emergentes de las propuestas recibidas de personas y comunidades del Movimiento en todo el mundo.
Government, participation and responsibility – There is a need for a wider, co-responsible and intergenerational participation, as well as a more synodal and transparent governance. Reflection is also given to the relationships between the International Centre, geographical areas and local communities, and to the meaning of leadership in the light of the Charism of unity.
Family – In a Movement made up of various vocations, ages and cultures, the family is a transversal topic. In some societies, its challenges are overlooked: the Assembly is discussing how to bring it back to the centre of our attention, recognising the richness and complexity of different cultural situations.
The Focolare Movement in the Catholic Church – The relationship with the Catholic Church is being deepened as an exchange of gifts: the Charism of unity grows within the universal and local Church. At the centre of the discussion is formation in dialogue and relationships with local Churches and other ecclesial movements.
Relationships between people of various Churches – Ecumenism is a crucial challenge for a Movement that brings together people from many Christian Churches. There is a need to foster a sense of “we”, using language and gestures that promote mutual respect and understanding. The Assembly is asking itself what formative, cultural and practical choices can strengthen the ecumenical dimension in every area.
Peace and integral ecology – Caring for the earth and building inclusive communities are two inseparable aspects. We are working to better define the Movement’s commitment, translating values into local and global actions: ecological projects, formation courses in peace and reconciliation between communities and nations.
Transmission of the Charism – How can we speak about our Charism of unity today? To whom and using what kind of language? In a world that has changed greatly, there is a need for new narratives capable of reaching the generations of today and tomorrow.
Dialogue and polarisation – Dialogue is a fundamental choice in a context marked by cultural, political and religious divisions, even within the Movement. We are reflecting on how to promote appropriate formation programmes and a welcoming culture that can heal divisions.
Living unity today – Forming our conscience, respecting personal freedom and living in communion are deeply felt issues. Ways to improve attitudes, structures and language are being explored so that they truly support the dignity and vocational maturity of everyone.
Communication, media and artificial intelligence – New technologies open up opportunities but also raise questions. Topics being discussed include communication strategies, the informed use of the media, the involvement of young people and the ethical aspects of the development of artificial intelligence.
Closeness that unites
Each day begins with a meditation or reflection, led by people from various Christian Churches and followers of other religions. On the 9th of March, Rabbi David Goodman from Jerusalem and Muslim theologian Adnane Mokrani explored the theme of ‘Closeness in Jewish and Islamic traditions’: a valuable insight at a time when the Middle East and many countries are experiencing great suffering.
Physical closeness is not enough, said Rabbi Goodman. True closeness is born when we welcome the wounds of others and allow others to enter into ours. Online from Jerusalem, he gave a powerful message of hope and reconciliation: for the Assembly to be an experience of authentic closeness.
Adnane Mokrani emphasised that God is always close to us, even before we call upon him: he seeks us out and accompanies us even in danger. Closeness, he said, is what makes us fully human, because it opens us up to solidarity and allows us to share the pain of others. He left us with the image of a triangle – God, I and my neighbour – whose centre is love.
“Let us pray that, in this time of darkness, God may reveal a new step for humanity as it journeys forward.”
The programme planned for the next few days
12 – 15 March – Elections of the President, the Co-President and the general councillors
16 – 20 March – Discussions and voting on the proposed amendments to the General Statutes and regulations
21 March – The General Assembly will be received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV
Stefania Tanesini
with the Multimedia and Linguistic Services Communication Tea
Photo: © CSC Audiovisivi
Seek harmonious soutions
Seek harmonious soutions
Middle East Emergency
The relentless news coming from the whole of the Middle East is causing growing dismay among the many people who sincerely want peace and security for everyone, and not only for some. Unfortunately, authoritative appeals for diplomacy to take precedence over armed conflict, and calls for prayers for peace, seem futile and naive.
However, precisely because of the severity of current events, which unfortunately combine and amplify with other war and humanitarian crises, a courageous and prophetic response is required from every single person, every citizen who cares about the common good and peace as their primary concern.
The Focolare Movement, which has communities living in many of the areas affected by conflict, is also renewing its commitment on many levels. From emergency aid for the most vulnerable populations forced to live in uncertainty and fear and deprived of all forms of sustenance, to active citizenship initiatives within its own institutions and in civil society.
The Emergency Coordination Team of the Focolare Movement is therefore renewing its appeal for solidarity to help the thousands of families who have fled their homes: many have lost their homes, while others are seeking refuge in facilities that are reopening their doors despite increasingly limited resources. In this constantly changing scenario, we want to remain close to those who are suffering, ready to support local initiatives who are offering shelter and practical help.
Every contribution will provide immediate support and allow us to imagine together a future of hope and reconstruction.
We invite everyone to join us in this commitment: Peace is also built in this way, by choosing not to look the other way.
You can donate online:
- AMU: https://www.amu-it.eu/campagne/emergenza-medio-oriente/
- AFN: https://afnonlus.org/project/emergenza-mediooriente/
Or by bank transfer to the following accounts:
Azione per un Mondo Unito ETS (AMU) IBAN: IT 58 S 05018 03200 000011204344 at Banca Popolare Etica Codice SWIFT/BIC: ETICIT22XXX
Azione per Famiglie Nuove ETS | Banca Etica – filiale 1 di Roma – Agenzia n. 0 | Codice IBAN: IT 92 J 05018 03200 000016978561 | BIC/SWIFT: ETICIT22XXX
Reason for payment: Middle East Emergency
Tax benefits are available for such donations in many EU countries and in other countries around the world, according to different local regulations. Italian contributors will be able to obtain deductions and allowances from income, according to the rules for non-profit organisations
Photo courtesy of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Living the Gospel: “Arise and do not be afraid” (Mt 17: 7)
Like a ripe grain of wheat
Almost three years after his arrival, medical tests revealed that Elio had a tumour with widespread metastases. Surgery was pointless. A question spontaneously arose within me: why did it happen to him, a person in the fullness of human and spiritual maturity, who could still give a lot to our community, where his wise and calm presence had already helped resolve a difficult situation? Mine was a cry of painful, almost of protest. Then, reflecting with some friends, we reviewed several examples in the Bible, from Abraham to Job, without finding immediate answers. Certain events cannot be explained without faith. During those days I happened to read an illuminating text by Saint Leo the Great: “The Church is the Lord’s field that is clothed with an increasingly rich harvest, because the grains that fall one by one are reborn multiplied”. This is what it was! Only from this perspective could I accept the departure to Heaven of a dear friend. He fell like a large, ripe grain of wheat. I had to believe that from this a full and beautiful ear of wheat would be born.
(G. – Belgium)
Little Great Miracles
I was born in Brazil, but later lived for nine years in another Latin American country with sky-high inflation and widespread poverty that fuelled crime. One day, a friend came to me in tears because she had just been robbed of the only salary which would support her family, since her husband was unemployed and they had four children. What could I do? I simply tried to console her, suggesting that she forgive and pray for the thief’s conversion. But she reacted by saying she would never do that. “In that case,” I replied, “I will pray for him.” A few days later, that same friend came back to see me, but this time with a completely different expression and spirit: happily, she told me that the thief must truly have repented because he had left the bag he had stolen in a shop where she was known. And, astonishingly, her salary was still inside, nothing was missing.
(T.G.S.C. – Brazil)
In a Wheelchair
For a long time now, because of my rheumatoid arthritis, I have been living in a wheelchair. Between hospitalizations and operations, I must have spent three years of my life in hospital. Often, due to the excruciating pain, I find myself completely immobile, unable even to comb my hair or hold a glass. I have had to give up many things I cared about. However, I have a cheerful disposition and often respond to my illness with a touch of humour. Gradually, understanding the “wisdom of the cross” has helped me to accept suffering as the most sublime form of love and to offer my small drop especially for the people who suffer most, for the Church, for the unity for which Jesus prayed. Now I no longer ask God “Why?”, but only: “Help me, Lord”. I try not to burden others with my physical problems and I think that I succeed fairly well, so much so that they find me quite joyful. Everything works for the good if we are open to the love of God. In fact, everyone in our family felt they had to take a step forward. Even our children have matured quickly and have become more responsible.
(Branka – Croatia)
compiled by Maria Grazia Berretta
(taken from The Gospel of the Day, Città Nuova, year XII– no. 1 March-April 2026)
Photo: © Pexels Shvets-Production
Say “No!” to the throw-away culture!
Say “No!” to the throw-away culture!
Find new ways of being close to others
Find new ways of being close to others
Today I will give joy to those I meet!
Today I will give joy to those I meet!
News 3 – 2026 General Assembly
Fare di ogni luogo un’oasi, non una fortezza
Dal 2 al 4 marzo l’Assemblea generale dei Focolari ha vissuto il ritiro spirituale. Giorni di ascolto dello Spirito, silenzio personale, preghiera per la pace, ma anche di immersione in alcune delle problematiche globali che affrontiamo, presentate da personalità di varie culture.
Andrea Riccardi, Italian historian and founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, sees a true call to fraternity for the Movements in the current world situation. A call that we often do not hear, perhaps because we are closed in on our own problems. It is only by “going out”, in contact with real life, that we will fulfil our mission. Vinu Aram, doctor and Director of the Shanti Ashram International Centre in India, emphasised that, in order to build peace, we also need a deep spiritual formation.
The wounds suffered by millions of women and men – poverty, injustice, migration – were the starting point for Fr. Vilson Groh, a Brazilian priest working in the suburbs of Florianópolis (Brazil), and Emilce Cuda, an Argentine theologian and professor, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. They shed light on the enormous inequalities present on the planet and spoke of how working for the least among us is an essential aspect of our lives, a privileged expression of Jesus Forsaken to be sought and encountered.
The treasure of each relationship as a source of fulfilment and freedom was the focus of the speech by Chiara Giaccardi, an Italian sociologist specialising in cultural and communication processes. It is not just a question of seeking and promoting self-fulfilment, but rather co-fulfilment, the possibility of creating something new together, a generative space.
But do words such as relationship and freedom still have meaning in the era of Artificial Intelligence and increasingly manipulative systems? Paolo Ruffini, Italian journalist, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See, and Fadi Chehadé, one of the world’s leading experts in the field of information technology, spoke about the great opportunities and enormous responsibilities we have in every field of communication, especially now that Artificial Intelligence is invading and pervading our lives. This is not a call to stop using technology; on the contrary, we must support its ethical use and return to human relationships with courage, as Chehadé recalled, quoting a teaching of his father, “making our homes and our communities not fortresses, but oases”.
The 5th of March, was entirely devoted to the 2021-2026 Five-Year Report presented in the hall by President Margaret Karram, together with some reflections by Co-President Jesús Morán. The contents of the report were discussed and reflected upon both in groups and in a plenary session.
Stefania Tanesini
with the Multimedia Communication and Linguistic Services team
Photo: © CSC Audiovisivi
Make space for hope
Make space for hope
Begin again with trust
Begin again with trust
A joint action carried out in unity
I am a volunteer of the Focolare Movement. Last summer, during a mountain trip with Anna and Toni, friends from our New Families group, it came up that for many years I had worked as a flight attendant for the Italian national airline. They immediately asked me if I knew a neighbour of theirs who had worked for the same company. As soon as I heard his name, I remembered him at once, even though 30 years had passed. They told me that his situation was very sad. Abandoned by his family and suffering from serious illnesses, he was living alone in a large, run-down house that was in urgent need of repairs. I went to visit him and I realized that I needed to lend a hand.
So, together with Toni and Anna, my wife Rita and others, we drew up an action plan. We began by fixing a French window with broken glass, thanks to the help of a carpenter friend. Then we installed a new door leading to the cellar and fixed the bathroom door that had been chewed by the dog. Next we fixed a sliding door that was letting in rain and we also worked on the terrace from which water was leaking into the house. We hired a cleaner, fixed the electrical system with the help of one of our volunteers who is an electrician and who, with the help of Toni also fixed the heating system. My wife added a subtle touch by decorating the courtyard with pots of cyclamens. In short, Cesare, that’s his name, now lives in more humane conditions and feels happy because he is surrounded by people who care for him. He had to go into hospital over the Christmas holidays and we visited regularly.
It’s a joy to know that through those simple gestures, he has regained his faith in humanity.
Compiled by Carlos Mana
Photo © Pexels-Ksenia Chernaya
Don’t be indifferent to poverty
Don’t be indifferent to poverty
Be transformed by God’s presence
Be transformed by God’s presence
News 2 – 2026 General Assembly
Pleading for Peace
Silence, prayer, reflection: today, the 2nd of March, the 3-day spiritual retreat of the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement began. Moments of ‘one-to-one’ with God and moments of communion alternate during these days in which the news that arrives, especially from the many war fronts, is increasingly tragic. Here, where the whole Movement is represented, the world news is close at hand, bringing people, places, communities and nations that are suffering into our presence.
For this reason, we invite all those who belong to the Movement throughout the world to pray, through various personal and collective initiatives, to call on Heaven for the gift of peace.
The programme of the General Assembly
The President’s report on the 2021-2026 5-year term will be presented on the 5th of March, and working sessions on selected topics will be held from the 6th to the 11th of March. Work will be carried out in groups using a method of dialogue and discernment called ‘Conversation in the Spirit’. Plenary sessions and votes on the outcomes are also planned.
The elections for the new Central Government – President, Co-President and Councillors – will be held from the 12th to the 15th of March. From the 16th to the 20th of March, the programme includes discussions and votes on proposed amendments to the General Statutes and Regulations. The Assembly will conclude in Rome on the 21st of March: everyone in the Assembly will be received in audience by Pope Leo XIV.
At the conclusion of the various stages of the Assembly, we will send you brief updates. The next one will be on the 5th of March, at the conclusion of the retreat days.
Stefania Tanesini
with the Multimedia Communication and Linguistic Services team
Photo: Time-out for peace during the Assembly © Javier García-CSC Audiovisivi
Start again!
Start again!
News 1 – General Assembly 2026
“I hereby officially declare open the Ordinary General Assembly of the Work of Mary, convened in accordance with the methods established by the General Statutes.” These were the words with which Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, opened the proceedings today, 1 March 2026. There are 320 participants at the Assembly. Representatives of eight Christian Churches and of various religions and cultures are present. Unfortunately, some participants have not yet arrived due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting flight ban. Thoughts and prayers of the entire Assembly immediately went out to this region of the world.
The President continued her opening address saying, “After a long period of preparation, it seems to me that I don’t see only you here present today, but all our communities around the world: from the Gen 4 to bishops, adherents, young people, and all those who are currently offering their sufferings for many different reasons.”
“I arrived here this morning,” she confided, “with immense joy in my heart and, at the same time, I feel in my soul a sense of trepidation for the sacred and important moments we are about to begin. These will certainly be challenging days, but above all, my deepest wish is that this time will become a profound experience of God for all of us.”
The meditation, led by Sergio Rondinara, member of the Abbà School, focused on how to read and interpret the “Premise to every other rule” in the light of Chiara Lubich’s experience. This is the premise that precedes and introduces the General Statutes and also guides the various norms contained therein. These words are also the premise and rule for the proceedings of the Assembly: “Mutual and constant love, which makes unity possible and brings the presence of Jesus among all, is, for those who are part of the Work of Mary, the basis for their life under every aspect: it is the norm of norms, the premise to every other rule.”
Throughout the whole of today, the necessary formalities for conducting the Assembly are scheduled. We began with the appointment of two moderators, chosen from among the participants, and of the Electoral Commission who are called upon to oversee the proper operation of all the aspects of the election. This was followed by the approval of the regulations and of the programme of the Assembly.
Stefania Tanesini
Photo: © Javier García-CSC Audiovisivi
Starting again without fear
There is a proverb that says, “Only those who fall can get up again”. This is seen very clearly in the tenderness and courage of young children as they begin to develop their skills. How much willpower they show as they take their first uncertain steps, getting up again and again with determination, until they gain confidence and begin to move with increasing assurance… the journey of life!
As we grow up and face various challenges and problems, getting back up each time becomes more difficult. Life’s trials weigh us down and sometimes we are held back and lose confidence when we encounter people who are different from us or do not think in the same way as we do. Willpower and even a sincere desire to be consistent with our values are not always enough. In these difficult moments, being able to count on a helping hand can give us the impetus to start again without fear. It can create a sense of silence in the depths of our consciences and allows us to be “renewed and whole” within.
Chiara Lubich wrote: “Is there anyone who does not go through trials and challenges? They take the form of failure, poverty, depression, doubt and temptation […] The materialistic and individualistic society that surrounds us is frightening, with its wars, violence and injustice…“. Chiara’s own life was a witness to this. It is precisely in those moments of darkness and struggle that it is important to find the strength to ”start again,“ and confidently say, ”you can still hope for everything.”We need to begin with ourselves[1].
This is what Emilia from Terra Santa managed to do. She works as a manager in a government office where there are a number of Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze. After October 7, 2023, she understood that love was the only possible response to the great pain everyone was feeling and she began to love everyone around her with a great sense of commitment. In particular, she listened to others so that she could welcome them into her heart. She listened with an attitude of love and humility and understood whatever others people were saying, whether they were Arab or Jewish. As a result, a large number of her colleagues have become so open with each other that they can talk freely about the situation. In turn, this has encouraged other workers to express their fears and struggles and the group has remained peaceful and united[2].
There are many stories of wounded communities that do not give up and that find strength each day in the reciprocal sharing of all they have, believing that hatred cannot have the last word.
Even if we will not be the ones to see the fruits of our commitment, every time we get back up, we contribute to forming “new people” because, as Bonhoeffer said from prison shortly before his death, “For those who are responsible, the ultimate question is not how I can heroically get through this affair, but what the life of the coming generation will be like.”
Photo © Pexels-Allan Mas
[1] Gen Rosso song “Start again”
[2] Experience shared at “One Human Family” Conference, Castel Gandolfo, June 2024
Get up and do not be afraid. (Mt 17:7)
Jesus climbed a high mountain with Peter, James and John and, from there, the disciples saw the glory of their Master and heard the voice of the Father who recognised him as his son.
This was an extraordinary experience; being face to face with God allowed his creatures to know him in his splendour. The disciples were afraid and fell to the ground, but Jesus touched them and said,
Get up and do not be afraid.
The verb ‘to get up’ is the same one often used in the Gospel in reference to the Resurrection, just as ‘do not be afraid’ are the first words that the Risen Lord addressed to the women at the empty tomb after having greeted them[1]. Jesus’ strong and clear words on this occasion are a decisive invitation to enter into a new life which the disciples were able to experience through the touch of his hand.
We too are sometimes held back by our fears and weighed down by life’s trials and situations that seem to have no solution. When this happens, we cannot rely solely on our own strength if we want to rediscover the enthusiasm and momentum of witnessing to our faith. Instead, we should depend on the grace of God who always goes before us.
“Who does not go through trials in life? They take the form of failure, poverty, depression, doubt or temptation … Furthermore, the materialistic and individualistic society that surrounds us, with its wars, violence and injustices is also frightening… Faced with these situations, doubt can creep in and we may ask ourselves, ‘Where has God’s love gone?’ … Jesus truly entered into every painful situation and took all our trials upon himself … He is Love, and it is love that drives out all fear. Every time we are assailed by fear or suffocated by pain, we can recognise the true reality hidden within it: it is Jesus who is present … Let us allow him to enter our lives. And then let us continue to live as God wants us to do by focusing upon loving our neighbour.
We will discover that Jesus is always Love. We will then be able to say to him, just as the disciples did, ‘You are truly the Son of God.’ (Mt 14,33) [2].
Get up and do not be afraid.
Those who have experienced God in their lives have been captivated by his presence, touched and healed by his Word. Sometimes, the witness of a Christian community accompanies us on this divine adventure and gives us the
courage to get up again, to step outside ourselves and resume our journey with Jesus and with our brothers and sisters.
“At the end of last year, my country went through a very difficult time. My city was hit by a wave of chaos and fear. I was deeply concerned for my family, my friends and myself. In the midst of so much uncertainty, I tried to remain steadfast in my hope in God and to stay strong despite everything that was happening. Before these events, the young people with whom I am committed to living the Gospel had planned some projects to support families in need by preparing food parcels and organising various initiatives.
But the situation forced us to temporarily suspend all activities. After a few days, we managed to get together and, at that meeting, we found strength and courage in one another. We decided not to let fear overwhelm us, but to put our trust in Jesus and continue on the path we had begun. Thanks to the faith we shared among us, we were able to help more than forty families who were in real need of support. In the midst of those difficulties, we felt that, thanks to God’s love and our unity, we could really make a difference.”
Get up and do not be afraid.
After climbing the mountain with Jesus to meet God and hear his voice, we can also descend with him, to “return to the plain, where we meet so many brothers and sisters weighed down by fatigue, illness, injustice, ignorance, poverty both material and spiritual.” [3].
Even as a Christian community, we may suffer and feel lost, but this Word urges us to set out together, to bring to everyone “the fruits of that experience with God by sharing the graces we have received.” [4].
Edited by Letizia Magri & the Word of Life Team
[1] Mt 28, 10; cf, 28, 5.
[2] Lubich Word of Life, Aug 2002 2002,
[3] Cfr. Pope Francis, Angelus 16 March 2014
[4] Ibidem.
Photo © Willian_2000-Pixabay
Don’t be discouraged by failure
Don’t be discouraged by failure
The General Assembly of the Focolare Movement is about to begin
According to Article 1 of the Regulations of the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement, participants will live this event in profound communion, so as to help unity grow in the entire Movement and guide it toward the fulfilment of its aims. The Assembly is in fact one of the most important moments for the Focolare Movement and takes place every five years, as established by the Decree of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life (2021).
It will be held at the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome, Italy), where 320 participants – including about 50 observers – from different countries, cultures and ecclesial and religious contexts are arriving. They are brought together by their adherence to the spirit and values of the Movement founded by Chiara Lubich (1920–2008) and recognised by the Catholic Church as a private, universal association of pontifical right.
The programme
The Assembly will begin with three days of spiritual retreat. On the 5th of March, the current President, Margaret Karram, will present her end-of-term report, accompanied by some reflections from the Co-President, Jesús Morán. The following days the programme will alternate between plenary sessions and work in 30 groups, dedicated to studying in depth the topics raised by the Focolare communities around the world.
The subjects that will guide the work will focus on the question of how to implement the charism, or rather how to create relationships of fraternity and unity, in the current global context through a commitment to peace and social justice, dialogue in a polarised world, the responsible use of technology, dialogue as a key instrument between Christian Churches and with people of various faiths and convictions, integral ecology, and participatory governance. One of the topics will also be the transmission of the charism of the Focolare Movement to future generations. There will also be sessions for discussion on the proposed amendments to the General Statutes and to the Regulations of the various branches of the Movement.
Thursday, the 12th of March, will be dedicated to the election of the President and the Co-President, positions which, according to the General Statutes of the Focolare Movement, must be confirmed by the Holy See. Then, on the 15th of March, the General Assembly will proceed with the election of the general councillors, thus completing the composition of the new governing body of the Movement.
Towards the General Assembly: a worldwide journey
In preparation for this Assembly, communities of the Focolare Movement in 150 countries took part in an extensive process of listening and synodal discernment, offering ideas and priorities for the future. This resulted in hundreds of contributions on key issues as well as challenges that the Movement is facing internally and in the global context. Local communities also expressed their preferences for candidates for the governing body of the Movement.
Stefania Tanesini
Photo Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo: © CSC Audiovisivi
Want the good of others
Want the good of others
A little miracle in just 27 hours
Thursday, February 5, 10:00 p.m.
Christine Schneider-Heinz and Michael Heinz from Eggenburg, Lower Austria, received a short message from the Focolare community in Kiev: it expressed an urgent need for winter clothes for people in Ukraine. The couple have long been committed to helping refugees from different countries, organizing accommodation in their town and helping with initial needs. They immediately knew who to ask for help.
Friday, February 6 – even before morning coffee
The first messages and requests were sent out. The first went to a friend who works in the nearby shoe factory and who already had organised donations of shoe several times. By 10 am he confirmed 100 pairs of winter shoes, including transport to Eggenburg.
Friday 6 February – 11:30 am
A message was posted in their WhatsApp Status and sent to their friends in the vicinity: “bring warm clothes and shoes for people in Ukraine to the presbytery of the Catholic parish this evening, between 18:00-20:00”.
Friday, February 6 – 6:00 pm
Christine and Michael had already gone through their wardrobes and went to the presbytery with the first bags, equipped with labels in English and Ukrainian to pack and label everything.
What awaited them was incredible: an overwhelming display of solidarity and readiness to help. The Mayor had shared the appeal on the municipal app, the parish through the parish app and many people had spread the message through their Status and networks.
People arrived with single jackets, with full boxes, bags and cartons. Some brought items while others accepted them, sorted them, packed and labelled them. Young people from Kharkiv and Afghanistan, women from Kiev and Eggenburg worked side by side.
Some families returning directly from their ski holiday spontaneously brought their ski equipment and thermal clothing. A man took off his expensive down jacket, left it there and went home in his shirt sleeves. People who didn’t know each other stayed to help and everyone was happy to contribute. By 22:30 two minibuses were already loaded.
Saturday, February 7, early morning
The first two minibuses left for Vienna, where the material was delivered to the collection point. Meanwhile, the work of sorting, labelling and packing continued at the Eggenburg presbytery. At 14:00 a third minibus left for Vienna.
Donations came from all over and a variety of people participated: the current Mayor and two former Mayors, the pastoral assistant and a German teacher, an Afghan pizza chef and other shopkeepers, parents with their children and pensioners.
There was a deep sense of warmth between everyone: some people embraced while others shyly left their bags at the door and slipped away.
Someone wrote:
“Something like this makes you hope that humanity can still change course. You could feel the willingness to help when we heard the news from a bombed and freezing Kiev. Then someone started to help and suddenly a little miracle happened”.
Saturday 7 February @ 5 p.m.
Over a ton of donations was sorted, packed, labelled, loaded and delivered to the collection point for Ukraine. 27 hours had passed since the appeal was received. The entrance to the presbytery was empty once more and back to normal. Was it a dream? No. But perhaps Eggenburg truly experienced a little miracle.
By Christine Schneider-Heinz
https://fokolar-bewegung.at/nachrichten/die-magie-des-augenblicks
Photo: © Sepp Schachinger, Michael Heinz
Cast your cares on God!
Cast your cares on God!
Humility!
Humility!
Pray for peace
Pray for peace
Give a smile
Give a smile
Avoid gossip
Avoid gossip
Train yourself in living the present moment
Train yourself in living the present moment
Chiara Lubich: “God needs us”
‘See, I am making all things new.’
(…) We cannot know when and how this will happen and it’s a waste of time trying to find out. It is certain, however, that it will come about. It is not a dream nor a utopia nor a sentimental desire. No, it is a certainty repeatedly upheld by God in the Bible. It will be God’s response to the untiring efforts of his children to build up his kingdom. It will be the crown given to them for their fidelity in living his Word. It will be the full unfolding of the power of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus introduced into history through his death and resurrection.
From the very moment Jesus came on earth, in spite of tribulations of all kinds, this renewal has already begun, it’s already under way. From now on, all those who allow Jesus to live in them – and he lives in us if we put his words into practice – will experience the miracle of his grace that makes all things new. His grace transforms suffering into peace and inner serenity. It overcomes our weakness, hatred, selfishness, pride, greed and every sort of evil. It enables us to pass from the slavery to our passions and fears to the joyful freedom of the children of God. Furthermore, God’s grace is not limited to transforming the individual person, but through each one of us, it transforms society as a whole.
(…)
In fact, God wants to renew all things: our personal life, friendships, conjugal love, the family. He wants to renew life in society under every aspect: work, education, culture, entertainment, health, economics and politics. In short, God wants to transform every sector of life on earth.
But God needs us in order to do this. He needs people who allow his Word to live in them, people who are his living Word, people who are another Jesus in their own particular environments. And since the Word that summarizes Jesus’ teaching, the full expression of God’s law, is love, let’s try to put it into practice. Let’s love our neighbors just as we love ourselves, without watering down the Word of God, without minimizing its power.
We will become aware of a continuous renewal, above all in our own hearts, and before long around us as well.
Chiara Lubich
Photo: © Kaike Rocha by Pexels
Welcome God’s will
Welcome God’s will
Love conquers everything
Love conquers everything
When Illness Becomes Communion
I am 62 years old, I am Irish and I have lived in Taiwan for many years. I have had pulmonary fibrosis for a long time, so when I began to feel more tired, I thought it was just a worsening of this condition. I went to the doctor not very worried. To my surprise, I was told directly and without any preparation: stage four cancer, which has already spread to the other lung and perhaps elsewhere.
My first reaction was to call my wife. She and my daughter, who lives with us in Taiwan, remained on the phone in silence. Our other daughter is in Ireland. At that moment I was not afraid for myself: my thoughts went immediately to them, to the burden that this news would place on their shoulders. At the same time I felt a deep regret for all the times I hadn’t loved fully, for the wounds I had left along the way. It seemed too late to make amends.
One day a priest came to celebrate Mass in our home. I have known the Focolare Movement since I was eleven years old, and I have always lived the offering of myself to God during the consecration. But that time I understood something new: I could place in the chalice, not only myself, but also all the people I had hurt. I could entrust them to Jesus so that He might heal what I could no longer repair. It was an immense relief. Since then, a deep serenity has accompanied me.
Eight years ago my wife had breast cancer. We have already passed through darkness. Then, as now, we chose to trust in the Father’s love. When I pray the “Our Father” and say “Thy will be done,” I feel that my whole life is already held in heaven. The future does not belong to me: it is in God’s hands. All I have to do is say yes.
I often think of Loppiano (Italy) where as a young man I felt a very strong call to follow Jesus. Over time I understood that it was an invitation to recognize him above all in suffering, in that face that the charism refers to as ” Jesus Forsaken “. Even when my wife was ill, before the cross I understood that it is not enough to remain below and look on: we must ascend with Him, enter into His abandonment and let ourselves be carried to the Father. Our home is there.
Before the diagnosis I had a very full life: I taught at the university, I accompanied students and young people, I supported families and I participated in the life of the Movement. Now my world has shrunk. I’m on leave of absence and in order to avoid infections, I go out little. But something surprising is happening: people seek me out. They write to me from every continent and pray for me. Some young people in Taiwan have created a group to pray together every week. I thought I had sown very little; now I see that love returns multiplied.
When I speak openly about my illness, many find the courage to open up about their own wounds. My weakness becomes a space for communion. It is as if, Christ, lifted up on the cross, draws hearts to himself. This illness, which humanly is a death sentence, turns out to be an opportunity to welcome others.
There are sufferings that can be shared with everyone and others that can only be expressed to God, in a deep dialogue with Him. I know moments will come when I won’t even have the strength to offer my pain. So I prepare myself in this way: by repeating my yes. “Not my will, but yours be done” (Lk. 22:42). I know I can’t face what lies ahead alone. But I also know I won’t be alone.
In these months I have understood that love is not the sole remit of those who know Jesus or call themselves Christians. In the hospital, the doctors and nurses who treat me do not share my faith, yet they love with a tenderness and attentiveness that move me. I have seen in their daily gestures – an extra phone call, a patient explanation, a discreet presence, that love is greater than labels. When I look at suffering through the eyes of love, it no longer remains trapped in fear: it is transformed, it becomes a space of hope, something mysteriously positive. It is as if every act of care, even if unconscious, is already a pathway to God, because wherever there is love, it leads to Him.
And within this immense communion – made up of my family, friends, students, young people and doctors who love perhaps without fully knowing why – I experience that everything is already held within a design of goodness. I don’t have to control it or fully understand it: I can simply dwell within it, day by day, with gratitude.
Compiled by Carlos Mana
Photo © Engin Akyurt-Pexels
Creativity in loving others!
Creativity in loving others!
2025 Annual Report: moving from policy to culture
In 2025, the Focolare Movement took additional steps to make its commitment to safeguarding both structural and verifiable, with particular attention to children and vulnerable adults. This was carried out in three areas:
- consolidation of regulations
- organisational strengthening
- educational and cultural growth
Regarding regulations, the Movement has drawn up and approved the Safeguarding Policy of the Focolare Movement, which came into effect on the 1st of January 2026. The Policy brings together values, responsibilities and practices, connects procedures and guidelines, defines codes of conduct, criteria for safe spaces with a clear focus on people who have suffered abuse, providing for listening, accompaniment and – in specific cases – support and measures for compensation.
On an organisational level, on the 2nd of September 2025, the Safeguarding Office was established, with the task of coordinating safeguarding activities, monitoring commitments and deadlines, supervising official communication and supporting local safeguarding officers. It is supported by the Advisory and Action Board: a body composed of experts in the fields of formation, communication, law, and accompaniment of people who have suffered abuse. Its task is to assess the compliance of the actions undertaken according to the founding values of the Focolare Movement, to propose guidelines and strategic plans, and to promote collaboration with external experts and networks, ensuring constant updates on current regulations and best practices in the field of safeguarding.
In dialogue with the Catholic Church, in the two-year period 2024-2025, a collaboration with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) was developed. The Commission examined the Procedures for handling cases of abuse, making several observations; it also requested information to include an analysis of the Movement’s policies in its own 2024 Annual Report. The PCPM’s recommendations have led to a process of implementation that has already been partially completed (including the publication of the Internal Regulations of the Independent Central Commission and the reporting of dedicated resources) and, for the remaining part, is in the process of being defined or developed (additions to be made to the General Statutes of the Focolare Movement, IT tools and institutional channels for data confidentiality).
The commitment to integral formation in safeguarding was outlined in an initial document summarising the courses and initiatives planned for the two-year period 2024–2025. The information shows the work being done to make formation more widespread, strengthen local commissions and coordinators, and at the same time highlights some critical issues that need to be addressed: continuity of formation, intercultural adaptation of materials, and improved flow of communication.
All of these steps – Policy, Safeguarding Office, collaboration with the PCPM, formation and transparency in reporting – express the desire to continue with determination on the path of prevention, shared responsibility and listening to those who have suffered an abuse, in the belief that safeguarding is an integral part of the Movement’s mission and a service to the common good.
In this perspective, the words that the Pope addressed to the participants at
the meeting ‘Building communities that safeguard dignity’ also resonate for
the Focolare Movement as a guideline to follow:
“I therefore appreciate and encourage your intention to share experiences and learning processes on how to prevent all forms of abuse and how to give an account, with truth and humility, of the steps taken to protect minors. I urge you to continue this commitment so that communities may increasingly become examples of trust and dialogue, where every person is respected, listened to, and valued.
Where justice is lived with mercy, wounds are transformed into openings for grace.”[1]
Stefania Tanesini
Interview with Bishop Alí Herrera, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors of the Catholic Church
[1] Message of Pope Leo XIV to the participants at the meeting “Building Communities that Safeguard Dignity”, promoted by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Rome, 15 November 2025.
Every obstacle a launch pad!
Every obstacle a launch pad!
Trust in God
Trust in God