Chiara Lubich: I have a dream
“Seeing what the Holy Spirit has done with us and with many other spiritual and social “enterprises” that are at work the Church today, I cannot but hope that He will continue to act now and always with the same generosity and magnanimity. And this holds true not only for brand new works that will arise from his love, but also for the development of those that already exist, like our own. Meanwhile, I dream that the atmosphere in our Church will be more suited to her identity as the Bride of Christ; a Church which can be seen by the world as being more beautiful, more one, more holy, more charismatic, more akin to Christ her Spouse. I dream of her being a beacon for humanity. And I dream of seeing in her a holiness of the people, never seen before. I dream that the lived siblinghood, that is gaining momentum today in the consciences of millions of people, will be practised more widely across the globe, so that in the third millennium it will be a general, universal reality. Consequently, I dream of fewer wars and conflicts, less hunger, and the reduction of the thousand other evils in the world. I dream of an ever more intense dialogue of love among the Churches so that the formation of the one Church is seen to be close at hand. I dream of a more living and active dialogue among people of the most varied religions linked to one another by love, by “the Golden Rule” present in all their sacred texts. I dream of greater encounter and mutual enrichment among the various cultures in the world, so that they may give rise to a world culture that highlights those values which have always been the true wealth of individual peoples, and I dream that these values will be seen by all as global wisdom. I dream that the Holy Spirit will continue to enrich the Churches and strengthen the “seeds of the Word” beyond them, so that the world may continually receive new light, life, and works which He alone can is able to give. So that ever-greater numbers of men and women may set out towards straight paths, converging on their Creator, and putting their hearts and souls at his disposal. I dream of Gospel-based relationships not only among individuals, but also among groups, movements, religious and lay associations; among peoples and among States, so that it becomes logical to love other people’s countries as our own; and logical to tend towards a universal communion of goods, at least as a goal to reach. [..] In a word, I dream of already witnessing the new heavens and new earth, as far as this is possible here on earth. I am dreaming of many things, but we have a millennium to see them come true.” Chiara Lubich Extract from: “Attualità. Leggere il proprio tempo”, Città Nuova, Rome 2013, pp. 102-103
The Smile Therapy
Also the scientists say that smiling does us good. It lengthens life, reduces stress and brings people closer. At times it can also change your life. The World Smile Day created by Harvey Ball has been celebrated every first Friday of October since 1999. He was also the creator of the “smileys” that inspired the emoticon. Giving a smile is not always easy, but necessary. “I do not know of any other sign of superiority in man except that of being kind,” Beethoven affirmed. And according to Plato: “Every person you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind, always.” Hunter Doherty Adams called “Patch” is a doctor, activist and writer who is known worldwide for his practice of and support for clown therapy. Strongly convinced that joy and creativity are integral parts of the therapeutic process especially for children, Patch and his colleagues fight against suffering and disease by wearing a red clown’s nose, now the distinctive element of a new way of practicing the medical profession. Adams dedicated his life to the study of the human being under ever aspect and in the creation of a healthcare system within everyone’s means. His philosophy of healing starts with the mind, and the action which stimulates in the patients the construction of positive thinking that can make our lives better.
From the dream to commitment: the proposals of Loppianolab
“There were more than 1,000 participants, a quarter of which belonged to the age bracket of the youth, adolescents and children; three central themes on employment, education, and participation, starting from the heritage of the 1968 youth movement; almost 50 workshops for adults and children; and around 10 speakers.” Aurora Nicosia, New City Director expressed her great satisfaction at the conclusion of the event. The title of this year’s LoppianoLab held in the International town of Loppiano recalled the anniversary of the youth protests: “From the dream to commitment, education, participation, and work fifty years after 1968.” Each of the three themes – education, participation, and employment were central to the plenary session which was followed by a series of workshops open to the contribution of everyone. The morning of Saturday, 29 September was dedicated to the theme of employment, and focused on “Why work will never end.” A dialogue was set up and participated in by Carlo Petrini, founder and soul of Slow food, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, economist, and Fr. Antonio Loffredo of the Social Cooperative La Paranza, and was moderated by Atty. Flavia Cerino. The round table involved Mario Capanna, politician and essayist, Brunetto Salvarani, theologian, and Rosy Bind, former Congresswoman. It focused on the heritage handed down by the 1968 movement, was emceed by Marco Luppi (Historian, Sophia Univ. Inst.) and Federico Rovea (doctoral candidate in the Science of Education, Padua Univ.), and centred on the title: From the dream to commitment: beyond the revolution and the 1968 protest. 
Instead, on the morning of Sunday, 30 September, the theme of education was taken up, highlighting “From the dream to commitment: let’s talk about education 4.0 Between memories and the future… a matter of sense.” The discussion was moderated by Paolo Di Paolo, writer, and involved Eraldo Affinati, teacher and writer, Emma Ciccarelli, vice president of the Family Associations Forum, and Michele De Beni, educationalist and Professor of the Sophia University. Among the themes taken up were the situation which the schooling world is undergoing today, and more extensively, the world of education. “The importance of LoppianoLab was that it re-emphasised some priorities: work, the need to participate in the many shared settings across society and politics, the central role of education …” commented Marco Luppi, Professor of History of Contemporary Politics at the Sophia University Institute. “Passing from the dream to commitment, I would like to start with ‘emphasis’ on a collective job awaiting all of us, believers and non-believers as highlighted in all the workshops, towards the construction of the common good, in not only a possible dialogue, but also an urgent one.” 
As in the last years, the laboratory formula characterising the event, set a dialogue among the citizens, entrepreneurs, communication operators, students and teachers, politicians, members of associations, youths, and intellectuals of all the Italian regions and beyond. “To conclude,” Aurora Nicosia underlined, “we can say that the title of this edition, “From the dream to commitment,” did not remain a slogan, but became something vital, a push not to give up our “dreams,” as Pope Francis often stresses, but to give concreteness to these dreams, with an individual and collective commitment.” Tamara Pastorelli
Photos on Flickr 
Inclusive, equitable and sustainable
Carolina Carbonell was one of the organisers of the Economy of Communion Congress in Rosario, a populated city in the province of Santa Fe, 300 km from Buenos Aires. She defined the event as “a marathon,” maybe because it all started with a race against time. “It was February 2018. A few months earlier, we had received the proposal to organise the Congress in our city. It was very hot. Walking along the sidewalks of the city, I came across an old university friend, today the director of a series of hotels. I immediately stopped him and told him of our dream: so we found the place for the Congress. On 6 September, 70 people, “not only a few, considering that those were the days in which the faculty was the object of a student protest,’ attended the opening event, with a conference entitled, ’What’s the Economy of Communion?’” 
On the second day, the “marathon” continued. “The entire team” – recounted Carolina – “woke up early to meet over 300 students of the fourth and fifth year of 12 schools in Rosario, who gathered at the ‘Colegio Natividad del Señor’ to participate in a workshop. The kids put all their creativity to ‘create’ businesses and ‘make decisions’ over various situations regarding competition, crises, distribution of profits and selection of the personnel. The most important part, however, was that they subjected the EoC entrepreneurs present to a test, and who responded with their own life experiences. In the afternoon we went to the After Unplugged ‘Empresas de un solo tiempo’ session in La Maquinita Rosario. It was a co-working setting where Gonzalo Perrín, Leandro Simeoni and Lucas Longhi narrated about their own experiences as entrepreneurs for a common project. On Saturday, we welcomed the 120 participants from 30 cities of 8 provinces and 4 different countries. It was a big group, highly assorted by age and profession. The innovative presentation, tracing the present to the origins of the EoC, was followed by testimonials of the employees of some companies that were a part of the project. There were different experiences, from a family business that produces sustainable benches to a contact center with 1,200 employees, ’Nomines,’ an inclusive company which hires only disabled people.” After lunch, an original game, musical chairs, was proposed but in a different and even more enjoyable version: instead of eliminating those who did not find a seat, the chairs were eliminated. “It required cunningness and balance to sit on top of the others without getting hurt. The most difficult moment was when only one chair remained, and all had to sit without letting anyone fall. This same intelligence is also needed by all those who work for the elimination of poverty.” With great depth we then presented some of the saddest realities of current society, to recall the reasons for which the EoC was created. “Lastly,” Carolina concluded, “when you think that the goal is not too far away since we are always dealing with a marathon, and that nothing else could happen at that point, the unforeseeable occurred. On Sunday, some 8-year-old children recounted their experiences: a small business to earn money to share with kids of other nations at war, or the visit to a home for the aged where they learned to appreciate them. Last was the interview of Martina, 9 years old: The questions, but above all the answers show the prophesy underlying the EoC: those who have lived the culture of giving since their childhood are those who will one day be able to change the economy.” Source: www.focolare.org/conosur
The art of giving freely is learned in the family
Economy is a Greek word that directly refers to the home (oikos nomos, rules for running a house), on the family. But the modern economy, especially contemporary economy, is governed by other principles, distinct and in many ways opposed to the ones that govern a family. A founding principle of the family, perhaps the primary one that underpins all the others is gratuitousness, which is the farthest from a capitalistic economy that is more familar with the surrogates of gratuitousness (discounts, philanthropy, sales). These serve the purpose of immunizing the markets against true gratuitousness. The family, in fact, is the main place where we learn from childhood on and for the rest of our lives, what Pavel Florensky calls the “art of gratuitousness”. It is especially in the family that we learn as children to work, and that no work can be done well without gratuitousness. But our culture associates gratuitousness with “for free,” the discount, the half-hour of overtime without pay, the zero price ( Saint Francis instead told us that gratuitousness is an infinite price: it can’t be sold or bought, because it’s unpayable). Gratuitousness means giving freely; it is a type of behaviour and a lifestyle that consists in approaching others, oneself, nature, God and things – not to use them in a utilitarian way for one’s own advantage, but to acknowledge their “otherness” and in their mystery, to respect them and serve them. To say gratuitousness means, therefore, to recognize that a certain way of acting done because it is good, and not because of recompense or sanction. […] If the family wishes to cultivate the art of gratuitousness as it should, it should be careful not to import into the home the logic of incentive which is rampant in today’s world. […] One of the tasks of the family is the formation of a person’s work ethic, which is precisely the result of gratuitiousness. If, instead, you begin to practice the logic and culture of incentives, and money becomes the reason for doing things, children will not be good workers when they become adults, because the work well done of tomorrow will always depend on the gratuitousness that is learned especially during the first years of life and especially in the home. The absence of gratuity in the economy also depends a lot on the absence of a feminine gaze. […] Women look at the home and at the economy and first see the connections of human relationships that that are happening. The first goods they see are the relational ones and the communal goods, and within these they also see the economic goods. It is certainly not by chance that the Economy of Communion was the result of the vision of a woman (Chiara Lubich), nor that the first theoritician of the common goods was Katherine Coman (1911), or that Elinor Ostrom was the only woman so far to receive a Nobel Prize in ecomony because of her work on common goods. And there are two women at the root of the theory on relational goods: Martha Nussbaum and Caroll Uhlaner. When the feminine gaze is missing from the economy, the only relations that can be seen are instrumental ones where it is not the relation that is the good, but where relationships with people and with nature are seen as the means used for obtaining goods. If the feminine gaze and genius of the home (oikos), had perhaps been present in the theoretical foundation of modern economy, we would have had an economy that was more attentive to the relationships, to the redistribution of revenue, to the environment and perhaps to communion. Communion is the great word that the family has to pass on to the economy. The prophetic role of the family in today’s world, to be believed, must take on the form of the children and the form of the economy and, therefore, of sharing, welcoming and communion. Because the children and the economy are nothing more than the ordinary life of each and of all, which is the only place where prophecy is nourished and grows. Source: www.avvenire.it, “Così lo sguardo femminile può cambiare l’economia”, 23 August 2018.
No longer a silent story
“Years ago, the doctor-patient relationship used to be called ‘a silent story.’ It was held that a good patient would follow a doctor’s orders without objection, without asking questions,” said Flavia Caretta, geriatric doctor at the A. Gemelli clinic in Rome and spokesperson for Health Dialogue Culture. She was also one of the organizers of its most recent conference at Caruaru, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, titled “Interdisciplinary dialogue in building holistic health” (23–25 August). Health Dialogue Culture connects medical professionals who, taking inspiration from Chiara Lubich’s spirituality of unity, started a series of reflections and knowledge sharing about curing the sick and considering them holistically. Close to 400 professionals attended the conference from every part of Brazil. “Patient dissatisfaction because of poor communication,” observes Caretta, “results higher than almost any other dissatisfaction about technical competence. Technological culture has caused those in the know to specialize, yet this often fractures the patient’s identity and the interpersonal relationships between those getting cured and those doing the curing. The risk is losing, or never even obtaining, the ability to see the infirm in their entirety… “Each call for a cure brings with it a need for relationship. To ignore this aspect means to reduce medicine to simply applying techniques or offering a service, when above all it is a meeting with a person. 
“The quality of the clinical conversation should not only depend on the application of scientific knowledge or the ‘ability’ of someone to communicate, but also their ability to enter in to what the patient is going through. The process of assisting them cannot just be considered a protocol to break down into procedures, because it implies a human dimension that is unpredictable and cannot be standardized, all mutually at play within the relationship. “No healing gesture has its complete effect without entering into relationship with the other … Among the new trends in medicine, in addition to communication and personalized cures, there is a new emphasis on lifestyle, to the role that community and society play in health, especially its spiritual side. “I would like to offer some processes that have been trialed and shared by many professionals in different fields, different places in the world and cultures. They instill their lives, as well as their professions, with the values found in the Focolare spirituality… “These strategies have been proven to be effective in relating with patients. For example listening, which requires setting aside worries, judgements, hurried diagnoses, in order to make space for what the patient wants to communicate with words, expressions, and silence. “Silence, too, is communication, and is sometimes more eloquent than anything to be understood in a conversation. There is also the commitment to succeed in identifying with the present moment, free from the hurry and conditions that could cloud the choices to make.” 
The consistency between spiritual values and applying them in a profession, highlighted Caretta, “does not only concern our rapport with patients. It is more essential than ever to act together with other disciplines. Especially in the last few years, scientific journals aimed at improving health services and the quality of care emphasize a care team, teamwork, and a multidisciplinary approach… “I remember something Vaclav Havel, poet and the first president of the Czech Republic, said: ‘Hope is not believing that things will change. Hope is believing that you can make a difference.” Reciprocity can transform every part of the health world, whether a health professional or patient, and every part of the academic world, whether student or scholar, to be agents of change.” For contacts, news and research, see healthdialogueculture.org.
Tsunami and Earthquake in Indonesia
More than 1,200 cadavers have been recovered following an earthquake and tsunami that hit the island of Sulawesi. The Vatican is reporting that “1, 203 bodies have been recovered, but some have not yet been found or identified,” says Insan Nurrohman, vice president of Aksi Cepat Tanggap, one of the principal Indonesian NGOs. Rescue workers are labouring around the clock. Managing to remove people who are still alive is very delicate work. “The government is sending in bulldozers to clear the areas,” says Matteo Amogoni, who is in charge of Caritas Italy for Indonesia and Philippines, “but there is also the problem of no electricity and petrol. At the Angelus, Pope Francis said: “I pray for the deceased, who are unfortunately many, for the wounded and for those who have lost home and work. May the Lord console those who have survived and provide those involved in the rescue effort with strength.”
The Elderly at the Roots of all Peoples
“You who have gone through so many seasons are the living testimony of constancy in adversity, but also of the gift of prophecy that reminds the young generations that the care and protection of the ones who preceded them are gratifying and appreciated by God, and that they cry out to God when they are disregarded.” When Pope Francis spoke these words last September 24th, he was speaking to the elderly audience in front of him in the Cathedral of Saint James in Riga (Republic of Latvia). But he was also speaking to the elderly of the whole world, in view of the international day dedicated to them on October 1st. “You that have spent yourselves, body and soul, that have given your life in the pursuit of freedom for your country, are now often left feeling that you have been forgotten. Although it sounds paradoxical in today’s world, in the name of freedom, free people subject the elderly to solitude, ostracism, lack of resources, esclusion and even misery. […] You that have gone through many seasons, never forget that you are the roots of a people.”
Living the Gospel: The only law is love.
Hope I never would have thought that our parents would separate. But when it happened, and we were faced with an uncertain future that was completely unknown and the fact that life would never be the same again, I began having many sad and confused thoughts. We three brothers stayed with our Mum,“Our super-Mum,” as we called her. But everything was different. Even though we never had problems at school before, now we were beginning to have them. As soon as we noticed it, we began trying to give her some joy. Living with Papa wasn’t easy, but ever since we were small, our parents and grandparents had taught us not to judge. One of our nicest times together is when we gather to pray, asking God to accomplish his plan for each one of us. J. P. L. – Colombia Difficult Student Many years ago a particularly difficult student arrived in my class, because of some family problem. Since he had violent outbursts, some of the other parents protested with the director. Faced with the possibility that he might be expelled, I obtained permiission to take him into my personal care, advising my colleagues of the situation and receiving help from the students.Simultaneously, a family of friends made contact with his parents to help them until their situation was worked out. A long time later I returned to that city, which I hadn’t been to in many years. I saw my student again, now all grown and turned into the proud father of a family. T. M. – Italy Cake One of our neighbors was opposed to the restructuring work we were doing on our little house, expressing objections that were obviously unjustified. Tired of receiving his letters and protestations, my husband consulted a lawyer with the thought of bringing a case against him. But then, as we talked abou it, we decided on another path which seemed to be suggested by our heart. We would try to create a bridge between us and him. I baked a cake and we went to see him. He asked: “How did you ever know that today was our daughter’s birthday?” The expected clash had been transformed into an encounter. A few days later they visited us and now we have some new friends. M. – Spain The Wall Seven years of marriage had not led to the desired union of our hearts. Sand and discouraged, we thought that the reason was immaturity and incomptability of character. In this atmosphere we were led to judge and the wall of non-communication between us had grown higher and higher. Moreover, we were also burdened with feelings of guilt for not having been able to convey to our children the love that a husband and wife should give witness to. When we had already given up, some friends sho live the Gospel helped us to break down that wall. Also, there were signals coming from my wife that made me very hopeful. We learned to accept one another, to say sorry when we failed, to see look upon each other as a gift and to consider our failures as an opportunity to begin again. Helped by the friendship and prayers of others, we could feel that God loved us and had kept our family going. L. – Italy
To love Jesus in others
“Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me” (Mt 26:40). This sentence from the Gospel is the most definitive word on what a human being is. This definition is no less scandalous than Jesus declaring himself Son of God. In the name of their personal freedom, identity and uniqueness, human beings think that they have a right to contest the fact that they are so identified with Jesus Christ. Human beings want to be loved for themselves, for who they are, and not to be degraded as some sort of mask for Jesus. Human beings fear that the “bit more” of love that they receive out of love for Jesus might not take them into account, might rob them of the love they need and desire for themselves. But who could neglect their neighbours while trying to love Jesus in them (and in this way also neglect Jesus)? And who could claim that acknowledging the presence of Jesus in others means diminishing their human dignity; in that case they have not understood the presence of Jesus in their neighbours. Since Jesus has identified himself with humankind – God himself who is Love – he has also identified himself with every individual human being. But love is never an affirmation of oneself that consumes and annihilates others. It’s something that gives of itself, and, in its self-giving, provides others with the freedom to be themselves. Jesus never leaves me alone. He is on my side, he accepts me just as I am, and whatever concerns me, also concerns Him. I remain myself. Indeed, I become my fullest self precisely because I never remain alone. The mystery of Christ is the mystery of every human being. What does this mean for the people I meet, and what does it mean for me and my life? For what regards other people, it means that I am never dealing merely with a link in the chain, a cog in the wheel, or just a number in the huge numbers of people that exist. Each time I look upon a human face, I meet God in his unconditioned state, I encounter that voice that still declares over the face of every human being, what was said of Jesus during the Transfiguration on that mountaintop: “This is my beloved son!” (Mk 9:7). There are no exceptions… A human cannot rob itself of its ultimate reality. Whether he is a criminal or a scoundrel, I can never again write him off as a lost case. I encounter Christ in every person not because the person is good or deserving, not even because he or she draws upon the divine light in their personal lives, but because God has irrevocably adopted them as his own sons and daughters. Certainly the human being is immense because of the Divine life that he and she have let into their souls because of their personal choice to believe, which took place in baptism in the name of Jesus. Belonging to Jesus is something “automatic.” When a person is born, Christ has already assumed into himself that person’s living and dying, fault and self-inflicted wounds: everything is assumed into the life and death of Christ who gave his life for each one of us. This is why we encounter Jesus in every human being. And we encounter him in a particular way in the least, in those who seem to be farthest from Him, in the people in whom his face seems to be most overshadowed. Why? Because on the cross, during his abandonment by God, even becoming sin (2 Cor 5:21), Jesus identified himself with what is farthest from God, what seems most opposed to God. [It is only by] discovering Christ in our neighbours and giving to each of them that human love with which you turn towards every neighbour, with an indivisible love that is therefore directed to Christ himself, that will enable every neighbour to discover his and her own identity with Jesus, their own nearness to Jesus, being completely assumed by Him.” (From “Offene Weltformel”, by Klaus Hemmerle, Neue Stadt, 1970)
The day is born from the night
Families scattered, poverty, extreme insecurity, rising costs, lack of food, public transport, electricity and running water…an entire country in crisis that seemed to be expressed in the prayer of Grace before the first supper that Agostino and Marisa shared in the land of Venezuela: “Lord, thank you that we were able to find this food to share.” “We had planned a meeting with families, first at the Mariapolis Centre near Caracas and, then, in Valencia and Maracaibo. Emeris and Oscar accompanied us and allowed us to participate in their life.” Agostino and Marisa had lived for many years in Santo Domingo, and now they find themselves re-living their experience of poverty, suffering and separation from relatives that forced them to emigrate. It was the same experience of thousands and thousands of Italians who had fled in the aftermath of the Second World War. They had boarded ships with luggage made of cardboard. “For decades the Venezuelan people have welcomed immigrants and now finds itself also forced to emigrate. From wealth and security to extreme insecurity. They said: ‘We were well-off, surrounded by abundance, but we never knew until now how precious it all was. The crisis is the greatest blessing for people and nations, because it leads to progress. Creativity is born from despair as day is born from a dark night, said Albert Einstein in 1931.’ “It took courage to hear those words,” that were spoken in a video produced by the Focolare’s New Families Movement. The families asked to see it again the next day. They told us: ‘You had lived in Santo Domingo and in Cuba so that you could help us here today.’ This economic crisis opened our eyes to the needs of our neighbors.” 
We had a tight schedule in Caracas as the visit went on: “conversations, lunches and dinners with families. They took turns coming to Emeris’ and Oscar’s home. We shared an experience with them that had proven fundamental for us. Having to decide where to live and having completely different ways of thinking, one night, we made a pact to embrace the other’s desires as our own. It suddenly appeared as an unexpected solution that contained all the elements that were important for each of us, but it was novel, a fruit of mutual love.” They recounted: “Many families have a car, but it’s becoming more and more difficult to repair maintain them, both because of the cost and the lack of professional mechanics who are fleeing the country. And the worn out tires are a big problem. A few days later we bought two of the four tires, using the money we had saved for groceries. We put them on the car and were able to keep travelling.” Two hours from Caracas the people of Valencia were suffering lack of water and the difficulty in transport. “In a rural town, Guacamaya, we met the community that had first been in touch with Ofelia who was forced to leave. They decided to find a way to carry on without having to leave their home” There were also quite a few young people “like sponges absorbing everything.” Two days later the trip to Maracaibo was in jeopardy because of the inspection stops on the roadway. But everything went well. Without electric current everything was more difficult: the terrible heat and the impossibility of turning on the air-conditioners, the lack of internet and entire programmes that just had to be cancelled. The night we were supposed to return to the city, so a supper was awaiting us with two families, that night at another family and breakfast with still another family in order not to be a financial burden on anyone. On the way, the road was blocked by a group of demonstrators which forced us to turn around. The family that took us in didn’t have anything for supper. We took some pasta out of our suitcases and cooked ourselves. It was a very beautiful evening. Incredibly, there was electric power that allowed us to sleep that night. The next day, arriving in Maracaibo, we learned that there was no electricity and the change in programme came as quite a relief for everyone.” They also recounted: “”On the morning of the meeting with the community, public transport was scarce and there were long queues for refuelling. The family that had organized everything arrived after quite a long adventure. Their daughter had proposed that they pray for a vehicle that would take them the rest of the way and, shortly afterwards, a car stopped and offered them a ride.” This too is Venezuela.
A new chapter of friendship opens up
The Holy See diffused a new message, with the invitation to “proceed with confidence, courage and foresight, with the dialogue long pursued” with the People’s Republic of China, “in order to grow in authentic friendship.” The recent agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, signed a few days ago in Beijing– an agreement that unlocked the nomination of bishops and ratified the “readmission” to full communion with Rome of eight “official” bishops – is opening a new page of friendship which has now resolved the conflicts of the past. China and the Apostolic See – Pope Francis said in his message – “are called upon by history to an arduous but challenging task, so they may act more positively for the orderly and harmonic growth of the Catholic community in China and promote the integral development of society, ensuring greater respect for the human being also in the religious field,” and lastly, that “they shall work concretely to protect the environment in which we live and edify a future of peace and brotherhood between peoples.”
GenVerde Tour
Dates: 27, 28 and 29 October: workshop with young people 30 october: Concert From the Inside Outside – Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg 31 october: Feedback GenVerde Tours
Politics as a vocation
The event saw the participation of members of the Italian parliament and the European Parliament, ambassadors, teachers, academics and many people who knew Giordani also through his writings. Promoted by the Focolare Movement with the Chiara Lubich Center, Igino Giordani Center and the political Movement for unity, for years now universities of the five continents, associations and local entities, have been supporting and sharing the fundaments of the cultural, social and political project, which are based on the vital encounter between Chiara Lubich and Giordani. We can thus say that the meeting in Rome was the expression of a long partnership and synergy amongst many. Upon opening the convention, Donato Falmi, Co-Director of the Focolare in Rome, read the greeting and message of the President of the Italian Republic to the Focolare President, Maria Voce: “…in expressing my appreciation for this initiative, aimed at nurturing the example of men and women who worked to promote the universal values of peace, brotherhood and solidarity, President Mattarella is conveying to you and the entire Focolare Movement, his best regards and greetings.” “I had the fortune of meeting Igino Giordani because in my youth,” affirmed Steni Di Piazza, Senator of Palermo. “I met the young people of the Focolare, and attended educational congresses with them. In July 1979, I met Igino Giordani and he told me that when he met Chiara, he felt something new. After many years I understood that with that phrase, Giordani was referring to politics in the fraternal cooperation and dignity of all the members. And maybe the vocation to politics began to grow in me after that meeting with Igino.” “This is a good moment to discuss and commemorate that 18 September of 70 years ago, in order to try to highlight those values that marked such an occasion,” underlined Stefano Fassina, Congressman of Rome. “Politics as a vocation should be felt and lived by every citizen, since every citizen is called to be responsible for the public good.” 
Going back to 18 September 1948, Giordani recounts the meeting with Chiara in his Memoirs: “I felt something new in the first words of that young lady. There was a note of deep and secure conviction which arose from a supernatural sentiment. So suddenly my curiosity was aroused and a fire inside me started to burn…” In that encounter Chiara brought with her the Ideal of unity. “She simply spoke about the divine adventure that had started a few years earlier in Trent, which already triggered the birth of a new Christian community,” Maria Voce affirmed in her speech. “From the beginning, the first focolare women and then the men, nurtured themselves on the Light of this Ideal, as also Igino Giordani, who Chiara spiritually fed through a prolific correspondence.” In the era of Catholic politics, Giordani was a leader. He not only worked in the Parliament but also in the Vatican. But the meeting with Chiara transformed him deeply. “He discovered unity in a new way, as the principle and value of human relationships, especially in politics,” stated the political scientist, Alberto Lo Presti. “That is, he understood that all the partial truths he had believed were decisive in doing good politics, were fulfilled in unity. (…) Unity is the banner of his political vocation.” Rocco Pezzimenti, Professor of the History of political doctrines in the Lumsa University of Rome reminds us of Giordani’s two publications: the first, published in 1949 entitled Dehumanism and the second, published in the 1960s, entitled The Two Cities, both of rare and also prophetic depth. Giordani clearly says that from St. Augustine, he acquired a fundamental characteristic: politics is not an improvised event. What occurs in politics is first developed interiorly.” “If there is a theme we should reflect on today, starting from that encounter between Igino and Chiara,” recalled Marina Sereni, former vice president of the House of Representatives – “it is precisely unity in politics today. And politics is a vocation if it centers on the Common Good, with those values which are not the property of one party, but which target unity.” Her words were shared by Beatrice Lorenzin, former Minister for Health, who affirmed how “Igino and Chiara were two masters in the history of the Italian Republic and who initiated something extraordinary. We need these reference points to help us make a dynamic and not hypocritical analysis.” Lastly, four testimonials. “The first time I heard about Giordani was in the summer of 1946,”recalls Congresswoman, Rosa Russo Iervolino, “when my parents were elected in the constituent assembly. Giordani’s interventions in the chamber were always respectful of the others but at the same time harsh in making the truth emerge. Giordani was so humble that his humility almost hid his intelligence which was dynamic and always popped up in other ways.” 
The following intervention was by Patience Lobe, first Cameroon woman to have been appointed in the Ministry as the Director of Public Works: “From the Focolare spirituality I learned coherence between life and words, and the importance of loving and serving the others. Having Chiara, a woman, as a model, gave me strength and courage, without ever making compromises. Chiara has opened my soul and intelligence to the Gospel.” To conclude, Luca Basile, President of the Town Council of Arzano in the province of Naples: “Thanks to the Focolare, I was able to live important experiences like cultural exchange and using it as a stimulus to my political commitment in the territory. My two predecessors resigned because the town council was dissolved due to mafia infiltration. You can fully understand how difficult it is to operate in such a territory, but we cannot lose hope when we have Chiara and Igino as our models.” “To implement what was generated from the encounter between Chiara Lubich and Giordani, we need to take upon us what the Country and humanity are going through,” affirmed Letizia De Torre, international coordinator of the Movement for Unity in Politics (MPPU). “May our commitment, imbued with the charism of Chiara Lubich, offer in a complex world, amazing possibilities for unity.” Lorenzo Russo
Enough with nuclear weapons
The International Day established by the UN in 2013 reminds us of the necessity to totally eliminate nuclear weapons, to achieve the fundamental objective of peace and security. Atomic weapons, in fact, continue to represent an unacceptable menace to the world population. The date chosen by the UN recalls the evening of 26 September 1983, when the Soviet Colonel, Stanislav Petrov decided correctly, to retain as an error, the missile alarms from the Unites States that appeared on the screens, despite the contrary opinion of the technicians. Petrov chose, in the span of a few minutes, to not follow the procedure that would have led to the reaction of the Soviet Union with the launching of its own atomic bombs. The man who saved the world from a real nuclear holocaust, died in absolute anonymity in 2017, in a town not far from Moscow.
Raise the stakes
A cloudy and humid day, and a sensation of emptiness. Only the day before I had celebrated my birthday, and made an ambitious wish: do all I can to make the new year shine as never before, imbuing each thing with love. I knew I would have had to start over again a thousand times, but I wanted to give my utmost. It was a sign of gratitude to Jesus for the gift of life. Not an isolated gift, but an intention valid for the entire year. He himself would have helped me. And yet, while going to an appointment, I felt that the cloudy sky was also inside me. I had allowed to silently creep into my heart a judgment of a brother who had once again disappointed me. It didn’t matter whether I was right or not. Inside me, charity was missing. I felt it with pain and I asked myself how I had gotten to that point. I came across a boy I often met. Dirty, stinky, with the usual bottle in hand. He was barefoot and shivering from the cold. He looked at me without a word. I greeted him courteously, thinking that in that way I was doing all I could, and continued my path. In that moment the Parable of the Good Samaritan came to mind. “Am I also like that Pharisee? Or do I let myself be challenged by that boy’s countenance of abandonment? I took off my sweater and went back. “Do you feel cold? “Yes, very” he answered. “Try on my sweater, let’s see if it fits.” He was so bewildered, but I almost didn’t dare touch him, since his hands really needed a good wash. “C’mon, try it on.” The size was perfect and his face seemed like that of a child on Christmas Eve. I greeted him and continued along my way, certainly feeling a bit cold, but happy. While waiting to meet my friend, a subtle voice spoke inside me. “What you did was nice, but what about that judgment you have?” “But Jesus – I answered – that person may not even have noticed it….” “But I did notice, I was in him.” One by one the arguments and excuses that came to mind were erased. Going home I decided to call him. A serene conversation, without any hard feeling on his part. Full unity was re-established, even if, to tell the truth, something inside me had snapped. A great, unmistakable peace invaded me. Two hours later, the doorbell rang. It was a dear friend, returning from his hometown with a gift for my birthday: a sweater! It was Jesus who was saying: “Raise the stakes!” From: “La vida se hace camino”, Urs Kerber, Ciudad Nueva Ed., Buenos Aires 2016, pp 41-42
East Africa – Sports4Peace
Not just the “lungs of the world”
It is an immense territory that many describe with superlatives. It includes eight countries, from the Andes mountain chain, to the Atlantic Ocean, to the highlands of Brazil. It is the planet’s largest rain forest, unique in its dense, impenetrable vegetation that holds countless animal species. Thousands of miles of rivers cross it, including the immense Amazon River (which is around 6,400 kilometers long). Many cities have sprung up alongside it, such as Manaus and Belem in Brazil and Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado in Peru. When you hear Amazon Forest you think of the “lungs of the world,” although today it is a lung that is seriously threatened by deforestation and urbanization, which year after year shrink its borders and contaminate its purity. This symbolic and cultural image that the Amazon region is usually known by, as well as its traditional character linked to its exotic nature and rich natural resources, seemed far away this summer. The “Curso de Férias” (holiday course), promoted by Sophia University Institute and ALC (the promotion agency for the institute in Latin America and the Caribbean), was held July 22–28. It was entitled “Diversity, development, violence and human mobility in Latin America: the case of the Amazon region.” The course mostly emphasized an interdisciplinary approach. It included subjects such as biodiversity, socio-diversity, the lives of local populations (indigenous, those of African origin, “ribeirinhos” who live along the river, and many others), sustainable methods in agriculture, the meeting of various forms of religion, as well as the challenges of urbanization, violence and vested interests in agribusiness. 
“We don’t speak of the forest; we are the forest. We don’t speak of the Amazon; we are the Amazon,” said Marcia Wayna Kambeba, from India, who was among those participating. Fifty students signed up: university students from various programs as well as teachers. The aim of the course was to invite those present to raise their knowledge of the history of the Amazon, and the responsibility of us all to face the complex reality of the region, and the cultural and historical trajectories that have been woven together there. And the importance of a respectful dialogue between the vision as the world sees it and the various religions present. “The Amazon should not only be seen only through the lens of economic interests and for its rich natural resources,” declared Belisa Amaral, a journalism student in Belem. “The world needs to explore its culture, beauty and people – rich and wise people who love this region, who defend its language, customs and identity despite being threatened widely.” “It was a real and true laboratory of humanity, researching alternatives to resolve – or at least reduce – the social and environmental problems that exist,” says Marcelo Rizzo, from Sao Paulo, an expert in human rights. For him the course was a chance to lift his knowledge and a “greater empathy for indigenous people and their culture, on questions about the Amazon, and about the environment in general.”
Love everyone without distinction
Living the Gospel. Humbly welcome the Word.
A Hidden Letter The wife of a friend of mine, Sandra, had fallen into such a depression that she didn’t want to talk to anyone. The family was feeling it. I didn’t know how to help her. One morning I asked God to give me an opportunity to do somethin. That afternoon I received a very fancy gift, a ceramic plate with fine chocolates. Thinking that this would be something that Sandra would appreciate, I sent it to her. After a while, Sandra telephone me laughing: “You send me a recycled present: in the middle of the dish I found a note addressed to you.” I starte to laugh too and the telephone call went on for a long time with hearts open wide. Sandra confided he fear to me and I encouraged her to share it with her family. A few days later my friend said that Sand had begun a new dialogue with the mother and sisters, and something melted away in her. T. M. – Slovak Republic Quality Pots I had come to know of a young married couple, just arrived from Candada. They didn’t have anything to live on and were working for work. On day asked myself what I could give them, which would be useful to them. Opening the kitchen cabinet I saw my favorite pot that cooks so well because of its fine quality. I felt Jesus inviting me to detach myself and, after polishing it, I invited the couple over for supper and gave the pot to them. They were both very happy. A few days later my father dropped by to see me. In the back of his car there was a gift for me. He had no idea what it was, becausse it was from my sister. Opening it, I saw a set of three fine quality pots, and the bigger one was the same exact size as the one I had given away. C. K. – Australia Hope I was a woman of the street. The hardest times to put up with were the holidays. That’s when I felt the most solitude that no one could fill. On day, as I was rushing to thte bus stop, the winow of car went down and a young man asked me if I needed a ride. He assured me that he hadn’t stopped with any alternative motives. That gesture overwhelmed me and I accepted. In the car, I asked him why he had done it and he replied by giving me a small copy of the Gospels. When I got home, I felt urged to read it and, the more I read it, the more I felt a new hop growing in me. Then, I went to ask a priest if I could talk with him. That’s how I began my ascent. N. N. – Italy Rent Not having the money to pay for the rent, my husband and I began to pray with faith. That same night our landlord came looking for the money. It was Thursday. When I asked him to come back on Saturday – becuase I wasn’t sure we’d get paid that day – he agreed. We prayed some more, together with our six children. Friday morning, a friend came to visit us, our fellow-countryman. As he said goodbye, he handed us an envelope. It contained four thousand shillings. We were thrilled and overwhelmed: besides the money for the rent, we were also able to buy something to eat. F. P. – Kenya
Pope Francis’ new encounter with the youth
During the press release for the presentation of the Apostolic Constitution “Episcopalis Communio,” on 18 September, a new encounter of the Pope with the youth was announced, to be held at the start of the next Synod. “Once again the Pope wishes to meet the youth together with the synodal Fathers – affirmed Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Bishops’ Synod – to listen to them and receive their proposals to be used in the Synod’s final document.” The meeting will take place on 6 October, at 5 pm in the Paolo VI Hall.
The point of no return
Ghana, Togo and Benin are situated alongside one another in a vertical line along the Gulf of Guinea. They are well known for their rich variety of landscape and for their ancient culture and historical ruins. In Ghana, for example, there are many colonial style buildings which remain from the time of slavery, in Bazar in Togo there are many clay settlements and in Abomey, Benin, there are the remains of the royal palace which is now a museum. The Mariapolis for this area was held in Benin. The report of this event prepared by Bernadette, Mariluz and Flora states, “Most of the people from Benin and Togo arrived wearing clothes made from the same cloth. This is what usually happens at big celebrations but what was striking was that the cloth was white.” 
A warm welcome was given to the Archbishop of Cotonou, Roger Houngbedji, who was taking part in a Focolare gathering for the first time. There were 120 participants in total, including many teenagers and children. The programme included workshops on topics related to the practice of the ideal of unity in everyday life, improving one’s own life and making a positive impact upon society: for example, economy, the relationship between parents and children, affectivity and sexuality, handling stress. “The children played “living in the town” and took on different parts – in the hospital, at the market, on the sports pitch or in the restaurant. The young people spoke openly about the challenges they face. One morning was spent clearing the market place which was littered with empty plastic bags that had been thrown on the ground. The mayor had given permission for this public action which created a sense of beauty and harmony. In the past, slaves used to leave from the town of Ouidah for the ‘new world.’ Having been sold to white people, they crossed the ocean chained up in the hold of a ship. They took their last steps in their native land as they crossed the “point of no return” beyond which they were no longer considered to be human beings but merchandise. “We followed in their footsteps praying as we walked along this ‘way of the cross.’ At the ‘point’ we asked for an end to all forms of slavery and thanked God for the missionaries who later brought Christianity to Africa.” 
Moving west to Senegal, the Mariapolis was held in Ngazobil, 110 kilometres from the capital, Dakar. 94 people took part from Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso: these countries lie close to the Sahel region in an area where risks to personal security are high. “It was not easy to travel to the Mariapolis. It took two days’ coach journey just to arrive for people from Mali and three days from Burkina Faso: it was really tiring for the very small children and for the older people many of whom use crutches to walk.” Aurora wrote, “The fact that people undertook such an uncomfortable journey in such difficult circumstances in order to reach a Mariapolis they called an ‘oasis’ or ‘town of peace’ is a witness to the fact that there is an enormous thirst for God in our people.” It was a beautiful experience of communion. Jean Noel Diof, emeritus bishop, attended as did Nana, a young Muslim from Burkina Faso. At the end, Nana said, “As the only Muslim, these four days have strengthened my faith and have helped me to appreciate another religion.” A Christian participant from Senegal said, “I have understood how to be with people from other Churches and with people of the Muslim faith.” A Mariapolis also took place in Zambia, a central-southern area of the continent. Zambia has often been called the “real jewel of Africa” because of its landscape, full of features of outstanding natural beauty such as the famous Victoria Falls. The theme of the Mariapolis was “Mary, mother of unity.” Celestino wrote, “This theme was perfect because of the many divisions in our society at the moment. Such a diversity of people took part and their comments at the end reveal the importance of this meeting.” “A time for reflection and change.” “I have learnt what it means to love, to care for other people and to forgive.” “I have met brothers and sisters from my own country.”
Peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea
Following a decision made last July, on 6 September, the Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, signed a peace agreement called the “Gedda Pact.” The agreement which came about under the mediation of Saudi Arabia, the United Nations, the African Union and the United Arab Emirates, puts an end to a state of war between the two nations which continued also after the end of the conflict which lasted from 1998 to 2000 for territorial issues. The peace pact furthermore foresees, as per official communications, the opening of the embassies in the respective capitals, the resumption of road connections and use of Eritrean ports by Ethiopia and normal relations between the two countries “on the basis of the close geographic, historical and cultural bonds between the nations and their respective peoples.” The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, highlighted the importance of the Agreement, and defined the event as a “strong wind of hope in the Horn of Africa.” Meanwhile, a few days ago, the border between the two countries was reopened and many families, divided for twenty years were able to reunite.
Gen Verde performing at World Youth Day Panama 2019
The Focolare’s international band Gen Verde is among 400 artists invited to perform during the next World Youth Day (WYD), organized by the Catholic Church, in January 2019 in Panama. “We are honoured and happy to be part of such an important moment,” explained a band member, “especially in the Panama land bridge, where the heart of the Church beats together with the heart of the youth. Latin America is well represented on ‘planet Gen Verde’ and we would not miss this event for the world.” Gen Verde’s “Start Now” show is part of the Festival which runs before and during the WYD, presenting artistic performances and exhibitions at different venues across the country from 22 to 27 January. The band will also be on stage to welcome pilgrims in the diocese of Chitré, province of Herrera on the Gulf of Panama, and for the local festival of Colón in the north of the country, at the entrance to the Panama Canal.
A Flower in the Bishop’s District
“The Focolare community wanted to look around in the local environment for positive things that it could highlight and spread through mutual love, especially in the outlying suburbs where the poorest were waiting. We’ve listened to so many poor people. On the first day, fifty children, who had been gathered by Friar Michele Floriano, were waiting for us at St Joseph’s Parish. It was a joyous “siege” that we faced with abandonment to God’s plans.” Nocera Inferiore is an ancient town, tormented since the 1980s by criminality and unregulated building and development. In the 1980s a violent earthquake shook the whole province, sweeping away entire country-sides and causing many building collapses and victims. For almost forty years entire families of the Vescovado district have been living in pre-fabricated and unsanitary building, still waiting for more decent housing that keeps on being promised and then postponed. 
For three days (June 21-23), the Hombre mundo” worksite offered to the adult and youth volunteers who had stepped up and pitched in a true experience of a Church that reaches out in accordance with Pope Francis’s invitation. There were also the people in the background, in their own homes cooking dinners and suppers for everyone. “The neighbouring district of Calenda, which is part of the same parish,” write Felice and Romilda from the nearby town of Angri “mobilized their “Circle of Friends.” Moreover, several different associations became active in the worksite, offering their own contribution. “Hombre mundo” turned out to be the fruit of a network of people and groups that surpassed us. In these parts, marginalization threatens to make us lose our identity. We realized it when we asked a girl where she lived and she answered saying: ‘Lot 3,’ ‘Worse than Scampia, Bishop’s District’ stands in large letters on top of a gloomy rooftop, in a downward race that refers to the famous Naple’s district that is known for delinquency and drug trafficking. In front of the building is a large and open space where games are held for the children. “Mothers and sometimes grandmothers and some great-grandmothers come down to keep watch and chat with us, “unburdening themselves of some of their suffering.” “In the morning, after some prayer and reflection and tossing of the Cube of Love, the children are given free reign over the area next to the parish. The youths get involved in workshops under the guidance of artistic, musical, and environmental experts along with to the paediatric unit of the nearby hospital. More than once we have experienced the prompt intervention of God who supported us by sending people to help us out just at the right moment. For example, on the third day we were having problems organizing the games. Just then we received a telephone call. It was from an expert in conducting activities for children, who was offering to help. Everyone chipped in, also the teenagers who looked after the little ones, cleaning the quarter of weeds and planting flowers to leave touch of beauty and love in a place reduced to such poverty and suffering. The young people were especially touched by the testimony of 49 year-old Roberto who had spent a long and painful time in hospital, which he lived as “suffering transformed into love.” “Hombre mundo” concluded in Calenda where the Circle of Friends had supper prepared for everyone. It was a day of brotherhood and friendship, concluding with the final “show” by the young people who had taken part in the music workshop.
Is everyone back at school?
In the hemisphere where summer is giving way to autumn, many cities have suddenly changed their rhythm, to conform partly to the opening and closing schedules of the schools, the cause of morning traffic, jams, or the gathering of groups at the exit of the scholastic facilities. But if for many children it is obvious that the return to school with a backpack, means meeting teachers, schoolmates, occupying a desk and are chair, for many others, in other parts of the world, struck by painful situations of war or poverty, going to school, keeping up with one’s studies or doing the homework is a challenge. These are the problems addressed by AMU (Action for a United World). Inspired by the spirituality of Chiara Lubich, it works to spread a culture of dialogue and unity among peoples through development projects worldwide. 
As for example in Syria. Today, now that the violent armed clashes have ceased, but not the emergency, the country is taking stock of the destruction of many school infrastructures and buildings, the migration of capital abroad, the economic embargo. In Homs, the transfer of many people from some bombed districts to others considered “safe” and the reduced number of professors, who have migrated, have led to an overcrowding of the schools, resulting in the lack of adequate support for each student. On the other hand, the cost of attending a private school has become impossible. AMU’s commitment is that of offering greater care and attention to the evacuated children, accompanying them with educational and scholastic programmes. Instead in Damascus, in the old Tabbale district, the aid goes to the “Bayt al Atfal” Centre which gathers, for four days a week, 120 children between 6 and 10 years of age. Some of them live with their families in just one room and do not have a place where they can study, others have learning difficulties or syndromes such as dyslexia, or simply cannot count on anyone’s help, due to the absence or the illiteracy of their parents. In Aleppo, AMU supports a centre for deaf children who are not admitted to public or private schools. Today the “EHIS” school hosts 75 children and offers work to 30 people, among whom, professors, assistants and labourers. Still in Aleppo, the learning project “Learn and produce,” organised by the Syrian Handicrafts Centre, and supported by AMU, is bringing ahead a training course, for 20 adolescents, who learn to make and sell local artisanal items like soap based on laurel, brass objects and embroideries. In Cairo, Egypt, the “hot topics” are scholastic dispersion and access of women to educational and professional courses that could help them develop their own professional capabilities. “Change For Tomorrow” of the Koz Kazah Foundation, in the community of Shubra, one of the most populated districts of the grand capital on the Nile, supports a group of women who have started up activities like the processing of wicker, cuisine, and ecological prints. In Italy, AMU offers to teachers and educators a training path entitled “Living peace: peace as a school project.” Instead, for schools and groups of teens, it offers the “Basta conoscersi” project. The AMU educational and study assistance projects welcome donations. In this way, for many children and adolescents September can really become a time to go back to school. By Chiara Favotti
Pope Francis in the Baltic States
The next international itinerary of Pope Francis’s apostolic journeys will be in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which will take place from 22 to 25 September, on the occasion of the centennial celebrations of the first declaration of independence of the three Baltic states of Russia. Among the most important events will be the prayer at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, known as the Museum of the Genocide Victims in Vilnius (Lithuania), the ecumenical meeting in Riga (Latvia), and the visit to the beneficiaries of the Works of Charity of Tallin (Estonia). The visit to the so-called Genocide Museum will be particularly symbolical because it was used by the secret police of the Soviet Union from 1944, the year in which Lithuania returned under the control of the USSR, up to 1991 when it regained its independence. Besides hosting the officials of the State Security Committee, the building acted as the venue for interrogations and as a prison for the political opponents of the communist regime. But the history of horror in this building started even earlier, in 1941 when the Nazis invaded Lithuania and the building was set up as the general headquarters of the Gestapo. In the three years between 1941 and 1944, about 100 thousand victims, a third of the city’s inhabitants, mostly Jews, were killed in Vilnius alone. Precisely to recall these horrors of the occupation, the Government decided to convert the building into a place of remembrance. In the various legs of his trip, the Pope will pay homage to the painful history of a population which has remained deeply anchored to its own Christian roots, despite the persecutions.
Roving focolares
“Focolares that rove throughout the world,” is how Chiara Lubich described them – made up of young people, adults, families, religious or teens. It’s a project that is being repeated, after positive results and the fruits from this original way of meeting and exchange, which temporary focolares bring to various parts of the world. One of these was at Maputo, the capital and largest city of Mozambique, as well as the main port there in Delagoa Bay, which is on the Indian Ocean. This city in southern Africa is full of crowded and colorful markets, many of which are most alive in the evenings, and features a train station designed by Gustave Eiffel. From August 1–30, a temporary focolare was established there, made up of Antonietta, Giovanni and Perga (from Loppiano), Father Rogelio (a religious priest from Maputo), Father Stefan (from Switzerland) and Fatima (from the Johannesburg focolare). “When we got to Maputo, we immediately made a pact of unity between us. In the days that followed, in various meetings with people from there – young people, families at home, their workmates and friends, and men and women religious – we saw the light of Chiara Lubich’s charism enter their hearts, and they were fascinated by the Gospel becoming life.” There were also other beautiful family moments, such as those with Archbishop Francisco Chimoio, who told us to ‘not lose that joy and bring it to the world,’ and with Papal Nuncio Edgar Pena, who emphasized the importance of “sowing the seeds.’” 
Three focolarine had a “tour” of Zimbabwe, although not as tourists. “It was an experience that I would recommend to many,” writes Cielito from Portugal, “since it opens your heart, mind and soul to the needs of humanity. The two weeks seemed like months, such was the intensity of each day.” After this they had a brief stop in Johannesburg, “which was our first approach to this continent’s poverty, although it would be quite different to what we would find afterwards.” Then the small group moved to Bulawayo, hosted by a friend in a suburban neighborhood, who shared so much despite her lifestyle of poverty. “Zimbabwe,” Cielito explains, “is a country that is mostly Christian, and people’s lives revolve around the parish, with a strong sense of belonging. Our friends from the Focolare had prepared for us a ‘tour’ of the city’s various parishes. We met more than a thousand people during those few days, many of which were children and young people. We presented ourselves and told of our experiences based on the Gospel. “Each morning we set out, entrusting ourselves to Mary, not knowing who we would meet. We put as many useful things as we could into our backpacks and away we went, trusting only in the Holy Spirit. Leaving God to direct our day, we were amazed at what he would do. “We found so much generosity, readiness and commitment, despite having only the poorest of means, and this for us was a great witness. “For the second week, we moved inland to a mission (a college the Jesuits founded 130 years ago), and from there we went for two days to a rural village that was quite far out, to visit a group of people who have been living the Word of Life for years. They are very poor, yet they were able to welcome us in an exquisite way. Their generosity, simple and profound faith, and the purity of their hearts won us over. In such a faraway place, in the middle of nowhere, we saw with our own eyes how truly universal the charism of unity is.”
Between heaven and earth
© Ave Cerquetti, ‘Crocifissione’ – Lienz (Austria) 1975
Open hands
Worldwide Linkup 15 September
The Focolare: “Fontem’s backbone”
In the letter addressed to “the highly esteemed President Maria Voce”, Asabaton Fontem Njifua, the highest traditional authority of the place where the Focolare town is located (southeast of Cameroon), wrote: “I’ve nothing particular to say – he said in the letter sent on 28 August from Palias d’Azi – if not to express my deepest and sincere gratitude to the members of the Focolare Movement, especially those working in Fontem.” “You must have already been informed of the socio-political crisis rocking our country, especially in the Anglophone regions. Fontem is one of the villages that have been strongly hit by the crisis.” Recalling that one of his predecessors had named Chiara Lubich in 2000, as the “queen sent by God,” the Fon used bitter words to describe the current situation: “As human beings, we have tried in several ways to restore the peace that once existed and to bring the people to live the life which Mama Chiara – Mafua Ndem taught us. But the most part, if not all of our efforts, have been useless. Many of my people and even members of the Movement have been victims of the crisis. I think of the people who brought life, hope, love, togetherness and the light of God to Fontem, and who are now being subjected to inhuman treatment. My heart bleeds when I think of the development efforts and the infrastructure brought by the Focolare Movement, that are being destroyed. This and many other things push me to express my sincere gratitude to all the members of the Movement living in Fontem, who have stood the test and have remained committed to the cause of unity, peace and love.” 
“In the current crisis – the king explained – thousands of people have fled their homes to find refuge in the Mariapolis Center of Fontem. My gratitude is way beyond bounds because the focolarini choose to be with my people, despite the fact that many have run away from the country. The reward awaits each and every one of them in heaven. In the midst of this, I have learned a great lesson from them – that of LIVING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY. They are indeed a true, trustworthy family. They haven’t given up on us and I pray they do not do so. The Focolare Movement is like the backbone of Fontem, without which we are nothing.” After urging us to pray to the Father for his people, and that peace return to Cameroon, the Fon concluded: “Our greatest desire is to live the words of Mama Chiara ’THAT ALL MAY BE ONE.’ Remember us in your prays because prayers are all we need now. Man has failed but God cannot fail.” See letter of HM Fon of Fontem
Worldwide Linkup on 15 September 2018
Replay streaming event
I am free to love
“The year was 1975. I was at high school in Sicily. Learning about Cicero’s denunciation of Cataline in ancient Rome sparked a lively discussion among me and my schoolmates about the hot topic of freedom. Our class teacher wisely channeled our increasingly heated argument into a formal debate between the supporters of Cicero, expressed by one of my companions, and those of Cataline, for whom I was the spokesperson. My passionate defense of freedom became so ardent that they all applauded me. And from that day, the idea of freedom has characterized my whole life. But what is freedom? And am I free?” Francesco is Italian; he is 59 and is married to Paola. The progressive nature of his illness means he can no longer move his body or speak. But he can move his eyes. Last year he started a blog, at the suggestion of a journalist who contacted him for a brief interview. At first Francesco used his thumbs and later began using an eye-gaze device, which may be slow but allows him to communicate the strength and dynamism he is finding within himself even as his body is becoming less active. His blog is entitled: “SLA: io Sono Libero d’Amare”. SLA = Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica translates as “ALS. I am Free to Love”. “I’m no author. But a voice within suggests what words to put down. I’ve found I’m watching a film of my life that I never knew of before. This is my strength and I’ve been able to start communicating in this way. I receive messages that are deeply moving. I’ve simply expressed some of my thoughts and I receive back so much love. People communicate their emotions, sufferings, joys and most of all, life!” 
“In my life, I’ve always tried every day to find time for a personal and intimate moment with God. It’s not always been possible, but every time I passed a church, I’d say “Ciao” to Jesus present in the tabernacle. Often I would actually go inside the church just to dedicate a little bit of my time to God. I’d try to silence myself so that He could speak to me. And before leaving I’d entrust the difficulties of the day to Him, sometimes joking ‘Jesus, this one is yours because I certainly can’t solve it on my own’. And I have to say, He’s never let me down.” “How often, no matter how full our life may be, do we detect a feeling of emptiness or apathy inside us which covers our life with a veil of unhappiness?” “One man brought me a glimmer of light: Augustine of Hippo. Reading his Confessions prepared me for an event in August 1976 which changed my life: my meeting with God who is Love and who loves me immensely. How can I correspond to this infinite love? It was the Gospel, which I’d read but not actually lived, that gave me the answer: how can you love the God you do not see, if you don’t love the neighbour you do see? This was my Copernican revolution. I found myself among a group of friends living this experience: we would read the Gospel together and try to put it into practice. My heart practically exploded with joy, and I began to appreciate that even suffering can be life!” 
“I can still remember the smell of the sea, even if my illness has left me with no sense of smell, (…) I can feel the sensation of water on my skin, even if I’ve not been able to swim for the past three years. But this is not nostalgia. I’m not suffering over what I used to be or what I’ve become. I close my eyes and my body is floating. It’s not a dream or fantasy; it’s my Lord who continues to say to me ‘Do not fear’.” “This disease – ALS – was written in my heart from when I was born, but I didn’t know it until a few years ago. My tax code actually starts with ALS, and I don’t think it’s just coincidence! I don’t believe in fate, but I trust in one who has chosen me as her son and has never abandoned me. Mary, the mother of Jesus is my safety net, like the one a trapeze artist has (…).” “It is an experience that keeps on repeating itself, every time I’m assailed by doubt and I feel my hope sinking. Mary is always there, so I can’t be afraid! (…) Mary has marked out the way for me, and Chiara Lubich has taught me every day to point my interior compass on Jesus Forsaken on the cross. He is the secret to finding the Truth.” “Living the present moment perfectly brings us into God eternally. That’s what Chiara has taught me. And in the present moment I can cry out loud, maybe not with my voice but with my heart: I am FREE TO LOVE!” (In Italian = “SONO LIBERO di AMARE!” SLA – Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica). Extracts from Francesco’s blog (in Italian)
Islamic New Year
This year’s Islamic New Year’s is celebrated on September 12th, the first month of the Muharram calendar, (المحرم in Arabic), and one of the four holy months of the year. According to some, this feast celebrates the passing of Moses as he fled from Pharoah through the Red Sea. Others say that Adam and Eve, Heaven and hell and life and death were created on the tenth day of Muharram. This feast is celebrated in different parts of the Sunni world, such as North Africa where it has a particularly joyous character. The Shiites fast during the first ten days of Muharram; whereas for the Shunni, it is a voluntary fast as it is for Ramadan.
Chiara Lubich’s prophetic vision for society
“…On the day set by you, God, I will come towards you… I will come towards you, my God (…) with my wildest dream: to bring you the world in my arms.” (The Cry, New City Press). Ten years after Chiara’s death we are once more astonished by the prophetic vision for society of this extraordinary woman who, with her ideal of “may they all be one” (Jn 17:21) starting from her own town of Trent, reached the whole world. However, one cannot understand her prophetic nature without considering the historical context in which she was born and lived, and her sharing in the destiny of humanity. She was born in Trent, an existential periphery with great historical and social significance; she experienced poverty and the tragedy of world wars. Set amongst the affairs of her day, a specific charism began to manifest itself in her, the charism of unity: “Above all, each of us must keep our gaze fixed on the One Father of many children, and then consider all people as children of that One Father. Our thoughts and affections should always go beyond every human limitation and acquire the habit of aiming constantly towards being on family in our one Father: God.” In these notes, written on the 2nd December 1946, it is possible to grasp key pillars in Chiara Lubich’s prophetic vision for society. In fact, Chiara was not a social reformer, just as Jesus was not one. Her dream in fact aims higher and goes into greater depth, to the anthropological and theological foundation underlying any kind of social reform: one universal family and unity as envisaged by the man-God, Jesus. This is why we could say that the first social project that Chiara founded was in fact the first community of the Focolare that began in Trent immediately after the war. This community took the words of the Acts of the Apostles literally Acts 2:42-48). They practiced a radical communion of goods and did all they could to care for the poor and the thousands of suffering people the war had left in its wake. This underlying experience has never been lost. Indeed, it is the inspiration behind all the activities and social projects that have been undertaken over the years by Chiara herself and all those who, in following her, have made their own the Ideal of unity. In all of this Chiara’s human and ecclesial genius is clear. Her human genius is clear in the context of resolving social problems. Despite appearances and technological progress there is a scandalous and growing number of people all over the world who are deprived, marginalised and forced to flee or migrate. These ever more serious social problems are the outcomes of iniquitous systems and a type of globalisation put at the service of the dominant powers in this world. Resolving these problems does not in fact depend, according to the most enlightened minds of both past and present, on sociological strategies and actions effective only at the most superficial levels of human reality (accepting that these are relevant and necessary) but rather they are resolved through the fundamental options and the deeper values that motivate consciences. Chiara’s ecclesial genius is evident because the Church’s mission cannot be summed up in charity and care for the least (however necessary they are). Rather its mission is to proclaim, in the light of the incarnation of the Word of God, the dignity of each and every person as a child of God.Without these two driving forces, the anthropological and the ecclesial, we cannot grasp the true social dimension of Chiara Lubich’s charism, which is informed by an intrinsic sociality that develops into life, action and study (see the Social Schools of the Sophia University Institute). What are the practical consequences of this perspective, for all of us? If we want it, a story is awaiting us. We too have a story ahead of us. Chiara takes us out of anonymity to make us the main characters in a dream: all of us are main characters, no one is excluded. Guislain Lafont, a great Dominican theologian, speaks of the “principle of littleness” that in his opinion sums up the practical philosophy of Pope Francis. It concerns the belief that “salvation comes from below rather than from above”. Chiara knew how to apply this “principle of littleness” magnificently, in commitment to true social renewal, set in motion by the paradigm of unity. This is her greatness. From: Italian New City n. 6, June 2018
Jewish New Year
On 10-11 September, the Jewish communities worldwide celebrate the festival of the Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year of the year 5779, with festivities starting on the eve, 9 September. “The atmosphere of the feast – explained the UCEI, Union of Italian Jewish Communities – differs greatly from that in force in the ’civil’” New Year. It is considered a day of reflection, introspection, self-examination and spiritual renewal. It is the day on which, according to tradition, the Lord examines all of mankind and takes into account the good or bad deeds each has done in the previous year.” In fact, the Talmud says, “During Rosh Hashanah all creation is judged before the Lord.” It is not by chance that in Jewish tradition it is also called “Yom HaDin,” Day of Judgement. Divine justice will be sealed on the day of Kippur, Day of Atonement. These two dates are separated by seven days which sum up to two of the Rosh Hashanah, and those of Kippur are the so-called “ten days of penance.” Rosh Hashanah regards the single individual, the relationship one has with one’s neighbour and with God, and each one’s intentions to improve.”
A Centre that “generates community”
Maurizio Certini
What is the situation now, forty years later? Of course, living conditions for overseas students, who are very able but without much financial support, have certainly improved, thanks to their being exempt from taxes and to the availability of accommodation and canteens. Nonetheless, coming here to study still poses significant challenges. They are far from home and have to look after themselves; it is hard to study in a cultural context they know very little about; there is a great deal of bureaucracy and also the attraction of consumerism. When you get to know the stories of these young people, you are struck by their courage and fortitude in tough times and their perseverance in facing difficulties. More serious problems can arise in the second or third year when, even though they are willing and highly motivated, they don’t get enough credits to stay in the university residences. Suddenly, it is as though they are standing on a precipice, and that can make them start going downhill, which eventually leads to them abandoning their studies and their dreams being ruined. How many young people have passed through the Centre? A huge number. We were keen to address their needs and find solutions, so as to give them hope. Many of them were disappointed and discouraged but managed to pick themselves up and finish their studies. Studying at an overseas university is a unique opportunity both culturally and professionally. However, special attention is needed to link the academic aspect with their need to connect among themselves and with others. This needs to be coordinated and be sensitive to cultural and religious differences, putting the students themselves at the centre, accompanying them in an integral way. Can an association supported mainly by volunteers have an impact on politics and society? Giorgio La Pira often quoted the words of the great renaissance architect, Leon Battista Alberti: What is a city? It’s a big house for a big family”. Today the whole world is a global city. Through our work, we look at the world’s cities through the eyes and stories of our many “guests” and we are open to reciprocity. The word “ospite” in Italian means both host and guest. At the Centre we seek to generate community knowing that we are in an ever more pluralistic social context. We need people who are open to dialogue and who can integrate with one another reciprocally. Today people’s need for community is particularly strong: the world is always in a rush, it’s alienating; there is growing violence, lies, suspicion and fear. Our little ‘field of action’ broadens out every day to the level of citizenship, both national and international. We believe we can win only if we generate community, wanting to build up society as a civil body, putting the human person and their dignity at the heart of everything we do. By Chiara Favotti
Maria, flower of humanity
“The Old and the New Testaments form a single tree. The flowering comes about in the fullness of time, and the one flower is Mary. The fruit that follows from it is Jesus. The tree of humanity was created in the image of God. In the fullness of time, at the flowering, there comes about unity between heaven and earth, and the Holy Spirit weds Mary. We have therefore a single flower: Mary. And a single fruit: Jesus. But Mary, although she is one, is the whole creation in synthesis at the apex of its beauty when she is presented as bride to her Creator. […] Thus Mary is the flower blossoming upon the tree of humanity, born of God who created the first seed in Adam. She is daughter of God her son. Looking upon a small geranium plant that bloomed with a red flower, a question came to my mind and I asked: “Why are you flowering in red? Why do you change from green to red?” It seemed so strange to me! Today I understood that all of humanity flowers in Mary. Mary is the flower of humanity. She, the Immaculate – the Unstained One, is the flower of the ‘maculate’ – the stained. Sinful humanity flowers in Mary, the All Beautiful! And as the red flower is grateful to the small green plant, with its dirt-covered roots, that brought it to bloom; so is Mary because it was sin that constrained God into thinking of Mary. To her we owe our health; to us she owes her life.” Source: Chiara Lubich, Mary Flower of Humanity
Erik’s eatery
Committed to being us
“I remembered a phrase of my friend: ’The idea of God has to grow with us.’ I haven’t tried to understand something about God for a long time now. I really needed to find out from others who knew more than me.” Three years ago, Andrea, a university student left his homeland where he had a reference group in the parish, and moved to a big city. But here he didn’t immediately find a precise reference point for his faith. In the Congress he met many. “I am still searching and am discovering new aspects of this adventure, but I have certainties, strong points. One of these is surely the awareness that the road opened out before me is a community path, to be experienced with others. At times I forget this and so I need to be corrected, but inside me I know that it shall be this,” Nicolas confirmed. “Committed to the ‘We’” was an initiative that was held in Castel Gandolfo (31 August to 2 September) and promoted by the Diocesan and Parish Movements, branches of the Focolare Movement addressing the youths active in the local Church. These movements aim to irradiate the charism of unity in the parishes and dioceses in which they offer their services, and to work together with other ecclesial organisations in the building of a “Church of communion,” as aspired to in the Novo Millennio Ineunte, the Apostolic Letter John Paul II addressed to the priests and all the laity, at the end of the grand jubilee of 2000. For this purpose, it promotes and nurtures an ever deeper unity of the faithful around the parish priests and bishops cooperating in the various dioceses and promoting a new evangelisation in the parishes, according to a community style. 
“We chose this title – the organisers pointed out – to contribute in fulfilling what Pope Francis often invites us to do: pass from the ’I’ to the ’we,’ through a community discernment which helps us to grow and make common decisions. During the days they spent together, the participants discussed their own faith, but above all the mission they feel called to, that of spreading the ’good news’ of the Gospel. The life experience based on the spirituality of Chiara Lubich acted as a background, since every charism of God is for the entire Church and humanity. The methodology was the culture of encounter: taking time to get to know one another and being together, to feel as ’people of God,’ a community in which one can grow, helped by those who are moving on with us.” The experience of the congress is fully part of the path towards the bishops’ Synod on the youths, to be held next October. “The words that Pope Francis said?? to the Italian youths gathered together last 11 August in Rome resounded strongly in us: ‘Do not be content with the cautious steps of those who settle down at the end of the line.’ We need courage to risk a leap ahead, a courageous and fearless leap to dream and fulfil, like Jesus, the kingdom of God, and commit ourselves to a more brotherly humanity. We need brotherhood: take the risk, and move ahead!”
Living the Gospel: Making room for God’s Word
Emigrants We live in a country unwilling to welcome migrants. One day, while talking about this topic in our family where we try to live the words of Jesus, we realized that even the marginalized are emigrants. Not long after, we learned of a boy who came from the world of drugs and had no one to take care of him. So we welcomed him into our home until he got stabilized, overcoming his addiction and finding a job. Even later we stayed in contact with him. Now he’s a happy father, with a happy family. R. H. – Hungary The Granary Old and childless, Marie spent many afternoons with us. One day, alluding to the barn behind our house, she told us that she would be happy to live there. We talked about it with our children and decided to make her happy. After obtaining the necessary permits, we transformed the granary into a little house connected to ours by an internal door. Not only for Marie, but for our whole family a door has opened, a new way of understanding the solitude of so many people. We feel genuinely enriched. C. J. B. – Belgium Shining For many years I have been paralyzed and bed-ridden. Last Thursday two members of the Focolare came to see me, which gave me great joy. Later, they told a friend of mine that they had found me “shining” and their comment surprised me very much. I thanked God, asking him to help me to always be like that. The next day I woke up with severe back pain. It was an opportunity to stay “shining” even in suffering. The same thing happened a few days later. This is the attitude I try to have now, even if I don’t always succeed, at least I try. N. P. – Venezuela The Milk Amidst the difficult economic conditions across the country, everything was being rationed and markets were empty. Due to a severe bone decalcification, Rosa needed to drink a lot of milk, but it was hard to find. One day a neighbour went to her house, asking for some milk for her baby who had not been drinking for days. Rosa immediately offered her what was left in the bottle, despite her own children’s protests. Just before evening, eight litres of milk arrived. With tears in her eyes, Rosa exclaimed: “God never allows himself to be outdone in generosity!” M. C. – Mexico The Mother-in-Law Rosita and I had taken in my mother-in-law who was living in a home for the elderly and had problems walking. My sister-in-law was with us too. Grateful for the beautiful sunny day, we went for a walk and to have breakfast at a restaurant in the square of a neighboring village. There was an atmosphere of joy and harmony among us. When we asked for the bill, we were told that it had already been paid by another customer who admired the way we cared for the elderly. My mother-in-law, Felice, confirmed it. R. Switzerland
Chiarela’s Dream
“The dream of becoming a doctor, which I had always nurtured, became even stronger when, years ago, my father and my brother were involved in a serious accident. The hospital became our home away from home because of a series of surgeries on my father’s legs. During that period I began to understand the difficulties patients had, especially those who didn’t have sufficient funds. “I’ll become a doctor,” I said, “and offer the hope of medical care to everyone.” My family was also in precarious financial conditions. My father, because of a permanent disability caused by the accident, couldn’t work anymore. When school was finished, my dream to study Medicine was shattered when my mother said to me: “We don’t have the money.” I wept bitterly, but then thought: “If Jesus wants this, then I want it too.” We had always been in touch with the Focolare, and they knew my great wish. Several days later, they telephone me to tell me that they had found someone who was willing to help me out financially. I was so happy! It was a sign of God’s love. I began school at the university. It wasn’t all so easy. Every day I needed a good dose of patience and endurance. There were students from different cultures and religions in my class and several of them were bullies towards me whose character was softer and submissive. I tried just the same to be friends with everyone and to stay united to Jesus who gave me strength to face every difficulty. I was also only sleeping for two hours at night because of the tons of pages I had to memorise. I spent all my time studying, but still I was unsuccessful in an exam or missed going out with my friends. And then I was really missing my family. But I was certain that God had plans for me. During the internship we worked 30 to 36 hour shifts on the ward with the patients, and that was really exhausting. We had to do many things at the same time, make sure that the patients were receiving care while studying for exams. The encounter with each patient was an opportunity to love. Even though I was tired and half asleep, I tried to present myself to them with lots of energy, smiling and listening with sincere compassion. In the hospital, the nurses tended to be short with us interns and liked to give us orders. Nevertheless, I tried to silence my pride and build relationships of friendship with them. After a while they changed their attitude. In my group there was one girl who was always contrary to everything and raising her voice against all of us. No one could stand her. I thought: “If I don’t love her, who will?” I learned to understand her difficulty and love her. At first it was hard, I because she always had something she wanted to obtain. I prayed to Jesus for courage and strength to persevere in my understanding attitude. In the en, she also began to understand me better and we became friends. If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that things can go less than well, but you can still grow stronger. I was afraid many times of not managing to “begin again,” which is the secret I’ve learned from Chiara Lubich. Now I’m a doctor and my dream has come true and I have many more opportunities to love God, serving him in my patients as I remember the Gospel sentence: “Whatever you did to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”
The Cuba we dream of
“The first Genfest ever in Cuba ended on Sunday, August 12. It was dream that we had kept in our hearts, entrusted to God, and he made it happen!” So write the Youth for a United World in Cuba. A wave of young people from all over the island came to Havana for the Genfest, an event that had “many firsts.” In fact, they write, up until now “we had never been able to put together an event of this size, obtaining the necessary permissions from the Party office in charge of relationships with religious organizations, with whom there was an excellent collaboration. It was achieved with the help of artists and professionals who through their passion, dedication and by not holding anything back – despite enormous challenges – were able to give harmony and beauty to the content that the young people asked for, after months of working together.” The opening event took place in the historic centre of the city, where Pope Francis had invited the Cuban youth in September 2015 to foster “social friendships” with and among everyone, “to build the Cuba you dream of.” On Saturday, August 11, participants explored the theme of “Beyond all borders” in nine workshops about social economics, Economy of Communion, ecumenism, relationships, the skills need to build peace, postmodernism, etc. 
“In the afternoon, at one of the city’s famous cinemas with close to 600 participants, there were testimonies through art and shared experiences on how it is worth living for a united world. There was a profound moment in particular: an actress portrayed Chiara Lubich and her thoughts on how suffering generates life, which is the secret to going ‘beyond all borders.’” “This was the most beautiful experience of my life,” wrote one young woman, “where unity and love are the essence of a lifestyle that builds a more united world. You were able to awaken my faith and hope.” “For those of us who worked on this for almost a year,” says one of the organizers, “it was a long journey that was not without its challenges, due to conditions in the country. However, there was always the help of divine providence, which would arrive just at the right time to give us courage and resources: from South Korea, Colombia, Bulgaria, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Philippines… “We threw ourselves into doing things we had never done before: singing, dancing, presenting on stage, telling our experiences, overcoming our shyness or being ashamed of anything. We learned to listen to each other more, not impose our opinions, and help ideas emerge together. Practically, we learned to love each other.” 
They add, “Genfest was an explosion of love and unity that revolutionized our city.” One of the participants said, “We are making history, not the kind that stays in books, but in the souls of all of us who think, work and participate in the Genfest. The memory of Old Havana remains, and today it is reborn thanks to the Youth for a United World.” “Collaborating with the other movements, youth outreach, and the Council of Churches in Cuba was really nice and productive,” they write. “Genfest in Cuba honored its objective ‘to go beyond every border,’ overcoming huge challenges during the preparation and because of how big it became. It demonstrates how for God, nothing is impossible. We are bringing this revolution of love to the whole world, and many people who did not know of our dream have now witnessed it. We thank all those who believed in this crazy adventure and were there with us with their support. What a profound joy it is to know that we are part of such a big family!”
Mary and the God who seems to be absent
“In 1984, I was with a group of bishops who came from a number of different Churches. We visited the Basilica of Saint Sofia in Istanbul and were very impressed by this imposing building which seemed to tangibly embody the history of the Church and of humankind. This building dates back to the time of ancient Christianity, to a time when Christians were united and Asia Minor was the centre of the Christian world: it is also the very building where unity was broken through the division between the East and the West. In the sections of the dome that were visible, we saw enormous inscriptions taken from the Koran – a sign of the domination of another religion over lacerated Christianity. There were several signs saying “Prayer is forbidden” right in front of us. It was a museum in which people were wandering around with cameras and binoculars admiring the artistic treasures. The absence of religion in a place that had previously been so sacred was terrible. We felt overwhelmed by this sequence of events: unity, unity broken, the diversity of religious faith, no religion at all. We gazed around in search of help when, all of a sudden, we saw it! Above the dome, quietly glistening, there was an ancient mosaic of Mary offering her Son. Looking at it, I clearly understood that this is the Church: to simply be here and be the first to generate God, that God who seems to be absent. I understood “Theotokos” – the mother of God, the one who generates God – in a completely new way. I understood that we cannot organise faith in the world. If no one wants to hear about God any longer, we cannot hammer on saying “Woe to you!” We just have to be there and be the first to bring the light of God to the world, that God that seems to be absent. We cannot “create” God but we can only shed light upon him; we can’t use argument to prove that God exists but we can be the chalice that contains him, the heaven from which he almost imperceptibly shines forth. I understood not only our task in the Church but also how the Church exists in the figure of Mary and Mary exists in the figure of the Church – how both the figure and the reality are the same.” Klaus Hemmerle, Partire dall’unità. La Trinità e Maria, pp. 124, 125.
The Focolare Movement expresses its support for Pope Francis
“Holy Father, you can truly count on our full unity and fervid prayer facing these attacks aimed at discrediting your person and your action of renewal,” Maria Voce wrote these words in a letter that was sent to Pope Francis on August 30th in which she expressed prayer and support, following the various attacks that have recently been levelled against him. The Focolare president expressed gratitude to the Holy Father for the recent World Meeting of Families held in Ireland which, among other things, highlighted the rapport that was established between the Pope and those who attended. On behalf of the whole Focolare Movement, Maria Voce acknowledged the Pope’s heartfelt and repeated request for forgiveness from the families of the victims, and also the way his message of love was embraced. “In every wound of the Church and of humanity,” Mary Voce says, “we recognized the crucified and abandoned Christ, and, together with you, we look at Mary in order to live with courage your example as authentic disciples.” Finally, Maria Voce thanked the Pope for his recent “Letter to the People of God” which, in addition to expressing the solicitude and love of the Holy Father for humanity, indicates “how to share in the “cry” that rises to Heaven from those who suffered and still suffer, as well as how to work so that such evils are not perpetuated. Let us embrace both his words and his concern.”
Care of Creation
The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is celebrated every year on 1 September which is running its 13th edition this year. The initiative started among the Orthodox Churches to which other Christian Churches adhered in their commitment to rediscover ecumenical cooperation in the care of creation. In 2015, also the Catholic Church joined the call to all of mankind to take up their responsibility towards creation and the safeguard of the lives of all the peoples of the earth. In 2017, in a gesture to seal this common commitment, Pope Francis and the ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople signed a document which states among other things, that: “ the human and natural environments are deteriorating together, and this degradation of the planet weighs on the more vulnerable people. The impact of climate change affects, above all, those living in poverty in every corner of the globe. Our duty to use the assets of the earth responsibly implies the recognition and respect of every person and all the living creatures. The urgent call and challenge to take care of creation is an invitation to all of humanity to work for a sustainable and integral development. […] We are convinced that there cannot be a genuine and long-lasting solution to the challenge of ecological crises and climate changes without a united and collective response, and without a shared responsibility that can give an account of the actions taken, giving priority to solidarity and services.”
Kerala Floods
A great number of displaced people waiting to return to their homes still submerged by the devastating floods, has in the meantime been gathered in 3,800 relief camps. The rescue and aid operations are brought ahead amid great difficulties due to the inaccessibility of some zones. In some cases, water and food have been launched from helicopters, given that roads and bridges have been destroyed. The local communities of the Focolare have written: “We’ve just returned from the Mariapolis (at about 300 km from Kerala) held with the members of the Word of Life groups scattered within a range of 120 km. Our hearts are with the people of Kerala which has been destroyed by the strong rains. We are still in the monsoon season, and the hot winds provoke these tropical typhoons. As far as we know, the members of the Movement are safe. A retreat had been programmed for the priests in Trivandrum (south Kerala), but it had to be cancelled since it is not safe to travel and many priests are involved in the tragedy. In the weekend, our local communities will be involved in gathering foodstuff and prime commodities to be sent to the stricken areas. We count on your prayers.” Also Pope Francis prayed for the victims and that “our solidarity and concrete support for the community will not be lacking.”
The following accounts were created for those who wish to donate:
| Azione per un Mondo Unito ONLUS (AMU – Action for a United World) | Azione per Famiglie Nuove ONLUS (AFN – Action for New Families) |
| IBAN: IT58 S050 1803 2000 0001 1204 344 at Banca Popolare Etica | IBAN: IT55 K033 5901 6001 0000 0001 060 at Banca Prossima |
| SWIFT/BIC code: CCRTIT2T | SWIFT/BIC code: BCITITMX |
| Description of payment: Kerala Emergency (India) | |
| The contributions paid in the two accounts with this payment description will be managed jointly by AMU and AFN. Tax reliefs are provided for such donations in many EU countries and in other countries in the world, according to diverse local norms. | |
Fatal Accident at the Focolare’s Hospital in Congo
Focolare president Maria Voce wrote to the local Focolare community in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “Let us ask the Father to welcome into His Kingdom of peace all those persons who lost their lives in this serious accident, while entrusting to His love the wounded and everyone involved.” The accident occurred on the morning of August 28th in the city of Limate, north of Kinshasa. A silo containing tons of wheat, owned by flour producer FAB Congo, collapsed on part of the Moyi mwa Ntongo Hospital and an adjacent company. Under the weight of the rubble some people lost their lives, including Valentine, a member of the Focolare who was in charge of the laundry services, while other victims were in nearby buildings. “There has been an outpouring of help and support, searching for her body,” writes Aga Kahambu on behalf of the local Focolare community, with police, Red Cross and volunteers working tirelessly. Some of the victims are FAB employees, but the number is still uncertain. It is a very sorrowful time for all of us, but the unity and solidarity among so many has helped to strengthen us.” 
According to the local newspaper, “Actualite.cd,” the count is provisional, because the incident occurred at rush hour” and it reports “significant damage to the facilities, with the destruction of radiology, diagnostics and other departments.” Constructed in 2006 and directed by the Focolare Movement, the medical centre Moyi Mwa Ntongo is considered an excellent facility with 55 beds. Built for the care of child blindness, the centre then took on other projects, such as HIV and AIDS. Moreover, it is a model international humanitarian project: it makes use of specialists and local staff, trained both in the DRC and in Europe. In 2016, ten years after its founding, it finished a modern maternity and neonatology unit, which are essential in a country with one of the highest infantile death rates in the world. Fortunately that unit was preserved from the collapse. The ward was completed thanks to the contribution of people and agencies connected to the Focolare Movement, such as the Giancarlo Pallavicini Foundation and the gentlemen Albina Gianotti and Vittorino Giussani, financers of the Medical Centre since the day it began, and by AMU Luxemburg and AECOM Congo, as well as other supporters.