Mar 7, 2017 | Non categorizzato
Every 14 March, the death anniversary of Chiara Lubich is for the Focolare communities an occasion to get together, celebrate, bear witness, and renew their commitment. This event will be echoed worldwide also in 2017, from Singapore to Vilnius (Lithuania), Sydney (Australia) to Houston (USA), and Manaus (Brazil) to Bujumbura (Burundi). It will be a sort of constellation that will literally embrace the world and revive Chiara’s testament to «Be a family.» The theme that will be taken up this year is precisely that of the family, against the background of the dynamics opened by the Bishop’s Synod and subsequent apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia of Pope Francis. Chiara saw the family as a «seed of communion for humanity of the third millennium,» as she said in her message at the Family fest of 1993, in the hope that «the inherent values that are part of its nature – gratuitousness, spirit of service, and reciprocity – may be transferred to the entire human family.» It is in this light that we can interpret the initiatives that will be undertaken throughout 2017 in various parts of the world. The finality is to gather the pathway of life and ideas during the 50 years of the New Family Moviment, and uphold the anthropological and universal value of the families in the perspective of the “human family.” The first meeting on the theme The family as a source of hope and joy was held in Cairo, Egypt, with over 300 participants: a programme of joy and testimonials, which evidenced the leading role of the youth and relationships between the generations in families. The event in Panama Being a family always took place on 12 February: in a society characterised by fast-paced activities, over 400 people decided to meet in the city park for a day of dialogue, games and walks. An event with a global atmosphere will take place in the international town of Loppiano (Italy), from 10 to 12 March 2017, with the participation of families from all five continents. The main highlights will be the activities on Saturday, 11 March, which will be aired in live streaming (from 3 – 6 pm). See the press release and the news: Chiara Lubich and the Family 2017 Live streaming from Loppiano: http://live.focolare.org/FamilyHighlights
Mar 7, 2017 | Non categorizzato
A large group of Catholic Bishop-friends of the Focolare are currently having their convention on March 7-12 at the Mariapolis Centre in Castelgandolfo (Italy). They come from a significant collection of countries, including a good 26 from African and the Middle East. Among them is also Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar from Damascus whom was asked to tell us about his country. Archbishop Nassar, after six years of war, what does Syria look like today? It’s an immense site of ruins. Apocalyptic scenes – burned out buildings, homes burned to the ground, ghost towns, villages razed to the ground. More than 2 million Syrians (50% of the population) don’t have a roof over their heads. Many Syrians – in the millions – have left their country, forming the largest mass of refugees since World War II. And now they’re stuck in refugee camps waiting for someone to notice them. Others drowned escaping, or are lined up in front of embassies like nomads in search of a country to that will take them in. Life for Syrians, wherever they may be, has turned into a torment. The family, the cornerstone of the Church and of the nation, is seriously shaken. It’s now rare to find a complete family, and the few that have stayed are completely deprived of support, buried in misery, in anguish and depression. Fiancés can’t marry because they’re separated by the mobilisation of the military, and the lack of housing does the rest. Their future hopes have all crumbled. In your opinion, who are the most vulnerable? The children are the ones who are most at risk. They are paying dearly for this merciless violence. UNESCO reports that more than 3 million Syrian children are not in school, which is also due to the priority of staying alive. The few schools that are operating are over-crowded, and the level of instruction is suffering because of the exodus of teachers. The psychological support centres are hopelessly overwhelmed by the huge numbers and by the types of psychological blocks that that mostly the children suffer from. One of the concerns for the Church is the exodus of Christians… The parishes are reporting a drastic drop in the number of faithful, and of pastoral activity. The Church of Damascus has seen one third of its priests (27 priests), a hard blow that weakens even more the declining role of the Christian minority. The priests who stay don’t feel safe and try to find ways to leave. Meanwhile, they offer themselves as socio-humanitarian workers for families. What is life like for Syrians today? Syrians don’t run after freedom anymore. Every day is a struggle to find bread, water, gas and oil that are becoming scarcer and scarcer. The frequent and prolonged electrical outages bring melancholy and dwindling social life. The search for scattered brothers and sisters, parents and friends is done discretely and in much distress. Finding a small dwelling place, any kind of refuge for living in has become the impossible dream of every family, especially young couples. The Syrian people is living this torment in great bitterness, which can be seen in the silent gazes and the tears. Lent 2017 offers all of us an opportunity for profound reflection on the commitment of the Church that wishes to be beside our faithful in the trial of this journey towards the Risen Lord, who said: ‘Come to me, all who are burdened and oppressed…” (Mt 11:28). What urged you to get yourself to this meeting with other bishops? Ever since 2008 I found in the Focolare a type of listening and dialogue that helps me to accept my episcopal solitude and physical isolation in a country at war. In these gatherings at Castel Gandolfo I experience a discreet, respectful fraternal acceptance, an atmosphere and spiritual tone that nourishes my soul and confirms the spirit. An oasis of friendship, of mission and of renewal.
Mar 6, 2017 | Non categorizzato
The situation seemed absurd. I was taking the items I needed off the shelf at the supermarket, when I felt a trolley bumping into me, hitting me in the leg. I felt a stabbing pain but I managed not to cry out. I had a look around to see what was happening. A woman with a little boy in her arms was angrily staring at me, without a trace of regret or apology. There was certainly enough room for her to go by me without bumping into me but, between the cell phone and the screaming baby, the carriage and the box she was dropping, it was in some way understandable that such an accident could have happened. There and then I responded with words that weren’t exactly polite and let her go by. Only that things don’t always go as you would suppose they would: I turned into another aisle and we crossed paths again: “You again?” she said to me in a tone that was anything but friendly. “Oh, yeah, me again! I’m shopping just like you; maybe we’ll see each other again… Wouldn’t it be better to finish your telephone conversation and do one thing at a time?” At that point she really lost it – big time! She suddenly felt the right to launch comments and insults towards complete strangers like me, and so forth. No one was spared. Just to make things worse the little one began to shout, the cell phone fell to the ground and the box fell and emptied its contents all over the floor. It was too much for the woman who ended up sitting on the floor in tears. Without hesitation I began to gather her things and calm the little boy, by trying to distract him with a set of keys I had in my pocket. In the end the little one began to laugh, and the lady calmed down. Naturally, shoppers, sale clerks and all kinds of other people drew near to see what all the chaos was about, but finding that things had calmed down, they walked away and left us alone. Who knows what they were thinking! The fact is that I helped the woman to stand up and I asked her if she still had to buy many things. She answered by showing me a shopping list she was holding in her hand. I asked her to wait there while I went to buy the things she was still missing. Of course, I did have to change some items two or three times before finding the right brand but, in the end, I did it. Once all the items on the shopping list were in the carriage, the woman looked at me with her big eyes and spoke timidly: “Thank you, and forgive me for acting the way I did before. I don’t know which way to turn. My husband lost his job and we don’t know how we’re going to make it to the end of the month. It feels like the world is falling down around us. So I’ve become angry and aggressive.” I obviously didn’t have an immediate solution, but it came to me spontaneously to tell her: “Look, I don’t have an answer, but what I can do is pray for you and your husband, asking that he can find a job.” She looked at me a bit surprised and answered: “I’m not able to believe in God, but, anyway… thank you!” In the days that followed I prayed frequently and intensely for that family. One morning, I met the woman again at the supermarket. She saw me from afar and came up to me: “Imagine, against all odds, my husband was able to get an interview with a company and, yes, they hired him! It’s not the ideal position, but it’s permanent with a reasonable salary. Could it be because of your promise to pray for us? When my husband told me I immediately thought of you, of your prayers. Thank you so much! Could it be that God does exist?” “I firmly believe so and hope that one day you’ll get to meet him!” I told her. We said goodbye and each of us went her own way. A sudden gratitude began to fill my heart and a prayer to God that one day she would get to meet him too. From: Kerber, Urs. La vida se hace camino, (Buenos Aires, Ciudad Nueva, 2016), 16-17.
Mar 4, 2017 | Non categorizzato
(…) Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name,” (which means in my love), “there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:30). Becoming the dwelling place of God’s presence is a splendid possibility offered also to families. A family that lives in this way is actively involved in all that happens around it. Simply by being what it is, it can witness, proclaim and therefore heal the social fabric around it, because life in itself speaks and works. I have seen from experience that this kind of family is able to open home and heart to the urgent needs and issues in society and to various forms of loneliness and alienation. They can even practice and organize solidarity in ever-widening circles, to the point of promoting effective actions to influence institutions, block wrongful laws and measures, and guide politicians. Through the presence and activity of its members in the various sectors of society, the family is also able to enter into dialogue with institutions, channelling resources towards real needs, creating awareness and the necessary conditions for improved policies in favour of the family and fostering public opinion based on values. I believe that nothing could be more beautiful than families like this. Because, let’s ask ourselves, what do people really want? They want happiness. Where do they seek happiness? In love, in beauty, and they are willing to do anything to obtain it. In these families, there is the fullness of human love and the beauty of supernatural love. I have seen families like this, and they are truly wonderful. Everyone finds them fascinating. From the outside, they look like any other family, but they have a secret, a secret of love. “Suffering that is loved” unites them to Christ who dwells in their homes. He is attracted by the mutual love that unites them, and through these families, he is transforming the world. I wanted to share these thoughts with you, which come from the depths of my heart and from the experience of many families. I would like to encourage all of us to greater practical engagement in doing everything possible for the true good of the family. In fact, the health of the first cell of society is of the utmost importance for the future of all humanity. The great Catholic writer Igino Giordani wrote: “To save the family means to save society. The state is made up mostly of families. If families break down, society weakens.” He also said, “Married couples become God’s collaborators in giving life and love to humanity… Love extends outwards from the family to professional life, to the city, the nation and humanity. It is like a wave opening in ever-widening circles, onwards to infinity. For two thousand years there has been a restless longing, set in motion by the Gospel, it calls for love.” Chiara Lubich Watch the complete video
Mar 3, 2017 | Non categorizzato
Seven years have passed since the Arab Spring and the unforgettable Tahrir Square, symbol of all the squares of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, crowded with women, men and many youths forcefully invoking the demise of the autocratic regimes, respect of human rights, transparency, freedom of information and social justice. Seven long years in which Egypt, the historical and cultural reference point for the Arab world, has been marked by an unprecedented political crisis. There is still a strong internal instability, caused by sporadic outbreaks of terrorism, that have resulted in the drop of tourism and foreign investments. And despite the efforts of the government to invest in infrastructures (such as the inauguration of the new Suez canal) and heal its international relationships, the onset of the economic crisis is weighing heavily on the country’s 90 million inhabitants. The great urban areas are concentrated along the banks of the Nile (5% of the territory). Ten million are in the capital city of Cairo (which become 12 during the day), the second most populated African city. 
Immersed in this metropolis, the families that live the spirituality of the focolare, come from every social category and belong to various Christian churches. They have the same difficulties as all the others: growing unemployment, the crisis of parental roles in a society that is increasingly moving away from religious and social values and which is dazzling the new generation with the temptations of consumerism. Families that are trying however to go “against the current,” helping one another mutually and working hard to serve the schools, churches and institutions. The convention on the family entitled “Source of hope and joy” was held last 27 January, with the participation of about 300 people. It was a feast, with songs and dance, sharing sessions, moment of reflection on the theme of dialogue between husband and wife, parent-children relationships, suffering, illness, and divisions and difficulties of families. Many were testimonials of tangible love that heals suffering, like that that of Wagih and his wife, who suffered a stroke and is confined to a wheelchair; or that of a couple which, through dialogue, recomposed the pieces of their almost broken family; or that of another couple which understood that children not only need to be loved but above all, need parents who love one another. “The families of the focolare,” the letter from Cairo says, “give a great contribution to families also through the St. Joseph Institute and the Pro Vita, created in March 1994, incarnating the Gospel in family life and in the heart of society. The Institute engages in the preparation of young couples for marriage and as a family counseling service, with branches in various dioceses. They give strength and courage, amid many difficulties to couples also in the Muslim world. In these years the number of marriage annulment cases has dropped to the minimum, despite the great number of couples with problems that go for consultation. The Institute gives its contribution in the various events in the family sector, and represents the Holy See in the international conventions of the Muslim world.» The Koz Kazah Foundation has been active since 2007 in the Shubra community, one of the most populated districts of Cairo, and last 25 February, inaugurated a new office in Fagala. The aim is to work, in cooperation with AMU, on social projects, educational programmes for children at risk, create events to awaken the sense of belonging to one’s own city (cleaning of roads, murals, conferences, shows). In a society which, not only in Egypt, sees no reason for hope and joy, these constructive actions seem to emit the perfume of another spring. AMU: Project CHANCE FOR TOMORROW
Mar 2, 2017 | Non categorizzato
Mar 1, 2017 | Non categorizzato
Klaus Hemmerle played an essential part alongside Chiara Lubich in introducing the life of communion among the bishops who follow the spirituality of unity. We present some passages taken from his book, Klaus Hemmerle, La luce dentro le cose (The Light Within Things,) published by Città Nuova (Rome, 1998). “Even after the radical conversion of our life that takes place once and for all in Baptism, all of us are unceasingly in need of converting. Even in those cases where the baptized does not separate from God, the claims that life makes on him and the temptations of daily life are likely to chain him to his own ego so much that the unique Word that the baptized has become thanks to the grace of Christ, sails along and is modified and cracks. The wound inflicted on God’s life in us is in constant need of healing” (p 82). “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Jesus is a realist. He knows our weaknesses. He never judges, nor does he ever say: Whatever way you live is the same. He calls us to repentance, to conversion, to constantly begin again. He forgives us and invites us to forgive others. Our friendship with him runs aground if our life is not this constant conversion” (p 73). “For each one of us, today, a cross is waiting that we are to carry along with us.” But it has to be carried this very day! Otherwise it is the cross that carries us, and then we feel totally oppressed, tormented and annihilated, and we never realize that it was the cross that carried us away. But if we ourselves have the courage to take up the cross, then it becomes the most precious thing in the world” (p 89). “When the disciples see the great and powerful God in Jesus, they are not able to find him. They have to bow down to the ground, to look into the dust: Jesus is there, washing the feet of those who are his own. Self-giving, abasement, service, mature awareness of the banality of human needs, becoming little, renouncing, the endurance of total giving, not appearing, hiddenness – all of these qualities that have absolutely nothing to do with the radiant splendour of God, lie at the deepest central core of the cult and worship we offer to God – the Eucharist” (p 101). “Someone like me who continues to fail every time, cannot but live on God’s forgiveness. But this forgiveness proves itself in fraternal pardon. This is the underlying substance of God’s forgiveness, it rebounds onto the community in which we link up to that mercy that makes us ever free and new so that we can be sons of the Father with the Lord, the only Lord – in the midst of them” (p 74).
Feb 28, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
Federico: An Italian and Uruguayan: what are the chances? Yet we happened to meet, seven years ago, at a Latin American center in Rome. I was there to give a hand running things, she to speak her language a bit. Our eyes met and we started to build a home together. Economic constraints, however, pushed us to leave the big city for my parents’ small village, especially because one of our greatest wishes was about to come true: our son was on the way. There was much happiness, but the stress of the birth and the rapid life changes didn’t give us any time to breathe. Laura: As if that were not enough, my mother, who was taking care of my invalid father and my little brother, became seriously ill. I needed to immediately go to Uruguay for at least a couple of months, especially because time was running out for my mother to get to know our little one. In the meantime, Federico and I were living on two different planets: me shut in at home with the child, he always out to escape the tension between us. Whenever our eyes met there was only anger, exhaustion, misunderstanding. As I left I told him, “When I come back, we’re either going to break up or stay together forever.” Federico: Our hearts became as distant as the physical separation. The months flew by, she didn’t return, and I found myself on a different path. To be honest with her, I felt I had to tell her that I didn’t want to get back together and that perhaps she should stay there where she was. Laura: It hurt a lot, even though I expected it. I gathered my strength, put aside my suffering and decided to return to Italy, knowing that I had little chance. In fact, when I got back home, he didn’t want to hear anything about living with me. Federico: One day I confided to my brother what was happening, and he told me about a couple that had a lot of experience who could help us. The idea didn’t seem that convincing at all, but in the end, for the good of the child, I accepted. “Perhaps they can help us separate without touching off a war,” I said to myself. It was an afternoon at the end of May. In the garden where we met, the cherries were ripe, and everything spoke of hope and peace. Yet in our hearts opposing feelings were rebelling. The man’s strong handshake and the delicate face of his wife gave me shivers along my spine. I saw that Laura, too, was moved. We talked with them for a half-hour. That night I left behind everything and returned home. As I entered, tears ran down my face, but my soul seemed to fly. Maybe I could do this! Laura: When I saw Federico come back I couldn’t believe it. Our next appointment with that couple was at Loppiano (near Florence), where we met other friends of theirs, couples who were having difficulties like us. But the change in us had already begun. At the course organized by New Families of the Focolare Movement, the first thing they talked to us about – almost like a game – was the Japanese art of kintsugi, where a broken ceramic vase is not thrown away, but glued together with gold. Doing so, it becomes even more valuable. The new atmosphere we were breathing in there was renewing us without us realizing it. We understood that forgiveness was the gold that could put us together again, and we asked it of each other. We found the strength to give of ourselves to each other. Federico: It was a mix of the spirituality of unity, which the course was based on; advice from experts; and the support from the other couples that strengthened our desire to be reborn again as a couple and gave us a fundamental push to change. Ever since, each day we tell each other that we’re ready to start again, without taking anything for granted and making the effort to step in each other’s shoes. Laura: After two years we got to the point where we were able to make an important decision: to get married in Church, so that Love par excellence could watch over our life together and continue flowing forever. Now we are expecting our second child in July. Truly the love of God knew how to write straight on our crooked lines!
Feb 27, 2017 | Non categorizzato
Watercolour © A.M Baumgarten
Feb 27, 2017 | Non categorizzato, Word of
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We can live like the first Christians and witness in our lives to God’s overwhelming love. If we, his followers, are truly reconciled among ourselves, we can speak convincingly of God’s reconciling love for the world. “Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20). All over the world, there are blood-soaked wars. They seem endless, and they embroil families, tribes and peoples. Twenty-year-old Gloria told this story: “We got news of a village that’d been burnt down. Lots of people lost everything. With my friends I collected some useful things: mattresses, clothes, food. We set out and after an eight hour journey we met all those people in such terrible need. We listened to them, dried their tears, hugged them and tried to comfort them. One family told us, ‘Our little girl was in the house they burnt down. It felt like we were dying with her. Now, through your love, we have the strength to forgive the men who did this!’” The Apostle Paul also experienced this kind of forgiveness, and it completely changed his life. He, the very one who was persecuting Christians,1 met God’s free-given love. It came in a completely unexpectedly way as he was travelling. God then sent him out in his name 2 as an ambassador of reconciliation. This is how Paul became a passionate and credible witness to the mystery of Jesus who died and rose again. He spoke of Jesus who had reconciled the world to himself so that everyone could know and experience a life of communion with him and one another.3 Through Paul the Gospel message reached and fascinated even pagans, those thought to be furthest from salvation: “Be reconciled to God!” he said. Despite our failings that discourage us or the false certainties that fool us into thinking we have no need, we too can meet God’s mercy. His love is so excessive! We can let it heal our hearts and in the end set us free to share this treasure with others. Like this we will give our contribution to God’s plan of peace for all humanity and the whole of creation. This plan overcomes the contradictions of history, as Chiara Lubich suggests in this passage: “On the cross, in the death of his Son, God gave us the highest proof of his love. Through Christ’s cross, he reconciled us to himself. This fundamental truth of our faith is fully relevant today. “It is the revelation all humankind awaits. Yes, God is close to all people with his love and he loves each person passionately. Our world needs to hear this proclamation, but we can proclaim God’s love if first we proclaim it, again and again, to ourselves — until we feel surrounded by this love, even when everything would make us think the opposite.… All our behaviour should make this truth credible. “Jesus said clearly that before bringing our offering to the altar we should be reconciled with a brother or sister if they have anything against us (see Mt 5:23-24) … So let’s love one another as he loved us, without being closed or prejudiced, but being open to welcome and appreciate the positive in our neighbour, ready to give our lives for one another. This is Jesus’ main command, the mark of Christians, valid today just as it was at the time of Christ’s first followers. Living this word means becoming reconcilers.” Living like this we will enrich our days with acts of friendship and reconciliation: in our own family and among families, in our own Church and among Churches, in every civil and religious community to which we belong. Letizia Magri
- See Acts 22:4 ff.
- See 2 Cor 5:
- See Eph 2:13 f
