I attended for the first time, a classical music concert in the midst of a battle. It happened in Aleppo, where, surrounded by death, a voice of peace arose among many others that announced war, to comfort the hearts of the people and make them momentarily forget the cold and death. It was like a chapter of a modern tragedy that resembled Greek mythology. In a fully packed Church and with very few tools, Father Elias Janji with the Naregatsi choir and the pianist played some pieces of Verdi, Mozart, Vivaldi and Karl Orf, elevating our spirits to another horizon, despite the polar chill that has invaded Aleppo these days.. And to think that not too far away, the tragedy continues with missiles launched from Eastern Aleppo over the Western zone, killing school children and innocent people, while in the Eastern part of the city, the Syrian army continues to attack. Thousands of people (an estimated 60,000 up to today) managed to escape from East Aleppo and take refuge in the Western zone. They tell of how many have been taken as hostages and that some of those who were shot in their backs while escaping, were killed. Others escaped amid the gunfire, carrying their grandmas or other elderly relatives on their shoulders. The people were relieved since they could finally return to their own homes that were liberated in these days while the army took hold of the city’s water pumping station, even if it was mined. Water is forecasted to return to the city in a month’s time, after the technicians have completed their work. Thus a chapter of the tragedy will end, though there will surely be many more. December 4 is the feast of St. Barbara, the young girl martyred in the first centuries of Christianity, pierced with a sword by her father since, as a follower of Jesus, she had refused to adore another God. It is a great feast for the Christians of the East, adults and children who, despite the war, gathered together to honour her in a masquerade and recount her story in song – a story which despite the centuries passed – has not changed very much. We can’t help but wonder, what has remained of man and his dignity?What will happen now? Will the war in Aleppo end, and bring back serenity to the people who have suffered so much, even if they will find a great part of the city destroyed? The population is weary and wants the conflict to end. But the armed groups refuse to accept defeat and want to fight to the last, despite the appeal of the UN special envoy, Staffan De Mistura, to all the groups to leave the city and spare the lives of the people, who would otherwise pay a heavy price, according to the logic of war! How can we forget that in the end, it is Man since each one, whether good or bad, is an image of God, though this image is buried under a thousand vices and wickedness. With Christmas now at our doorstep, let us therefore remind ourselves that this feast should not only be a remembrance of a past fact celebrated with the usual festivity. The arrival of the “Prince of Peace” should also change the hearts and gestures of all of us, because these become tiny stones in the construction of a better world we all dream of. From Aleppo, Pascal Bedros
Erminio Longhini was born in Milan, Italy, on July 19, 1928. After his marriage with Nuccia, he and his wife had three children: Michela, Matteo and Stefano. While they were still university students, Nuccia and Erminio were determined to keep the human person at the centre of their professional life. “Ever since I was a child,” Erminio himself admits, “I felt strongly drawn to the Virgin Mary.” Perhaps this explains his filial devotion to “so beautiful a Mother” that even though he was buried in professional responsibilities, he offered to accompany the sick on their journeys to Lourdes. He was serious, scrupulous, demanding and went through years of hard sacrifice working from morning until deep into the night serving the sick and doing research. But his soul was also searching. He and Nuccia felt the need for a spirituality that could accompany the life of their family. They found their answer in the Focolare, in God-Love to whom Erminio felt called to give himself completely, and to serve all the brothers and sisters he would meet. He became a married focolarino. Thanks to generous contributions he set up an internal medicine department with modern equipment and welcomed young graduates from Italy and developing countries. He managed to engage colleagues and nurses until the medical division he directed became one of the best in both technical quality and in human relationships, with hundreds of published research projects. Erminio understood more and more that it was not enough to care for the patient, but for the human being.In collaboration with the Catholic University he carried out research in 40 hospitals, which revealed that patients’ greatest handicap was feeling dependent on others: “Why not spend a bit of our time building a human relationship, a loving exchange between us and our patients?” With some difficulty and many complications, Erminio managed to come up with the first 30 volunteers to care for the sick beyond there purely medical needs. “What did I try to convey to them?” He explains: “What I had learned from Chiara Lubich: reciprocity.” The Hospital Volunteers Association emerged from that first group, in 1976. His work was encouraged not only by Chiara Lubich, but by Cardinals Colombo and Martini from Milan, and by John Paul II himself who, during an audience for 7,000 volunteers, said to Erminio: “I’m pleased, tell your friends to continue like this.” Following the painful death of his wife, Erminio’s meekness and abandonment to God deepened. Forced to have more frequent medical visits and transfusions, he confided: “I feel like an autumn leaf on a windy day. It might seem more desirable that the evening of life should come. Then, I realize that there’s a temptation hiding there, and in the morning I realize that another day is being given to me and that life is living the present moment, counting on God’s mercy for the past and for the hopes of the future.” In the meantime, the Hospital Volunteers Association spread all over Italy and now has 25,000 volunteers in 250 hospitals. Because of his commitment, in 2004, Erminio was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit Award for Health by the President of Italy. Until the end Erminio continued to offer spiritual encouragement to the volunteers through video messages and writings. In the final months his medical condition was not reassuring, but he was serene: “I thank God because I had much more in my life than what I would have imagined. I thank the Blessed Mother, and every night I finish my prayers saying to her: “Let it be You to come and get me, and it will be pure joy. I’ll hear You and see You!” He died on November 4th. Everybody that knew and loved him, are certain that it happened just as he had desired in payment for a life seeped in the Gospel. The current president of the association writes: “A great man has left us, a man who was able to perceive with his sensitivity, humanity and faith the invisible essence that eye cannot see, nor even the mind. But he doesn’t leave us alone, each of us will meet him in their service to others if we manage to allow all the wisdom, knowledge and depth that Erminio always conveyed and taught to bear fruit.” Anna Friso
From left: Jorge López e Alberto García (Regnum Chisti), Jesús Morán (Focolari)
Following the meeting for Eccelsial Movements and New Communities last February in Paray Le Monial, France, representatives of Regnum Christi and the Focolare saw the need to “update Charism in order to meet the challenges of the contemporary world.” The discussions then expanded to the urgency of identifying new and more effective approaches to today’s culture that is in continual evolution. Their concern was so strong that both Movements decided to fix a date when they could spend a whole day together, sharing expriences and praying for the protection of the Holy Spirit as they sought the right ways. The intention for the meeting between 22 representatives of Regnum Christi and 29 representatives of the Focolare that was held on November 26th at Rocca di Papa, Italy, was not to study or come up with new strategies, nor to consult experts. It was simply meant to be an exchange among brothers and sisters in a synodal heart-to-heart communion, because the more we’re open to one another the more the presence of the Holy Spirit is deepened. It was a communion made of prayer, fraternal dialogue and communication that was itself seen as a gift to offer. Secretary of the Congregation For Catholic Education, Archbishop Vincenzo Zani, was invited to give the keynote address. Referring from magisterial texts he traced out a process of evangelization of the culture based on the “mysticism of brotherhood” (EG, 115) and on the transformational power of the Charisms. “Their co-essentiality to the petrine charism,” he explained, “makes them capable of strengthening the Church’s invitation to a positive vision of the cutlure, since “grace presupposes culture.”
From left: D. Edoardo Robles Gil, General Director of the Legionaries of Christ- Regnum Christi with Jesús Morán and Archbishop Vincenzo Zani.
Two other highlights were the presentations on updating the Charism. Focolare co-president, Jesús Morán, talked about creative fidelity: “The Spirit is ever new and continues to make history.” It is necessary to be perfectly rooted in the tradition,” Morán reiterated, but to be so “today.” Jorge López, General Committee member and General Director of the consecrated lay members of Regnum Christi, recalled that the “one authorized to update a Charism is the Church. And we are [ourselves] inasmuch as we are Church.” He then confided that “it is ironically our poverty that equips us for accomplishing our mission in accordance with the model of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Interesting experiences were shared concerning the evangelization of the culture: four projects – two from Regnum Christi and two from the Focolare – in response to crucial challenges in the world of education today. They had two things in common: working together by creating networks; and the relationship between culture and the life. Marta Rodriguez, Director of the Woman Institute of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, offered a helpful image: “The bridge between Jesus Christ and the secularized culture is people’s hearts. In the offering of our life to God, we have to look at others from the standpoint of Christ’s heart.” The dialogue went on during lunch and increased the fraternal friendship. The afternoon concluded with an unplanned open discussion. And it was perhaps because of this that Someone was able to take things into His hands, allowing the participants to experience that “mysticism of brotherhood” that Pope Francis mentions in the Joy of the Gospel. As each person spoke at the mic, everyone else listened deeply. In that moment it seemed that even the personal roles of each person bloomed as they were illuminated by what the Spirit had revealed up to that point. It was difficult to tell who belonged to which Movement. Perhaps it was a bit like what the first Christians were experiencing when they claimed to be “of one heart and one soul” (see Acts 2:42-48). Everything belonged to everyone in the joy and gratitude that exuded the Gospel. Any questions and fears that were floating – how to teach in a digital age; how to keep identity and mission alive, and so forth – found answers in the presentations and discussions. There was an awareness and trust that the Charisms are meant for history and for its technology, in a constant dialogue with the Eternal and totally open to those who have different convictions. Being “together” is the necessary condition to “go out” to where God will want us to go. Each of us needs the other, and needs to let ourselves be surprised by God. Anna Friso
In Coroado on the outskirts of the capital of the State of Amazonas, the wall that separates and protects the centre from the harsh realities of violence and drugs that consume the neighborhood, had begun to deteriorate because of recent rains. Begun in the early 1990s through the efforts of some people from the Focolare Movement, the centre began its work in favour of social inclusion, with a nursery and primary school, but soon turned into a real social agency that was open morning until night. It was begun as an attempt to ensure children and adolescents of the area the right to a harmonious and wholesome development, through educational and recreational activities and support for their families. It is financially supoorted by the generosity of so many people, especially by distance support from the New Families Non Profit Organisation which, in addition to education also provides nutrition and preventive medical care. Several activities followed, such as a study in collaboration with the School of Educational Psychology at the Federal University of Amazonas to identify and overcome the learning problems of some of the young people. There was also also a project carried out and presented by the Pharmacy students to provide the children and their families with a basic knowledge of hygiene, nutrition and personal care. The School of Pharmacy did research project on infectious diseases with blood samples, and provided treatments. There are drug prevention programmes and programmes that combat child labour while parents are offered vocational training courses in collaboration with the Centre of Technology Education of the State of Amazonas. Jeanne and Carlos who work full time for the project recount: “Over the years we came up with Literature and Theatre workshops. We also managed to come up with a programme on emotions and sexuality for teenagers and young adults.”The latest win was described by Janine and Carlos: “The economic crisis is making the situation of our country more and more difficult. For example, one institution that offered a computer course for more than ten years, had to stop collaborating with us. Some of the children’s parents are losing their jobs. And the financial resources for repairing our protective wall that had assumed a gloomy and even threatening appearance often defaced by vandals, were just not available. Then we had the idea of appealing to the Manaus Court of Justice and proposing a partnership called “Let’s paint the wall.” The proposal, which was subsequently passed, would portray in images the experience and the values that we live with the children at the Social Centre and to give an air of joy and harmony to our neighborhood. We wanted the boys and girls to be engaged in this project, so we collected their drawings so that they could be reproduced on the wall.” The newly restored and painted wall was unvieled on October 27th. “It was a very joful event for us,” say Janine and Carlos, “because this recognition from the Court of Justice not only comforts the centre and its efforts, but it allows us to bring ahead the project in the best way we can. We especially thank the many people who generously support us in giving the boys and girls the opportunity to gain knowledge and training that will allow them to take their life in their own hands and become new women and new men.” Giovanna Pieroni
“I have seen how seriously you have been preparing for this moment and this makes me very happy indeed, and gives me great peace for the Movement’s future, because I have seen that you have taken Chiara (Lubich’s) legacy seriously which is handed on to the second generation in the Movement … with the same zeal” as at the start of the Movement. In response to various questions that the young people asked her, on Jesus forsaken, the point of the spirituality of unity which has been chosen to go into depth with this year, Maria Voce explained: “God sent his Son to re-build these bonds, [of unity between God and humankind and among all people] so to do something great.” In order to do this “Jesus did not choose to come with an armada … but he chose a means that maybe is not understood first off; he chose the means of the cross. The means of the cross which for Jesus meant loving right to the end, the greatest love of all, taking on himself all of humanity’s pain, all sufferings, all humiliations, purely out of love! And in the moment he did it, Jesus made a new creation, he created a new unity, he redeemed humanity, so he re-established the unity that humankind had lost with God and people had lost among themselves; it was the greatest of works.” “So in that moment Jesus forsaken is truly the victorious King! He is not only someone who is suffering. Yes, suffering was the means that He chose, but it was because through that suffering he showed the greatest love; because he bore witness before people as to how much the Father loved them and how much he was ready to suffer out of love for the Father and love for them. Now Jesus forsaken comes to us and says the same thing: “Do you want to bear witness to God’s love in front of the whole world, and all people? Then use the same means as I did. Make yourself one with them right to the end, take on the sufferings, pain, doubts and anguish that people feel,” creating “bonds which will make the human family a real family of God’s children, bonded with one another and with the Father.” Concerning questions about their future, Maria Voce answered: Be generous with God! If you truly feel that God is calling you somehow, that he is speaking in the depths of your heart, don’t pay attention to anything else, pay attention only to this voice and say yes … then He will be the one to take you where he wants you to be”, to fulfil God’s “plan of love for each one that will give you the greatest happiness. I wish you this with all my heart!” Gustavo Clariá https://vimeo.com/192601570
The event was attended by 90 Muslims and Christians from Jordan, Syria, Libya, Greece, Tunisia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Burkina Faso, Canada and Algeria. Four topics were discussed: suffering in light of God; the divine inspiration on unity in Chiara Lubich; the challenges and problems for the contemporary Muslim; being builders of universal brotherhood. The most repeated word at the conference was “together” which highlighted the experience that has been maturing for years in the heart of the Focolare Movement: Christians and Muslims living the ideal of unity together, according to the charism given by God to Chiara Lubich fully accepting their individual identities and differences. Chiara’s deep mystical experience from the summer of 1949 was introduced by Jésus Morán and welcomed by the participants in an atmosphere of deep fraternity: “Chiara takes us into the God of Oneness, beyond the differences of single religions,” said Jalleh who is a Sciite from Iran. Someone else remarked: “Chiara uses images that are understandable when talking about the Trinity.” Rita Moussallem and Roberto Catalano, who work for the Movement’s interreligious dialogue, presented the Focolare’s experience with different religions around the world: “You could say that God manifested himself and gave us all a bit of his light,” said one participant. After an immersion in the unity that is born from the Christian context, the focus shifted to Islam. The Algerian-Tunisian scholar Adnane Mokrani, who teaches as the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamist Studies at Rome (PISAI), talked about the crisis that Islam is going through today. She invited the audience not to allow itself to be taken in by the different conspiracy theories, not to blame others, but to return to the discussion table, without being discouraged: because “the majority of the people want peace, perhaps an inactive majority … But it’s up to us,” she emphasized, “an active minority to do all that we can to arouse that majority. It’s our task.” She and Adnane Mokrani answered several spontaneous questions from the audience. Scholar of Comparative Religions at the University of Amman, Jordan, Amer Hafi said: “God is great[er] means that he is greater than our fears, than our problems and misfortunes: God is the key of our hope and of our life. But unfortunately this invocation has become a death signal.” The presence of Emeritus Archbishop Henri Teissier with his in-depth knowledge of Islam was deeply appreciate, along with Bishop of Orano, Jean Paul Vesco. He explained: “the friendship founded on spiritual communion is the apex of dialogue among the religions and their differences.” The young Algerian Muslims from the Focolare Movement provided music and song. The visit to the mausoleum of mystic Sidi Boumediène, which was presented by Algerian scholar Dr Sari-Ali Hikmet, immersed the conference members in the spirituality, art and culture of Islam. This was followed by a visit to the El Mechouar Museum, a palace from the Zianide Dynasty, and a visit to the Great Mosque and to the modern Andalusi Centre of Studies. Before leaving Tlemcen, Jesús Morán commented on the experience: “It wasn’t only getting along, but of being one, sharing the same experience of God, of sharing what we have deepest inside of us.” Jean-Louis Marechal
The words of the young Iraqi, Aziiz, were welcomed by a long applause and attentive gazes of more than a thousand Gen attending their annual congress. They listened closely as he recounted the drama that he and his family had lived through in Qaraqosh, a town on the Nineveh Plain, when the militiamen of the self-styled Islamic state arrived. “Before telling you my story,” Aziiz began, “I’d like to ask you a question. Have you ever thought that you could one day lose everything? Your family home with all of your most cherished memories, your friends, dreams and your people? That’s what happened to me….” The suffering of the escape from his hometown with his family towards Iraqi Kurdistan was still visible in his eyes: “I wondered why I had to go through this Calvary, and that’s where the experience began of finding myself living with Jesus Forsaken. I felt like I was in an action film, where I couldn’t differentiate between what was real and what was imaginary: masses of people walking on foot in search of a way to escape, tears, cries…. I was stiffened by the pain, but I said to myself that perhaps I could smile back at the people next to me. With us there was a group from the Yazidi religion, who were in need of even more help, because ISIS had inflicted torture on them. I put my fears aside in order to be close to them and to offer them support.” Aziiz and his family are now taking refuge in France. It was a difficult decision, given the thousands of challenges they would have to face, but he never felt abandoned by God’s love “whose invisible hand continues to wipe away our tears and lightens our sufferings.” We young people possess an enormous potential for changing the world, beginning with the small things: either we live to change something and make the world better; or our life is meaningless.” Chiara Lubich’s words spoken to the Gen2 in 1967 sounded timely as well as prophetic: “Rumours and news of wars sadden the world horizon. Perhaps in the Middle or Far East some of our Gen (…) were or are in danger of dying. Our very goal – to help peace in the world – seems painfully compromised. What will we do? Not be discouraged (…) The bombs fall and destroy houses and kill people: let love spread even more quickly to build a new society and a new world.” “Fifty years have passed, but we’re still that same generation that never stops, said Gloria from Uganda, “that still wants to live the ideal that Chiara has given to us.” Damián from Argentina explains: “This is a moment of celebration for us. We revisited some important moments of the Gen Movement from past years, trying to revive each word that Chiara said to us.” Testimonies were given by Gen from several countries, dialogue and reflection with music and song to celebrate the fifty years of intense life of the Focolare’s second generation. In a video message, Focolare president, Maria Voce, invited the young people to follow the plan of love that God has for each one of them, following the example of Jesus who chose the Cross – love to the very end – to be generous and willing to work for a world of peace. During an enabling and very open discussion, Focolare co-president, Jesùs Morán, encouraged the Gen to live a life of love for others, opting for the least, the people that society rejects in an ever more divided world. The more than a thousand young people departed with Chiara Lubich’s prophetic mandate: “It will be the second generation that will make the cry of Jesus Forsaken echo to the ends of the earth … And in that cry the entire world will breathe again.” Patrizia Mazzola
130 representatives of 40 Movements and Christian Communities from 14 European countries and 8 languages. These are the numbers from a three-day Together for Europe meeting held at the Focolare Movement International Centre, Castel Gandolfo, Italy. “We heard about the Paris attacks on year ago during our annual meeting in Holland,” Beatriz Lauenroth recalls. “Those and other events that are leading to fragmenation in Europe, show the need for encounter and working together for unity.” Many of the participants underscored this need, such as German Elke Pechmann from the Offensive Junger Christen: “Together for Europe is not an extra luxury, it’s not merely something more. It’s a noteworthy investment in the present and especially the future of Europe.” Moscow representative Larisa Musina from the Transfiguration Fellowship of Minor Orthodox Brotherhoods, Saint Philaret underscored the importance of deepening our knowledge of one another in order to increase dialogue: “We need to widen the dialogue between countries of the East and the West. Together with other Eastern European countries we Russians also have much to give to the West.”Switzerland made the voice of the young be heard: “The five of us young people representing Jacksonville Association of Health Underwriters (JAHU),” Selomi Zürcher explained, “feel that the future of Europe is also of concern to us. We value the experience and wisdom of our elders. And we ask them to have faith in us, and to learn from us as well. Thus the Europe of our forefathers will also be the Europe of the sons and daughters.”One question which kept coming up in the presentations, personal conversations and work groups was – what the path forward should be for Together for Europe and there were several concrete suggestions. They were all steps that could be taken by individual Movements and Communities during 2017, both for their own countries and Together for Europe. For example, a March 25th prayer vigil, on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome which is considered one of the most significant historical moments of the process of European integration. It will gather many European political figures in Rome. Together for Europe would also like to be there and has already sent a document to the politicians regarding “our idea of Europe, and we hope that similar vigils can be held in European cities where we have a presence.” Another initiatitve that the participants felt to be important was that spaces for encounter and sharing be created. “We want to increase the communion among the Movements at local levels and offer even more events for individual cities.” The impressions people shared during the closing express the enthusiasm they experienced in being together. A young woman from Germany said: “I’d like more young people to catch my enthusiasm for Together for Europe, and I hope that next year there will be even more of us.” A young man from Slovenia: “When we get home we’ll update all the other Movements in Slovenia about what we experienced here. We’ll also invite a Catholic and Lutheran bishop, so that they may know that the laity is also with the Church and stepping into action for the better future of the continent.” With the meeting of Castel Gandolfo participation in Together for Europe has expanded to Religious Congregations and ancient charismatic communities. The next Friends of Together for Europe event is planned for November 9-11, 2017 in Vienna, Austria.
A first initiative already launched in October, well expressed the dynamism and creativity of the new Evangelii Gaudium Centre (EGC) which, even before the official inauguration, broke the ice with a course for educators, animators and missionary, pastoral theology students, entitled “Wake up the World.”This new Centre arose from the synergy between the Sophia University Institute (IUS) and the Focolare Movement, particularly the Presbyterians, deacons, seminarians, religious men and women, Parish and the Diocesan Movement directly involved in the ecclesial world. It was thus an already active Centre, which celebrated its first day of public life last November, taking the occasion to explain its mission: to give enthusiasm, orientation and content to the work of pastoral renewal of the evangelisation the Church is called to perform today. It is a commitment which the EGC intends to undertake as a response to Pope Francis, drawing inspiration and its name from “Evangelii Gaudium,” his apostolic exhortation. Through courses, conventions, seminars, symposiums, workshops, and scientific meetings, the EGC wishes to be a “place of thought” solidly bound to the synod stylelines gathering together all those spiritual inspirations and experiences generated by Chiara Lubich’s charism of unity. And it aims to do so by focusing on formation, studies and research within the framework of ecclesiology, pastoral theology and the missions, spiritual theology and the theology of charisms in the life of the Church today. The important EGC objectives were highlighted by the Focolare President, Maria Voce, in her welcome speech and that of the Co-President, Jesús Morán: to promote and support projects and activities of formation along the lines of Vatican II in communion with the other charisms of the Church, in the perspective of ecumenical, interreligious and intercultural dialogue. These objectives were deeply echoed also in the greetings coming from the General Secretary of Italian Bishops, Bishop Galantino, and the Grand Chancellor of Sophia, Bishop Betori, Archbishop of Florence. The working session of the inaugural convention was opened by Card. Joao Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life, and Archbishop Vincenzo Zani, Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education. Sophia University Rector, Prof. Piero Coda, was instead given the task of describing the aims of the new Centre, followed by Prof.Tiziana Merletti (former Mother General of the Franciscan Nuns of the Poor). «The challenge consists in giving a contribution to that change of paradigm in culture and relations between ecclesial communities and civil society – declared Piero Coda – which our time demands, and to which the prophecy of Pope Francis repeats with force, that the time has come to start with faithfulness and creativity». In the next round table there will be a confrontation between exponents of the worlds of politics and sports, represented by Massimo Toschi and Damiano Tommasi, on the long awaited epochal historical transition of the Church which has been called to investigate and gather the expectations and hopes of society today. Anna Friso
“Let us accompany Aletta with joy and immense gratitude to the house of the Father.We couldn’t have a better model of one who “gave her life unsparingly” to God, as today’s daily thought suggests.” This is how Maria Voce informed the members of the Focolare Movement of the death of Vittoria Salizzoni, who passed away peacefully on the morning of 22 November, a few days before reaching the age of 92 years. Vittoria Salizzoni was born in Martignano (Trent) on 27 November 1924. She was the third of 8 children born to Mary and David Salizzoni. She lived in France for 12 years where she had emigrated with her family. In 1941, she returned to Trento and on 7 January 1945, during World War II, she met Chiara Lubich, and remained close to her for many years.
Aletta Salizzoni (right) with some of the first companions of Chiara Lubich
Along with other members of the Focolare, Aletta spread the “ideal of unity” throughout the Middle East, where today there are many communities who live the spirituality of unity through friendship and dialogue with those of other religions. Her long life was spent unsparingly for others. Maria Voce, in her message, invited everyone to continue to put into practice the commandment of Jesus – mutual love – so that there can always be his spiritual presence in the midst of everyone, which brings about peace, something that Aletta so typically highlighted with her mere presence. His funeral will be held 24 November, at 3.00 pm local time, at the International Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome). https://vimeo.com/192919547
A country in which Christians are less than 1% of the population, Algeria was the first Muslim country to welcome the spirituality of unity in the mid-1960s. They were difficult years of transition and development in this strategic region. Here, the monks of Tibhirine are universally honoured as an example that transcends religious differences and points to the fraternal relationship that unites all the members of the human race. “Chiara Lubich had invited us not to stop in the face of the present difficulties,” Rosi Berolasi recalls. She spent 13 years in the focolare in Algiers. “Looking at it through her eyes, the experience we lived was charged with hope. She already saw the life that would later develop.” Rosi goes on to say: “Also the then bishop of Algiers, Cardinal Duval, had always encouraged us and today we are glad to say that there are Muslim men and women who have their own experience as members of the Focolare Movement.” In Tlemcen the 50th anniversary of the Focolare Movement’s arrival was celebrated last year at the beginning of November. Algeria opened the door to many other countries of North Africa and the Middle East. Archbishop Emeritus of Algiers, Archbishop Tessier, and Bishop of Orano, Bishop Vesco also attended the celebrations, along with Focolare co-president, Jesús Morán and people representing Focolare communities in several regions of the Middle East, inlcuding Syria. French focolarino, Pierre Le Vaslot, who now lives in Italy, remembered their arrival as if it was yesterday. He spoke at the current Mariapolis Centre which is named after Ulisse Caglioni (March 5, 1943 – September 1, 2003). Ulisse was one of those focolarini that spent their lives giving selfless witness to universal brotherhood ever since they arrived on October 5, 1966 in a Citroën that they had driven all the way from Paris. Upon their arrival the three focolarini – Pierre, Ulisse and Salvatore Strippoli – found themselves standing in front of the abandoned Benedictine Monastery that needed to be rebuilt. It had been constructed in the 1950s by German Abbot, Dom Walzer, who had been driven out of German for refusing to welcome Hitler at the Abbey of Beuron. The monastery is built against a mountain, at 900 metres and a few steps away from the tomb of Sufi mystic, Sidi Boumedienne, who left a strong spiritual imprint on the local region and beyond. The location is a perfect setting for gathering, hospitality and dialogue. It’s peaceful and serene. An experience of presence and sharing life began at the Dar es Salam centre in Tlemcen with people from the city. “It was a joy for us in Orano, to see the monastery brought back to life,” says the then young priest Theirry Becker. “But who are these focolarini? Nobody has ever heard of them. They’re neither priests nor monks, yet they live in community. They came to live unity and to make unity come alive in the people around them. I listened to them talk about their ideal, about Chiara Lubich, from whom I began to learn more about the spirituality. They immediately got to work, and Ulisse soon transformed the whole house.” Those were years of constant experiences, such as the contact with Imam Barkat. The focolarini had helped him save his little son, taking him to hospital in the middle of the night and insisting with the doctors. It would be this very Imam and father of the little one, to go to the focolare to give courses on the prophetic Hadiths and offer correct explanations of their spiritual writings. There were also very moving words from the first young people who were regulars at the focolare in Tlemcen in the 1960s – Mourad, Bouziane and Farouk. Now they are happily married with children of their own, and the new generations are carrying forward the ideal which they were the first to believe in. Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
I thought I knew everything “As a priest, I thought I knew how to judge everything. One day I was invited to celebrate Mass at a retreat of some committed young people. During the rites they explicitly made a pact to be ready to give their lives for each other. I was shocked! Would I have been able to do such a thing? All that I knew it seemed, although not useless, was insufficient to be a true Christian. How many things were neglected in the name of studies? How many omissions were justified with some effort I thought was important! Those young people have changed my life.” (RP – France) Before the offering “After moving into the new village, the friendship that was born with a family in the neighbourhood greatly helped us to insert ourselves into the new environment, even helping the children get to school. There was mutual esteem.The children of that family called us uncle and auntie and so did our children also address them that way. Unfortunately, in time the relationship became a bit strained and the children of these neighbours began to greet us with a formal “Good morning”. It could not go on like this also because we belonged to the same parish. One Sunday at Mass, the Gospel passage reminded us that before making an offering at the altar, it would be well to reconcile oneself with the brother. My wife and I looked at each other and we decided to act accordingly. After Mass, we approached those neighbours and asked their forgiveness if we had offended them in some way. After a moment of awkwardness, we hugged each other.” (AT – Hungary) She was another person “In the hospital where I work as a gynecologist, a woman known as a prostitute was admitted. Other patients and even some nurses tried to avoid her. Noticing her isolation, I gave her particular attention and this encouraged others to also talk to her and give her some help. The same sad story of her life attracted attention and benevolence. In just a few days, she already seemed another person. When she was discharged from the hospital, she thanked me saying, “True healing is not physical. Life starts again in another way.” (MS – Poland)
“I learned to be open and not to sweep the dust under the rug,”remarked one seminarians who had attended the workshop on group dynamics based on the Focolare’s spirituality of unity. “I realized that I have to think positive in all that I do,” said another one with great enthusiasm. The spirit of these young men is striking. It is also surprising that in India – a land with thousands of rites and divinities, a land of Hinduism and Buddhism – there should a Catholic seminary with so many young men. The Focolare’s relationship with the Pontifical Seminary of India goes back to 1980. Since then, focolarini on various occasions have been invited to present their spirituality to the seminarians. Many of those seminarians who moved on to become priests and bishops continued to promote the communitarian dimension of the Christian message, which is not always easy to do in their pastoral ministry. In 2016 they asked the Movement for a three-day workshop on group dynamics. It was the first time that the focolarini in Mumbai were faced with such a project, but they accepted the challenge. With a team of 12 men, women, experts from the fields of psychology and relationship, they got to work at putting together a programme for seminarians. It was a demanding task, because of the diversity of cultures among the seminarians who came from all over India, and also because of their different courses of study: from high school to philosophy and theology. The goal of the workshop was to provide the seminarians the tools they could use to help create a community. They had been asked to draw on those elements of Focolare spirituality that have to do with interpersonal relationships: “making ourselves one” with the other; deep listening; the pact of mutual love; sharing experiences of living the Word; giving priority to relationships. These tools were presented from the point of view of psychology and interpersonal relationships through a mixture of brief reports, roll play, testimonies of lay people and clergy and applying the tools to their own lives. Right from the start the workshop was enthusiastically received and supported by the lively participation, which helped to make the passage from “me to us” that the young men were trying to make. Such a process will be very useful to them when they return to work in groups, and when they will be called upon to start up and conduct groups of other people. It will enable them to put into practice that culture of encounter that is so underscored by Pope Francis. Father George called the workshop “an authentic experience of God among the people.” The intuition to translate the spirituality into life, and the ideas into daily life, turned out to be a winning idea. This is confirmed by the abundant feedback that was written by the participants: “I can everything, but under one condition: that I’m always attentive to the others.” “The encouragement to put the Gospel into practice and not only study it, provoked a radical change in my life.” “This workshop has turned out to be a springboard for my vocation and my way of interacting. The other people’s stories were a great lesson for me.” “It was an extremely fruitful experience of training in being communion. New paths have opened before us. It’s a grace to be able to offer the spirituality of unity in the current social context.”
«In a world where globalisation dictates its laws, one of the most important paradoxes we are encountering is that the voice of the southern end of the world is being ignored. Though rich in natural resources like diamonds, gold, oil and other precious minerals, Africa faces: growing poverty and underdevelopment, the worst life expectancy, and a high level of illiteracy, despite the millions of dollars in western aid deposited along the years in various projects. Why? The dramatic response is not only the war we have to suffer, or diseases, but especially corruption which in Africa has become a normal and accepted fact, tearing the continent apart. It is a continent in which the poor have to be corrupt in order to survive, get treated in hospitals, enter one of the “best” professional schools, obtain jobs and get out of jail. Not even the laws are able to eradicate this evil. In most African countries, the law is of western origin, with some nuances taken from local cultures. Protection of the individual alone, for as much as is universally accepted, goes against the principle of the community, most dear to African traditions and that underline the importance of solidarity. The individual is such only if he belongs to a community and acts in function of the community. It is the principle of the “Ubuntu”: I exist because we exist. In the African culture, the Ubuntu is an invitation to support and help each other; it is the awareness of one’s own duties. This how Nelson Mandela put it: Ubuntu means to ask oneself, “Do I want to help the community around me to improve?” It is a rule of life based on respect for others, and a belief in a bond of sharing which unites all of humanity. It is a desire for peace. And yet, precisely in Africa, peace is lacking in many places and the remote cause of the conflicts is absurdly one’s own immense wealth. There are battles to control the minerals and the victims of these conflicts are the weakest people. In the effort to integrate one’s own values with those inherited from colonisation and in the face of the challenges of a world in which economic development gives the right to speak up, Africa is increasingly losing its own values, without acquiring the truly important ones. In my country, Cameroon, which is full of corruption, a small town arose.Chiara Lubich created it by carrying out social work in favour of the Bangwa people who were at risk of extinction but found salvation instead. But with this work, Chiara above all introduced a new lifestyle, drawing inspiration from the principle of fraternity: giving rise to a coexistence inspired by reciprocity in true justice, which squashes every quarrel, prevents conflicts, and finds solutions to problems also in the families; nobody steals, kills, and the “paths of peace” are pursued. Fraternity can thus become also a lawful principle for coexistence, change relationships in the name of acceptance and inclusion, and translate into solidarity, responsibility and mutual assistance. Peace is expressed today as development, security, universality of human rights, and respect for life: peace is a right, but awaits that lawfulness to be used as its tool. And for this, Declarations and Treaties will not suffice if expressed only in the singular sense, affirming the individual and giving room to interests and conflicts. The “universal” does not mean “absolute,” but “collective”; it is what unites otherwise there will be no relationships between individuals and cultures, or concepts that clash with each other . And if universality enclosed in human dignity allows relationships with each other, fraternity which is the new paradigm, may be the new inspiring principle until it “becomes” also part of the legal system that paves the way for peace. What is born in the heart and translated into coherent attitudes in daily life, will be able to transform relational conflicts into sharing, and ultimately into reciprocity, where what is due is given as a gift to others». Raphaël Takougang
“Twenty years ago, in this prestigious hall,Chiara Lubich described the relationship between the culture of unity and peace, by presenting the experience of the Focolare Movement in the world. She said this experience enables mutual recognition of each person’s dignity, fosters a communitarian lifestyle and demolishes the artificial barriers that cause distrust, hostility and enmity. Above all she presented the fundamental idea of a new world order based on an understanding of peace which sees humankind as one family, with God the Father as the source of infinite love for all and for each person. And even though wars were not entirely absent from the world at that time, Chiara Lubich stressed many initiatives and experiences that pointed the way to unity among persons, communities and peoples. […] The world was different twenty years ago. It was troubled by numerous conflicts that were for the most part localized and between recognisable warring parties. The following years revealed the harsh and painful reality of new wars. […] conflicts between religious groups – and others. […] The tools of war have changed too. It is clear that today’s wars often occur on the new battlefields of financial and economic markets, to ensure supplies of raw materials and energy resources, and to open up new markets. […] The rise and development of new conflicts means that cultures of peace themselves need to find new and up to date responses. Think for example of the culture of non-violence. It is a truly revolutionary force that seeks to build peace where there are the bloodiest wars. Its power lies in transforming injustice into opportunities to establish projects for peace and forgiveness. It is the response of those who, while being offended and persecuted, refuse to take up arms because they do not believe that warfare is a reasonable way to resolve conflicts. […] The spirituality of Chiara Lubich, centred on unity, can make a contribution to present-day cultures of peace. The Focolare Movement is involved in these fields, together with other organizations. It is present in about 180 countries around the world, and in many of them is like a presidium working for unity and peace. Allow me to mention that we have a Focolare community in Aleppo in Syria, which offers space for sharing and mutual solidarity to a people afflicted by war. […] No one can save themselves; no-one can hope to be happy on their own. […] So the centre of our experience is not a collective entity, nor an impersonal “we”, but a person, the person of Jesus.
It is Jesus, therefore, who brings his peace. Moreover, Jesus shows us the profound extent of what we should do to heal every wound, solve all problems, and settle every conflict. We should love as he loved us, to the point of dying on the Cross out of love for humankind. […] The only solution is to engage in dialogue processes involving different cultures, different faiths, different world views, aimed at mutual recognition, international cooperation, the promotion of solidarity and the common good. These are the characteristics of a community based on a lifestyle that seeks unity. […]The Focolare Movement is at the service of such a vision, which is crucial to bringing peace to an increasingly interdependent world. Chiara Lubich’s prophetic message, for which she was awarded this prize by UNESCO twenty years ago, is ever more relevant today. Read the whole speech.
“Today’s young people aspire to become global citizens and we aspire to a united world,” concluded Arooj Javed, a young student in International Relations, a statement which sums up the objectives of New Humanity.
This celebration of the 20th anniversary of the awarding of the Peace Education Prize to Chiara Lubich was not a nostalgic revisiting of the event. The recent US elections, the tragedy of refugees, climatic change, rising inequality, the greed-dominated markets – all these dramatic happenings, evoked by the various speakers, fully justified the title chosen for the symposium: “Reinventing Peace”. It was to discover – beginning with the Focolare communitarian spirituality – “new solutions” to the “agonizing face of new situations of war”, as expressed by Jesús Morán, the co-President of the Movement. Several catchphrases shed light on these reflections: intercultural laboratories, universal brotherhood, interreligious solidarity, the efforts of co-habitation and, above all, education in dialogue and peace.
“We need to dialogue as if in an orchestra, where each instrument is played in harmony with the others, thus creating a symphony,” Msgr Francesco Follo, permanent observer of the Holy See to UNESCO, said poetically. And Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Prime Minister of Italy, commented: “In order to dialogue we must be aware that we are all minority groups on this earth. (…) If we make our own the fresh outlook and openness of young people, we can better understand that education for dialogue needs to be our fundamental mission.” One of the proposals outlined in the final declaration was a very practical one: “To offer Member States training courses for teachers in the art of global living”.
Pope Francis – who sent a message – recently spoke of a “piecemeal World War III”. This war “calls forth a response which is also ‘piecemeal’, made up of small steps and concrete actions. Each person has a role to play, something they’re responsible for (…). Peace is not a promise; it is a commitment and a choice. (…)The invitation to all of us here and to those following this event all over the world, is to be armed with peace …”, declared Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement in her message, which was read by Catherine Belzung, since she was absent for health reasons. During the symposium, several videos illustrated these small actions for peace which instill hope. Video presentations highlighted that “peace is not only a theory, or a dream, but a model”: Christian and Muslim women of the Koz Kazak Association in Cairo (Egypt) who have built a beautiful “sisterly” relationship with one another; the 40 Economy of Communion businesses in Africa; the presence From a Focolare community in Aleppo (Syria) which provides a space for sharing for this martyred population; the Santa Maria school in Recife (Brazil) where it’s been possible to build strong relationships embracing the school community and families. These are all small stones in the mosaic dedicated to the promotion of a peace culture, which is the objective of UNESCO.
“Every day we are presented with images of a world torn by conflicts of all kinds; we see walls being built, migrants and refugees fleeing from poverty and war; and contrasting forms of political self-interest fail to consider the human consequences of their actions.” This was Focolare PresidentMaria Voce’s description of the world scene today, in a talk read on her behalf by Catherine Belzung. This world scene, she recalled, has often been described by Pope Francis as a “piecemeal third world war”. Its violence is unconventional, ubiquitous and pervasive; it is hard to defeat with the tools used up to now. … These conflicts can only be ended through collective commitment, not only on the part of the international community but by the community of all people in the world. No one can consider themselves excluded from this process. It must go through our streets, into our workplaces, our educational establishments, into sports centres and places of entertainment, communication and worship. The response to the “piecemeal world war” is to build world peace “one piece at a time”, through small steps, and concrete gestures. Everyone has a role to play. Everyone is responsible.” Maria Voce emphasised the commitment of international organisations, civil society, associations and movements. She mentioned her own movement which draws on the experience of 70 years of work for unity and peace initiated by Chiara Lubich and taken ahead in the most varied parts of the world in a 360ͦ dialogue, with in the Christian world, with other religions and with people of non-religious beliefs. It is a dialogue “founded on receptivity to people, on a deep understanding of their choices and ideas, appreciating all that is beautiful and positive, all that we might hold in common and that can create bonds. Fraternity can give rise to projects and actions in the complex political, economic, cultural and social fabric of our world. Fraternity Maria Voce affirmed, quoting Chiara Lubich “can give rise to projects and actions in the complex political, economic, cultural and social fabric of our world. Fraternity brings peoples out of their isolation and can offer the opportunity for development to those still excluded from it. It shows us how to resolve differences peacefully and relegates war to history books. Fraternity in action allows us to dream and even to hope for some kind of communion of goods between rich countries and poor countries, given that the scandalous economic inequality in today’s world is one of the main causes of terrorism. The deep need for peace expressed by humanity today shows that living as brothers and sisters is not only a value, not only a method, but is a global paradigm for political development».[1]“On these foundations, Maria Voce continued, it is possible to rethink peace, indeed to reinvent it.” She gave some examples, first of all a profound commitment to dialogue; engaging in projects that are not conditioned by short term or partial interests; breaking down the walls of indifference and acting responsibly to reduce inequality; promoting a culture of legality and caring for creation. Reinventing peace means loving our enemies. … Reinventing peace means forgiveness. Forgiveness is not the opposite of international justice but makes it possible for relationships to start again on a different footing. … This is why work is needed in terms of education and culture. We need to invest in knowledge and learning, as this Institution does … Lastly, reinventing peace means loving other countries as our own, loving other peoples, ethnicities and cultures as our own. Read the full text[1] Message to Prof. Benjamin Barber for the Interdependence Day, Rome, 10th November 2003.
Live streaming can be followed from 10.00 to 13.00hrs and from 15.00 to 18.00hrs. The event “Reinventing Peace” will be held at theUNESCO headquarters just two days after the first anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks that happened in Paris. On the twentieth anniversary of the Prize for Peace Education awarded to Chiara Lubich, the Focolare Movement, in collaboration with the Directorate-General of UNESCO and the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See, will give voice to the commitment towards building peace and universal brotherhood lived with determination and creativity in many places all over the world. AsMaria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, said at the United Nations in April 2015, this daily commitment, which involves people of different cultures and religions, “is not limited to tollerance or to just accepting diversity”, but “it goes even beyond reconciliation, and creates, so to say, a new identity, which is broader and more shared. It is dialogue in action, which involves people of different beliefs, even non-religious ones, and urges towards answering to practical needs”. While referring to the actual commitment exercised even in situations affected by serious crises, Maria Voce stated that “it is not the time for half measures. If extreme violence is present, (…) the answer to it should be as radical, but structurally different, which means that one should answer with the extremism of dialogue. This dialogue requires maximum involvement; it is risky, demanding, challenging and aims at eradicating the roots of misunderstanding, fear and resentment”. The programmewill be introduced byMarco Desalvo, President of New Humanity (the Focolare Movement NGO at the United Nations) and by a UNESCO Representative. Then, there will a word of welcome by Mons. Francesco Follo, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, followed by a talk from Jesús Morán, the Co-president of the Focolare Movement. This session will be concluded by Maria Voce, who will address the audience about “Reinventing peace”. The second part of the morning session will be interdisciplinary and intergenerational, and it will be enriched by multimedia contents. Concrete evidence in favour of unity and peace will be shared during the five brief panel talks on: Peace is Education; Peace is an Asset; Peace is Right; Peace is Green; Peace is Art. “Dialogue as a remedy for divisions in the world”, the theme for the afternoon session, will focus on key ideas for a new humanism that leads to the unity of the human family. The opening address of this session will be given by Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute, Discussions on two main topics will follow Rita Moussallem, co-director of the Focolare International Centre for Interreligious Dialogue will be the moderator on the panel for the first topic: “Religions: a problem or a resource for peace?”. The speakers will be Adnane Ben Abdelmajid Mokrani, Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Italy; Fabio Petito, International Relations at Sussex University, United Kingdom and Léonce Bekemans, economist and specialist of European Studies at “Chaire Jean Monnet”, Italy. The second topic: “Politics and economy in international disorder” will be moderated by Pál Tóth, Sophia University Institute, Italy. Pasquale Ferrara, Ambassador of Italy to Algeria; Silvia Costa, Chairperson of the European Parliament Commission on Culture and Education; and Damien Kattar, former Lebanese Minister of Finance will be the members on the second panel. Source: Press releases (SIF) Brochure: page1 – page 2Invitation: Unesco Event Read Chiara Lubich’s speech in 1996
The Gen Movement has been around for fifty years, and still possesses the same freshness and the same ideal as when it first began. The Gen are the new generation of the Focolare. They will be gathering for their congress at Castel Gandolfo on November 17-20, 2016. A thousand young people will attend from all parts of the world. It’s not just any congress this time, but the big celebration of their 50th anniversary. In 1966, Chiara Lubichhad appealed to the Focolare’s young people, that they engage the greatest number of their peers in living Jesus’s prayer “that all may be one.” Today, the Gen are everywhere: they belong to different religious faiths, speak many languages and dialects, and show the same enthusiasm and evangelical zeal that they had at the beginning. The first person to be raised to the glory of the altars by living Chiara Lubich’ spirituality of unity, was a Gen – young Chiara Luce Badano. She died in 1990 at the age of 18 and was beatified in 2010. She has become an example of belief in God’s love, both for young people and adults, even amidst illness and suffering. Each year, her feast day is celebrated around the world on October 29th. A few weeks ago the Gen held a celebration in Iringa,Tanzania where they presented her as a model of Christian life. They showed a video on Chiara Luce to a hundred young people, which was followed by testimonies and traditional dances. “I learned so much: for example, that I should love whoever is beside me. Here I discovered that it’s possible to be together in love, despite our differences.” “What touches me is Chiara Luce’s patience. She accepted her illness in its entirety, living every moment without complaint.” Despite all obstacles, the Gen forged ahead, for 50 years. They are truly the “Unstoppable generation”! Chiara Favotti
Fragments of history of the Gen Movement https://vimeo.com/191033570 https://vimeo.com/191033565 https://vimeo.com/191033568 https://vimeo.com/191033569 https://vimeo.com/191039964 https://vimeo.com/191033564
“A Church of the poor means two things mainly: the Church should be poor as Christ was poor, if it wants to proclaim the kingdom of God, if it wants its message to be effective. And all Christians who share in the life of the Church should be poor in spirit. Then the message of salvation would be more easily accepted by the poor; whereas, for the rich it will be difficult to enter the kingdom of Heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…. This Church of and for the poor should not make us imagine any similar socio-political version of it for the world. (…) When Jesus speaks of the poor, he means those who are being tested, who are humble, who are deprived of reassurance and beyond any real support that they can depend on – yet, they turn to God their just benefactor. The Greek translators of the Bible understood that the poverty of these poor was not merely material deprivation; in fact, they did not translate the Hebrew word anaw (poor), as ‘pauper’ or ‘destitute’ but preferred to use the word praus, which evokes meekness and resignation in the midst of hardship and trial. These poor, according to the Gospel, are also found among the privileged classes. Matthew’s Gospel tells us about Joseph of Arimathea, ‘a wealthy man and disciple of Jesus’ (27:57). He was also detached from his possessions; he was also poor and humble. (…) In his Apologeticum, Tertullian described the Christians of his day as those who did not aspire to or fight for positions in politics, even minor ones, because they were not motivated by personal ambition. On the other hand we find that many, who are economically disadvantaged, turn to messages they receive from outside the Church and support them. (…) This is why the Second Vatican Council invites us to think over our Christian living. Is it genuine? Does it bear the marks of poverty and humility? Poverty should result from love. Love is what will lead us to place our possessions at the disposal of the poor and needy. It is Christian love that banishes egoism and gives birth to communion. (…) Then the Church of the poor becomes the Church of communion between the rich that become poor and the poor that bring their needs, for the building of the Church together. (…) If we want that Church of the poor to return to taking on a role of witnessing in the process of evangelization, it will have to resurface at all levels of Christian life beginning from every point of the Church, from above and from below, from periphery to centre. (…) This will also have a reflection on the social and political level in new reforms that will be fundamentally Christian, if they are inspired by freedom. Some more sensitive spirits are not satisfied and still cry out that the Church must make itself poorer. (…) When someone makes a justified request, even when it is presented in a disorderly or bad manner, it is wise to wonder whether what is being asked might not be a spur to accelerate this process of renewal without which the Good News cannot be brought to all the peoples of the earth in a way that is genuinely helpful. Desiring peace, poverty, communion of goods as the outward signs of a communion of spirits – these are not allegations meant to frighten us: they are what spur us on along the path of the Gospel.” From: Pasquale Foresi, Problematica d’oggi nella Chiesa (Rome: Città Nuova Editrice, 1979).
The intense three-day event of communion was attended by about 100 participants from 14 European countries (from Portugal toRussia), among which were pioneer entrepreneurs of the Economy of Communion (EoC), young business men and women, students and economists. The organisers recounted: “The convention opened with the exhibition of French painter, Michel Pochet, on ‘God who is Mercy’ – and his works of art acted as the framework of the entire meeting. The paintings of the ‘Good Shepherd’ and the ‘Good Samaritan’ particularly inspired the entrepreneurs to inculcate in their businesses and work places, the essence of what the paintings conveyed.” Right after the event a management student, Federico (Italy), gave his impression: “I came to find out more about the EoC. I was rather standoffish at the start, but in these days I understand what it means to take care of the others, also at work. It is a question of building bridges between people. I learned a lot from all of you. It is very impressive to see that the entrepreneurs of the EoC are altruists, and that you are the ones who take care of the needs of others. I hope to become one of you soon.” These were three days of intense communion, and among the speeches were those of Luca Crivella, a Swiss economist, who gave interesting cues on the EoC, 25 years after its constitution; and Anouk Grevin, Professor of the Nantes University and Sophia University Institute, who spoke about “giving and corporate gratuity, focusing on the ability to “see” through the eyes of mercy, the gift of the work of one’s own colleagues, ‘acknowledging’ and ‘thanking’ them for the free act which no one can buy. He further said that the eyes of mercy are able to place each person in the disposition to give the best of himself, because he feels the other’s trust and is thus able to express himself without fear of making mistakes.” Herbert Lauenroth, an expert in interculture at the Ecumenical Centre of Ottmaring (Augsburg), spoke about mercy applied to economic and political lives. It was the first EoC meeting for a businessman from England, who said: “One thing which you have and can donate to those who fight for a better world, but who may not see the light, is your joy. It is something incredible! A real spiritual capital!.”». And Peter, a youth from Serbia said: «I came, thinking that it would be a waste of time. But I found people who are open, and every dialogue was important for me. I shall take away with me the great benefits of this event.»Prof. Luigino Bruni, world coordinator of the EoC project, recalled the times when Chiara Lubich in Trent with the first group of focolarine, would invite the poor to dine in their house, and would “use the best table cloth and cutlery they had”, and underlined that “our first way of treating poverty, even before giving our profits, is to bring it into our house and into our factories, and love it with ‘beautiful gestures’.”Another challenge targeted “in order to reach the 50th EoC anniversary in a proactive condition,” regards the businesses. “All can see that communion in our companies have to find new and more visible and radical expressions,” he affirmed ,”involving “governance” and above all, property rights. Up to now we have focused on the culture and motivations of the entrepreneurs, but it is ever more evident in an economy of great changes, that the businesses and entrepreneurs do not always coincide.”He also added: “Over the last years, one of the strengths of the EoC along with its resilience is that it has breathed with its entire body. There have not been single persons guiding it, but many active members. The EoC is strong when every worker in the company has the same energy.” In conclusion, Bruni said: “We have become aware that EoC in Europe is still alive after 25 years, and continues to bear fruit and develop in new settings and regions. An important fact is the presence of the first businesses in Russia, and the new business-incubator in Portugal: that Europe we all dream of, from the Atlantic to the Ural mountains. Moreover, it is a youthful and open EoC (many EoC leaders do not come from the Focolare Movement), with the great desire to work for the future.” Photos on Flickr: Photo galleryThe next event is set for 2017 in Belgium.
“The Political Movement for Unity has begun in Kinshasa!” With these words Deputy Upira Dieudonné concluded the first meeting of the Political Movement for Unity (PMU) in Kinshasa on Saturday, October 29, 2016. They write: “The current political situation in the RDC is fragile. There are strong political and social tensions. A few months ago, there were violent clashes in which some people died. The powers that be and the opposition sometimes become radicalized.” So how did we reach this day, one could ask. “It was after attending the conference in Rome last June with politicians from around the world. Deputy DieudonnéUpira, national deputy from the opposition in the DRC, and Madam Gorgine Madiko, Honorary Deputy and Member of the National Assembly Office decided to try something in their country.” When they returned from Rome, they deepened their friendship and shared their differing opinions with one another. Now, they dream of forming young people to be leaders in politics. As they said: it’s a matter of “training in the real politics, the politics that is based on values.” Their conversations have convinced them that the first step in such an undertaking in Kingshasa, would be to launch the Political Movement for Unity. “This would allow networking people who are working in the field of politics, to do good through politics,” they suggested.As they organized the event they were also wondering: “Will the people that have been invited have the courage to show up?” Their uncertainty grew as torrential rain began to pour down on Kinshasa on the day of the meeting. Because of the bad road conditions and the poor state of the public transport, most people stay home when it rains! Nevertheless, thirty people responded to their invitation. Among them were deputies and politicians, students, members of citizen movements, lawyers and journalists. The debate provided a platform for deep listening and discussion. “We heard things like: ‘We want to stay in touch with you and have more frequent discussions;’ ‘In front of the loss of values, we need to work at installing positive values in our education system, to train people that can be political leaders tomorrow;’ ‘I feel that if I don’t do something, God will ask me what I did with all that he gave to me;’ ‘We’re young and we expect to learn from our elders. Don’t forget about us’.” Their words reflected the thoughts of the organizers and made the moment of sharing into a sacred moment. During her concluding remarks, Madam Georgina Madiko insisted: “Through our actions we have to be a light in the dark world. We have to show by example. And to those who are surprised by us and ask whether we are doing politics or religion, we’ll answer that politics without values is the ruin of the Nation.” Before leaving one participant suggested: “We should forget about our titles, stay in touch with each other, even if it’s only to ask how we’re doing. I would like each one of us to go home with a list of the participants so that we can all stay in touch with one another.” The next appointment is December 3, 2016. Gustavo Clariá
Bishop Felix Machado is a strong advocate of interreligious dialogue. This is proven by the friendship he has with numerous leaders of various religions, among which is that with the great Hindu scholar, Dr. Kala Acharya. These two speak of and refer to each other as “my brother Felix” and “my sister Kala,” in confirmation of the deep relationship which has led them to consider universal brotherhood as a point in common.How do you explain your propensity for dialogue? «I was raised in a rural and cosmopolitan culture. Vasai, in fact, the current seat of my ministry is also my birthplace. After studying theology in France and the United States, from 1999 to 2008 I served at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican. There I acquired many elements on this matter and understood that the key lies in establishing real and authentic relationships with the people who differ from us. Thus, even if I am a leader and scholar or a simple farmer or fisherman, it is my duty as a Christian to see each one as a brother or sister in Christ. True dialogue may arise only from deep listening and acceptance of the other, and then, if necessary, one can offer one’s ideals as a gift. That’s why I appreciate the interreligious work undertaken by the Focolare Movement here in India. It is an action based on authenticity, trust and good will with our Hindu brothers and sisters.»After her journey in India at the start of the year, Maria Voce, President of the Focolare, recounted that you had welcomed her very warmly. «It was my pleasure to welcome her to my diocese of Vasai, and to recall with her the first contacts I had with the Movement through the two focolarine who worked in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. I had been impressed by the great love they put in the most simple jobs they performed. It aroused my interest and I desired to know more about the Focolare, and soon I had the privilege to meet Chiara Lubich. She was simple and direct and believed in unity. She offered the path of unity to humanity, through the church. She remained deeply faithful to it and worked for unity of the human family. I was happy to see how in India the Focolare is bringing ahead this legacy through dialogue among religions, cultures and generations.» In the light of the many challenges the human family has to face in various parts of the world, how vital is it to pursue the path of dialogue? «It is a process that requires time and dedication, and at times dialogue may seem useless when we encounter episodes of violence, poverty and social discrimination. But it is not so. Personally I try to draw inspiration from Pope John XXIII, who used to kneel in prayer after a long and difficult day saying: “Lord, I’ve done my best. This is Your Church, now it is you in command.” As human beings it is our duty to be similar to Christ in loving, forgiving and continuing to believe in universal brotherhood also, and above all when all seems inadequate to resolve the current problems. We must remember that we cannot impose our idea of time on God.» Interview by Annabel D’Souza
The city of Como has risen to the headlines because of the notable influx of refugees that have been forced by barbed wire walls to divert their routes across Switzerland, as they travel to the countries of northern Europe in search of fortune, or reunion with their family members that arrived before them. The distance is very short, but the many border controls are rigorously imposed. There is a growing number of men, women, children and unaccompanied minors who are camped out waiting for an opportunity to evade border inspections. Bishop Coletti asked everyone to accept the challenge of welcoming, directing his appeal especially to the Church community that it might put into practice the Acts of Mercy during the Jubilee of Mercy which is an occasion for sharing and growth. “We took it as an appeal to us,” say the members of the local Focolare community, “and we immediately got to work, offering our services to the Diocesan Caritas that is on the front lines in organizing the assistance effort. There was a huge response from our community network that also includes people who are close to us: relatives, friends and acquaintances. We collected food, blankets and other basic necessities. We took turns covering the work schedule, providing showers and meals, distributing food, cooking and cleaning. In the evenings we serve up to five hundred meals. The faces we meet are disoriented, frightened, grateful and, at times, suspiscious. It’s hard to communicate with people who speak a foreign language. But just being there, tired and sweaty, offering a plate of food with a smile, trying to understand from their gesturing whether our guests are happy with the meal – makes us feel like we’re part of one big family.” One person from the meal service writes: “I was struck by the faith, the intensity of the Coptic Christians as they prayed before and after the meal.” And then: “In the eyes of our refugee brothers who we accompany to the showers and serve at table, we see Jesus who responds to us: ‘It’s Me!” Then; “After an evening of serving, when we meet with the other volunteers to share our experiences, your heart is bursting with emotions and positive resolutions.” On the patronal feast of the city of Como it was a special afternoon in the crowded basilica, with the bishop and civil authorities, with the full participation of Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali Christian refugees, along with a representation of 500 volunteers. “The Gospel reading about the Final Judgement, in Italian, English and Tigrinya was very moving,” they reported. “Colomban Missionary Father Claudio, who belongs to our community and spent more than 30 years in those countries and knows their languages, has been working for weeks in the camps. The bishop entrusted their spiritual wellbeing to him, placing his very basilica at the complete disposal of the refugees. Jesus came to visit us today in these refugee brothers and sisters. And we want not only to accept Him, but to respond into the future in concrete ways.” Source:Movimento dei Focolari Italia
While undertaking their work regarding the migration phenomenon, and with active participation in the opinion debate in confrontation with ideological battles, a group of journalists and communication experts of various European regions (Italy, Hungary, Germany, Slovenia and Austria) are trying to open an original path towards narratives and interpretation and for journalists and also other professionals. Similar symposiums which gather media professionals have been held up to now in some troubled areas such as Budapest (Hungary), Athens (Greece), Man (Ivory Coast), and Warsaw (Poland). These meetings are promoted by NetOne (an international chain of professionals which works at the service of dialogue and peace among peoples). The aim is to establish a network of collaborators comprising of journalists and other media and communciation experts, NGO representatives, academics and social workers, to better understand the phenomenon in order to interpret it and to provide adequate narrative and communication tools. As of today, the experience has led to the growth of a mutual interest and way of listening (among journalists, between journalists and experts, and between journalist and migrants); the style used helps to understand the historical, cultural and political backgrounds underlying migrations. The professional symposiums were lately held in the migratory hot spots: Budapest (Hungary), Athens (Greece), Man (Ivory Coast), and Warsaw (Poland). The next on the agenda will be in Beirut (Lebanon) from 24 -27 November, Brussels (Belgium) from 26-28 January 2017, and in Chiaramonte Gulfi and Pozzallo (Italy) from 4-5 November 2016. The forthcoming session will be in Beirut-Ain Aar (Lebanon) from 24 – 27 November.
Five hundred years after Luther’s Reform, in the ecumenical village of Ottmaring (Augsburg), the 35th international meeting was held by 25 bishops of various churches that draw inspiration from the spirituality of the Focolare Movement. The reflections on the points of spirituality of the charism of unity, praying together, and celebration of the various liturgies, set the basis for deep encounters and dialogues that left an indelible mark in the participants. The theme of the meeting, “Jesus Forsaken foundation of a spirituality of communion“ guided the entire convention which the bishops wished to conclude together with the Carmel community located next to the Concentration camp of Dachau, for a confrontation with one of the most painful phases of humanity’s story. A new perspective opened and gave hope to all: “For me, the trip to Dachau was like visiting a shrine to Jesus Forsaken. I met God there, in His abandonment”, said Jesús Morán, Co-President of the Focolare Movement. And the Maronite BishopSimon Atallah of Lebanon added: “Next to a place of suffering and hatred, we found a place of love.” One of the peak moments of the meeting was the ecumenical liturgy in the evangelical church of St.Anne in Augsburg. Also present was Bishop Emeritus Christian Krause, one of the main signers of the “Joint Declaration on the doctrine of justification”, on 31 October 1999 in the same place. The group of bishops took this occasion to formulate a message for the opening of the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the Reform, which was held in the Swedish city of Lund. They also sent a delegation. The mayor of the city of the “Pax Augustus,” Kurt Gribl, upon welcoming the bishops underlined how «The Focolare Movement, and in particular, the group of bishops, represent confessions that do not deny the differences.» And seeing a tight bond between the city of Augsburg and the commitment of the ecumenical community of bishops, added: «You and your example demonstrate that it is possible to coexist peacefully and spiritually, and this encourages us to move onwards in collaborating as a city of peace.» To seal this deep friendship and spiritual bond, the group then gathered in the evangelical church of St. Ulrich. It is by now a tradition during these ecumenical meetings, for the participating bishops to formulate a solemn promise, to support one another in prayer and life, sharing worries and sufferings, and joys and conquests of their brothers. «The cross of one becomes the cross of the other, and the desire of one becomes the desire of the other», states the “Pact of mutual love,” which all signed. The next bishops’ meeting promoted by the Focolare Movement will take place in 2017 in Poland.
A new “laboratory” promoted by SUI in collaboration with the Focolare Movement Centres of Formation and Pastoral Action: Focolarini Presbyters & Deacons Centre, Volunteer Priests & Deacons Centre, the Gens Centre, Centre for Religious, Centre for Consecrated Persons, the Segretariat of the Parish Movement and the Secretariat of the Diocesan Movement. The Centre is intended to respond to Pope Francis’s invitation to the Church in Italy to take up his Joy of the Gospel Apostolic Exhortation to give content and direction to the work of pastoral renewal that is necessary for the evangelization that the Church is called to in order to “go out” to the existential peripheries of our time. The courses, seminars, workshops and stages that will be activated by the Centre will be directed towards priests, consecrated people, pastoral workers, lay people in ecclesial and social environments and, above, the young. They hope to contribute to this demanding and urgent task, engaging the spiritual impulses and experiences that have emerged from the charism of unity of Chiara Lubich. The mission of the Joy of the Gospel Centre (JGC) is to promote and support formation, research and study in the fields of Ecclesiology, Pastoral Theology and the Mission, Spiritual Theology and Theology of the Charisms and life of the Church today as it goes out on mission. The innauguration will begin with a from Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz and Archbishop Vincenzo Zani. It will include a presentation of the Centre by the president of IUS, Piero Coda, and a keynote address on the main points of Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation by Dr Tiziana Merletti, Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. Then there will be a roundtable with people from the world of culture, like Massimo Toschi and Damiano Tommasi. “The challenge is to manage to contribute something to that paradigm change in the culture and the relationships among ecclesial and civil communities,” said Piero Coda, “which out times ask for and which the prophecy of Pope Francis forcefully tells us that the moment has come to give a hand in fedelity and with creativity.” Press Conference presenting the Joy of the Gospel Centre of Higher Formation” (CEG): November 8, 2016; 11:30 at Toscana Oggi – Via dei Pucci 2, Florence. Moderator: Father Giovanni Momigli, CEG collaborator. Presentors include: Father Emilio Rocchi, Secretary of the Joy of Gospel Centre, Dr Sergio Rondinara (Epistomology and Cosmology Instructor at IUS)******************************************************Info: relazioni.esterne@iu-sophia.org – www.iu-sophia.org Sophia University Institute – Via San Vito 28, Loppiano – 50063 Figline e Incisa Valdarno (FI) ITA Tel. +39 055 9051500 – Fax +39 055 9051599
Finally, the staging of the musical production dedicated to the story of Alberto Michelotti, Carlo Grisolia (A&C) and their group of friends with their passions in life (sports, music, friendships), who would meet at the “Wall,” a small square at the outskirts of Genoa at the turn of the 1970s. It is the story of teenagers who committed themselves, against a backdrop of difficulties and sharing, the harbour, the place of confines, transitions, and encounters, especially among the youths, since those disembarking are mostly young people: kids who knew how to payattentionto the others, spending their time for this cause, and facilitating the encounter between the new and the diverse (which youths, unlike adults, do not fear). Friendship is the “philadelphia” which makes us discover the others deeply, perfectly, and as ontologically equal to us, and which substantiates and makes kinship, solidarity, peace, dialogue and openness a concrete reality. It is the decision to give one’s life for one’s friends that makes us really solid, open, respectful, and proactive. This is the “greatest love of all.” The show, in a first “short version,” will make its debut in November 2016 in two theatres in Rome, on the 17th at “Tor Bella Monaca,” and on 21 and 22 November at the “Vascello” theatre. In connection to this is an interesting and extensive educational and social project that will subsequently be proposed, in collaboration with M.I.U.R.Department for the Educational System and the General Management for the Student, Integration and Participation, the Secondary Institutes, thanks also to the support of the Migrantes Foundation, Italian Caritas, Alberto & Carlo Committee, Focolare Movement,Foundation of the Show Agency, the Bertolucci Parma High School and the Diocese of Genoa. A team of professionals (authors/composers, directors, scenic artists, musical directors, choreographers, light and sound technicians) are the real “coaches” of a young cast of artists coming from various Regions of Italian Secondary and University Institutes. Particularly important is the presence of a young Nigerian boy applying for political asylum, Above all these have been the first to be invited to relive and experience the values conveyed in the story of Alberto & Carlo. Source: rerum.eu
Some years ago, my husband and I took over a small mechanics company with six employees and many clients. It was a small dream come true also for the fact that we could in this way, ensure a business future for our children. Though the clients assured us that nothing would change, we came up against the harsh reality of a self-run business already in the first six months of work: discontinuity, bureaucracy and also some subtle attempts at corruption. It was important for us to do things legally and ignore these requests, but due to this attitude and the crisis of the automobile sector, in the span of a year we saw that the company’s turnover had been reduced to half. We thus found ourselves with lots of debts and without any resources, and as a consequence had to face the most difficult choice of firing most of the workers, giving them the time to find new jobs. We were also forced to sell the machinery to be able to give them their benefits. We took it all as a failure but didn’t give up. Around us the Focolare community of which we have been a part for some years, supported us with prayers and we entrusted ourselves to God to guide us in our decisions. Divine Providence did not tarry, and the occasion came up to change our business sector, which would give more warranties for continuity: my father gave us a sum with which to face the most urgent things; one of our sales agents leased a machine to us without charge; and the suppliers allowed us to make deferred payments. So we slowly recovered. The most important result of that period was that our children had grown up with the concept of giving more value to the important things of a sober lifestyle, and experienced God’s love through many small but important signs. And this strengthened our family bonds. The year 2009marked the start of the global economic crisis, and so we too felt the effects. At times we were overcome with discouragement but went ahead despite the immense difficulties that gave no certainty to the future. However, we confided in Providence which amazed us on many occasions, for example, that time when we were so worried because we hadn’t received even one order! I asked the volunteers of my group, with whom I share the Focolare spirituality to pray, and towards noon the fax machine started printing out 72 pages of orders! We really touched the power of prayer with our hands, and the concrete love of God for us. This summer, one of our clients who used to commission some occasional jobs, assigned an important job to us, that lasted a few months but which gave future prospects of huge orders and, therefore, the economic serenity we had always dreamed of. Towards the end of this job we discovered that the pieces produced would be used in the heavy artillery industry. We recalled the images of desperation of the many refugees escaping from wars in their countries. The decision to stop working for this company was a difficult one, since we could have ensured work for many months. But we had no doubts whatsoever. What made us happier is the fact that our son who had started working with us, fully agreed with our decision, and we are certain that God’s providence which we have experienced so many times over the past years, will not fail us.
The preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO declares: “Since wars begin in the minds of human beings, it is in the minds of human beings that defenses of peace must be built.” This November 15th, Chiara Lubich and the Focolare Movement’s efforts in favour of peace, will be remembered at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, France. We offer some thoughts of Igino Giordani about peace. He had first-hand experience of two world wars. “Social wounds are called wars and disagreements. They tear at the social fabric leaving wounds that are unable to be healed. Ancient souls yearned for peace: “if you want peace, prepare war,” said the Romans. But in the spirit of the Gospel, true peace is never obtained by war, but by the sprouting of a peaceful disposition and by a harmony of minds. You don’t commit evil to obtain good. “If you want peace, prepare peace.” Here again, you bring about renewal by building peace, not with weapons, but with love that revives life. When love is on the move it generates brotherhood, equality, unity. It vanquishes envy, arrogance and discord. It gathers people together into one family and one mind. Human life is sacred. Do not kill! Do not take revenge! Love your enemy! No retaliating. The portion of humanity that followed Christ understood the angelic message of the Gospel that was sung on the night of his birth: ‘Peace on Earth’. One lover of peace is all that is needed. Jesus opposed the generals and bloody heroes with peaceful ones, victorious over themselves, inspirers of peace within themselves, among citizens and foreigners…. He created a new and more difficult heroism: that of avoiding war in all of its forms, forever breaking the dialectic between pardon and remission. This peace is the fruit of love which requires us to love even our enemies, even those that bear false witness against us. It prevents fractures, or it heals them. In the regimes of love, discord is an absurdity, a negation, and those that provoke discord certainly place themselves outside the spirit of Christ: and outside they remain until harmony has been restored.” Source: Igino Giordani, Il messaggio sociale del cristianesimo, (Rome: Città Nuova, 1935 and 1966) p 360-368.
Hungary had been invaded by Soviet troops following the 1956 uprising. In response to the appeal of Pope Pius XII, Chiara Lubich wrote a letter that became the Magna Carta of a new calling in the Focolare Movement: the Volunteers of God, men and women who live the spirituality of unity and are especially committed to bringing the presence of God into society. Last October, a total of 1,840 participants from the wale of Italy, came together in Castel Gandolfo, Rome. “There’s a lot of desire to step up for our country, to overcome the fragmentation and to create a network of best practices that can provide mutual support. Now, it’s more necessary than ever before to give an intergenerational concrete response to the challenges of those that suffer in society.” This was the comment of one of the young participants that summarizes the three days of intense work. Focolare Movement president, Maria Voce, sent a message at the opening of the meeting in which she encouraged them to bear witness to the charism of unity in its more concrete expressions, keeping their gaze fixed on Jesus’s prayer “that all may be one” (Jn 17:21). The meeting continued with a series of reflections and testimonies on the central theme for the entire Movement this year: “Jesus Forsaken:God’s aperture on the world, and the world’s aperture on God.” The testimonies were very moving. The voices of Pina and Tanina trembled as they told about their daily acts of heroism welcoming the thousands of refugees that have disembarked at the small island of Lampedusa in recent years: “We feel that these African brothers and sisters are our own until the time comes when we have to let them go. When they leave and disperse to many parts of the world we’re filled with emotions and concern for what still awaits them.” Journalist Riccardo Balaarm told how the painful experience of his disabled son led to a commitment among the National Paralympic Swimmers to promote the testimony of free swimmer and silver medallist Arjola Trimi from Rio, Brazil. In the afternoons 150 groups discussed 35 topics: formation, social and political involvement; economy, health and ecology; art etc. These are all things that the Volunteers are called to deal with in their daily lives, through which they strive to fulfil their vocation as “first Christians of the twentieth century” as Chiara Lubich liked to call them: lay men and women that live the Gospel with the same fervour of the first Christians, committed to spending their lives for the building of a united world (Jn 17:21). A solemn moment was the signing of the act of initialization of the promotion of the Canonization Process for Volunteer Domenico Mangano from Viterbo, in the presence of Fr Andrea De Matteis, Vicar and Chancellor of the Diocese of Albano. https://youtu.be/EDCfdVUGa6s
It might have been the presence of Pope Francis and of the highest representatives of the World Lutheran Federation. It might have been the moving words of the Joint Declaration being read in the Cathedral of Lund. Or it might have been the large turnout by the people. The fact is that the success of the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reform went beyond every expectation. “Christ wants us to be one so that the world may believe,” Lutherans and Catholics proclaimed, convinced that “their way of relating with one another does have an effect on their witness to the Gospel.” The Declaration looks to the future and to daily life: moving beyond ourselves, our communities, our churches, to take action together “in service, in defence of human dignity and human rights, especially of the poor, working for justice and rejecting all forms of violence.” They agreed to work together “in welcoming the stranger and helping all those who have had to flee from war and persecution, to defend the rights of refugees and those seeking asylum.” They agreed to work together for the protection of Creation “that suffers from exploitation and the effects of insatiable greed.” The Declaration became global in its final appeal to Catholics and Lutherans of the whole world that “in every parish and Lutheran and Catholic community” they might be “courageous and creative,” completely forgetting conflicts of the past so that “the unity among us might guide our collaboration and deepen our solidarity.” The Lutheran Reform in Sweden was introduced for simply political reasons. King Gustav Vasa took control of the Church, and it was only in the year 2000 that the separation between Church and State took place. Over the course of the centuries Lutheranism acquired many characteristics that were then had a reflection on nations. But beyond the history of individual nations, today are witnessing the “Unity Reform” that is overwhelmingly desired by both the Catholic and Lutheran Church. This reform is also destined to become part of popular culture. It is founded on 5 commitments: 1) to begin from the perspective of our unity, not from the perspective of divisions; 2) to allow ourselves to be continually transformed by the encounter with the other; 3) to take concrete steps in seeking full visible unity; 4) to rediscover the power of the Gospel; 5) to offer a common witness to God’s mercy. Such commitments enable us to bear witness to the beauty of being Christians in diversity, because of the fact that what unites us is much more than what divides us. This has always been the guiding belief behind the long friendship between the Focolare and the Lutherans. Antje Jackelen, the first woman archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Sweden was interviewed by us regarding the contribution of the movements. She said that “they are ecumenical in their very design, so that with them any prejudices have already been beaten.” She also said that this week’s event “is also the result of 50 years of dialoguing and working together.” That afternoon at Malmö Arena in front of a crowd of 10.000 people, Pranita from India, Hector Fabio from Colombia, Marguerite from Burundi, Rose from South Sudan and Antoine from Syria shared their testimonies. They were able to demonstrate more than a thousand speeches the collaboration among the Churches through common efforts for the protection of Creation, social justice, children, the poor, farm workers and the victim of war. The Pope concluded: “These stories inspire us and give new motivation to our desire to be always more united. When we return home let’s take with us the commitment to do one act of peace and reconciliation each day, in order to be courageous and faithful witnesses of Christian hope.” JOINT STATEMENTon the occasion of the Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation ( From Vatican radio)
Greatly committed to assisting the civil population martyred by war that has dragged on for five years now, last 31 October, Caritas Internationalis called for a world day of prayer for Syria. Simultaneously, Pope Francis and other religious leaders prayed together for peace in the Middle East and particularly for the Syrian people, when they gathered in Sweden for the opening of the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the Reform. «While the people are suffering, incredible sums of money are spent to supply the combatants, and some of these countries that furnish the arms are also those that advocate peace. How can we believe in those who caress with their right hand and strike you with the left??» This was Pope Francis’s admonishment in his impelling video message in support of the campaign promoted by Caritas Internationalis. After encouraging all to live the Year of Mercy with determination, the Holy Father forcefully underlined that “peace in Syria is possible,” and invited the church groups, parishes, and communities to promote all possible awareness campaigns «to spread a message of peace, unity and hope». And added: «After prayer, let works of peace ensue».Many communities responded to the Pope’s appeal, especially the Christian community of Damascus, which gathered in prayer last Sunday, 30 October, believing in the force of prayer in asking for the gift of peace. Some members of the Focolare community who took part wrote: «We were there in the midst of a fully packed Church: the faithful of all the churches, Catholics, Orthodox and Evangelicals, the Apostolic Nuncio and some bishops. In those moments, more than ever, we felt the force of prayer, that unity is tangible, and there is strong hope that peace will soon be established. At the end of the prayer, the scouts coming from all over Syria presented some documentaries on peace in the square, and with songs, made us experience a moment of joy, with fireworks and launching of balloons.»“Syria: peace is possible,” was thus Pope Francis’s invitation to all the faithful and people of good will; and an invitation to address «those who are involved in peace negotiations so that they take these agreements seriously and commit themselves to facilitating the humanitarian aid.» And he concluded: «Let’s join forces at all levels, to make peace in our beloved Syria possible.» Consult the Caritas Syria site (http://syria.caritas.org/)where all the materials to sign up and diffuse the peace campaign for Syria are available. #peacepossible4syria
Subsequent to the congress held on 27-29 January 2017, a second edition will be held at the International Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome) on 6-8 April 2017 from Thursday morning to Saturday lunch. Arrival can be on 4th April, or the evening 5th April (for those who have requested, there is the possibility to participate in the audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday 5th April).The theme of the Congress: “Jesus Forsaken: Window of God; Window for humanity”.
Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Two congresses for adherents of the Focolare Movement, January 27-29, 2017 (Friday morning to Sunday after lunch). Arrival: evening of January 26, 2017. April 6-8, 2017 (Thursday morning to Saturday after lunch). Arrival: April 4 or 5 evening (including attending the Pope’s audience on April 5, for those who have asked). The theme of both congresses will be: “Jesus Forsaken, God’s window on the world and the world’s window on God.”
On October 22, 1991 the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church unanimously chose him to be the Archbishop of Constantinople- New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. The newly elected Patriarch had known Chiara Lubich in the years when he was a deacon studying in Rome and in the many visits Chiara made to Istanbul on visit to Patriarch Athenagoras and Patriarch Demetrius. He was present at several of those meetings and inherited from Athenagoras his zeal for unity of the Church, which Chiara ardently longed for. Their spiritual friendship and communion grew over the years. The Patriarch visited Chiara at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and blessed her a few days before her death. In 2015 he visited Loppiano where he recieved the first “Culture of Unity” honorary doctorate from Sophia University Institute. A month later he was in Halki, Istanbul, welcoming the 34th ecumenical meeting of Bishop Friends of the Focolare. Therefore, this anniversary is also an occasion of celebration for the entire Focolare family. It is difficult to summarize these “blest 15 years” of patient, dauntless, meek and generous toil,” as Maria Voce referred to them in her message. She expressed sentiments of “gratitude to God for the gifts that He had bestowed on this Patriarch who has been an illuminated guide for His Church,” but also for “engaging many others in thought and in concrete action (…) in favour of life, the Creation, dialogue, peace and universal brotherhood.” There was great celebrating at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in Istanbul which culminated in the Divine Liturgy. In modern Greek “efcharistó” is the word used to say “thank you.” And it seems nothing better could have expressed the thanksgiving to God for the gift that He has given to the Church and to the world in this man. In the presence of numerous metropolitans from several countries who are linked to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Apostolic Vicar Rubén Tierrablanca of Istanbul, and Mufti Dede Bektaşi from Albania – the Patriarch spoke about these years, in words full of humility and gratitude. Msgr Nicholas Wyrwoll presented a summary of the past quarter of a century under the guidance of the Patriarch: “Many things changed. Bartholomew is now overwhelmingly recognized as the Ecumenical Patriarch, a title that could not be mentioned even within the liturgy. The change in the Holy Synod was noteworthy, which is the most important governing body of the Byzantine Church. Previously the members came from all of Turkey, now they come from the entire world and alternate every six months. He was able to involve the small remaining Greek community in Turkey and the Turkish authorities in the restoration of many churches and monasteries, cherishing and preserving the Christian patrimony of that land. He has shown concern for the protection of Creation. He has collaborated with all the religions. He is a world leader that is listened to. In the homily the Patriarch underscored the importance of dialogue and of communion: “We are from different cultures, different histories, different experiences,” he stated “a common expression of the faith is not to be found with words, but with prayer in common.” He also extended warm greetings to the Mufti from Albania. He convened the Panorthodox Synod in Crete. With this Patriarch, the quest for unity within the Church, especially with the Roman Catholic Church, has gone ahead in leaps and bounds.
Maria Voce, you are the President of the Focolare Movement which is organising a meeting at UNESCO on 15th November called “Reinventing peace”. Can you tell us what we should do in the face of the “piecemeal third world war” which Pope Francis so often talks about? Is it a question of reinventing peace piecemeal and fostering practical projects everywhere, like lights shining in the darkness?The large number of small actions for peace, that those who are part of the Focolare Movement are engaged in, have value in themselves, as do those of many other people. However, they are also part of a holistic outlook and a shared vision: they seek to build universal fraternity and are directed towards “may they all be one”, which is the dream of a God [Cf John 17:221]. This outlook and goal encourage, support and help us to start again always, beyond the difficulties and in the midst of the sufferings that a commitment to peace entails. 20 years ago the founder of Focolare,Chiara Lubich, was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education. On 15th November, the meeting in Paris will present the many initiatives that your Movement has undertaken to move forward towards genuine peace. What is the Focolare actually doing in the Holy Land for example; especially in Jordan, Palestine and Israel – countries that are fundamental to peace in the world – to respond to the need for peace education and which can be a source of inspiration for people of good will elsewhere?The encounter between cultures and religions which theFocolare promotes is a daily experience. It is not confined to tolerance or the simple acceptance of diversity; it even goes beyond reconciliation. It creates a new identity, so to speak, one that is broader, held in common and shared. It is a concrete dialogue that brings together people of the most varied beliefs, including non religious beliefs, and which urges them to take on real needs and to respond together to challenges in the social, economic, cultural and political spheres. It occurs in places where there are grave crises, like Syria, Iraq and the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and many other places. The same applies to the Holy Land. We share the same conviction. If there is an extremism of violence, we need to respond in a structurally different way, with an extremism of dialogue. It is a commitment which requires the greatest personal and collective dedication and it is risky, demanding and challenging. Young people, children and families are involved in this; Christians, Jews and Muslims. They seek first of all to remove the roots of misunderstanding fear and resentment from their own hearts. It is an extremism which is nourished day by day through a particular art, the art of loving. On the level of dialogue between Islam and Christianity, what do you expect from the meeting at UNESCO on the 15th November? It is only a year since the attacks in Paris that took place on 13th November 2015. What message do you wish to give concerning this? We hope it will help us all and many others to be newly and more deeply aware that God’s plan for humankind is to form one single human family; a family that is both united and varied, which presupposes diversity, but where the differences are not in opposition to each other. It is a reality to be built up precisely through the path of dialogue. Dialogue between Christians and Muslims is ever more important and necessary, as we well know; but it is not the only one. Source: Vatican Insider
Chiara Lubich with Fr Pasquale Foresi. Photo credit: Loppiano archives
How can one be sure of having really chosen God, and how can this choice be implemented in daily life? «Chiara: (…) You can be sure only of what you are living in the present: at this moment I want this will of God, and I want to meet these priests who are so dear to Mary and to God. Do I want to stay here? I do, with all my heart! What if they told me right now, “Look, Chiara, you can also choose: you could die and immediately go to Heaven with Jesus and Mary, with all our members of the Heavenly Mariapolis, and with all the saints and angels. However, this would not be God’s will but your own, so what would you choose?” I would choose to stay here with them, because I choose the will of God. (…) Ever since I started to live this way, of course I started all anew in every minute. I understood that the phrase, “the righteous man sins seven times,” means an infinity of times, because he runs away from the will of God. But we need to stay put in that, and return to doing God’s will. (…) Another experience I had by living this way, is that every act, even the smallest like washing, dressing, picking up a piece of paper, fixing something, meeting a person… everything becomes solemn and marvelous, because this is a path that all can take. And in reality it must have been Mary who suggested it, because Mary is the mother of all: priests, the laity, women and men, children, the elderly, and of everyone. She is the mother of all because she is the mother of the Church, which is why she gave us a path suitable for everyone. (…) So in such a simple path, all the children, priests, men, girls, the married people, can live. A path to sanctity has been opened and which all can access… it would suffice to want it, so that they no longer live but God lives in them. This idea is something which gives me such immense joy! I have received from Mary the secret of sanctity, a popular sanctity, and a universal sanctity for the entire people of God. For this reason, what the Council wanted was that sanctity to be open to all and not be limited to the convents, or certain categories of people, and this is the path we found. This is something extraordinary. It is one thing to say: “You can become a saint in a state of perfection” so go become a friar, a nun, etc.. But another thing altogether is to be able to say to all: there is a way for you to become a saint. Listen, you may not be able to go to Church because the circumstances do not allow you,, or you are “beyond the iron curtain” where you cannot have contact with priests. You who are in prison can also become saints by living God’s will, and losing everything: liberty if you are in prison, contact with the Church if you are “behind the iron curtain”… But you can. This is the extraordinary thing. Only Mary, and only a mother who loves all and each one personally, could have invented such a thing. Only she. I wouldn’t explain it otherwise. It is extraordinary. (…) It is also because simplicity is one of the most difficult things to understand. Because it is unity, it is mysterious. So… how can we do this? We have to choose God once, and then set ourselves along this track (…)». Chiara LubichComplete textSource:Chiara Lubich Centre
How does an organization like UNESCO serve peace? First of all, you need to remember that UNESCO belongs to the United Nations. Peace is what is at the basis of the United Nations. The scope of UNESCO’s is to coordinate international cooperation as it regards instruction, science culture, communication and, in some way, ethical application. Therefore, its basic purpose is peace, especially through dialogue among cultures. Its intergovernmental scientific program, which is dedicated to social transformations (MOST), highlights how no change may take place if it is not integrated by the different cultures. In fact, UNESCO is known for its promotion of cultural pluralism. But what is the connection between seeking unity and finding a way of making the voice of New Humanity[1] heard among the promoters of peace? If the diversity of cultures needs to be protected along with biodiversity, then where is the unity that humanity aspires to? We haven’t yet overcome this stage? In this regard, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a common basis even though it is still contested; but it still remains for us to find those common universal values that are indispensable for our global social contract. The November 15 event will allow us to reflect on all this. New Humanity’s public event at UNESCO contributes to UNESCO’s work, what we have to offer: best practices joined to deep reflection. Our NGO can help to understand how unity is the source and goal of humankind’s life.In a world torn by conflict, isn’t it a bit utopian to put any credence into one small event? It’s true that the world is going badly, but we have reason to believe in peace. The event will make visible those who make it possible. The promotion of a culture of peace will never really be able to be measured, but the way is open. I personally believe in the international organizations. They might seem to be impotent, but it is no small matter that 195 countries can come together to discuss, and that countries that are belligerent towards one another can meet in the same room. In the moment that you place yourself on a cultural plane rather than a political one, there is a more free exchange. For example, when Palestine couldn’t join the United Nations, UNESCO made it possible by placing it on a cultural plane. We hope that our event will have an impact through what has been sent to the ambassadors at UNESCO. The Acts of the event could become a reference point, an interesting cultural patrimony for researchers and for all the people of the world – and for many years to come. [1]New Humanity was granted membership among the 350 NGOs in partnership with UNESCO, in 2008.
For the first time in 500 years Pope Francis, Bishop Munib Younana and General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, Rev Dr Martin Junge, will sign their names to the invitation for the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reform in a highly significant gesture. Equally significant is the title that was chosen for the event: “From Conflict to Communion – Unity in Hope”. The event will be held on October 31st with an ecumenical service at the Cathedral of Lund, followed by a public ceremony at Malmö Stadium in Sweden.The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1999) was already a milestone for Catholic-Lutheran ecumenical dialogue, an important historical document that this year will serve as the theological basis the search of unity in the one Church of Christ. There has been a long history of friendship between the Focolare Movement and Lutherans. It was precisely the encounter with them that made Chiara Lubich realize that the spirituality that God had entrusted to her was not meant only for Roman Catholics.The history: On January 14, 1961, Chiara Lubich had been invited to speak about the spirituality of unity to the Lutheran Sisterhood of Mary. Among the listeners were several Lutheran pastors, including Klaus Hess and his wife Amalie, founders of the Brotherhood of the Common Life inGermany. A few months later the Hess couple visited Rome to know more about the Focolare Movement and the Catholic Church. On May 24, 1961, Chiara founded “Centro Uno” for the unity of Christians and, in June 1968 she inaugurated the Ecumenical Centre at the permanent Mariapolis in Ottmaring, Germany. Meanwhile the Focolare spirituality was being welcomed by bishops, Catholics, Evangelicals and Lutherans in East and West Germany. The spirituality of unity was also spreading in Sweden, and more than half the people at the Mariapolis were Lutherans. In 1982 bishops from different Churches began to attend the Movement’s annual gatherings for Catholic Bishops Friends of the Focolare. In 2015 there were 6 Lutheran bishops from three countries at the Focolare meeting for bishops in Constantinople. In 1988, Chiara was awarded the Augsburg Peace Prize. In 1999, she was an invited guest at the historic signing of the Joint Declaration on Justification in Augsburg. She was invited to compose a prayer that she recited at that solemn celebration. In 2003, the then Lutheran bishop of Munich, Johannes Friedrich, visited the Internationals Centre of the Focolare Movement with a delegation. Chiara spoke to them about Jesus Forsaken: “He presented himself (…) as the model to be imitated in every trial and especially in the pains of disunity; (…) [Jesus] Forsaken is also [the] light for recomposing full visible unity”[1]. In 2009, Focolare president Maria Voce was invited to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Joint Declaration. Since she will not be able to attend the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reform, she will be represented by Friederike Koller and Ángel Bartol who are the Central Delegates of the Work of Mary.
It was the first time that this international meeting was held in three installments for: the Americas and Oceania; Asia, Africa and the Middle East; and Europe. The gatherings were held one after the other and were attended by the delegates of the zone, people who are following than one nation or territory and some councilors. Some 90 people attended each gathering, men and women representing numerous communities that are working at promoting the spirit of unity around the world. They were welcomed by Focolare president Maria Voce who expressed gratitude to God for this harvest event and the life that has been generated by the charism of Chiara Lubich. She also introduced the spiritual theme for the year ahead: the mystery of Jesus Forsaken as the Key to Unity. “Jesus came to the earth,” she recalled, “to take on all the sufferings of humanity and to ensure that with Him it would be possible to pass from Cross to Resurrection.” There was much sharing during the three days of intense work. It began with a discussion on the needs of young people in today’s world in the Americas and Oceania with its social and technological development but left with many spiritual needs. Other regions seemed to be in need of strategies for nurturing true values. “But it was not a matter of figuring things out sitting around a conference table,” Ray Asprer explained, “but of developing an awareness that the Holy Spirit will suggest what today’s society needs to get from the charism of unity.” “In Oceania,” Vania Cheng added, “we need to get closer to the Aboriginal populations and face up to the challenge of secularization. From there we can move on to bravely sowing the seeds of the Gospel that spread on their own.” “Even though there are many challenges,” said Gabriela Melo from Latin America, “our communities live communion and reciprocity. And this grows the faith that a united world is not a utopia.” The gathering among the three major regions of Africa, Asia and the Middle East was quite significant, each with its own particular problems, especially the Middle East where they are going through a drama that seems to have no answers. Precisely in the region where Jesus lived and died, it is necessary to not only support the people, but also defend the “culture of the Resurrection.” “Regarding Africa,” Joseph Assouad remarked, “the great value of inculturation was highlighted. These peoples have long been on the journey towards Truth, and we must not go there thinking that we are starting from zero!” Roberto Catalano spoke about the Asian continent, saying that it had much to offer the world regarding social and political life. He also underscored the importance of interreligious dialogue in the Asian region and the contribution offered by the Focolare School of the Great Religions in Philippines. Finally, there was Europe, from Siberia to Portugal. The world is waiting for unity from this continent, human and spiritual values, an ability to dialogue especially with Islam which is coming more and more into view in so many regions. Severin Schmit stated: “Above all, the world is waiting for Europe to find a dignified solution for the refugees.” The challenges are many: secularization, Relativism and the new generations. They deserve answers and proposals that are the result of communion amongst the geographic regions of the continent. “These problems,” Margherita Karram said, “have stimulated growth, motivation and greater creativity, building a network among many people in Italy, for example, where they have taken action in welcoming.” Many new insights and answers emerged from the meetings and much motivation. Everyone left certain of the need to trust and be open to others as Pope Francis suggests, because this will open new and unimagined paths. Focolare co-president, Jesús Morán, recalled: “Jesus told Mary Magdalene to go and inform her brothers and sisters that He would go before them to Galilee. What is Galilee? Galilee is the world outside the Holy City, outside the walls of Jerusalem, outside the walls where Jesus died. It’s the world. Jesus goes before us there, he speaks to us there – in the world.”
In jail “I had some problems with this guy and both of us ended up in jail. We were enemies and there was no room for any understanding between us. But when I learned a bit more about Jesus’s teaching on love, I thought about this ‘enemy’ of mine. How could I love him? The thought came to my mind that I could share some of the food that my family brings to me, because none of his family members ever brought food to him. We’re good friends now. Another experience regards the only food container I owned. It was stolen from me and I knew who did it. I went to that person, but he refused to give it back. I didn’t know what to do. I went back to my cell and read the Gospel which is always my point of reference now. I came across the New Commandment. There’s the answer! Right away with all my heart I decided to never think about that food container again. Loving is more important.” (D. J. – Nigeria)The Coffee Maker “We all use the coffee maker at work, but no one ever cleans it and sets it up again. They’re used to having me do that. One day one of my colleagues approached me after a cup of coffee. She asked why I was always so benevolent towards others. I told her it wasn’t so much trouble and that I was the only one who could do it for them. She answered: ‘You’re telling me something important. I always complain that my husband leaves a mess after himself and I should rather begin to do what he doesn’t.’ From then on there was a higher atmosphere at work.” (R. C. – Spain)That son we didn’t know “We were always able to talk and offer moral support to our first son. But with his brother who had a strong character it had always been difficult. Having a teenage boy who didn’t want to communicate created a bad feeling in all of us. Then, he didn’t try at school and teachers were always complaining. My husband and I looked for a common way for us to reach our son. We encouraged each other in loving him as he was, always highlighting his positive qualities even though he seemed like someone we didn’t know. Meanwhile we continued to pray and to knock on Heaven’s door so that God might guide us in the difficult task of parenting. Then came an idea: change school. It worked! Ever since then our son has changed in a positive way. He’s always willing to help out in the house. He’s doing quite well in school and has gone back to church. We’re all enjoying a breath of fresh air.” (B.S. – Switzerland)
I attended for the first time, a classical music concert in the midst of a battle. It happened in Aleppo, where, surrounded by death, a voice of peace arose among many others that announced war, to comfort the hearts of the people and make them momentarily forget the cold and death. It was like a chapter of a modern tragedy that resembled Greek mythology. In a fully packed Church and with very few tools, Father Elias Janji with the Naregatsi choir and the pianist played some pieces of Verdi, Mozart, Vivaldi and Karl Orf, elevating our spirits to another horizon, despite the polar chill that has invaded Aleppo these days.. And to think that not too far away, the tragedy continues with missiles launched from Eastern Aleppo over the Western zone, killing school children and innocent people, while in the Eastern part of the city, the Syrian army continues to attack. Thousands of people (an estimated 60,000 up to today) managed to escape from East Aleppo and take refuge in the Western zone. They tell of how many have been taken as hostages and that some of those who were shot in their backs while escaping, were killed. Others escaped amid the gunfire, carrying their grandmas or other elderly relatives on their shoulders. The people were relieved since they could finally return to their own homes that were liberated in these days while the army took hold of the city’s water pumping station, even if it was mined. Water is forecasted to return to the city in a month’s time, after the technicians have completed their work. Thus a chapter of the tragedy will end, though there will surely be many more. 
“Let us accompany Aletta with joy and immense gratitude to the house of the Father. We couldn’t have a better model of one who “gave her life unsparingly” to God, as today’s daily thought suggests.” This is how 
«In a world where globalisation dictates its laws, one of the most important paradoxes we are encountering is that the voice of the southern end of the world is being ignored. Though rich in natural resources like diamonds, gold, oil and other precious minerals, Africa faces: growing poverty and underdevelopment, the worst life expectancy, and a high level of illiteracy, despite the millions of dollars in western aid deposited along the years in various projects. Why? The dramatic response is not only the war we have to suffer, or diseases, but especially corruption which in Africa has become a normal and accepted fact, tearing the continent apart. It is a continent in which the poor have to be corrupt in order to survive, get treated in hospitals, enter one of the “best” professional schools, obtain jobs and get out of jail. Not even the laws are able to eradicate this evil. In most African countries, the law is of western origin, with some nuances taken from local cultures. Protection of the individual alone, for as much as is universally accepted, goes against the principle of the community, most dear to African traditions and that underline the importance of solidarity. The individual is such only if he belongs to a community and acts in function of the community. It is the principle of the “Ubuntu”: I exist because we exist. In the African culture, the 
“A Church of the poor means two things mainly: the Church should be poor as Christ was poor, if it wants to proclaim the kingdom of God, if it wants its message to be effective. And all Christians who share in the life of the Church should be poor in spirit. Then the message of salvation would be more easily accepted by the poor; whereas, for the rich it will be difficult to enter the kingdom of Heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…. This Church of and for the poor should not make us imagine any similar socio-political version of it for the world. (…) When Jesus speaks of the poor, he means those who are being tested, who are humble, who are deprived of reassurance and beyond any real support that they can depend on – yet, they turn to God their just benefactor. The Greek translators of the Bible understood that the poverty of these poor was not merely material deprivation; in fact, they did not translate the Hebrew word anaw (poor), as ‘pauper’ or ‘destitute’ but preferred to use the word praus, which evokes meekness and resignation in the midst of hardship and trial. 
The intense three-day event of communion was attended by about 100 participants from 14 European countries (from 
These were three days of intense communion, and among the speeches were those of Luca Crivella, a Swiss economist, who gave interesting cues on the EoC, 25 years after its constitution; and Anouk Grevin, Professor of the Nantes University and Sophia University Institute, who spoke about “giving and corporate gratuity, focusing on the ability to “see” through the eyes of mercy, the gift of the work of one’s own colleagues, ‘acknowledging’ and ‘thanking’ them for the free act which no one can buy. He further said that the eyes of mercy are able to place each person in the disposition to give the best of himself, because he feels the other’s trust and is thus able to express himself without fear of making mistakes.” Herbert Lauenroth, an expert in interculture at the Ecumenical Centre of Ottmaring (Augsburg), spoke about mercy applied to economic and political lives. It was the first EoC meeting for a businessman from England, who said: “One thing which you have and can donate to those who fight for a better world, but who may not see the light, is your joy. It is something incredible! A real spiritual capital!.”». And Peter, a youth from Serbia said: «I came, thinking that it would be a waste of time. But I found people who are open, and every dialogue was important for me. I shall take away with me the great benefits of this event.» 
Bishop Felix Machado is a strong advocate of interreligious dialogue. This is proven by the friendship he has with numerous leaders of various religions, among which is that with the great Hindu scholar, Dr. Kala Acharya. These two speak of and refer to each other as “my brother Felix” and “my sister Kala,” in confirmation of the deep relationship which has led them to consider universal brotherhood as a point in common. How do you explain your propensity for dialogue? «I was raised in a rural and cosmopolitan culture. Vasai, in fact, the current seat of my ministry is also my birthplace. After studying theology in France and the United States, from 1999 to 2008 I served at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican. There I acquired many elements on this matter and understood that the key lies in establishing real and authentic relationships with the people who differ from us. Thus, even if I am a leader and scholar or a simple farmer or fisherman, it is my duty as a Christian to see each one as a brother or sister in Christ. True dialogue may arise only from deep listening and acceptance of the other, and then, if necessary, one can offer one’s ideals as a gift. That’s why I appreciate the interreligious work undertaken by the Focolare Movement here in India. It is an action based on authenticity, trust and good will with our Hindu brothers and sisters.» 
The city of Como has risen to the headlines because of the notable influx of refugees that have been forced by barbed wire walls to divert their routes across 
Some years ago, my husband and I took over a small mechanics company with six employees and many clients. It was a small dream come true also for the fact that we could in this way, ensure a business future for our children. Though the clients assured us that nothing would change, we came up against the harsh reality of a self-run business already in the first six months of work: discontinuity, bureaucracy and also some subtle attempts at corruption. It was important for us to do things legally and ignore these requests, but due to this attitude and the crisis of the automobile sector, in the span of a year we saw that the company’s turnover had been reduced to half. We thus found ourselves with lots of debts and without any resources, and as a consequence had to face the most difficult choice of firing most of the workers, giving them the time to find new jobs. We were also forced to sell the machinery to be able to give them their benefits. We took it all as a failure but didn’t give up. Around us the 
The most important result of that period was that our children had grown up with the concept of giving more value to the important things of a sober lifestyle, and experienced God’s love through many small but important signs. And this strengthened our family bonds. The year 2009 marked the start of the global economic crisis, and so we too felt the effects. At times we were overcome with discouragement but went ahead despite the immense difficulties that gave no certainty to the future. However, we confided in Providence which amazed us on many occasions, for example, that time when we were so worried because we hadn’t received even one order! I asked the 
God’s aperture on the world, and the world’s aperture on God.” The testimonies were very moving. The voices of Pina and Tanina trembled as they told about their daily acts of heroism welcoming the thousands of refugees that have disembarked at the small island of Lampedusa in recent years: “We feel that these African brothers and sisters are our own until the time comes when we have to let them go. When they leave and disperse to many parts of the world we’re filled with emotions and concern for what still awaits them.” Journalist Riccardo Balaarm told how the painful experience of his disabled son led to a commitment among the National Paralympic Swimmers to promote the testimony of free swimmer and silver medallist Arjola Trimi from Rio, Brazil. 
Greatly committed to assisting the civil population martyred by war that has dragged on for five years now, last 31 October, Caritas Internationalis called for a world day of prayer for Syria. Simultaneously, Pope Francis and other religious leaders prayed 
Many communities responded to the Pope’s appeal, especially the Christian community of Damascus, which gathered in prayer last Sunday, 30 October, believing in the force of prayer in asking for the gift of peace. Some members of the Focolare community who took part wrote: «We were there in the midst of a fully packed Church: the faithful of all the churches, Catholics, Orthodox and Evangelicals, the Apostolic Nuncio and some bishops. In those moments, more than ever, we felt the force of prayer, that unity is tangible, and there is strong hope that peace will soon be established. At the end of the prayer, the scouts coming from all over Syria presented some documentaries on peace in the square, and with songs, made us experience a moment of joy, with fireworks and launching of balloons.» 
“Syria: peace is possible,” was thus Pope Francis’s invitation to all the faithful and people of good will; and an invitation to address «those who are involved in peace negotiations so that they take these agreements seriously and commit themselves to facilitating the humanitarian aid.» And he concluded: «Let’s join forces at all levels, to make peace in our beloved Syria possible.» Consult the Caritas Syria site (
On October 22, 1991 the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church unanimously chose him to be the Archbishop of Constantinople- New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. The newly elected Patriarch had known 
Therefore, this anniversary is also an occasion of celebration for the entire Focolare family. It is difficult to summarize these “blest 15 years” of patient, dauntless, meek and generous toil,” as 
For the first time in 500 years Pope Francis, Bishop Munib Younana and General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, Rev Dr Martin Junge, will sign their names to the invitation for the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reform in a highly significant gesture. Equally significant is the title that was chosen for the event: “From Conflict to Communion – Unity in Hope”. The event will be held on October 31st with an ecumenical service at the Cathedral of Lund, followed by a public ceremony at Malmö Stadium in 
The history: On January 14, 1961, Chiara Lubich had been invited to speak about the 
There was much sharing during the three days of intense work. It began with a discussion on the needs of young people in today’s world in the Americas and Oceania with its social and technological development but left with many spiritual needs. Other regions seemed to be in need of strategies for nurturing true values. “But it was not a matter of figuring things out sitting around a conference table,” Ray Asprer explained, “but of developing an awareness that the Holy Spirit will suggest what today’s society needs to get from the charism of unity.” “In Oceania,” Vania Cheng added, “we need to get closer to the Aboriginal populations and face up to the challenge of secularization. From there we can move on to bravely sowing the seeds of the Gospel that spread on their own.” “Even though there are many challenges,” said Gabriela Melo from Latin America, “our communities live communion and reciprocity. And this grows the faith that a united world is not a utopia.” 
