“Despite all his moving around in the world, his Roman and in some sense Vatican roots, his political patrolling and social outlook, Igino Giordani never really cut the umbilical cord with his own hometown. To grasp how much he had loved his Tivoli, it’s enough to scroll through some of his writings in which he tells of the place, or to read the novel “La città murata” (The Walled City) that’s set in Tivoli. In Memorie di un cristiano ingenuo (Memoirs of a naive Christian), he paints his hometown environment with words that betray this intense relationship and, in a sense, seem to justify his own basic choices as he assigns to them their own Tiburtine character: playful and untameable, courageous and consistent, aggressive at times but motivated by love for God and wisdom. Igino Giordani was born into a family of humble origins. He more than once expressed veneration for his parents, for the dignity with which they lived their daily lives and for the Catholic faith that marked the key stages of life. In Tivoli Giordani grew personally and also intellectually. He certainly didn’t have the opportunities that some other children with fine intelligence could had. In fact, his father geared him in the direction of manual labour as a mason worker. In the meantime, still a boy, he was fascinated by religious ceremonies and the celebration of the Mass even though they were in Latin. The little Giordani began to memorize some parts and, when he was alone even at work, instead of whistling some popular tune he would recite Latin parts of the Mass. Divine Providence made use of Sor Facchini (the contractor they worked for), who realized that Igino was not cut out for the cement bucket and trowel, but for school and book. Sor Facchini decided to finance Igino’s schooling at the Seminary of Tivoli, which at that time was the best place for shaping the intellect and spiritual life of a thirteen year-old boy. He remained there until 1912 when he should have moved to the Seminary of Anagni. But Igino decided to stay in Tivoli and attend classical high school from which he graduated in 1914. It’s likely that the passion for polished and effective argument about the intellectual basis of the Catholic faith was already engraved on Giordani’s life at an early age while listening to Jesuit Father Mancini at Saint Andrew Church in Tivoli. Giordani described the priest as a “compelling and unassailable man of the faith”. He spoke of Mancini as a man if irresistible and unattackable faith. He was a combative spreader of the Gospel; for Giordani he was a true role model. In this first phase of his upbringing we can already foresee several traits that would lead Giordani to assert himself as a debater and defender of the faith. Shortly after his graduation from high school, Italy also entered the War. Igino faced Italian public life that was in the midst of a controversial debate over war and peace, as a resolute pacifist at a time when pacifist ideas were not easy to support. It is likely that thanks to the charismatic figure of Father Mancini, the solid experience of the faith in seminary and the pluralistic political ideology that was breathed in high school, Giordani – who even in those years seemed to have grown tepid from a religious point of view – had never lost the sense of love of neighbour, which led him to dismiss all forms of violence towards all human beings. A few years later he would say so himself with shining simplicity as he expressed his distaste for battle during those years of war: “When I was on watch in the trenches during the First World War thoughts of the divine commandment tortured me: ‘Fifth: Do not kill.” He had been raised in Tivoli where he had been trained in peace. And in a song written by Giordani many years later, steeped in the devastating experience of war but also of faith and hope born from the encounter with the spirituality of unity: Contempt for man and his depreciation derive from the fact that we no longer see Christ in him; and so love is substituted by hatred, which is the spirituality of the prince of death. Alberto Lo Presti See: Igino Giordani, La divina avventura (Rome: Città Nuova, 1993), p. 141.
“May glory be upon you my Lord, He who is the Adored One, the One to be adored, the Eternal One, who existed from all times, who loves us, whose Mercy and Power embrace the universe (…). You are the Adored One, Oh Lord, You are the Master who loves and forgives. Your forgiveness and Your mercy are infinite, Oh Lord, You help those who are afflicted, the Consoler in every grief, the Refuge for those whose heart is broken.” (From a prayer by Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad)
The spacious “Knowledge Sharing Centre” Hall of theJohn Paul II Catholic University of Lublin hosted a Conflicts, Dialogue and Culture of Unity Conference , June 3-4, 2016. The conference was meant to promote the transmission of knowledge through academic dialogue amongst 180 people, including scholars and professors from a variety of academic fields of the social sciences. Ninety five interactive presentations were given that included discussions, questions and answers, as well as requests for sharing research efforts. It was a gift shared amongst different specializations, but also amongst generations and geographic regions of Europe, and it was open to the challenges of the whole world. The conference that opened withJesús Morán’s presentation titled“The Culture of Unity and the great challenges of humanity today” was motivated by the 20th anniversary of the conferral of the honorary doctorate in Social Sciences to Chiara Lubich, by the Catholic University of Lublin in June 1996. The conferral speech by Professor Adam Biela explained the motivation: The charism of unity “is a concrete and practical actualization of a new vision of social, economic, political, educational structures and of religious relations. It guides, recommends, suggests, teaches and promotes unity” among people. Biela grasped in the revolutionary inspiration of Chiara Lubich that began to manifest itself in the 1940s, the elements of a new paradigm for the social sciences, which led him to coin the unprecedented term: paradigm of unity. The event, 20 years later, in Lublin was “a complex and interesting” meeting, according to Professor Italo Fiorin, president of the graduate school of Formation Science at LUMSA University in Rome, Italy. “. . . especially because of the title, which connects three words: Conflict – reflecting on the not catastrophic but problematic situation of the world that calls for a sense of responsibility. Dialogue: as the path that leads to and changes conflict into something else through positive action. Unity: as the result of a dialogue that is not expressed in reaching a single way of thinking, but of reaching a greater awareness of one’s own identity.” “For 200 to 300 years knowledge has been divided into fields,” says neuro-scientist Catherine Belzung from the University of Tours, France. “But the actual fragmentation prevents progress from being made. The time of interdisciplinary dialogue has arrived. Chiara Lubich’s thought seems to me the paradigm to keep before us when we are interested in interdisciplinary research, because it’s a Trinitarian paradigm: Each field remains distinct, but must have within it the knowledge of the other disciplines in order to be transformed and, in this way, continue the dialogue. I think that the unity and distinction model that is already being proposed in the spiritual field can be very easily transferred to the field of interdisciplinary dialogue.” Professor Marek Rembierz, pedagogue from the University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, remarked: “It turned out very interesting for me to think on an interdisciplinary plane. And it took quite a change in mentality: modifying the language of science and culture with the language of the heart. It was a source of inspiration for the participants and could also be so for the social life of individuals. Gianvittorio Caprara, full professor of psychology and social neurosciences at Sapienza University in Rome: “Chiara Lubich had some particularly good and fertile intuitions; fertile because they inspired a work, a movement; now they inspire this conference and other research. It’s ongoing reflection that becomes inspiration. One particular discovery for me was the deep significance of the concept of fraternity, precisely in a society like ours that seriously risks not having brothers and sisters anymore. I encourage the Focolare to insist even more on the systematic research of knowledge so that the action can be even more transformative and efficacious.” “With regard to fraternity,” Fiorin says, “Professor Stefano Zamagni worked on a fascinating point in his presentation on the Economy of Communion and even referred it to politics. I believe that such a reading is also applicable to education, to inspire the education and teaching connection and to lead to important educational solutions. It’s a terrain that merits exploring, to which I intend to devote my attention.” The closing session of the conference was entrusted to Professor Biela, Daniela Ropelato, vice-president of Sophia University Institute (IUS) and Renata Simon from the International Focolare Centre in Rocca di Papa, Italy. A thought from Chiara Lubich offered some powerful guidelines to give continuity to the interdisciplinary dialogue that permeated the conference: “In order to welcome [God’s] All within you, you need to be the nothingness of Jesus Forsaken. (. . .) You have to place yourself in front of everyone in a learning position, because you really do have something to learn. And only nothingness gathers all and holds it tightly to itself in unity.” It was an encouragement that was unanimously accepted: to collaborate, with competence, wisdom and an ability to dialogue even on the academic plane.
Seongnam, South Korea, more than a million inhabitants on the southeastern outskirts of Seoul, is a growing city with the presence of large companies that further the economic development of the area in a city where there is great wealth alongside abject poverty. “In Korea there is a strong immigration of women from several Asian countries: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, and more. They come here to marry or to escape from misery. Hence, the many multi-cultural families, most of them living in the poor areas of our city,” explains a Focolare group from Korea who were attending the OnCity international conference in Castelgandolfo, Italy. One of their greatest needs is integration. In the Multicultural Centre where some of the Focolare members work, they teach women immigrants to speak Korean, and have proposed establishing some kind of child care programme to entertain the children while their mothers learn the new language. “But at one point the government funding was removed and we couldn’t continue with our activity,” they say. “We told some friends who share our commitment in living ideals of unity and peace in our city. Each one of them gave what they could: time, skills – taking on the problems and situations of many people.” They were faced with truly painful situations: settling in a new country is not easy. For many, the Centre was a place where they could catch their breath, a place where they could share one another’s problems, especially financial problems. In 2012 we opened a small market where you could buy what you needed at a low cost. We called this small temporary project: The Mary of Nazareth Project. Many people helped us by donating clothing, toys, office supplies and linens.” What could be done with the small sum of around 353 Euros? “We decided to follow the Economy of Communion approach of distributing the profits: 1/3 for a family (a Cambodian family that our community had taken into its care until they could stand on their own); 1/3 to buy any additional things they might need; 1/3 for everyone in the group (to celebrate the birthdays of immigrants who didn’t have families with them). Finally, the Maria Market recived a donation from the government and the Centre decided to remodel the shop. But it was only reopened in 2014 after much expectation. The following year, they received a visit from the Mayor. In June 2015, with the spread of Mers in Korea, 2,900 schools were closed and 4,000 people were placed in isolation. Like many public locations the Centre also had to close. However, during the period of the shut-down, “we visited people in their homes and supported them in the little things. In the end, the Centre gave us a “Thank You” plaque. Now Maria Market is open again and always developing new ideas like mail delivery service for long distance customers. For the group running the project it continues to be “a concrete experience of answering the needs of our neediest sisters and brothers.”
The news summary will be made available on the Collegamento CH website a few days before the Internet transmission. On the same website one can find all the previous linkups in various languages, as full editions as well as individual news video clips. https://vimeo.com/170950751
“I met Bella, a Jewish woman, at a Focolare centre in Jerusalem. I had told her the story about my husband in an Israeli jail where he was tortured. She listened to me, although I noted a certain inner conflict. She was in front of a crossroads: whether to be an Israeli and therefore reject everything I was saying, or to feel compassionate toward me. At first she wasn’t able to accept me and went back to the room where we had met. I followed her and told her I was sorry that I had upset her. Bella explained to me that it wasn’t my fault, but that of the system. Then I asked if we could begin again, and she was touched. That’s how our friendship was born. A wall separates my city of Bethlehem from her city of Jerusalem, but there are no longer walls between the two of us. I pray that many Israeli can look at our friendship. Bella lives the spirit of the Focolare in the sense that we’re all children of God, and it’s only love and compassion that leads us to live together with one another. We human beings have built a wall around Bethlehem, but you cannot build anything alone. God gave us the freedom to build it, or to tear it down within us as well.” This is how Vera Baboun, the first Catholic woman mayor of Bethlehem responded to the question of whether it was possible to establish true friendship between Palestinians and Israeli. The occasion of the meeting was the7th Chiara Lubich, Manfredonia City For Universal Brotherhood Award” in March 2016. Bethlehem is a Palestinian city located in the West Bank. It has a population of 40,000 people, of which 28% are Christian and 72% Muslim. It is the city where Jesus was born, some 10 km south of Jerusalem. The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest churches in the world. Nevertheless, “the wall also conditions our faith, because we were accustomed to visiting the original sites of Jesus’s life from the time we were children. There is a whole generation of young Palestinians that has never prayed at the Holy Sepluchre in Jerusalem,” said Vera Baboun. “We’re the Nativity capital of the world. We celebrate and offer a message of peace to the world, while peace is precisely what is missing in Bethlehem. After the 40% rate of cancellations this year we decided with the City Council to lower taxes on the tourist industry by 80%. We did it to offer them support even though it signifies a depletion of resources for the Municipality. But who supports us? Who supports our dual identity: our universal Christian identity and our Palestinian identity? But what makes you do it? “Only God’s love. I feel it very strongly. I don’t care at all about the power, the fame. Being mayor is a burden for me that costs me much. After the death of my husband and after having worked my whole life in education, I decided to take my husband’s place because he was involved politically in working for the liberation of Palestine.” You have often declared: “Will the world ever be able to live in peace as long as the city of peace is walled up?” “As long as the city of Bethlehem is walled up, there will be a wall around peace. We’re under siege. As for the world, it would be better to work at liberating peace not only for Bethlehem, but for our own sake to free ourselves from the way of evil, from using religion as a mask to cover up evil and war.” Interview byAurelio Molé for Città Nuova (see Città Nuova, No. 5, May 2016)
The international coordinator ofEcoOnecalled it “a successful experiment that has addressed a word of hope: A human being who is open to being a gift could in fact be the answer to the epochal environmental challenges that humankind finds itself facing. The meeting was held in Budapest, Hungary from May 27 until May 29 at the Pázmány Péter Catholic University and was attended by 80 representatives of environmental NGOs, university faculty, civil servants, professionals in the field of environment, and high school and university students from different countries. High-level scientific presentations were accompanied by practical experiences and transdisciplinary reflection on fields such as economics and political ethics. There were several presentations: from a 15 year-old boy to an elderly man who is dedicated to caring for the environment in the Focolare town in Holland. Three Italian students presented their experience that straddled energy-saving and the culture of giving. Erasmus, a student in Budapest, a student from Rome and a Brazilian also presented their experiences. The young man from Brazil paid for the trip by making and selling knick-knacks, and receiving a contribution from his university that made an exception in his case. Five young researchers received the Piero Pasolini Prize for the quality of their presentations, thanks to the financial support of the Economy of Communion. “Several agencies of the Focolare Movement were involved in the preparation of the event: Action for a United World, Economy of Communion, New Humanity Movement, New Humanity, Young for Unity, Movement Politics & Policy for Unity., Sophia University Institute and an excellent logistical team from the Hungarian EcoOne Group,” Fiorani affirmed.Zsusa Román, the coordinator of EcoOne in Hungary opened the event with a question: “What kind of person does it take to care for the environment?” Fiorani went on to present the features and objectives of EcoOne as: “a cultural initiative at an international level, promoted by experts, researchers and professionals that work in the environmental science sector. We share a common desire to enrich our scientific knowledge with a humanistic approach to ecological and naturalistic problems. With our partners who join us in pursuing a global sharing of the world’s goods and a close interdependence among countries, EcoOne attempts to make such principles flow into society, politics and economy inasmuch as they are also related to the topic of the environment.” Auxiliary Bishop of Esztergom, Hungary, János Székely cited the importance of “sobriety and of the gift” in line with Pope Francis’s Laudato si.A lively debate followed the presentation by Professor Miguel Panão, which focused on a new anthropological notion of the human person as someone in the act of giving himself or herself to others and to nature. The roundtable was particularly appreciated in which the social challenges that are posed by the environment were discussed from a theological, climatological, economic and political point of view, underscoring how much the environmental problem requires the contribution of many disciplines, beginning with politics which guides decisions, and the economy that sets up the models of development. Fiorani concluded saying: “The meeting isn’t an arrival point, but a point of departure. Now we have to prepare for new challenges. The next meeting will be held in Asia!” Info: EcoOne
While studying medicine in Padua, his hometown, Giorgio Marchetti, nicknamed Fede, met a student from Trent who was studying at the same university. She was one of the first young women to begin the adventure of unity with Chiara Lubich. Giorgio was diocesan director of the Catholic Action Group, but did not hesitate to confide his constant hesitancy and doubts regarding the faith and doctrine. On day, while with a friend she spoke to him about the Gospel, Giorgio objected that he already knew all those things. “Okay,” she shot back, “but do you do them?” He was blown away. From then on, he says, his search shifted “from books to life”. He decided to visit Trent to know not only first women but also the first men focolarini. While there he learned that Gino Bonadimani who was Paduan, was also studying in the same department of the university as he, and that Gino was preparing to become a focolarino.
The same call would begin to take root in Giorgio’s, even though he continued to nourish doubts about God’s existence. In the summer of 1952 during one of the first Mariapolises, he opened his soul to Chiara. With the Gospel in hand, she read to him what Jesus says to Martha in the passage about the raising of Lazarus: “I am the resurrection and the life.Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn 25-26). “So,” Chiara told him, “take this as Word of Life: “Do you believe this?”. And she suggested to him that if the doubts returned, he should repeat Martha’s words: “Yes, Lord, I believe”. Everything became clear and simple during that conversation with Chiara. He was suddenly surprised to realize that he had the faith. He was soon nicknamed Fede (Faith). As soon as he graduated with full honours, Fede entered the focolare in Trent. He began work as a dentist, as he would continue to do when he was transferred to Rome. When he was drafted into the military service, he reported to Florence where he skipped breakfast each day in order to attend Mass. After a few months several of his colleagues joined him for Mass each morning. Even though he was serving in the military, he continued to assist the community that was forming in Tuscany. He did the same when he was transferred to Trapani in Sicily. Along with military service and working for the Movement, he began to study philosophy. In 1961, he moved to Recife, Brazil. From the focolare window he could see a large expanse of mocambos, very poor shacks made of metal, wood and cardboard. “I would have liked to go and live with those people,” he later said, “to do something for them, perhaps as a doctor,” rather than lay the foundations for the nascent Movement that would later produce countless social projects in Brazil and throughout the world. In 1964 he was ordained to the priesthood in Recife. At Christmas 1964 Chiara called on him to help in the building of the permanent Mariapolis in Loppiano near Florence, Italy. For Fede and the twenty young men who joined him from around the world as they prepared to enter the focolare, it was a period of “unforeseen events, progress, setbacks, but also laughter and lots of joy; and then of wisdom, prayer and contemplation.” Former head of the Section of the Focolarini from 1957, he returned to that task in 2000, a task that he carried out with dedication. He gave special attention to the married focolarini and the particular nature of their vocation. While strongly dedicated to others, Fede – with his scholarly attitude – did never failed to delve into a variety of disciplines. From 1995 he was a member of theAbba School, the Movement’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies where he offered his expertise in the field of ethics, but also philosophy and psychology. In the final years, with his health problems, a period began that Fede loved to describe as “one of the most beautiful periods of my life, so much so that I often find myself saying to Jesus: ‘I never knew that old age could be a beautiful adventure like this!” It was characterized by an “ever deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus.” When people asked him how he was feeling, he would answer: “physically bad, but spiritually beautiful!” Fede’s legacy is certainly his unbreakable faith in God and in the charism of unity. His legacy is certainly that of a wise and efficacious builder of a work of God – the Focolare Movement, which he helped to develop and to make visible and active in the Church and in the world.
The venue chosen for the Economy of Communion’s 25th anniversary celebrations was the Philippines which has experienced centuries of economic inequality. The events began with a two-day forum at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with 200 students and economists from different countries, and conclude with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the strengthening of solidarity between the university and the EoC. The anniversary goes back to May 29, 1991 when the idea of the EoC project was conceived by Chiara Lubich to resolve the problems of social inequality by placing people, especially the poorest people, at the centre of every economic project. The EoC project now involves more than 800 businesses around the world. The celebration then moved to Tagaytay City, at the Focolare’s permanent Mariapolis Pace where a Pan-Asian congress titled “Economy of Communion, an economy for all” was held. It provided a forum for presenting several EoC businesses from Asia like the Bangko Kabayan, a rural bank that gives micro-credit loans to more than 11,000 clients in the Batangas Province of the Philippines; the Focolare carpentry business in Manila, Philippines; a consulting firm for business development; and Kalayaan Engineering with over 2000 employees that builds air-conditioners. The Sumsimidang Group, one of the best restaurants and pastry shops in Korea, was also presented. Each of these businesses are directed by business owners whose businesses abide by the law and in accordance with sustainable development, placing the human person at the centre and freely earmarking a portion of the profits for the poor. Several economists gave presentations, including: Anouk Grevin from France, Luca Crivelli from Switzerland, Anette Pelksman-Balaoing from the Philippines, who teaches in Holland, Lorna Gold from Ireland, Luigi Bruni, international director of the EoC project, and others. Bruni suggested that for any charism to survive it has to stay faithful to the initial questions. Can businesses be instruments of communion? Can brotherhood have a place in the market? Is it possible to imagine a society without any more poor people in it? Recalling what Chiara Lubich had said when she founded the EoC, Bruni emphasized that solutions have not yet been found for the needs of the poor. Therefore the EoC must continue on its path which he sees as a calling. Bruni went on to say that Asia had been chosen as the site of the international event precisely because it has the very same segments of society that so struck Chiara when she was in Brazil in 1991. “Within fifteen years,” he observed, “Asia’s GDP will be double that of the United States and Western Europe. The future of the world therefore depends on the type of economy that will develop in Asia. Celebrating the EoC’s 25th anniversary here recognizes the significance of this type of economy in the Asian continent.” In her message given from Kenya, Maria Voce writes: “This is an economy that regards relationships amongst people that are based on mutual love for healing inequalities.” . . . “This is why, with the support and courage of Pope Francis, we need to allow ourselves to be reinfluenced by the urgency Chiara felt in building a society with each other in which the communion of goods in freedom will be realized and shared more and more.” The congress concluded with three important resolutions: (1) the establishment of an international network of business incubators to support young businesses and businesses by women; (2) the creation of an observatory on poverty to ensure that the war on poverty is always central and consistent with the spirit of the EoC; (3) the multiplication of Lab-Schools, technical, professional and business workshops that are geared towards young people. https://vimeo.com/168297829
The bi-monthly journal of the British Islamic Cultural Centre published a brief account of the recent visit to the Sophia University Institute by Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali, Director of the International Institute of Islamic Studies in Qum, Iran. Dr Shomali, who currently lives in London and directs the Islamic Centre in Great Britain, is a well-known figure in the Shia world. He is very active in the field of interreligious dialogue, and thanks to him various moments of encounter between Shi’a Muslims and Benedictine Monks have been organised organised, allowing relationships of trust to be established. The visit on 26 April to Sophia is a consequence of the long and fruitful pathway which made the shared experience and academic collaboration possible in Loppiano which has this characteristic. Islam today reported the news of this visit highlighting the importance of this extraordinary growing friendship. Here are some extracts: Sophia University Institute in Loppiano (Florence, Italy) was established in honour of Chiara Lubich (founder of the Focolare Movement) in 2008 after her death. The relationship between the university and the Shi’a Scholars started long before it became a university. Hujjatul-Islam Dr Muhammad Ali Shomali’s first visit took place back in 1999. These meeting represent the foundation of a long friendship and dialogue. Discussions varied from talking about Sophia (Latin meaning Wisdom) to the future of humanity. From the discussion between the university academics and Shi’a scholars it soon became clear that they had many common ideas about unity and inter-religious dialogue that could be developed in practical projects.Dr Shomali’s recent visit to the university took place in February 2015, where he held public as well as informal meetings with staff and students. Following that meeting Dr Shomali was invited by the president of the university Professor Msgr. Coda Piero to return to the university and teach a course to MA students which was scheduled to start in 2016. The course which is based on inter-religious dialogue was for the first time to be taught by lecturers from different religious traditions in order to share similar experiences and ideas. Dr Shomali delivered his first lecture during a four-hour morning and afternoon session in April 2016. He talked about his personal involvement in inter-religious dialogue, presenting a brief summary of his twenty-year rich experience in the field of interfaith. A part of his discussion was also about Shia Islam and the foundation for dialogue according to Shia Islam. Dr Shomali further spoke about the importance of inter-religious dialogue and the future of humanity based on unity. Following this academic engagement, the plan is to have a three-day programme in July 2016 (after the month of Ramadhan). The university president Prof. Coda Piero and Dr Shomali will be discussing subjects related to unity between different faith groups, Muslim and Christians in particular and some of the ideas can be put into action in the near future. Hujjatul-Islam Dr Shomali will be taking a group of scholars in the next encounter to present the Muslim Shia perspective while Professor Coda Piero will lead the Catholic/Focolare Movement side. “The April meeting was a fruitful meeting. After many years of friendship and talk, the two groups are now ready to move into more focused, scholarly but at the same time spiritual discussion on unity and cooperation,” said Dr Shomali.
The conferral of the Honorary Doctorate to Focolare foundress, Chiara Lubich (1920-2008) originated with Adam Biela. At that time he was the Chair of the School of Social Sciences at the Catholic University of Lublino. Following that honorary degree 15 others would be conferred to Chiara from around the world and in a variety academic fields. In his conferral speech Professor Biela spoke of a “Copernican Revolution” to introduce the idea of a new approach (paradigm) for the social sciences. We ask Biela what motivated him to promote the doctorate. “In my conferral speech I had explained the main reasons for the conferral of the Honorary Doctorate in Social Sciences to the foundress of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, by the Catholic University of Lublin in June 1996. An American philosopher of science, Thomas Kun (1962) thought the Copernican Revolution was the best illustration of what took place with the scientific revolution. In its essence [the Copernican approach or paradigm] signified a change of mentality. Copernicus had to change the firmly-established geocentric system that was at work not only in the sciences of his time, but also in the culture, tradition, perception of society, even in the mentality of the religious and political authorities. And he did it in a manner that was careful, empirical, methodological and psychological. In a similar way, through her social activity, Chiara Lubich was the source of a revolutionary inspiration for the creation of an approach (paradigm) in the field of social sciences. In an extremely dangerous situation in Trent, Italy, in 1943 she decided not to escape from the threat to her own life, but to join her friends in helping other people survive who were in far more difficult situations. She decided to face the risk of the bombardments of the War, in order to stay with the children and elderly who were left all alone and in need of assistance. That type of experience made her rediscover the community as a model of life, and it allowed the charism of unity to be materialized and clarified. In any case the devolopment of this charism shows it to be a concrete and practical actualization of a new vision of social, economic, political, educational, religious and relational structures, which guides, suggests, encourages and promotes unity with other people. In my conferral speech I used the idea of a unity approach (paradigm) to stress the social activity of Chiara Lubich and the Focolare Movement for the construction of psycho-social structures for unity in different fields: for example, in the Economy of Communion in the Political Movement for Unity; in Net One and its journalists for unity; in ecumenical and interreligious friendships.” On June 3rd and June 4th an academic conference titled “Conflicts, Dialogue and the Culture of Unity” and dedicated to John Paul II will be held at the University in Lublin. What is the purpose? “In June 1966 the John Paul II Catholic University had truly found a methodological way to express the novelty, uniqueness, heuristic and applicable value of the charism of unity not only in the social sciences, but also in other academic fields. We are truly pleased that our message about the methodological validity of the charism of unity has found an understanding in so many academic centres that they have conferred honorary degrees to Chiara Lubich. The concept of a unity approach (paradigm) is a big inspiration that will lead the social sciences to come up with their own research models with a power and mental and methodological potential that will be able to offer a new social vision of the world. In the meantime, the Conflicts, Dialogue and Culture of Unity Conference will examine the extent to which the praxis of the unity approach (paradigm) that is founded on the spirituality of unity, is able to resolve conceptual problems, as well as applications for the building of social, economic and political integration in today’s Europe and in the world.”
“Through the work of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich created a new social inclusion phenomenon inspired by the evangelical charism of unity, revealing new psychological, social, economic and religious- spiritual dimensions”. Prof. Adam Biela said these words during the official ceremony held in June 1996 when Chiara Lubich was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Social Sciences by the John Paul II Catholic University in Lublin. He also explained that such a message “does not only prove that a new paradigm in social sciences is possible, but also shows how necessary it is to implement it”. While speaking about its inspirational role in social sciences, he defined it as a “paradigm of unity” and compared to “the Copernican revolution in natural sciences”. Fifteen other honorary degrees, from various universities in different parts of the world, were awarded to Lubich after this first one. Twenty years passed and the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin would like to take stock of the situation, so a conference is being organised in collaboration with the Focolare Movement’s Centre for Dialogue with Culture and the Sophia University Institute. This conference will reflect and research on “Conflict, dialogue and the culture of unity” through the perspectives of pyschology, economy, education, political science, sociology and communication. Prof. Biela declares that this conference “will analyse the contribution that the research and practice inspired by the paradigm of unity, based on the spirituality of unity, can offer to the conceptual and applied issues concerning the building of social, economic and political integration in today’s Europe and in the world”. He also claims that particular attention will be given to “Chiara Lubich’s social activity and that of the Focolare Movement to build psychosocial structures for unity in various social spheres”. More than 90 researchers and scholars from different parts of the world answered a call for papers and sent in their abstracts on the five themes to be discussed during the conference: dialogue in the communities: charism and institution; solving conflicts through dialogue; accomplishing political change and participatory processes; individual, interpersonal and intergroup processes in managing and preventing conflicts; interdisciplinary dialogue. Prof. Adam Biela andJesús Morán, co-president of the Focolare Movement, who will give the opening talk, will be joined by other main speakers, namely the professors Bernhard Callebaut (Sophia University Institute in Loppiano, Italy) Mauro Magatti (Catholic University of Milan, Italy), Bogusław Śliwerski (University of Lodz, Poland), Marek Rembierz (University of Silesia, Poland), Stefano Zamagni, (University of Bologna, Italy), Krzysztof Wielecki (Wyszynski University of Warsaw, Poland), Catherine Belzung (University of Tours, France), John Raven (University of Manchester, United Kingdom). The conference starts on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, patron of the University. The University celebrates this feast with an official ceremony which will precede the conference. The Rector Prof. Antoni Dębiński will preside over this ceremony, while Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Apostolic Nuncio and other civil and religious personalities are expected to participate. Info: http://psychointerwencja.wix.com/congress Source: Press ReleaseSIF – Focolare Information Service
Dialogue between members of two ethnic groups in permanent conflict is what Johnson Duba, a young man from Marsabit, in northern Kenya, works hard for. He often succeeded in persuading the village elders to come together in a spirit of dialogue in order to restore peace in the community. When it came to young people, however, his attempts to unite them came about through sport. He initiated a football tournament, where nobody actually wins, in order to strengthen peaceful cohabitation. It is one of the fruits of reconciliation brought about by living the charism of unity which Johnson has always tried to live in his village. His was one of the experiences presented on May 27th to the delegates of various Churches from Eastern Africa and from Europe gathered for the International Ecumenical Movement Kenyan Chapter (IEM-K).Among the guest-speakers were Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, former General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, and former president of IEM-K, as well as Maria Voce, President of Focolare Movement who was visiting Kenya from 14 May to 1 June.“The Focolare Movement is ecumenical by nature,” stated Rev. Dr Kobia, emphasizing his good relationship with Chiara Lubich, whom he met in person, and with the Focolare community. In his talk he stressed the importance of forgiveness saying, “We do not want to be imprisoned by the past because you can easily remain a captive of history (…) but we should deal with the past in a way that we will not pass bitterness and anger to the next generation.” He urged the Ecumenical Movement to support projects of peace, dialogue and reconciliation promoted by their governments. Moreover, in the heart of Chiara Lubich was a burning desire “to respond to the most urgent and dramatic needs of humanity, the need for peace,” recalled Maria Voce in the preliminary part of her speech. “And so,” she continued, “we started setting up places and looking for opportunities to meet within our Churches, so that there could be more and more ‘communion’. We had the experience of being a united people made up of Christians of different denominations through the sharing of the specific gifts of each Church, in the hope, one day, of also reaching doctrinal unity.” Dialogue, therefore, is the privileged pathway to be undertaken. This has been the experience and reflection of the Focolare Movement which has matured over these 73 years: “… a dialogue of life, which does not create opposition among people, but rather brings people of different traditions or faiths together, enabling them to open up to each other, to find points in common and to live them together.” Recalling that unity (Jesus’ prayer “That all may be one’) is the specific aim of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce confirmed that dialogue is a way of life, a new culture, which the Movement can and would like to offer to men and women of today. She concluded by saying, “The Holy Spirit, the bond of love, will help Christians understand that they are living a precious and important time: a passing from darkness into the light of the resurrection, towards a greater fullness, in which diversity means enrichment and the opportunity to create communion: where the wounds of one will be the wounds of the others; where all together, with humility and detachment, we will try to find the essence and the origins of the one faith in Jesus, by listening to His Word”.
“The most important thing I experienced during these two days with Gen Rosso was to see my dream come true: to feel strong and alive without the need to use violence.” This was the impression shared by Veronica, one of 200 teenagers that took part in a three-day workshop organized by the international band during its tour through Montevideo, Uruguay. The tour also took in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. Fazenda da Esperança was the promoter of this initiative. The Gen Rosso Band members explained: “Strong Without Violence is a project geared towards teenagers and young people, offering formation in a culture of peace, legality, preventing all forms of school violence, revenge, bullying, teenage suicide, teenage issues and dropping out of school. With positive success in several other nations, this time the project gathered 200 young people from at-risk areas in the capital of Uruguay. One of these associations is the Nueva Vida Centre: “I remember when we arrived in this area on the outskirts,” recounts the director, Luis Mayobre. “We were welcomed by stones that were being launched at us by teenagers. Seeing our young people today in full action onstage, together with their peers and launching a message of non-violence has really moved me.” The novelty of the Strong Without Violence Project lies in the fact that the teenagers are actively Involved in a stage performance, with a workshop on dance, music, set design and set-up. They go onstage with the professional artists as main actors in the show. “Awesome! It was amazing,” says Inés overcome with emotion. “We did two concerts, May 21 and May 22 with the Clara Jackson Theatre (capacity1,200) completely filled, quite an uncommon thing in our parts; and you couldn’t tell the kids apart from the artists: they were completely integrated.” Laura had watched those children grow up and knew well the great work that is done at the Focolare’s Nueva Vida Centre and at other institutions in the area, to provide a positive future to the young people that is far removed from drugs and other dangers. The setting of this “Streelight” Show is Chicago in the 1960s. It tells the true story of Charles Moatz, a young Black American from the Focolare who was murdered by a gang because of his efforts to build a world that was more united. With his choice of non-violence Charles had sealed his fate. But his radical lifestyle would lead his friends to discover new and unimagined horizons for their own lives. “Phrases like: ‘If you want it, you can do it,’ ‘Love conquers all,’ ‘Love can do all things’ and ‘If you want to win over a city to love, get together with friends who think like you do’ . . .” continued Laura. “It all seemed to fall like drops of due upon the hearts of the people here. And it all came out with such a force that I was trembling. There was such great sympathy between the audience and the people on stage. I had invited a friend who, after a short while was so moved that she was sobbing. I think God has hit hard at our very doorsteps.” Uruguay press, which is strongly secular, mentioned the unusual event in a news article boastfully titled: “200 young Uruguayans prepare at an intensive workshop to go onstage with a musical performed with the international Gen Rosso Music Group” “So happy to see my son on stage!” wrote the mother of one of the boys who had become an instant artist. “I thank the Nueva Vida Centre that has always aimed to give the opportunity to him, to grow as a person.” And Patty: “That ‘If you want it, you can do it’ will remain forever burned into the hearts of each of these teenagers and of all those who were here. Thank you! You’ve charged our batteries and transmitted a very contagious energy.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5eR25VL53M&feature=youtu.be
“I was employed as a merchandise inspector, that is, to control the quality, quantity and weight of goods, but for corporate reasons I had been fired. I lost everything: my job, family and dignity. After a few months my wife sent me a separation letter, taking with her my five-year old daughter. What’s more, after having followed the advice of my father-in-law, I was sued for swindling, bribery, and criminal conspiracy. Actually, I hadn’t done anything! I felt so much shame also for my loved ones, and infinite anger! I asked myself, where is that God who proclaims to be good and instead allows similar injustice? I was in jail for 15 days, out of which five were in isolation, enclosed in a cell of 2×2 meters, deprived of everything: the freedom to open a window, to see or speak with anyone. Then, when I got out of the isolation cell, I had to face pushers, drug addicts, rapists, and robbers. They were men. In jail I was respected by all because they were certain – even without knowing me – that I was completely innocent and that I shouldn’t have been put in that place. It was their way of restoring the dignity I had been stripped of. I learnt a lot from the convicts. When I was on parole, my relatives convinced me to participate in a Mariapolis, saying that we were going for a four-day holiday. I met a grandma with very white hair who spoke about God who is Love, precisely to me who had strongly doubted that good God. A new and immense world lit up before me, as if I already had met it, but had never experienced it before. I realized that to be able to walk along the path of love, we cannot forego what I then called suffering and which I now identified with the suffering of Jesus on the Cross. When we live in deepest pain, we are more prepared to listen to God who gives us a greater and fuller life. Today I no longer hold any grudge against my ex-wife, father-in-law and daughter who never wanted to see me I was fully absolved of the charges, because three years later they discovered that I had absolutely nothing to do in the lawsuits filed against me. I could not keep to myself what life had taught me and felt the great desire to share it with others, especially the youth. I started with five boys aged 11/12 who knew nothing about faith, or their parents. I started by playing soccer for hours, and then upon accompanying them home, asked them if they wanted to do a simple act of love towards the family. Today these young boys have grown up and some have entered the employment world, but above all, also they wanted to donate in turn to others what they have received, bringing the certainty of God’s love to many. I will never stop thanking God for having given me the chance to love without prejudice, and meeting Him who is Love, and who loves each one of us personally, and that we, his children, are all equal.” (Erasmus – Italy)
Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya since January 2013, Archbishop Balvo is also the first apostolic nuncio of South Sudan, an independent state since 2011 that has been tried by war, poverty and migrations. Maria Voce and co-president Jesús Morán had met the archbishop at the Nunciature in Nairobi on May 20, 2016 during their visit to Kenya on May 14 – June 1. In a cordial and family atmosphere they shared news and also hopes and concerns over the challenges in the region, especially in South Sudan. They talked about Chiara Lubich who Archbishop Balvo had met during Chiara’s trip to the Middle East in 1999 when the archbishop was serving in Jordan. They also shared about the School of Inculturation that was being held at Mariapolis Piero during those days. He told about his adventure welcoming the Pope to Kenya, and then his visit to the Central African Republic where Christians and non-Christians said “they were struck that the Pope didn’t run away from their problems, and that despite security concerns he spent a night in their country. The archbishop was also updated on news regarding the Focolare, such as the recent surprise visit of Pope Francis to the Mariapolis in the city of Rome. “Pope Francis is the Pope of surprises,” the archbishop responded. But the focus soon shifted to the drama that is taking place in South Sudan. In speaking about the crisis in that region the Nuncio underscored the many challenges: poverty and illiteracy that are worsened because of the lack of peace. In 2007, through AMU, the Focolare had launched a project in the desert around Khartum for the construction of a school for refugees from South Sudan who were living in a camp at the parish of Omdurman. The project, which lasted for several years, was inserted into a diocesan project called “Saving those who can be saved”. The school was built, but afterwards many families returned to South Sudan before it became an independent state. “In a region so rich with resources, it’s going to be difficult to develop them until a stable peace is established,” Archbishop Balvo noted. “It’s really difficult to promote the society with generations of people who have known nothing but violence.” From there he moved on to the history of the country in which he travels so much to demonstrate his love for the people of South Sudan. The South separated from the North on July 9, 2011 following a referendum won by a Sudanese majority in January of the same year. That referendum, which was one of the key points of the peace accord that in 2005, put an end to 21 years of civil war between the government of Khartoum and the group fighting for the independence of South Sudan. The separation of South Sudan remains charged with tension and critical points. Among them are the dividing line between North and South and the status of the region of Abyei which is rich in oil and disputed by both countries. Within South Sudan there are armed groups that threaten the peace, and ethnic conflicts over land, water and livestock disputes are the order of the day. In December 2013, a conflict broke out between government forces and forces loyal to the former Vice President Rieck Machar. In January 2014, the first ceasefire was signed and, on April 26, 2016, Riek Machar returned to the capital and was sworn in as vice president. Maria Voce expressed her hope that this step would return South Sudan to the path of unity and prosperity.
“Here in Africa we got the news at one o’clock this morning, May 20th, the feast day of Corpus Domini. He had more than once expressed his desire to join Chiara Lubich in Heaven. We rejoice with him and pray for him.” Maria Voce wrote these words to all the members of the Focolare Movement, while on a visit to Kenya where she has been since May 14th. Giorgio Fede Marchetti was born in Padua, Italy, on October 16, 1929 where he was amongst the first people to become involved in the adventure of unity, as Chiara Lubich called it. But he also continued to accompany the growth and development of the Focolare around the world. The director of Città Nuova, Michele Zanzucchi, writes: “Many of us will remember his staunch loyalty to Chiara Lubich as he followed the path traced out by the charism of unity during the first months of the Focolare town of Loppiano in Tuscany, Italy, surrounded by mud but also genuine enthusiasm. He’ll be remembered in Brazil where he came face to face with the hard reality of the shanty towns. We’ll remember how he supported the Movement, always on the frontlines, always looking forward.” Ángel Bartol, who was with him in his last moments: “Fede continued to give of himself, body and soul, to the very end. He was a doctor, psychologist and theologian who had trained and accompanied hundreds of young men on the path of the focolarini. Intelligence and generosity were his main traits. Much more could be written about him, and much more will be in the coming days. For now we simply say: Thank you, Fede, for your life that was centered on the unity of the human family! A funeral will be held at the Mariapolis Centre of Castelgandolfo on Tuesday, June 1st at 11:00 am.
Giving law a human face and seeking justice founded on the values of fraternity. This was Maria Voce’s strong message, as a lawyer herself and President of the Focolare Movement, addressing an audience of 300 people gathered on the 25th of May at the Faculty of Law at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi, Kenya. Her audience was composed of students studying law and social sciences, professors, members of the Faculty and staff of the University. In her talk “Law in contemporary society” Maria Voce explained how through the evolution of society, correct behaviour had become organised in systems within communities, and as states achieved political identity these systems were incorporated in their Constitutions, codes and other laws. According to the President of the Focolare, with the coming of Christianity, “a superior law come to the fore as a reference point. It is a law that comes from God, who is Just and was given to humanity through Jesus. It is the law of love.”
Maria Voce then dwelt on the development of the African legal system where she observed that “there is a very strong communitarian tendency in which the individual is never considered in an isolated way, but always as a member of a community (family, clan, bloodline or tribe) to which the person owes duties of responsibility and from which they receive help, support and protection.” She affirmed, furthermore, that thespirituality of communion lived by Focolare members is beginning to influence the building up of the social fabric and the rules that govern human communities. To explain this she referred to a few points of the spirituality of unity. The first is the discovery of God who is Love. “This understanding led us to practise the “greater righteousness”. If justice is to give to each his own – we said to ourselves – since everything belongs to God, give everything to God and you will be righteous!” The second is the commitment to do the Will of God which “leads us to discovering the foundation of legality, understood as consistency between what we do and the fundamental choice that we have made, the choice of God-Love.” And the third: love of neighbour. For Maria Voce, “We cannot ignore this if we wish to actively recognise the dignity of each person and their inviolable rights.”
Speaking of mutual love, she reminded her audience that “human persons are social by nature and need other people just as the others need them.” She added that “mutual love is the law of collaboration which, by enabling us to discover each person as a gift of love, is the cement of society and the equilibrium of law.” She ended saying, “We are encouraged by the experience of the Movement which seems like the proof of a hypothesis about life woven from personal relationships founded on the principle of unity. It witnesses that it is possible to establish a legal system based on the new commandment as the fundamental law for relations between people.” After her talk, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Maurice Owuor, emphasised the relevance of Maria Voce’s speech explaining that “love is a value that can sustain our laws.” He affirmed that “we should place greater emphasis on educating citizens to values such as love, fraternity and obeying the law not out of fear of sanctions but because it is a good thing in itself.” There followed an open forum for comments and questions. In answer to a question regarding the effects of justice on the common good, Maria Voce affirmed, “it is not the law that contributes to the common good, but the person who contributes to promoting just laws.” And she left the students with a challenge: “My hope is that many of you can work to establish many good laws.”
How welcome, in the midst of the conflicts that harm humanity in many parts of the world, is this invitation by Jesus to peace! It keeps hope alive when we realize that that he himself is peace and that he has promised to give us his peace. Mark’s gospel places these words of Jesus at the end of a series of things said to his disciples, meeting at home in Capernaum, where he explains how they should live as his community. The conclusion is clear: everything must lead to peace, which contains every good. It is a peace we are called to experience in our daily lives: in our families, at work, with those who have other ideas politically. It is a peace that is not afraid to face contrary opinions, which we need to speak about openly if we want a unity that is always more true and deep. It is a peace that, at the same time, demands that we should take care that our relationship of love never dwindles, because the other person is more valuable than any differences that may exist between us. ‘Wherever unity and mutual love come to be,’ Chiara Lubich once said, ‘there is peace, indeed, true peace. Because where there is mutual love, there is a certain presence of Jesus among us, and he truly is peace, peace par excellence.’1 Chiara’s ‘ideal of unity’ was born during World War II and it immediately looked like the antidote to hatred and ruptures in society. From then on, when faced with any conflict, Chiara persistently continued putting forward the Gospel logic of love. When, for example, war exploded in Iraq in 1990, she expressed bitter surprise at hearing ‘words that we thought had been buried, such as: “the enemy”, “our enemies”, “hostilities are beginning”, and the war bulletins, prisoners, defeats.… We realized with dismay that this was a body blow to the fundamental Christian principle of Jesus’s “commandment” par excellence, his “New Commandment”.… Instead of loving one another, instead of being ready to die for one another’ here is humankind again ‘in the abyss of hatred’: contempt, torture, killing.2 How can we escape? she asked herself. ‘We must knit together, wherever possible, new relationships or a deepening of those that already exist, between those of us who are Christians and the followers of other monotheistic faiths: Muslims and Jews,’ 3 in other words, those engaged in the conflict. The same is true when faced with any kind of conflict. We must knit together among individuals and peoples relationships of listening, of love, as Chiara would also say, to the point of ‘being ready to die for one another.’ It is necessary to set aside one’s own positions in order to understand the other’s, even though we know that we will not always manage to understand them completely. The other too can do the same with me and at times neither will the other, perhaps, understand me and my positions. But we want nonetheless to stay open to the other, even when there is difference and incomprehension, before all else saving our relationship. The Gospel makes it a command: ‘Be at peace.’ Making it a command is a sign that serious and tough commitment is demanded. It is one of the most essential expressions of the love and mercy we are called to have for one another. Fabio Ciardi ___________________________________
On Bavarian television, 16 September 1
28 February 1991, see Santi insieme,(Città Nuova: Rome, 1994), pp. 63-6
It was precisely on 29 May 1991 that Chiara Lubich, during her visit to São Paolo,Brazil, launched the Economy of Communion project (EoC). Noting the social inequalities in the country, she gave birth to this initiative that soon involved business men and women, workers, students, academics and researchers, the rich and the poor. According to Luigino Bruni, the current international coordinator of the project, the poor are still the focus of the EoC: “It’s impossible to forget the many times that Chiara Lubich, when we worked together for this, emphasised: “Remember that I created the Economy of Communion for the poor.” Still today we have the ethical and spiritual duty to put the issue of poverty and those who are marginalised at the centre of the economic, political and social system.” The poor were the first to witness the newly-born Focolare Movement in Trent, when, during the war, Chiara and her first companions – themselves of humble means – invited the poor to join them at meal times and they shared everything they had with them. Even today that same spiritual and material communion characterises all those involved in the EoC: its main asset is a community of people united by a vision of a global economy which strives to reduce poverty and inequalities in society. The entrepreneur who adheres to sharing profits is the main protagonist for the interaction between communities and businesses. The 25 years of life of the EoC culminate in an international event being held in the Philippines, Tagaytay (Manila) entitled “Economy of Communion, an Economy for All”. From 25-29 May 25, 250 participants have gathered to reflect on the progress made so far and to discuss future global action plans which include:
establishing an international network of “business incubators” and to create spaces and resources within the industrial parks born through the Economy of Communion and to make these available in order to support first and foremost young business men and women.
setting up an Observatory on Poverty, to ensure that the tackling of poverty is always central and consistent with the spirit of the EoC, and to help identify the various sites.
multiplying the Lab-Schools which are technical, professional and business training workshops aimed in particular towards young people.
Asia’s choice for this international event is not random. “Here there are the same segments of society which made an impact on Chiara while she was in Brazil in 1991. But there is also wealth, entrepreneurship, youth. There is a clear link between wealth creation and poverty. “The Economy of Communion, as long as it continues to exist, holds both together” commented Luigino Bruni. “In fifteen years’ time, the share of Asia’s GDP will double that of the United States and Western Europe. The future of the world therefore depends on the type of economy that will grow in Asia. To celebrate here the 25th anniversary of the Economy of Communion means to recognize that its future presence in the Asian continent is crucial.” In conjunction with the conference in the Philippines, there are other conferences being held contemporaneously in various other parts of the world. On Saturday, May 28, at 9.00pm, Manila time,there will be webinar which will be streamed live and which will connect up various countries: Bolivia (Inter-American School of Business), Italy (Lionello Bonfanti Industrial Park in Loppiano), Mexico (Conference of Entrepreneurs in Puebla), Slovakia (a gathering of entrepreneurs from Slovakia and Czech Republic). There will also be the participation of EoC groups from the Ivory Coast, Brazil, Guatemala, Madagascar, Panama, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Uganda. As Luigino Bruni commented, “In a world that perhaps lacks reasons for celebration, the Economy of Communion is the miracle of the bread which is multiplied for the poor, but also like the miracle of the wine at the wedding feast of Cana which is poured out for the rich and poor alike, the miracle of the celebration of universal brotherhood.” Edc-online.org/en/ Press Release – May 27, 2016: An economy for all, rich and poor Streaming playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLseXirhCvXpHfSeiIcXBqicR4Hfl4dxuB
Several concerns were raised during the School of Inculturation, regarding those aspects of the modern world that can overshadow basic African cultural values. Yet, progress and development can never be stopped. In your opinion, what is the way to salvage the values that are contained in the traditions? “I actually think that development can not be avoided. The culture of tradition in African cultures is also always changing. However, modernity does penetrate African traditions with such things as materialism, individualism and the primacy of money and capitalism. I don’t say that money is bad, but the wrong use of money makes us put aside our humanity which in Africa we refer to as ubuntu. But modernity also contains some positive aspects: democracy, human rights, pluralism that leads to the acceptance others and their differences. In some African countries people kill for lack of pluralism; there is a collective sense of self that is very dangerous. In that sense, individualism – a Western value – does not seem entirely negative because if I wish to escape from the collective sense of self, it will take a good dose of individualism. In short, I think there is need for a balance between individualism and pluralism. It’s important to become aware of this and reflect upon it, even though it’s not sufficient in itself.” I think we should illumine the African culture that has been contaminated by the negative values of modernity. I think that this is the point when Christianity must intervene, which looks upon the other person as my path to sanctification. The Gospel invites us to give money the second place. Jesus gives the human person first place, the neigbour. For me this is important, it seems to me the path for salvaging the universal values that are contained in the traditions.” What impressions do you take away with your from these days? What are the challenges to be faced in the daily lives of the African peoples? “Through one simple situation that I found myself in I felt that I could be reborn in these days, like Nicodemus. It was my beginning of the School of Inculturation. The second striking impression was to see the people who are here, to discover that Africa is pluralistic, that there is a pluralism of Africas. I wanted to know every one of them, to understand how they live; to talk with a Cameroonian, who is quite different from a Burundian, a Rwandian, or Ethiopian. Here I experienced Africa’s pluralism. But as Africans, we come together on certain values: solidarity, the family and family relationships, communion, the centrality of our children’s education. This is important for us Afrcicans, even though we are so diverse. For me, the challenge for defeating the internal battles, passes through the incarnation of the words of the Gospel in daily life, social and political life. This is the challenge that rises from these days: When we get home, how will we behave towards people that are different from us? How will we behave towards our enemies? Towards the people who do not belong to my political party, who don’t appreciate me? Will I be capable of loving them? Will I be this pure white light of the Gospel, in society, politics, in the lack of understanding among groups of the same nation? This is the commitment I take away with me: the challenge of our times for overcoming the great problems of Africa.” Compiled by Irena Sargankova
“Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy” is the theme of the 31st World Youth Day. “Read the Beatitudes, they will do you a lot of good,” Pope Francis had said to the youth in Rio de Janeiro in 2013, and it was precisely along these lines of the beatitudes that the participants of the WYD are preparing for the event, as part of the Jubilee of Mercy, in a land which – through Sr. Faustina and John Paul II – is strongly linked to the devotion to the Divine Mercy. Among the main events are the Opening Mass (26.07), Welcome Ceremony with the first meeting with the Holy Father (28.07), Stations of the Cross of the World Youth (29.07), to then get to the heart of the WYD: the Wake with the Holy Father (30.07) and Closing Mass (31.07). The programme will be enriched with the catechism sessions in various languages and the Youth Festival, with four spiritual soirees to be matched with artistic-cultural expressions. Also the youth of the Focolare Movement are giving a hand in the WYD preparations, particularly with an event to be held in the context of a Festival in Kracow on 27 July 2016, Sports Club Plaszowianka ul. Stroza-Rybna 19 (tram stop 50, 20, 11). The evening, according to Magda, one of the organizers, will be composed of two parts: “The first will start at 4 pm, with the integration that will help us to know each other better, with dances and game from all over the world. From 8 pm the wake will help us deepen the theme of the works of mercy through experiences, songs, choreographies and writings of Chiara Lubich. All will end with the adoration of the Eucharist.» Magda further explains: «The wake will be enlivened by the international Gen Rosso band – and we want it to be a moment of deep union with God and among us. We want this programme to be a moment of encounter, to overcome all the differences that may divide us.” The organizers continued bysaying that the youth of the Focolare will also manage a stand in the Vocational Centre (to be open all week at the Kracow Stadium), which will exhibit all the various initiatives of the ecclesial panorama, to help the youth ponder “what does God expect of me?” “The WYD 2016 is quickly nearing!» Magda wrote, «And we also met last 30 April to 3 May in Kracow, to set out the programme of the Youth Festival. In this meeting we prayed to the Holy Spirit to guide us. We are looking forward to the next step in the Fiore Mariapolis (the Polish town of the Focolare) on 11/12 June, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of our town. Please support us with your prayers!». Magda also invited all the youth saying: «If you intend to come to Kracow for the WYD and wish to give us a hand, you are most welcome! We shall await your proposals sent to the address: krakow2016@focolare.org. Let us allow the network of Mercy to enfold us all!” Those who wish to go deeper into the WYD experience in the light of the Focolare spirituality will be able to do so by participating in the “post WYD school” in Slovakia (Jasná – Demänovská Dolina) with 550 youths coming from all over the world, among which will also be a group of 50 Orthodox youth. Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
When asked about her thoughts on inculturation todayMaria Voceresponded: “It’s the incarnation of the light of the Gospel in the African cultures,” She was addressing an audience of 350 people who were attending the School of Inculturation held last week at the Focolare’s permanent Mariapolis Piero near Nairobi, Kenya. There was the same joy and enthusiasm as when Chiara Lubich had placed the first stone of that Mariapolis in 1992, and of the School of Inculturation that would later be erected there. The Focolare foundress had imagined a school for across the board dialogue in the permanent Mariapolis, dialogue between the Gospel and the African cultures, a school that would give a new impulse to evangelization. Co-president Jesús Morán went on to say: “’Making yourself one’ (see Cor. 19:22) has Jesus in his abandonment on the cross for its model, when he made himself nothing for humankind, a nothing of love. Like Him, we should also learn to make ourselves one in front of the different cultures, so that we can then experience that this is never a nothingness that nullifies, but only enriches.” For many of those attending the school, this was also their answer to the many challenges that the African continent faces including inculturation. But it is also an answer to the phenomenon of globalization. “Inculturation is required,” Morán remarked. “By living the Spirituality of Unity we can draw closer to other people’s cultures with respect for their truth, and discover through dialogue the beauty of our differences not only in Africa but everywhere in the world.” Maria Voce went on: “a world with so many problems on its shoulders because of the lack of peace and harmony. . . By ‘making ourselves one’ as deeply as possible, we promote inculturation which can be a process towards reconciliation.” Since its founding twenty four years ago “the school has developed the tools that were first identified when the school began, and they have reached a second generation.” Looking to the future, “we’re moving into a new phase that may lead to further proliferation of the school.” These words by the president sounded like a “call to new awareness and responsibility” as many observed, to continue on the path of inculturation that Chiara had intuited after first coming into contact with the people of Africa in 1960. The Focolare president particularly stressed the understanding Chiara had in 1992 regarding the light of the Gospel as a pure “white light” capable of penetrating and illumining the diverse cultures making them into a reciprocal gift for one another and for the world. Peter from Cameroon remarked: “Maria Voce pointed our hearts to our particular calling to incarnate the Spirituality of Unity that is never imposed, but as Chiara said is a ‘white light’ that illumines. Globalization has become an unstoppable process in which our specific gift is this life of the Gospel.” Nicodème from Burundi: “As I return home I seem to understand that I have to start from myself, living the Gospel in the midst of society and politics and in the conflicts, so that I can be an answer of love to the expectations of so many African countries. We can’t put this off.”
Five hundred young people from around the world will meet online for aWorld Peace Conference For Young People The idea emerged from the synergy between Living Peace and its peace education projects for children, adolescents and young adults in 113 countries and Peace Pals International, an expression of the World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS), which is associated with the United Nations (UN). The project is supported by Fuji Declaration from Japan and several international organizations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omANVR3qIDI Inspired by the Fuji Declaration, 14 Christian and Muslim speakers from 14 countries took turns online last April 30th to make known their views in favour of peace, which they backed up with concrete experiences of acceptance and reconcilliation that give credibility to their claim that world peace is possible. Edward’s presentation about his exprience of the earthquake was particularly significant. He is a member of the Focolare from the Philippines and was linked from Ecuador where he had had been in direct contact with earthquake victims. Sherook from Syria also offered her testimony about what she was living through in her country. After telling about the situation in Syria, which is still very fragile and dangerous, she was unable to hold back her tears, which produced an enormous impression and feeling of empthy in everyone. Her tears also triggered very touching words and offers of support from two Muslim young people who were online: Omar from Egypt and Abir from Morocco. The conference was an opportunity to present United World Project and its SignUpForPeace inititiative. Jules Lamore, coordinator of Peace Pals International and member on the committee that organizes the events for World Peace Day in the United Nations, telephoned from New York to congratulate us for the online conference. Two young people were awarded scholarships at Miami University of Luxembourg. The General Coordinator of Living Peace, Carlos Palma, was invited to present the conference at the Seat of the European Parliament in Luxembourg during the World Peace Forum on May 24-25, 2016. In 2015 the Luxembourg Peace Prize had been awarded to New Humanity, an NGO of the Focolare Movement. The World Youth Conference of Young People plans on holding four Conferences a years. The next event is planned for June 25, 2016 with young people from movements and organizations that are engaged in peace work. The third edition of the Conference will be held in Florianopolis, Brazil, at the Peace Forum For Young People (September 22-25) during which Peace Pals will present a gift to the city, a peace obelisk. The fourth Conference, on prospects and commitments for the coming year, is scheduled for December 2016.
“In our culture,” recounts a Congolese husband after 14 years of marriage, “the first child should be immediately conceived. If after six months a woman still has not conceived, the husband’s family subjects her to stress.” “This is exactly what happened to me – his wife continued. We were already giving half of our salaries to my in-laws who were already in their old age and could no longer work, but this didn’t suffice. They wanted us to have a child who would carry on their lives even after they died. Since nothing happened, my mother-in-law wanted to convince me to go to the quack doctor, and seeing my reluctance, started putting pressure on my husband to ask for a divorce. But he was determined, and though full of respect, told them clearly that he did not give in to their demands because he loved me, and having been married in church, our marriage was “for always.” After three years we decided to adopt two boys, and after 12 years, thanks to a treatment I had in South Africa and our faith in God, we were able to have a daughter, and three months ago, a boy.” “Also my wife,” another Congolese husband continued, “had problems in conceiving. She managed to get pregnant but after a few months would lose the child. Our neighbours said all sorts of things, accusations kindled also by my aunt who did not like my wife. My family had even suggested we make a traditional sacrifice to our ancestors. We explained to them that as Christians, we are not against traditional rites since also in traditions do we find the seeds of the Word, but that we firmly believed in God’s help. One day, a friend of ours, a university professor came to visit, and hearing about our problem, gave us some precious suggestions on how to help the pregnancy progress. Precisely in those days, my wife was five months pregnant, and thanks to his suggestions, her pregnancy continued up to the birth of our child. The same thing happened for the other five children who followed later.” “Upon concluding my studies, “André says, “I found a job in another city, and before leaving, the family got together to give me all the advice they thought I needed. Among these, was that of marrying a girl of my own tribe. I didn’t agree. We had always thought I would marry the one God had planned for me, regardless of where she came from. When I fell in love with Julie, I did not know that she was from a tribe that fought my tribe. I learnt about it later, and it was then that I remembered the instructions of my family. After considerable thought, I understood better what it meant for me to live the Gospel, that is, to succeed in seeing every neighbour not as an enemy, but as a brother, since we are all children of the same Father. So I decided to stick to the principles God had sown in my heart. During our engagement, serious clashes sparked up between our two regions, but Julie and I, despite those difficult times, continued to nurture our relationship until we got married. Our neighbours were certain that our marriage would not last more than six months.” Julie confided: “Even I doubted it would last – but then I saw how faithful André was to me and even if we had different characters, nutritional habits, and mother tongue, we continued to love each other. This year, we celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary with our four sons. “From the start, each of us had undertaken the commitment to make the other’s family our very own,” André continued, “and with time we managed to get closer to those relatives who initially countered our marriage. In our tradition, giving one’s own name to a child was a demonstration of affection one has for him, a way of immortalizing oneself in him. Julie wanted our sons to have the names of my relatives. With this gesture, also she has been immortalized in my family.”
In the modern age we see a culture forming that no longer integrates the Gospel. It is a culture of development, scientific and technical progress completely detached from Christian foundations. It is a culture that has created one single and global space for all of humanity to live in. The African culture is not a technological culture, nor the Asian culture, even though Africans and Asians tend toward the same development. But they have different ideas and values. If these different cultures and traditions do not participate in the technological development they cannot survive, they go lost. What can create a non-technical global unity is the Gospel, the co-existence of many cultures in a single world. The Gospel can allow different cultures to enter into a dialogue with one another that makes them develop and change not in a merely exterior manner, but through a dialogue in the one and only truth and in the singular system of Christian values. In this way we salvage both uniqueness and plurality. This is the challenge of today. If we do not do it as Christians we lose an opportunity, we do not face the historic challenge that is being given to us in this moment. Inculturation means taking seriously those values and those human traditions that are everywhere, not to make a museum out of them, not for the sake of a relativism within which each of them can live on, but to create a dialogue in the truth, a truth that can never be imposed but freely offered. The new evangelization is “new” inasmuch as the Christian culture no longer exists. In that same sense it should be an evangelization of those cultures that have not yet experienced a serious encounter with Christianity. And with what force should this take place if not with that “making yourself one” of love which is the same love with which Christ assumed our flesh, our human nature and became one of us [see 1 Cor. 9:22]. The love that led Jesus to become incarnate should urge us to “make ourselves one” with all cultures, without losing the uniqueness of the Gospel. Since the spirituality of the Focolare is all about life and living, it manages to unite beyond the borders and limitations of individual cultures, and it also forms a bond between cultures. It is like a liquid that precisely because it is life, it is assimilated by all types of cultures. If we live the Gospel in its pure state and with self-emptying love, if we lose our cultural roots in order to “make ourselves one” not only with the individual neighbour we have in front of us but also with his culture, then our neighbours can be active and give to us what they possess, and they can offer us their treasures transformed and purified by living the Gospel: values that at the same time illumine and make the Gospel understood. In this white light of the Gospel, I can see the other’s light and give him my light and my culture. We do walk a one-way path: Living in the same world we receive the culture and the Gospel from others and give them our own. The others are involved in the same dynamic of love that is the Good News of the Gospel, that of Jesus which He brought to the earth so that we might live the culture of Heaven already now in this world. (Compiled by German theologian, Wilfried Hagemann, from the biography of Klaus Hemmerle).
“Although the challenges are many that the Caribbean country has before it, it seemed to me that the Economy of Communion (EoC) was just made for Cuba” said United States EoC business owner John Mundell while speaking at the conclusion of an event on April 29, 2016 in Havana. There were about thirty people including representatives of local cuenta propismo (self employment) training groups, members of discussion teams examining new socio-economic proposals, entrepreneurs, accountants, as well as people with a general interest in the topic. In addition to the aforementioned business owner from Indianapolis and member of the EoC International Commission, there were also representatives from Italy: Gaetano Giunta and Steni di Piazza from the MECC (Microcredito per L’Economia civile e di comunione) , Francesco Tortorella and Francesco Marini of the Projects Sector of Action for a United World (AMU). In his opening address, Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua recalled the invitation Pope Francis extended to the youth during his visit to the island in September 2015: “Live ‘social friendship’ so that you’ll be able to discern together how to implement it and help others to live for the common good.” “Very appropriate words,” thought Paola Montetta who was one of the organizers of the event, “given that we had Christians and non-believers who had Socialist training, and all of us moved by the desire to live a lifestyle of communion.” After an overview of the Civil Economy, the Economy of Communion (EoC) was presented that included a description of the novelties and challenges it poses, placing the human person at the centre of economic action, particularly the vulnerable and the needy. The experiences of the entrepreneurs from the EoC showed that “despite the pressures, it is possible to pursue a lifestyle of communion in business, respecting the productivity and the environment, while, at the same time, you become generators of reciprocity and communion inside and outside the business.” These are certainly important topics especially in view of promoting possible alternatives to the offensive from capitalism, particularly given the current economic situation in Cuba. The experiences of MECC and AMU in the field of social projects which it promotes around the world, have opened new horizons that make room for important and fruitful dialogue. “The meeting turned out as was hoped: as a multiplier of reciprocity and experiences of communion and as an incubator for ideas and proposals,” said Paolo Monetta. And John Mundell: “During the return trip I was on a plane with a lot of American business people, individually invited for “People To People Travel” – all of them intent on discussing business opportunities that are opening in Cuba. If I’m on a plane filled with American capitalists, I said to myself, then this time the EoC is moving at just the right moment!” The next appointment will be November 2016: “With the goal of involving those who want to create synergies with us in favor of communion and in view of a more just and united world.”
In Slovakia (Jasná – Demänovská Dolina), 550 young people from around the world, including a group of 50 young people of the Orthodox faith – will come together in order to deepend the themes of World Youth day. Where: Grand Hotel, Demänovská dolina 72, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovacchia Arrival: 31st July (evening) Departure: 5th August (after breakfast) Participation: 180€ Age group: 16-30 years More information: postgmg2016@focolare.org
At a meeting with young Argentinians in Rio de Janiero, Pope Francis advised: ‘Read the Beatitudes, it will do you good.’ Our task is to re-read the message of the Beatitudes. For three consecutive years, the Pope has chosen for us three out of the eight Beatitudes as the themes for the WYDs. Each one is elaborated on in his addresses, in which he comments on theological matters and gives the youth some tasks for the next year of spiritual work. The choice of Krakow and World Youth Day’s motto lead us to the Spark of Mercy. Since the appearance of Jesus to St. Sister Faustina, Mercy has been radiating from Krakow-Lagiewniki to the whole universal Church. Krakow is widely known as the centre of worship of God’s mercy, and young pilgrims who come will surely want to see the place of the revelations, Sister Faustina’s tomb, and the shrine – the place where St. John Paul II entrusted the world to God’s Mercy. The theme of the XXXI World Youth Day Krakow 2016 is: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy’ (Mt 5:7). Our Holy Father Francis has chosen the fifth of the eight Beatitudes, given by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, to show the importance of the Beatitudes which are at the heart of Jesus’ teaching. In his first Sermon, Jesus presents us with eight examples of qualities that bring us closer to the Kingdom of God. Among the main events there will be the Opening Mass on the 25th of July, the Welcome Ceremony with the first meeting the Holy Father (28th July), the Way of the Cross with the WYD Cross (29th July), and then the event at the heart of World Youth Day: the Vigil with the Holy Father (30th July) and the Concluding Mass (31st July). The program will also include catechesis in various languages The Youth Festival: a religious, artistic and cultural program takes place in the afternoons and evenings during the three days of catechesis, except during the Main Events. The Youth Festival is composed of open and free initiatives of an artistic, religious and spiritual character. This aspect of WYD gives pilgrims an opportunity to participate in concerts, exhibitions, workshops, sporting events, theatre events and many others. The Youth Festival is prepared for pilgrims, by pilgrims. Everyone has the opportunity to participate not only as a spectator but also as an artist or organizer. The young people of the Focolare Movement will give their contribution towards the preparation of WYD, particularly through an event held during this Festival on 27th July in Krakow, Sports Club Plaszowianka ul. Stroza-Rybna 19 (tram stop 50, 20, 11).
“The inspiration to form the Italian Association of Entrepreneurs for an Economy of Communion (AIPEC), goes back to 2012, during what seemed to be the worst economic crisis in Italy. It was then that a group of businessmen, members of the EoC, felt they had to react. The first step was to see if there were possibilities for their businesses to work with one another. In autumn that year, the memorandum of association was approved, along with the charter and an ethical code. The association immediately proved to be a means for the dissemination of the Economy of Communion.” Upon tracing the association’s origins, Livio Bertola, also illustrated the objectives: “The core values of the association draw inspiration from a “culture of giving.” This is why the shareholders feel the urge not to expect gains for themselves, but to find ways of doing something for the others.” What are the objectives of AIPEC and who does it address? “We are addressing businessmen, freelance professionals, cooperatives and generally, all those who wish to have a people-centred economy: employees, students, housewives, pensioners, unemployed, etc. AIPEC aims to promote the values of the Economy of Communion, and we are trying to do so as best we can: on the one hand, promoting throughout Italy, meetings with people who wish to obtain the utmost from their own work, and organising schools of civil economy with special regard for the young generations; on the other, supporting the activities of associated entrepreneurs, and enhancing the synergies that can be created among them.” The values of Economy of Communion are expressed in two words that seem to contradict each other … “In effect, the businessmen who join the EoC make a revolutionary choice. The reason why we inserted the preposition “for” is due to the fact that firstly, we are still in the process of building a full communion and none of us has the presumption to feel that we have reached the goal, and secondly, though not less importantly, because Economy of Communionwas created for the poor; it is with them that each of the businesses freely shares a part of the corporate profits. This is why we entrepreneurs feel the need to work together by sharing ideas, giving support, paying attention to the others (employees, clients, suppliers, shareholders, or even competitors), and sharing ideas, difficulties and talents. We pay special attention to the businessmen and workers who in these years are suffering the consequences of the economic and social crises.” Who can join your association? “Our network is made up of entrepreneurs and professionals who we define as ordinary partners, and also all the people who want to uphold the values of EoC and who we consider our supporter-partners. You can cooperate with AIPEC also by visiting the site which offers a lot of information on the activities of the association, initiatives and events for information and diffusion. By becoming a supporter, you can become an active part of the projects underway, and also create new projects together.” Any project in the making? “We set an ambitious objective: to spend the next three years from the actual 200 to 6,000 partners! However, personal collaboration and contributions are fundamental, especially of those who already know the EoC and wish to give their time and energy to make the “culture of giving” grow in Italy and throughout the world.”
Latina, is a region in central Italy, historically the youngest of the peninsula, built during the Fascist period on the reclaimed land of the Agro Pontino. Its population is of “mixed” origin, with people from various regional backgrounds, now enriched by a greater cultural diversity as a result of immigration. Basma moved here 18 years ago, together with her husband Ben, both from Tunisia. Their two children were born in Italy. “One day,” Basma recounts, “as I waited for my youngest child outside the school, I became acquainted with an Italian mother, and little by little we built a profound friendship. Up until then, I knew a number of Christians, or at least that’s what they claimed to be, but they gave me a fairly negative impression of Christianity, where everything was permitted and you could not see the difference between good and evil. However, together with this newfound Christian friend, we discussed our faith and beliefs and we discovered that we had much in common: each of us had put God at the centre of their life. She always offered me a ride after school since she lived nearby and soon our families started seeing a lot of each other. I discovered that behind this new friend was a group of people, all Christians, living for God.” The friendship grew, by simply exchanging gifts and having mutual appreciation: such as couscous dinners served in Tunisian dishes for the whole family. “We crossed the city together on foot, as we usually do, and they remarked that they had discovered a hidden city, populated by many Muslim friends.” Then we organised a Tunisian evening with free entrance to support the school fees of the children, in a period when the father had had an accident at work. Our Christian friends furnished the house with traditional rugs, curtains, pillows, low tables and candles. “We went shopping together and Basma cooked for us,” they said. There was such much joy when the right amount of money arrived for the purchase of school books. It was a wonderful night in which we could express our Arabic culture and we all felt we were brothers and sisters. In presenting the cheque, the note said: “Thank you for taking us into a journey into your own land. Your family from Latina.” Basma’s weeping sealed the bond between us all. ”
Foto: Rosario De Rosa
Then, suddenly, came the illness and death of her husband. “Before leaving Ben entrusted me to these Christian friends. I for one was so surprised: there were his family, the brothers at the Mosque, but perhaps he felt that with his Christian friends there was a relationship based on God. Ben died leaving us in deep sorrow. We were alone in a foreign land. I did not have the strength to live,” confided Basma. In those days marked by profound grief, her Christian friends started to take turns in looking after the family, preparing meals and trying to encourage them to keep going. “Her pain and that of her children was ours,” they recounted. They launched a big communion of goods in order to support them. Soon after, they received ten sackfuls of vegetables. This type of “providence”, as her Christian friends called it, became contagious, and even Basma herself started to share what she received. Eventually, she was offered a job. But the shift at the factory started at four in the morning and it was far from her home. One of her friends offered to accompany her. This action started a chain of initiatives in order to share her burden and to to give her encouragement. “In this new work environment,” says Basma, “I have also started to love everyone, including those who considered me an enemy because I wear a veil. Now there is such a beautiful rapport with these colleagues that they offered to give me a lift to work, so my friends don’t have to accompany me any more. In the early days, when it was difficult, I repeated a phrase I had heard from my fellow Christians: ‘Where there is no love, put love and you will find love’. It’s so true; love is contagious.” Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
On May 15,Maria Voceand Jesus Moran, on their first day of their visit to “Africa”, were welcomed by the inhabitants of Mariapolis Piero amidst drum-beats and shouts of joy. Thanking the youth for their warm welcome, Maria Voce confided that she had received many messages from various parts of the world. We were struck by the fact that the communities of the Focolare in Syria too sent their regards to the Africans and assured their prayers. She concluded: “We thank God that there is peace in Kenya; let us remember those countries where there is no peace, and let us live these days so that our living in peace might somehow be a contribution to global peace.” “First a flame, now a fire, has invaded the whole of the Africa, a fire of the love among us!” When I think of Mariapolis Piero today, the words of this song composed by the young people of the Focolare in the year 2000 during Chiara Lubic’s visit to Fontem (Cameroon), came to my mind. Located at around 27km from the city of Nairobi, Mariapolis Piero spans 18 hectares of green land. In 1992, at its foundation, this little town was indeed a small flame, a seed that after 24 years of existence, has grown into a big fire, into a tree. In her inaugural speech on that day, May 19, Chiara Lubich had confided that “this seed would grow into a flourishing tree whose branches can offer a home to many birds, just like the Kingdom of God spoken of by Jesus, and that is to many people who will come here from all over to learn how to build unity, how to put unity into practice and to spread it around us, to see how the world would be if the unity invoked by Jesus, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, for our times can be fulfilled.” In these years, this “prophecy” has been an ongoing experience. With the various realizations, the Mariapolis welcomes various people from all over Africa and beyond, of all backgrounds and religions, children, young people and adults, men and women, priests, bishops and laity, to live and give witness that unity is possible.
It is a place for the formation in the spirituality of unity and its concrete realizations in society, as 21 year old Michael says: “It is like our laboratory where we live our most meaningful life experiences, where our way of living brings about numerous seeds of universal brotherhood.” What the experience brings about is a family experienced by the inhabitants of this Little Town, whether permanent or temporary, a family bound by the Gospel-based reciprocal love. It’s an on-going formation process in real life aiming at building up “mature Christian communities.” (Christifideles laici, 34) The characteristic of the Little Town traced by Chiara is Inculturation: “The specific characteristic of the little town is the calling of the Movement in Africa, it will be a particular accent on a particular duty, namely evangelization. To realize this, this centre will specialize in Inculturation”. This is how the “School for focolare-style Inculturation” was born. Its goal is to deepen the life of the Gospel by “trying to dialogue” with the various cultures and cultural practices of the African peoples from the point of view of the spirituality of unity. Liliane Mugombozi
The four day event will be dedicated to the examination and study of both oral and written traditions concerning the topic of the family as it is understood and experienced by various ethnic groups in Africa. These will be compared to the Holy Scriptures, the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and experiences and reflections that emerge from the Spirituality of Unity. This will be the essential approach of the School of Inculturation with a relational dynamic at its base: “You can’t enter into the spirit of a brother [or sister] to understand them, comprehend them . . . if our [spirit] is rich with apprehension, judgment . . .” Chiara Lubich writes. “’Making yourself one’ [Cor 9:23-16] means placing yourself in front of others in attitude of learning, because you really have to learn something.” How did it all begin? “It was certainly and ingenious Chiara Lubich had,” explains Maria Magnolfi. Maria has been living in Africa between Kenya and South Africa for twenty years. She has a doctorate in Holy Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and has been with the School of Inculturation since it first began. “It all goes back to when Chiara went to Nairobi in May 1992. While there, she met the Apostolic Nuncio and listened to his concerns regarding the Church as it prepared for the first African Synod that would include the topic of inculturation. That’s when she founded the School of Inculturation, inspired by her Spirituality of Unity for the study of African cultures and the results produced amongst them by the life of the Gospel. It has not always been easy to find successful paths for inculturation in ecclesial contexts. The recent letter received from Cardinal Arinze seemed quite significant to us. In it the Cardinal expressed his pleasure because of the work that has been done in these years, and offered his full encouragement that we continue in this process.” The topics that have been discussed in these years include: private property and work, the sense of the sacred, suffering and death, the reconciliation process, and communication. In 2015, the School focused on the concept of the human person in African cultures. This time we will move on to the intricacy of family relations, aware of the central role that is assigned to the family in African cultures. “We will explore the concept of matrimony in the Tswana, Zulu, Kikuyo cultures, and in cultural groups from Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, Congo, Angola, Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi, Cameroon and Madagascar . . . Two guiding principles have been identified: the man-woman role and the institution of marriage as an alliance, and the transmission of values in the family, which is a topic that came into relief during the School on the concept of the human person. Which values? Sharing, hospitality, participation, respect for the elders who are sources of wisdom, willingness to share immediately when necessary.” What significance does the School of Inculturation have? What is its importance for the encounter amongst African cultures, and amongst these and extra-African cultures? Cameroon focolarino and lawyer, Raphael Takougang described it in this way: “In founding the School of Inculturation during her visit to Kenya in 1992, Chiara Lubich touched the soul of the African people. She showed that she understood Africa more than you might think? Her gesture was not a mere formality but the result of a deep love for the people and their cultures that history has not always acknowledged. For more than twenty years African experts, experts on Holy Scripture and of the charism of unity have been working to highlight the “seeds of the Word that are contained in the many different cultures of the continent: first, to shed light on them for Africans themselves so that they might know and appreciate one another better. Then, it is a helping the African people better known abroad, since up until now they have been little known for much beyond famine and war. The cultural patrimony that is gradually being constituted speaks of the presence of God in the daily life of these peoples and could be a significant contribution to dialogue among the peoples of the world that are more and more becoming a “global village”.
The MilONGa project is the name for a thousand NGOs in action, and offers to young people of 18 and above, the opportunity to practice the role of protagonists in the social work yards of the world’s outskirts. The initiative is promoted by the Focolare Movement in synergy with other humanitarian organisations in the territory. To implement the project, the Focolare in the five continents placed their own facilities and their experience in the field of international relations at the service of the youth, to give them the chance to become promoters of peace and dialogue, in a constant effort to build bridges among individuals, peoples and cultures. Another objective is to develop in the youth those cross-linked competencies that can make them an active part in their own group and be able to influence decision-making processes and lifestyles in their respective social settings. This is a sort of “intercultural volunteer work” which gives the new generations a way of training themselves as protagonists in the change processes, while trying to capitalise on the assets acquired with the implementation of social projects in the world. It is an occasion to learn how to take stock – in the attitude of reciprocity – of the different cultural contexts, put into practice an active citizenship, and develop their own relational and leadership competencies. All of these happen in a continual synergy with the other actors of the project, and not as isolated individuals but in a programme of growth together. The first phase will provide assignments in the South American and Caribbean countries, to then extend to other areas where there are socially inclusive development activities that can host them, and where the youth may spend periods of one to six months, accompanied by local volunteers and tutors. Consult the portal United World Project to view the localities where volunteer services can be done and download the pdf file for registration. Subsequently, the regional coordinators will contact the subscribers for an interview, and assess with them a personalized proposal which also includes preliminary training (in collaboration with AMU, the Focolare NGO), informal teambuilding and networking activities, and present associations that will host them onsite. Upon reaching the destination, after a brief training period on the local context, the youth will start their established volunteer service, during which they will also be involved in cultural tours, participation in international events and recreational activities. For Europe, the agency in charge of the selection and dispatch of volunteers is New Humanity, for the Spanish-American regions, the Sumá Fraternidad, and for Brazil, Sociedade Movimento dos Focolari. Gustavo Clariá Website MilongaFacebookInfo: mariachiarahumura@gmail.com
Centro Ave Loppiano: Copyright Marika Tassi, ‘La chiesa’ – Roma 1962
“At the last supper Jesus uttered his wonderful testament praying: ‘that all be one.’ That certainly meant unity in the truth, unity in love. But what did Jesus mean exactly when he uttered those words? With twenty centuries behind us, it is now clearer to the Church (…) The approach of seeing Christian revelation and the Christian faith mostly and almost exclusively as truth has gone into a bit of crisis, precisely because the people hearing this truth no longer accept it as they once did. So, what is needed? Charity. Charity can be understood as charitable works, a life of charity that goes back a bit to orthopraxy, to liberation theology, social reform or the works of mercy; but we find that not even any of this creates unity, but often division. There is another understanding of charity as a spiritual reality of the souls of good will who, under the inspiration of God’s grace, love one another and are united (. . .) Yet even charity, in itself, as something human that becomes divine through the work of God’s grace, is not sufficient for creating unity. What creates unity is the Holy Spirit! What gives life to the mind, taking in the entire patrimony of the Catholic Church, taking to heart the entire patrimony of the Orthodox Church and the life of charity, is the Holy Spirit who renews the face of the earth. It is the Holy Spirit that makes the unity of the Church. We see that it has to be the Holy Spirit to renew the Church still today. We see it concretely through the charism given to our own Movement that renews the Church along with the charisms that have been given to other movements. What is a charism? A charism is the action of the Holy Spirit received by one or more people. We don’t have the charism of being apostles; we have the charism of bringing unity. But this charism is valid inasmuch as it is the Holy Spirit himself who creates the unity.” (1980) Source: Pasquale Foresi – Luce che si incarna (Rome: Città Nuova, 2014) p. 211-213.
There, they will be given a festive African welcome by representatives of the Focolare communities in Kenya and by several people from other African nations: “I leave with a lot of joy, thinking that in Kenya I’ll also be meeting other parts of Africa,” says Maria Voce before leaving Italy. This is her second visit to the African continent, after that of 2009 to Fontem, Cameroon for the solemn celebration of Chiara Lubich’s Cry Die. The schedule of events provides a rough idea of what the trip will be about: enculturation, family and ecumenism. Numerous meetings are scheduled with civil and Church authorities, the general public and with Focolare communities.The first appointment is at the School of Inculturation, May 17-20, which will be attended by 257 people from Sub-Saharan Africa. Maria Voce and Jesús Morán, who will attend the work sessions, will also offer presentations at the beginning and at the conclusion of the event. Jesús will give a third presentation related to the recent apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on love in the family. On May 7, 1992, during a trip to Nairobi, to visit Focolare members of the African continent, Chiara Lubich noted in her diary: “Inculturation, the great way for the evangelization!”. Five days later, permanent Mariapolis Piero was inaugurated in Nairobi and Chiara founded the School of Inculturation, an intuition that turned out to be prophetic. The 11th School, titled “Family and Inculuration in Africa”, will include several commissions from the Sub-Sahara region and will be composed of scholars, experts, academics and families. On May 25, at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa’s (CUEA) Law School, Maria Voce – who was amongst the lawyers who began the Communion and Law network – has been invited to give a lesson on “The Law’s Role in Today’s World”. CUEA Law School has three departments: public law, private law and international law. It offers four-year Bachelor of Law Degrees with the goal of producing graduates with a mastery of Kenyan Law. Maria Voce’s presentation will be addressed mainly to students and scholars of the Law School, but is also open to other Schools of the University and to people outside the CUEA community. May 27 will be the appointment with the International Ecumenical Movement of Kenya (IEM-K). The international ecumenical movement of Kenya began in the 90s, and has always aspired to “evangelize the city of Nairobi by living a faith that is not intimidated as it challenges, in a practical way and from a Biblical prospective, political and economic questions of justice that are of interest to the community in which we live”. The general goal of the IEM-K is to provide a forum for Christian communion on an interdenominational level. Maria Voce has been invited to share the Focolare’s experience in the ecumenical field. OnMay 28-29 a final meeting is scheduled with the Focolare communities in Kenya, which will include representatives from Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. That same day “Mary of the Light” Church will be inaugurated.
What do you feel about Pope Francis’ words on the possibility of reactivating the ancient tradition of women deacons? «I think that any openness Pope Francis shows to a greater involvement of women in the life of the Church, and also in its “leadership” roles, is a blessing. This does not mean that I am for or against the diaconate for women. I am however certainly in favour of an in depth study of the question, so as to understand better what might be the role and functions of deacons in general and whether women might have a place in this type of ministry. At the moment it seems to me that the role of the deacon, as it is practised, is more about helping the priest than the community. If instead this ministry were to be practised and recognised more explicitly as service to the community, also having the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel, to administer sacraments that are not reserved to the presbyterate or to the bishop, or being able to manage a parish community, I believe all this would be in itself an important sign of greater openness. I don’t see why women should be excluded a priori from these roles.» Can the vision of Church-as-communion help in discerning this matter? «I believe so. I am very much in favour of a study on the diaconate being done by a specifically designated commission because I believe that, precisely because decisions on the subject would be important, setting up a working group goes in the direction of the synodal approach which the Pope has established for all the most important matters in the Church. This means not only and not so much trusting in what the Pope considers to be good, but above all trusting in the experience of the Holy Spirit at work which we are aware of when addressing a problem together, in communion.» In reality, women already do a great deal in Christian communities… «Countless women have always done much to support ecclesial communities in various roles: bringing the Eucharist to places where priests are not able to go, reflecting on the Gospel, presiding at “liturgies in the absence of a priest” or undertaking administrative roles in parishes and even dioceses, without there being any need for a special title… If all that these women already do in local churches were recognised officially, I think this would indicate an openness and show that the life of the Church was being conducted in a more communitarian way. As well as being in favour of study on the diaconate, I am grateful to this Pope who wants to include women more, and more decisively, in the ongoing reformation of the Catholic Church that he has begun, by recognising what is distinctive in women and allowing them to serve the Church and humankind through their specific gifts.» Source: Città Nuova online
Political involvement in the Philippines, especially among younger age groups, has always been a key issue. Over the years, the Focolare Movement has promoted events that encourage active involvement in the democratic process for the building of a more fair just country. A few days away the from election, on May 12-14, 2016, a Run4Unity event is being held by the young people and teenagers of the Focolare Movement with the stated intention of strengthening ties with society. In the local dialect it is titled “Dula Napud Ta Bai”, which means “Let’s play, friend”, abbreviated “DULA TA Bai”. Joops Miranda, one of the young organizers, writes: “The event is meant to promote awareness of each individual’s ability to become a catalyst of a more united world. It wishes to help strengthen interpersonal relationships and to build new ones. It aims at encouraging dialgogue about current issues amongst young people from different communities, in a setting where they can also have fun! We hope to accomplish this goal through the many sport and recreational activities that will be offered. This underscores our final goal, which is to unite people of different ethnic origins, nationalities and religious beliefs . . . to become a family.” Where did the idea for Dula Ta Bai come from? Joops explains: “In the summer of 2014, we and some friends were wondering how we could avoid wasting another summer sitting in front of a computer screen, playing on our personal tablet. The initial idea came in this way: we were chatting with each other: Why not spend a whole day (which then became three days) doing different physical activities? Things that could be done together, outside in the open, inviting the local community to join us? Two months later there were 200 of us together from several parts of the Philippines. Basketball, volleyball, light exercize, football, frisbee and the ever-popular “Amazing Race” are some of the sport events offered at Dula Ta Bai. Then, the event will conclude with an evening programme called “U-Nite”, with music and story sharing. The young people wondered how they could develop the second event: “The renewal of our way of thinking and doing, also plays a vital part in approaching Jesus’s prayer “that all may be one” (Jn 17:21)” Joop explains. So we left room for the concept of ‘environmental conscience’ (‘Pagkabana Kalikupan’). We’re trying to respond to Pope Francis’s appeal in Laudato Si’ which reminds us of Mother Nature’s cry, and we wanted to help in promoting an itegral ecology. An integral ecology, as the Pope explains, is an ecology that isn’t concentrated only on nature while leaving out humankind and its needs, but rather includes a “human” ecology. Therefore, following this line of thought we hope to convey to the other young people the value of caring for one another (with sport, cultural, musical and artistic activities) and of caring for the environment.” Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
A Festival for Peace concluded United World Week in Ecuador. It was a veritable expo of fraternal actions promoted by the young people of the Focolare Movement. The account of Francesco Ricciardi from the international delegation that travelled the roads of Ecuador in an experience that powerfully brought out the communitarian vocation of the South American continent. “Traditional and modern musical instruments joined together in giving life to a real feast. Young people from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas took to the stage. The whole world is in Quito today!” “Even from amidst last week’s destruction, we saw a chain of generosity and solidarity emerge,” Juan Carlos reported. Many concrete experiences of after the earthquake were presented on the stage. Jesús recounts: “When we saw the first pictures, we realized the serious extent of the damages. With several friends we began to organize a collection of basic necessities. We worked from morning until the middle of the night, for love of our brothers and sisters.” Natalia continues: “We focused on areas that were devastated by the earthquake, trying to respond to the cry of suffering. At first it wasn’t clear how we could be of any help. Then I realized that I could love by listening and taking on the pain of the people I met.” David says: “I saw open hands that didn’t hesitate for a single second to give: food, water, medicine and money; hands that didn’t have anything to give, but pitched in to help. I saw an Ecuador shattered by desperation, thirst and fear. But I saw faces of joy, satisfaction and hope at receiving such selfless assistance. I worked beside people who left everything behind: the job, school and even their own family to help people who had lost everything. I got a close up look at the goodness of the Ecuadorians and others.” Some artistic offerings made the celebration even more pleasant and helped to enhance the testimonies. Melany recounts: “When I began to sing in the university chorus I realized that, to have a place in the chorus my friends hadn’t hesitated to offend and insult others. One day, I decided to share the songs I had written. It was a first step. Since then everything has changed. Others have also begun to share their hidden talents that they are finally able to display without fear! The relationship among us all has very much improved. On May 8, 2015 we put together a concert of Latin American music with the goal of transmitting the value of fraternity.” Lebanese young people Giorgio and Lara, even though immersed in one of the bloodiest wars in history, found the strength to love everyone: “The war in Syria has produced 6.5 million refugees inside the country and 3 million have fled to neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, hundreds of public rallies have been held throughout the Middle East to raise funds and supplies of all sorts, and to give a joint witness as Christians and Muslims that unity is possible. Concerts, feasts and prayer vigils have transformed the feast into hope, hatred into pardon and revenge into peace. So many families with such poor financial resources have taken in Iraqi refugees. In Syria many have said to us: “Love conquers all, even when that seems impossible.” David and Catalina presented the “Peace Schools”, a programme promoted in collaboration with Sophia University Institute: “The objective is to create spaces of formation in the theory and practice of fraternity, strengthening relationships with oneself, others, Creation, objects and with transcendence. Universal brotherhood could create a politics that is at the service of all: an economy based on communion; a balanced ecology: a world that is everyone’s home.” The programme is one of the concrete efforts of the United World Project. The festival of inculturation concluded with Samiy, an indigenous young person from the Kitu Kara community: “We’ve spent a week together in which we have experienced that it is possible to bring fraternity, unity, solidarity and peace into our lives, into our local environments and into our world. Humankind is alive. Our commitment is personal, but we can do it only if we feel that we are part of a community. Today we were witnesses to the beauty and diversity and the richness of the cultures.” The joy was irrepressible. During the final song everyone inside the arena was dancing! Young and old, children and teenagers: everyone dancing for joy. But it was no fleeting joy, but the awareness that we are many, a single people with Love for its banner. And as Lidia and Walter said: “This is no conclusion. This is only the beginning!” Source: Città Nuova online
“A family’s history is beset by all types of crises.” This was how Pope Francis introduced his speech on the crisis of couples described in Amoris Laetitia (AL 232 and ff.), thus interpreting the various phases with great realism. These pages seem to recount my story, of when as a child of five, I lost my father and was impoverished by the lack of a future, and when, as a young man, I found in the love of a girl, a breath of new life and hope for happiness and then, as a disillusioned person, I found myself alone. But it is also the story of a community that welcomed and saved me. After Renzo’s nautical studies he embarked on the ships of the Mercantile Marines, and during a leave, met Mariarosa and love bloomed. It was such a great sentiment that could not accept distances. He left his maritime job for her, and his new job led him to live far from their families, friends, and the usual life. The entire universe enfolded the two of them in a dream, and both put their bets on happiness with one another. All went well until when our differences, attractive at the start, slowly started to disturb our harmony. It reached the point that they seemed unacceptable, and made us feel like strangers to one another, in the conviction that we had chosen the wrong person. And in the bitter disappointment we admitted that the dream had ended, along with our marriage. So we split up and I found myself alone in an empty house, giving in to anger and despair.
1971: As a young couple with the first 5 children
At the wedding feast of a colleague, one of the guests gave me a lift home. Encouraged by his immense capacity to listen, I recounted my situation. He offered his friendship but, disappointed with life and people, I told him I didn’t believe in friendship. “I am offering a new type of friendship – he said calmly – to love one another “the way Jesus loved us,” That “way” opened a passage in my soul. I started to frequent his family and Focolare friends who also became my friends. It was what I really needed: the support of the people who did not judge me but counseled me, without showing off their own happiness. They were able to understand the anguish of those like me, who were lost. Their lifestyle was like a mirror which reflected all my past, making me see my chain of errors and egoisms that had destroyed all. Following their example, I also started to do something good for the others.
Renzo and Maria Rosa with the whole family
Two years later, unexpectedly I received a letter from Mariarosa. Also she, in different ways had found other things, and in her city had met people who brought her closer to Jesus. We met with hesitance, and in that moment we felt that God had given us a new heart and the certainty that our love could again blossom. It was a measure of love that did not wait to receive, but that gave. With mercy, a new path began, up to when our family was reconstituted and later blessed by six children, among which were three twins. We no longer were isolated and with other couples we shared the daily renewal, experiencing that despite the daily difficulties and trials we could look toward ì perspective of happiness as a couple. It was a day-to-day weft of communion, reciprocity, deep sharing of sentiments, promises, and donation towards the children and all around us and experience with joy, as Francis wrote, that a crisis that is overcome really leads to an “improvement, and the consolidation and maturation of the wine of union.” (AL 232)».
On 5 May 2016, The Associated Church Press (Florida) conferred on Living City Magazine two awards for last year’s February, April and October issues. It received an Honourable Mention in the category “Best in Class National/International print magazines, directed to a broad audience”(Christian Century and Sojourners were the other award recipients in this category). The judges appreciated the “strong use of colour on front covers” and the full bleed and full page pictures. For the writing, they found the first person pieces the most engaging. “Unique perspectives and a strong focus on the magazine’s purpose makes for an original and interesting magazine. Good work,” was their comment. In the category “Reporting and Writing: interview (all media)”, Living City received an Award of Excellence for the article “Peace through forgiveness” published in the December 2015 issue, written by Jade Giacobbe after an encounter with Rahel Muha, whose son was murdered in 1999 at age 18. The judges wrote, “This would be a heart-breaking story were it not for the emphasis on forgiveness, and the mother providing a powerful testimony … A well-crafted story. Good can spring from evil with the proper approach to forgiveness.”
“We felt strongly that we wanted to immerse ourselves in the wounds of our city. We became inolved with Patrizia, a teacher and collaborator of Città Nuova magazine, who was writing a book about the children of prisoners and she had just met the Break the Wall Committee. This committee consists of 7 prisoners who were working to allow children to have a bit more than cold meetings with their fathers in large empty rooms. They wanted to hold celebrations and events that would leave the children with a happy memory of their fathers from whom they were separated. A collaboration of mutual trust was immediately established between us, the inmates on the committee, the teachers and the director. The first meeting with the prisoners took place at Christmas 2014. I was struck when the police ordered us to leave all our personal possessions behind before crossing the prison gate. We took his words to mean our prejudices as well. The detainees couldn’t believe that so many young people would spend a Saturday morning with them. Since the day of that celebration something more than a volunteer programme began: a true and deep relationship with the detainees themselves.As we described what we were doing, one of them remarked that it took a lot of courage. But for us it was a matter of trust in others even though they had committed a crime and of hope that they can change and begin again. We remember the joy of that detainee who was glad to be able to invest his talents in something legal that was not for profit – as were the illegal activities that he had been engaged in before. For him who had no children of his own, working for the children filled him with a sense of satisfaction.Last year we met with the detainees on the committee to plan another event. A thank you note they wrote conveys their joy and enthusiasm over that meeting where we were able to sit down together as if we weren’t inside the walls of a prison. We also had a snack together, yes, because they gave us a warm welcome as you would among old friends. Now they call us ‘the kids on the external committee’. At that meeting they opened up and shared with us the practical effects of inprisonment on their daily life. For example, they said that people in prison aren’t able to bring the background into focus; their eyes need to reacquire the ability to look ahead, having lost the possibility to see the horizon. One of them said goodbye to us in a note; “To the youngsters I say continue to dedicate yourselves to this activity, because often the ones who are inside need only to see that there is someone on the outside who is interested in our problems so they can have a second chance. On my part, I thank you for that.” Last March, for Father’s Day, we organised games and other activities in the mornings and afternoons. Half a day of simple things that allowed their usually divided families to spend some time together, and for their children to cherish fond memories in the area of the so delicate and difficult relationships with their fathers. Some of them were present during the visit Pope Francis made on Holy Thursday last year, and they attrended the Mass and told us how moving it was for them. It has remained a precious memory for them. They often tell us that ‘Prison takes away your feelings along with your freedom’. But perhaps now something has changed: there’s the joy of meeting and working together without any prejudice. In them we’ve discovered the face of Jesus the prisoner, Jesus the marginalised. Every time we’re leaving Rebibbia Prison we feel that we’ve learnt to have the courage to change, to admit our own mistakes and to begin again.We feel God’s personal love and His immense Mercy.”
In the Year of Mercy, Consecrated Women who belong to the Focolare Movement will hold a week of Spiritual Exercises at their Casa Emmaus Centre in the Focolare town of Loppiano, Italy. “It will be an opportunity for the women to deepen their own charisms in the light of the spirituality of unity,” explains Sister Antonia Moioli, “and in this context to experience the relationship that exists amongst the charisms. Brochure
“Resignation and weariness do not belong to the soul of Europe; even our problems can become powerful forces of unity” For the majority of Europeans, May 9 is an occasion to celebrate the values of integration, unity and peace, as this date marks the anniversary of the historical Schuman declaration that gave birth to the European Union; but for others it marks the time when Stalin declared victory over Germany on May 9, 1945 and rights started to be deprived under the Soviet rule. The innovative process of integration, which Europe dared to start sixty years ago, should be confronted against this historical background even today. Considering the present crisis and the contradictions inherent in the cultural and social paradigms that peoples in Europe are experiencing, one is bound to ask: is the European experience still valid? Do Europeans still want to be together? For Pasquale Ferrara, a diplomat, a scholar and a lecturer in International Relations and Diplomacy, “the European vision of integration – which consists of bringing together not so much the leaderships, but the political will of the different countries to govern jointly over phenomena that are beyond control of individual states – is still one of great insight”. Through integration “Europe demonstrates that even today multilateralism can have an added value if attention is not centred on the state but on the political function it performs to provide for the needs of its citizens in a global and transnational world”. “A Europe that is able to stay together and thus rediscover what more can be done for the world in a better way” – these words of Maria Voce summerize the Focolare Movement’s perspective while contributing towards ongoing processes in Europe. An example of this commitment is “Together for Europe”, which brings together more than 300 communities and movements that belong to different Christian Churches. These form a network which pursues shared goals and promotes a culture of reciprocity, which stimulates individuals and peoples to welcome and get to know each other, to be reconciled and to offer mutual support. “’Together for Europe’ is not an end in itself, but its nature is exquisitely political in the noblest sense of the word: it strives for the good of that part of humanity which is Europe; it aims at the revival of its roots and at its awareness to contribute to the rest of the world” . “Together for Europe” is organizing a European event that will take place in Munich from June 30 to July 2, 2016. During the first two days, 36 round tables and forums will offer the opportunity to share experiences and views on issues concerning Europe. An outdoor rally will conclude the event on the third day. Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I will be present through their video messages. Jean-Claude Junker, President of the European Commission, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, granted their patronage. (http://www.together4europe.org/). “At a time when Europe is mostly needed, the more it seems to lack the ability to face these challenges”, comments Ferrara, while referring to the lack of political figures with a broad vision. He concludes: “But, are we looking in the wrong direction? Maybe we think that one or more political leaders are needed, while instead we must give more value to civil society, focusing more on youth and their social and political creativity, on their ability to imagine the “Old” continent as a “new” one”. Source: Press releases
It was the summer of 2013 when an idea came up among some teenagers from Rome of doing something to curb the proliferation of gambling in the city. It was becoming more and more common to see both old and young people glued to the slot machines that are found in many Italian bars. Despite the economic crisis, in recent years the supply and consumption of gambling in Italy has increased dramatically. Italians spend 85 billion a year on the more than 50,000 latest generation slot machines, and the latest estimates are that more than 800,000 people suffer from gambling addiction. We see how the gambling business is devastating our cities, depleting the fabric of society and creating isolation and loneliness. At the helm of this exponential growth of gambling is an economic vision in which the only thing that matters is profit for the multinationals with the consent from a state that also sees it as an opportunity for profit. In front of such a bleak scene the teenagers from Rome wondered what they could do . . . and from there came the idea of rewarding the barkeepers who have chosen not to make gambling available at their establishments. They went to breakfast at their bars en masse as a Slotmob. Initially they proposed doing it in Rome and Milan, but the simple and practical idea fascinated many Italians from north to south of the peninsula. There have been 120 Slotmobs in the past two and a half years, with the participation of over 10,000 people and a network of more than 200 associations. The project has created relationships with very diverse groups, created meeting spaces, awareness and mended the social bond that gambling had disintegrated. “In Rome we concentrated our efforts on an area known as the Italian Las Vegas,” Maria Chiara explains. “In a short time a network was formed with 7 local associations that deal with different aspects of gambling. A sincere relationship was created, not without the usual difficulties of working with one another. That’s how the Let’s Not Gamble Ourselves Project began and now involves several city schools. Talking to teenagers about the power of our choices and of how we can change unjust situations beginning from ourselves, is not in fact very easy. But it actually is important to build a more just world and to involve young people in the change process.” Maria Chiara continues:“The Slotmob experience is making us meet many people, many stories that show us that gambling is an open wound on our society. During one Slotmob a man that had helped us to organise some games with the young people took the microphone and told his own experience as a regular gambler. He said to us: ‘My life is made of bright spots and shadows, and what makes me gamble is the solitude. But today seeing all of you here I no longer feel alone. So I commit to stop gambling. If you see me in front of a slot machine, you’re authorised to reprimand me and remind me of this promise I make today’.” “When we look back,” Maria Chiara concludes, “we see that we’ve had unimagined results. Two laws were blocked that would have reduced the power of mayors in limiting gambling; we got a partial ban on television advertising, and increased media attention on the problem of gambling. We’re aware that we have a long road ahead of us, we’d like advertising for gambling to be completely banned and we want to re-open the discussion on whether gambling should be in the hands of multinationals. For this reason on May 7 we will be on more than 40 public squares across Italy restating our yes to a different economy and rewarding bars that have said no to gambling.”
“Dear Youth for a United World, I know that you hoped to receive a message from me that would contribute towards the success of United World Week. What subject have I chosen to speak on? There couldn’t be a better one than your very own goal of achieving a united world. Is it reasonable to talk about a united world? Is it possible to imagine a united world? Can we hope that the attention we give and the energy we use will one day play a significant role in reaching such an objective? Or is it a utopia, something unattainable and fantastical, as some people might think? Many signs today point to the fact that the world is heading towards this goal. First of all, there is the conviction that unity is a sign of the times. This means that those who are particularly able and competent in discerning the times we live in confirm that the world is moving towards unity. Some of you may remember that I too have spoken about this very often, examining the religious aspect in particular. Today’s drive towards unity, however, does not only involve the religious field, but also the political world. Apart from the United Nations, where almost all the states of the world are represented, there is the Organization of African Unity in Africa, for example, that is, an association of African states. In Asia there are various associations of states like the Islamic Conference Organization which includes 53 Muslim countries; the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, and others. In America there is the Organization of American States (of North, Central and South America), and the Latin American Integration Association. In Europe we have the Organization for European Economic Cooperation which also includes the countries of Eastern Europe, and the European Union. In addition, many wise people from different cultures in the world have expressed their thoughts on this subject. I would have liked to quote them but I don’t have access to them here in Brazil, from where I am sending this message. I found some thoughts by the most recent Popes. Besides being authoritative, the Popes are also holy, and so what they say can be of interest to everyone in the world. Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI have very similar ideas. In Populorum Progressio, Paul VI says: “Who cannot see the need to reach, by degrees, the establishment of a worldwide authority that can act effectively on the juridical and political levels?” The present Pope expressed himself in these terms at our Genfest ’90: “Truly, this seems to be the perspective emerging from the multiple signs of our times: the perspective of a united world. This is the great expectation of people today, the hope, and at the same time, the great challenge for the future. It is evident we are moving towards unity at an ever increasing speed.”My dear young people, you are striving and working for a united world. What are you doing to reach this goal? You are involved in activities which, although meaningful, might appear very small in comparison with your proposed objective. When you are older, perhaps some of you will be more directly involved in the various organizations which contribute to building a united world. Although all these activities and efforts will be very helpful, I don’t think that any of them will play a determining role in reaching this goal. Instead, the deciding factor in the journey towards unity we are involved in, is that of giving a soul to the world. And this soul is love. You must start a revolution of love around you, in all the countries you are living in. Today it is not enough to organise charity or welfare programs, although through such activities we can give to others out of love. Today we must “be love”, that is, we must feel what the other person is feeling, live the other, the others, and aim at achieving unity in accordance with our spirituality which, like a fire, has already been enkindled in varying measures, thanks to you too, all over the globe. John Paul II also said at the Genfest ‘90: “Be aware – and I say it again – that the path towards a united world, which is the path of peace, is founded on building relationships of solidarity, and solidarity has its roots in charity” (in love). Thus we must build relationships of unity, which have their roots in love. You must live out this love first of all among yourselves, so as to reach the point of living it with many, many others, wherever you go: with the people you meet every day, and with those who determine the course of events, in various institutions, and in big and small organizations around the world… everywhere. Only then will they fulfill the purpose for which they were established; only then will we truly work for a united world. Take courage, then, youth for a united world. You are following the most fascinating and splendid ideal on earth. And you are not alone! You, who are proud to be called Christians, know that by acting in this way, Christ is among you. Each and every one of you, of every belief and creed, knows that unity is strength. Go ahead then, begin or continue with your characteristic enthusiasm and determination. I, all of us, are with you… for the final victory, whenever God wills. But who will gather if no one sows? This is your task now at this time in history. And all things considered, there are promising signs that the goal you are living for is not far-off.” Chiara Lubich
It’s a global relay race in the name of peace and unity between peoples along the world’s most dangerous borders. From the US-Mexico border to the one separating Hungary and Austria, where were raised protective that people attempt to cross in the hope of a better future, putting their life at risk. It’s called Run4unity , promoted on Sunday May 8 by hundreds of thousands of young boys and girls from the Focolari Movement in all corners of the globe. From 11:00 to 12:00 they will follow a track by foot or by bike, with rollers, by boat. A time-out will follow, along with a minute of silence or a prayer for peace. “Youths for unity” in Mexico have decided to run across Mexicali, 3.500 km from Mexico City, on the border with the United States. They will be running along the wall that divides the two peoples, in memory of all those who lost their lives in the attempt to cross the border, finding themselves in a desert land. The initiative, included in the school program, involves 10 schools with 1500 pupils. It is promoted by a team of physical education teachers coordinated by the local school inspector. Across the ocean, Hungarian youths responded to their Mexicali “friends” with a relay race held Sunday May 1st in Sopron, on the Austria-Slovakian border. Last year the city hit world news as a destination of migrants desperately trying to enter Austria by train from Budapest. The relay took place with the participation of young Afghan refugees from a nearby refugee camp. Over 100 thousand adolescents have participated in the initiative held in previous years. From the islands of Wallis and Futuna in the Pacific Ocean to Cairo, the baton passes from time zone to time zone to kick off sporting events, solidarity actions and active citizenship experiences in places marked by loneliness, poverty, marginalization. In the city of Bari, (Italy) the initiative will take place in the Fornelli juvenile penitentiary with a four-way football tournament, while in another Italian town the young people decided to visit the reception centre for asylum-seekers. Wherever they will be running, “their flag” will bear the “Golden rule”:“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you.” It’s an ethical principle that is found in almost all cultures and religions – they said -. From Judaism to Islam, as well as in the most ancient African traditions. If the world stopped on Sunday, and were handed over to these young people to govern, perhaps many fears would be dispelled, tensions would ebb, many tears would be wiped off and a rainbow of peace would cross the world. Obviously, one hour is not enough to accomplish this “dream.” And from Sunday the world will start spinning as it always did. But they won’t, these young people will remain. They have learned to see the world with different eyes. They are already capable of following it going to those places where humanity is facing major historical challenges. Indeed, they are the future and represent hope. They are asking us and working towards a world where humankind will be as brothers and sisters. Perhaps it is worthwhile listening to them. Source: SIR
“May glory be upon you my Lord, He who is the Adored One, the One to be adored, the Eternal One, who existed from all times, who loves us, whose Mercy and Power embrace the universe (…). You are the Adored One, Oh Lord, You are the Master who loves and forgives. Your forgiveness and Your mercy are infinite, Oh Lord, You help those who are afflicted, the Consoler in every grief, the Refuge for those whose heart is broken.” (From a prayer by Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad)
The bi-monthly journal of the British Islamic Cultural Centre published a brief account of the recent visit to the Sophia University Institute by Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali, Director of the International Institute of Islamic Studies in Qum, Iran. Dr Shomali, who currently lives in London and directs the Islamic Centre in Great Britain, is a well-known figure in the Shia world. He is very active in the field of interreligious dialogue, and thanks to him various moments of encounter between Shi’a Muslims and Benedictine Monks have been organised organised, allowing relationships of trust to be established. The visit on 26 April to Sophia is a consequence of the long and fruitful pathway which made the shared experience and academic collaboration possible in Loppiano which has this characteristic. 
The conferral of the Honorary Doctorate to Focolare foundress, 
“Through the work of the Focolare Movement, 
“The 
“Here in Africa we got the news at one o’clock this morning, May 20th, the feast day of Corpus Domini. He had more than once expressed his desire to join 
Giving law a human face and seeking justice founded on the values of fraternity. This was 
“In our culture,” recounts a Congolese husband after 14 years of marriage, “the first child should be immediately conceived. If after six months a woman still has not conceived, the husband’s family subjects her to stress.” “This is exactly what happened to me – his wife continued. We were already giving half of our salaries to my in-laws who were already in their old age and could no longer work, but this didn’t suffice. They wanted us to have a child who would carry on their lives even after they died. Since nothing happened, my mother-in-law wanted to convince me to go to the quack doctor, and seeing my reluctance, started putting pressure on my husband to ask for a divorce. But he was determined, and though full of respect, told them clearly that he did not give in to their demands because he loved me, and having been married in church, our marriage was “for always.” After three years we decided to adopt two boys, and after 12 years, thanks to a treatment I had in 
“The inspiration to form the 
The values of Economy of Communion are expressed in two words that seem to contradict each other … “In effect, the businessmen who join the EoC make a revolutionary choice. The reason why we inserted the preposition “for” is due to the fact that firstly, we are still in the process of building a full communion and none of us has the presumption to feel that we have reached the goal, and secondly, though not less importantly, because Economy of Communion was created for the poor; it is with them that each of the businesses freely shares a part of the corporate profits. This is why we entrepreneurs feel the need to work together by sharing ideas, giving support, paying attention to the others (employees, clients, suppliers, shareholders, or even competitors), and sharing ideas, difficulties and talents. We pay special attention to the businessmen and workers who in these years are suffering the consequences of the economic and social crises.” Who can join your association? “Our network is made up of entrepreneurs and professionals who we define as ordinary partners, and also all the people who want to uphold the values of EoC and who we consider our supporter-partners. You can cooperate with AIPEC also by visiting the 
“Resignation and weariness do not belong to the soul of Europe; even our problems can become powerful forces of unity” For the majority of Europeans, May 9 is an occasion to celebrate the values of integration, unity and peace, as this date marks the anniversary of the historical Schuman declaration that gave birth to the European Union; but for others it marks the time when Stalin declared victory over Germany on May 9, 1945 and rights started to be deprived under the Soviet rule. The innovative process of integration, which Europe dared to start sixty years ago, should be confronted against this historical background even today. Considering the present crisis and the contradictions inherent in the cultural and social paradigms that peoples in Europe are experiencing, one is bound to ask: is the European experience still valid? Do Europeans still want to be together? For Pasquale Ferrara, a diplomat, a scholar and a lecturer in International Relations and Diplomacy, “the European vision of integration – which consists of bringing together not so much the leaderships, but the political will of the different countries to govern jointly over phenomena that are beyond control of individual states – is still one of great insight”. Through integration “Europe demonstrates that even today multilateralism can have an added value if attention is not centred on the state but on the political function it performs to provide for the needs of its citizens in a global and transnational world”. 
