Jan 13, 2022 | Non categorizzato
The Ecclesial Assembly was an unprecedented experience for the Church in Latin America. It was an amazing experience which involved the whole People of God in a process that culminated at the end of November. It is ongoing in the effort to implement the priority pastoral guidelines that emerged. “We lived a true experience of synodality, in mutual listening and in communitarian discernment of what the Spirit wishes to say to his Church. We travelled together, recognizing our multifaceted diversity, but above all what unites us and, in dialogue, our disciples’ hearts looked at the reality that our continent is living with its pains and hopes”. 
These are the words of the 885 members of the Latin American and Caribbean Ecclesial Assembly, which took place from 21st-28th November in a blended virtual and personally present way in Mexico, with representatives from all the countries of the American continent. Susana Nuin, a Uruguayan focolarina, coordinator of Cebitepal, the Training Agency of the Episcopal Council of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM) commented, “On 24th January 2021, Pope Francis opened this first ecclesial assembly, inviting all the Holy People of God to participate: Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious, Lay People, all generations and all cultures”. It was a journey that involved all the dioceses, parishes, communities and movements, in a period of “listening”. 70,000 collective or individual responses were received, that will be compiled into a book. The broad lines that were worked on in the various groups derived from this material. Susanna continued, “In my opinion, the groups offered a very interesting space, due to the commitment and interest of the participants. We worked non-stop for 3 hours at a time, with a great freedom of expression and hunger for change”. Sandra Ferreira Ribeiro, a Brazilian focolarina, co-responsible for Centro “Uno”, the Focolare’s Secretariat for dialogue between Christians of different Churches, said, “For me it was a real experience of synodality. Every day, in the working groups, there was a different question to be discussed on the basis of the topic that was dealt with in the first part of the day. There were 14 people from different countries, vocations and ages in our group, all connected via zoom. First of all, we listened to everyone’s thoughts, then we tried to prioritize what had emerged and give a summary “. It was an intense and effective process, interspersed with short breaks, which at times were even neglected in order to continue the dialogue and be able to give some personal reflections to the coordinating team. The telematic means allowed a greater participation despite the limit on getting to know one another, that kind of contact that occurs spontaneously in the “corridors”, in the breakss and which also a is part of synodality. The moments of prayer were very well prepared, the Religious had a great hand in this this. They expressed the different cultural contributions with symbols and musical expressions always based on the Word. As in every synodal journey, there was also room for dissent and for the exchange of different points of view. At times these were divergent but they never led to clashes or ruptures. A conscious decision was made not to produce a final document, because there is still a lot to put into practice from the Aparecida document (2007). Furthermore, this Assembly is only one step on a path that must and will continue. Instead, a message was sent to the whole People of God of Latin America and the Caribbean, expressing the challenges and priority pastoral orientations which had emerged, ranging from a new impetus as an outgoing Church to the leadership of young people; from the promotion of human life, from conception to natural death, to formation in synodality. Challenges that include listening to and being close to the poor, excluded and rejected, with the aim of rediscovering the value of the indigenous peoples, inculturation and interculturality; priority to the implementation of the dreams of “Querida Amazonia”[1] for the defence of life, the land and the original and Afro-descendant cultures. Last but not least, to give careful attention to the victims of abuses that have occurred in the ecclesial context and to work for prevention. The guests included Cardinal Marc Ouelet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, representatives of the regional Bishops’ Conferences. They all followed the proceedings with great interest. Sandra concluded, “It was a privileged moment in which to be able to meet the Church of Latin America. In my group there were Bishops, Priests, Religious, Lay people. I met the Church in its members, in the people who expressed their anxieties and concerns. It was exciting to see the living, dynamic Latin American Church and its desire to progress fraternity, the Kingdom of God; its desire to truly bring Jesus to everyone “.
Carlos Mana
To download the final message: https://www.cec.org.co/sites/default/files/MENSAJE%20FINAL-Asamblea-Eclesial.pdf [1]“Querida Amazonia” is a 2020 post-synodal apostolic exhortation from Pope Francis in response to the Synod of Bishops of the Panamazónica region held in Rome in October 2019.
Jan 11, 2022 | Non categorizzato
Condolences and words of appreciation from Margaret Karram and the Focolare Movement on the death of the President of the European Parliament. “‘We need to open the European Parliament building to the homeless at night because it is painful to see so many people seeking shelter from the intense cold in the corners of our building here in Brussels. The poor cannot wait’. President Sassoli’s words in the year 2019 give me a sense of his human and civic stature and his vision for Europe. While today we are moved by this great loss, with deep gratitude we want to take up these values that we feel are ours too, and commit ourselves ever more to making them a reality”. This is how Margaret Karram, president of the Focolare Movement, expressed herself this morning on hearing of the death of the President of the European Parliament. She added: “His life, of such great human and political depth, stands before us now as a sign and authoritative testimony to a person who lived politics as service and worked towards a vision of Europe as a continent of fraternal peoples”. David Sassoli and young people In May 2021, President Sassoli spoke to the Youth for a United World of the Focolare Movement. They had invited him to speak on the subject of #daretocare, an international project, considering him as a witness to the kind of politics that is responsible for taking care of the world, starting with its wounds: “This image of ‘taking care’ is very beautiful, – he said – because politics has this goal, it cannot have any other: taking care of people, of one’s own community, of one’s own cities. I believe that this expression truly represents your determination to bet on the future”. “I was one of the young Europeans who had the privilege of talking to President Sassoli,” recalls Conleth Burns, an Irish researcher and organiser of the Dare to Care event. Two things struck us in what he said: his conviction that a politics deeply rooted in caring for people and communities is a better kind of politics and one that can transform society. And then his drive to bring politics and the institutions themselves closer to citizens, to strengthen our European democracy. President Sassoli’s vision and his testimony at the service of the common good, as a journalist and a politician, will continue to inspire us all”. Clara Verhegge, a young woman from Belgium, who spoke with the President, also says: “His commitment to the European reception of migrants – despite the fact that he felt powerless – touched my heart and that of many other young people. When we spoke with him, I realised that I was not alone. Indeed, I hope with more confidence that one day Europe will find a unified voice also when it comes to refugees’. When asked by Mátyás Németh, a young Hungarian, whether the climate issue could be an opportunity for the peoples of Europe to unite, President Sassoli said that Covid had made Europe realise that this was an opportunity to restart a common policy on which to base Europe’s post-pandemic recovery. He added: “I think that in times of difficulty we will need open societies that work together and we must be proud of the young people who remind the world of politics of the state of our planet”.
Stefania Tanesini
Jan 11, 2022 | Non categorizzato
Palmira Frizzera, one of the first companions of Chiara Lubich, who died on 5th January 2022, will live on in the memory and in the lives of many: focolarini, young people and families, whom she accompanied in their formation at the Mariapolis Foco (Montet, Switzerland), the little town of the Focolare in which she lived for over 40 years. Drawing on her words, here are some moments that marked her path in life. “Nothing more can be done for your eyes”. This was the harsh diagnosis that the doctor gave to Palmira Frizzera a few months after she arrived in the first focolare in Piazza Cappuccini in Trent. Palmira was 18 when, three years earlier, in 1945, she met the first group of focolarine. She had had problems with her eyes for some time. Because of this her dream of going to be a missionary nun in India had also collapsed. But now the problem was getting more serious. After various visits to specialists that day, she went to an ophthalmologist in Trent, accompanied by Natalia Dallapiccola, another of Chiara Lubich’s first companions. Telling the story to a group of young people in 2004, Palmira said, “The doctor examined me thoroughly and then said: the right eye is lost already and the left eye is about to go”.
Palmira with Chiara Lubich © CSC Audiovisivi
© CSC Audiovisivi
Carlos Mana
Jan 10, 2022 | Non categorizzato
Today too, the lived Christian life is a light that brings people to God. Believers, individually and as a community, have a task to perform, which Chiara Lubich explains in this text: to reveal, through their lives, the presence of God, which is manifested wherever two or three are united in his name, a presence promised to the Church until the end of time. A Christian cannot escape from the world, hide away, or consider religion a private affair. A Christian lives in the world and has a responsibility, a mission towards all people, which is to be a light that shines out. You too have this task, and if you do not do it, you are as useless as salt that has lost its taste or light that has become shadow. Light manifests itself in ‘good works’. It shines through the good works that Christians do. Now you might say: ‘It’s not only Christians who do good works. Others collaborate for social development, build houses and promote justice…’ You are right. Christians too certainly do, and indeed must do, all these things, but their specific task is not only that. Christians should perform good works with a new spirit, the spirit that allows Christ to live in them. … The Evangelist Matthew, in fact, did not intend only isolated acts of charity (such as visiting prisoners, clothing the naked, or doing the various works of mercy according to the needs of our times). Rather, he was referring to a total commitment to do the will of God, so that they make their whole life a good work. If they do this, Christians are ‘transparent’ and the praise they receive for all they do will not be for themselves, but for Christ in them. Through them, God will be present in the world. Every Christian’s task, therefore, is to let the light that dwells in them shine out and be the “sign” of this presence of God among people. … If the good work of the individual believer has this characteristic, the Christian community in the midst of the world must also have the same specific task: to reveal through its life the presence of God, who manifests himself wherever two or three are united in his name,[1] a presence promised to the Church until the end of time.
Chiara Lubich
Chiara Lubich, in Parole di Vita, [Words of Life] a cura di Fabio Ciardi, Opere di Chiara Lubich, Città Nuova, 2017, pp. 145 [1] Mt 18:20.
Jan 7, 2022 | Non categorizzato
Follow the Star that leads to the Child Jesus and become pilgrims. The example of the Wise Men helps us understand that this time gives us a precious opportunity to set out again together and witness to our neighbours every day the wonder that dwells in that grotto and comes to make all things new. Change is positive As I look back over all we lived in the last year during this time of unexpected pandemic, I have the impression that I am watching an action film that has shaken us all up a bit, parents and children alike. It has often been tiring and hard to be forced to change plans and pace of life but it is also true that this situation has brought a breath of fresh air into our family. We have become aware of new ways of relating to one another and of needs that we had not previously considered. If faith had been a taboo with our children, here we are now faced with our own frailties, with fears of global dimensions and with questions that had previously gone unanswered. The real change, however, began when we asked ourselves the meaning of what was happening. Accustomed to having answers to every question, this time we were puzzled by the unknown. In short, we found ourselves more supportive not only of each other in the family but also of others. We found ourselves considering humanity as one family. (R.F. – France) Love circulates among the inmates I do voluntary work at the prison in my city. Together with a small group of other people, I take care of the “Città Nuova Reading Project”, in which many prisoners take part every week. One of them seemed sad that he could not receive the Eucharist because he had no catechetical preparation, so I suggested that I could help him. He was happy and thanked me and, together with the chaplain, we draw up a programme for the lessons. Spontaneously, a few other inmates joined in during our preparation sessions. Within a few months we were ready and so we arranged a date when the prisoner was to receive the sacrament for the first time. To my surprise, on that day, the church was full: the inmates from that sector who rarely attend religious services, all came to Mass dressed in their best clothes. And not only that: drawing on long forgotten childhood memories, they took care of the songs, the readings and the prayers of the faithful. Like the rest of us, they were excited and enjoyed the family atmosphere that had been created, where no one felt alone. (Antonietta – Italy) Kneeling down He lives alone in a dirty hovel, half-paralysed and reduced to skin and bones. He must be just over 60 years of age but he looks a lot older. The first time I went to bring him some food and clothing, I suggested that we pray together. He could no longer remember the Our Father, he only knew the Hail Mary. When I left, I asked him for a blessing, even though I was younger than him, a foreigner and, in his eyes, a rich foreigner. He raised his paralysed hand and marked the cross on my head. He, that poor man, looked at me with eyes full of joy, surprise and tears. Ours has now become a weekly appointment. Each time we say together whatever prayers come to his mind. He recites them out loud. The only way I can get close to him is to kneel down next to his bed: when I do that I think: “Here I am, Lord, kneeling before you.” (L.B. – Thailand)
Edited by Maria Grazia Berretta
(taken from “Il Vangelo del Giorno”, Città Nuova, year VIII, no.1, Jan-Feb 2022)
Jan 5, 2022 | Non categorizzato
Palmira Frizzera, one of Chiara Lubich’s first companions, left this earth today, January 5, 2022. Thank you Palmira. Today, 5 January 2022, Palmira Frizzera, one of Chiara Lubich’s first companions, left us for heaven. She was born in Terlago, Trent on 9 April 1927 and first met Chiara Lubich in 1945 in Piazza Cappuccini, Trent in the house that became the first focolare. She was impressed by the ideal of “universal fraternity” and decided to follow her. In 1947 she went to live in the first focolare in Trent where she stayed for several years before moving to Sicily, then Turin and, eventually, Rome. She lived in the little town of Montet, Broye, Switzerland for over forty years and was responsible for Focolare Movement in the area and for the formation of the focolarini https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca2OayGb0Q8&list=PLKhiBjTNojHoPfT9syIwfyLI4sPeqBV0P&index=3
Jan 5, 2022 | Non categorizzato
In Parintins, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, the “Protecting childhood and adolescence” project to prevent violence against minors, aimed at children, parents, educators and teachers, has been launched. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWWeJpqVgWA
Jan 4, 2022 | Non categorizzato
Almost one month later, the Focolare communities of Greece and Cyprus reflect on Pope Francis’ visit One month after Francis’ trip to Greece and Cyprus, this quadrant of the globe remains in the international spotlight. We recently heard the story of hope of Grace Enjei, a 24-year-old Cameroonian who, thanks to the visit of the Pope and the help of the Community of Sant’Egidio, with 10 other asylum seekers was able to travel from the “no man’s land” of Cyprus to Rome; but we also heard of the umpteenth shipwreck in the Aegean Sea, on Christmas Day, in which 13 migrants lost their lives. Greece and Cyprus. Two countries with a relatively small population (Catholics are a religious minority) but which mirror the main crises of the world: migration, economic and health. A particular worry is the political influence of their Turkish neighbours. We asked the Focolare communities in these countries about the impact of this apostolic journey and the steps necessary for peace and a better coexistence for all. Lina Mikellidou, Orthodox and coordinator of the Focolare community in Cyprus has no doubts: “When Pope Francis affirmed that it is necessary to make this island ‘a workshop of fraternity’ he hit the nail on the head. Cyprus has been occupied by the Turks since 1974 and its capital, Nicosia, is the last remaining European city to be divided with barbed wire. Attempts to heal these fractures have not led to concrete results despite the commitment of the international community and both sides in recent years. I think it is necessary to develop or strengthen platforms, spaces of dialogue between the different realities in Cyprus, between Christians of different denominations (such as Armenian, Latin, Maronite and Orthodox) and also with Muslims. Then it is necessary to increase the spirit of ‘unity in diversity’ between the two sister Churches, Catholic and Orthodox. Finally, there is the issue of migrants. Our country cannot sustain so many, both from a logistical and an economic point of view. My people are known for their generosity and their welcoming spirit: much has already been done for the refugees, but we can surely improve, trying to raise awareness, find funds and structures to ensure that these sisters and brothers of ours live in more humane and dignified conditions. The Pope encouraged us to have a new approach, a lively attention to burning issues such as that of migrants and ecumenical dialogue. The search for unity between Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew, gives us great hope: they have a fraternal relationship, made up of concrete gestures and profound dialogue”. Alexandros Oshana, a young man of the local Focolare community from Athens maintains that the road to ecumenical dialogue is still long: “… the Pope’s visit offered the possibility of a new beginning. In his talks he often used the words ‘unity’, ‘fraternity’, ‘dialogue’. The Pope prayed for an inclusive church, open to all those who suffer. Francis expressed all of us Greek Catholics 100%, appreciating our desire to be close to our Orthodox brothers and sisters and to remember that first of all, we are all Christians”. In this regard, Pope Francis’ own example was visible to everyone. To emphasize that unity is possible only through an act of total humility, once again he asked the Orthodox Archbishop Ieronimos for forgiveness for the errors committed in the past by Catholics towards the Orthodox. The Archbishop said that he was certain that it will be possible to “shake off the burdens of the past, in particular those connected with the events of the Greek war of independence”. As a sign of brotherhood he also said that he wanted to join Francis “in the enormous challenge” regarding the fate of migrants and that he wanted to undertake “a common action for the environment”.
Lorenzo Russo with the collaboration of the Focolare community of Greece and Cyprus
Jan 3, 2022 | Non categorizzato
In his message for the 55th World Peace Day, 1st January 2022, Pope Francis affirms that: “Dialogue entails listening to one another, sharing different views, coming to agreement and walking together. Promoting such dialogue between generations involves breaking up the hard and barren soil of conflict and indifference in order to sow the seeds of a lasting and shared peace.” Chiara Lubich also invites us to forge relationships in which dialogue enables us to reach true peace. Jesus came to create totally new relationships between people: between women and men, boys and girls, wives and husbands, teachers and pupils, workers and managers, employees and employers, between citizens and political leaders, between people of different races or ethnicities, and among nations and states. Jesus wants to build a new social order based on justice, respect, and true fraternity. He wants to give us true peace, individually and collectively, the divine peace that he alone can give. But, for this to happen, we need to follow him, even if at first sight he seems very demanding. Each of us needs to live his Words, whatever our calling in life may be.
Chiara Lubich
(Chiara Lubich, in Parole di Vita, [Words of Life] edited by Fabio Ciardi, Opere di Chiara Lubich, Cittá Nuova, 2017, pag. 362)
Jan 1, 2022 | Non categorizzato
In his message for the World Day of Peace on 1 January Pope Francis issues a strong warning to politicians who invest in armaments rather than education. What can be done to give young people hope and reverse this trend? We asked Prof. Buonomo, Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. Today, according to the World Bank, there are almost 100 million more people living in a state of impoverishment because of the Covid-19 pandemic and world military expenditure in 2020 has risen, despite Covid, to almost 2 trillion dollars (in 2019 it was 1650 billion) according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). Data that prompted Pope Francis to issue a tough yet hopeful message for the 55th World Day of Peace, which falls today, 1 January 2022. The Pope proposes three elements – dialogue between generations, education and work – as tools for building lasting peace. How can this message be contextualised amid the challenges facing society today? We asked Prof. Vincenzo Buonomo, Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. How can dialogue between the generations be initiated to build peace? On what trust is it based today, given that both the pandemic and the development of technology have created so much loneliness and indifference? “First of all, the Pope’s message presents dialogue not only as a goal for building relations between the generations but as a method. This, I believe, is the most important aspect to be grasped, and it is the aspect that also enables us to make dialogue an effective instrument for peace because very often we only link the element of dialogue to the possibility of communicating. In reality, dialogue presupposes something more. There is a pact between generations, a pact in which the given word has its own meaning. Very often we have made of dialogue nothing more than a technical tool rather than something we share which therefore becomes a method or a daily action’. In recent years, education and training have been regarded as expenditures rather than investments, and military expenditures have increased. What steps should politicians take to promote a culture of ‘care’ rather than ‘war’? “The relationship between the educator and the one being educated is one that has to be built every day on the basis of renunciation of both parties. This type of educational methodology should also serve the great issues facing humanity. The problem of the arms race and the consequential diversion of resources for other areas, is that armaments are linked above all to a concept of power. So it is by means of education that we have to try to promote shared values. This is the aspect the Pope’s message is highlighting because if there are shared values – peace for example – this becomes a way to overcome conflict. Conflict is overcome by eliminating armaments, so it’s a concept that has a chain reaction”. Work is the place where we learn to make our contribution towards a more liveable and beautiful world and is an indispensable factor to preserve peace but job insecurity and exploitation have increased because of the pandemic. So what can be done to give hope to young people to combat insecurity and exploitation? “Work is not simply something that guarantees peace in society as is traditionally said. Work is something that guarantees peace. Without the prerequisite of work, there is no education, no intergenerational relationship, no dialogue because the person is not only sustained by work, but also expresses their dignity. We find this in the Magisterium of the Church and from Pope Francis who has stressed this on several occasions. Consequently, today politicians, or rather those with responsibilities, the so-called ‘decision-makers’, need to make work a priority and not just one of the many items on the political agenda. I believe that the younger generations don’t just need a job but a job that manages to express their qualifications and, above all, makes them feel that they are protagonists in the decision-making process at work. The element that links the three headings – dialogue, education and work – is therefore the word pact. The pact between generations, the educational pact, the work pact – this is the key word putting them in the function of peace. Otherwise they would simply be three scattered elements not linked together”. Clicca qui to read the Pope’s message for the 55th World Day of Peace.
Lorenzo Russo
