Jan 6, 2015 | Non categorizzato
The star invites us to set out on a journey,
and wants to free us from the chains that bind
us down to our own selves, or to a pure and simple system.
It spurs us on, to undertake a journey to a place
we have never been to before.
This is what the star wants.
and the nature of this star is that it goes beyond, but also stops.
It crosses the desert and moves further, up to the most
remote places, but then it stops above a house.
And which house is it?
Could it be my school, for example, or my office,
or however, there where I usually work.
The star has stopped there and says,“This is the place: right here!”
And then, as I return home,
it stops above my home, my little world: that is where
the star has stopped.
In this place where I am right now
I have to find the precious things, the things that matter.
But I will find these precious things, the things that count,
only when I discover that the star has stopped also above my neighbour’s house.
That is where I will find Jesus.
(K. Hemmerle, The Light within things. Daily meditations. New City, Rome 1998).
Jan 5, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
“Mercy”, and that is forgiveness, which leads to peace, “for a new world”: this is the invitation to the youth of the diocese of Bobo-Dioulasso – the second largest city of the country – as a reflection for the coming year. Burkina Faso lives an important phase of transition, after the riots of last October, when the capital Ouagadougou had been hit by demonstrations of the opposition and civil society, so much so that there was talk of a ” Burkinabé Spring “.
And it is an experience of forgiveness that is offered by Fidèle during the day for young people on 7 December: while he was going around looking for work, he was convinced by a friend to pick some fruit from a tree for an old lady who was sick, thus arousing the anger of those who had misappropriated the tree. The story ends for Fidèle with a broken nose from a stick in the face. “The anger inside me grew as I pondered revenge. I was going home to treat the wound when I was approached by the boy who had hit me. He had his mother with him who was very upset. I did not want to give in, but then I remembered the words of the Gospel where Jesus says we must forgive 70 times 7 … The next day I bumped into him at the store and I greeted him first, showing that I had forgiven him. Since that day we became good friends.”
David and Laetitia, on behalf of the Youth for a United World of Bobo-Dioulasso, tell us about the initiative: “This year we decided to change our usual way of doing things in order to facilitate work with others. We got involved in coordinating the activities of the Youth Chaplaincy. Amazed by the previous experience of the Youth Festival, the leaders of the Chaplaincy asked us to organize a day of friendship among all the youth movements of the city, on the theme chosen for this year: “Young people, be merciful so as to build a new world. ‘”
“The time was short,” they continue, “and the hardest thing was to work with people who have a different way of seeing things. The difficulties in agreeing things were not missing, especially when it got to drafting a program for the day; but our goal was primarily to establish unity among all, even at the expense of the quality of the organization. But the common desire to work together, to get to know each other, to have mutual esteem won out … And finally we got to the long awaited day. “
There were testimonies on forgiveness, including that of Fidèle, dancing, singing, “This day allowed us to get to know each other better. There have been many exchanges of contacts and we understood how the contribution of each one, however different, was necessary. We understood how the different movements are complementary and called to work together for the realization of unity, the same one that Jesus always teaches us. “
“This – they conclude – encourages us and gives us the desire to work together again. In a year’s time the next edition!”
Jan 4, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
Gonzalo Perrín would never have thought that at the age of 29 he would become a partner and manager of a biscuit factory. He was still taking up Hotel Catering sciences when he got to learn about the Economy of Communion (EoC), and was so deeply struck that he put aside his studies to put the ideals of the EoC concretely into practice. “n 2008 – he recounts – I gave up my job and returned to my country, and at O’Higgins I started to produce biscuits, at home to begin with, while I was setting up the factory and buying the suitable machines.” Today he runs “Pasticcino”, a factory that is part of the Solidaridad industrial park in the Argentinean little town of the Focolare, and where 2.5 million biscuits are produced yearly, distributed to 25 chains of bars and cafes. He is currently considering the possibility of opening a branch in Brazil, at Spartaco, the EoC hub of the Focolare centre close to São Paulo.
To keep in line with the spirit of the EoC and share the company’s profits with the poor, Gonzalo even got to the point of asking the banks for a loan. Another particular experience is that among the staff of the “Pasticcino” there is a visually-impaired employee, Charley. During a visit, some pointed out to Gonzalo that Charley was an extra expense for the company: “In fact, it may seem a bit costly,” he replied, “but what you don’t see on the balance sheet is that he represents a great asset for the company because of the ideas he proposes, and for the good atmosphere his presence imbues among the colleagues.” In fact, today Gonzalo considers Charley not only as an employee, but more as a consultant and friend.
To those who asked if this was all worthwhile, and if he did not wish to earn more, he answered: “At times when I get into a friend’s car, I say to myself: what a great car! But I myself have never been in need of anything and the important things in life are relationships, which are things money cannot buy. I don’t know how long the company will last, but if it doesn’t, the relationships will remain, and these are the most precious things I possess.”
Recently, Gonzalo had to conclude a big business deal with a new client: “We have already met five times. Ten days ago I attended the sixth and it seemed like things were really moving ahead. But since then I have passed my time looking at the telephone and waiting for it to ring. I was going crazy, when, during my dad’s birthday, my grandma who is 82, asked me how the company was faring. I told her all the details of this new business and she answered: “Don’t’ worry Gonzalo, if this new deal with that company doesn’t pull through, it will be for the better.” I don’t know how, but with those words, my worries vanished somewhat.”
After a few days it was grandma’s birthday and “precisely on that day the client I was talking about accepted me as his supplier!” The Pasticcino factory is expanding!
Jan 3, 2015 | Non categorizzato
http://vimeo.com/114750100
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Jan 1, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
“Today, due to an ever-increasing number of interconnections in today’s world that has made society powerfully aware of the common destiny of nations, slavery, an offence against human rights, has formally been abolished in the world. The right of every person to be free from slavery or oppression has been recognized in international human rights as an irrevocable norm. And yet, despite the fact that the international community has adopted numerous agreements to put an end to slavery in all its forms and undertaken various strategies to combat this phenomenon, still today millions of people – children, men and women of all ages – are deprived of freedom and forced to live in conditions similar to that of slavery,» Pope Francis wrote in his message for the World Day of Peace, celebrated on 1 January, feast of the family.
And as he writes, he remembers all «the many men and women workers, also minors, who are enslaved in different sectors,» and also recalls “the living conditions of many migrants who suffer hunger, and are deprived of liberty, stripped of their possessions or physically and sexually abused. My thoughts go to those who are dominated by fear and insecurity upon reaching their destination after a difficult journey, and are at times detained in inhuman conditions.”
Mohamed comes from Mali and has passed through a shipwreck and a life of poverty and suffering. Today, he strongly desires to express his gratitude. This what Flavia Cerino, a lawyer, tells New City. “When he was just fifteen years old, Mohamed decided to leave: a long journey through the desert in Libya (prisons and abuse) and then, finally, Italy. The Mare Nostrum operations saved him from the shipwreck but on touching ground, he was immediately handcuffed: his co-travellers had identified him as one of those engaged in the human trafficking business, but in reality he was not involved. In fact, he had distributed some food and drinks on the boat because the real traffickers had threatened to throw him overboard if he did not do so. Since he was just an adolescent he was not sent to a real jail. The long wait for the hearing which would confirm his arrest, took place in a small and cramped room in the city Court, but many people were there to take care of him: the policemen were kind and the social workers took interest in his life, health, and family. For months nobody had given him so much attention. Usually he only received commands, not questions. And then, since one of the policemen spoke French, and he was able to thoroughly explain the real facts.”
The hearing to confirm his arrest ended well: he would be assigned to service in the community, and not to jail.
“He will not be free, but it was undoubtedly better than jail. The structure was pleasant, in a small sunny town further south. Mohamed managed to gain the respect and affection of all: he was always willing to help in the housework, ready to learn new words in Italian, loved soccer but also silence and solitude. After some months, the time came for him to appear before the Court: for him this meant a return to the past, the brutal experiences he wished to forget. Though time had passed, his memories were still there, also the beautiful ones. And at the end of the hearing, he had only one wish: to return to the last floor in those dark and gloomy rooms, only to say thanks to that policeman who spoke French and those kind social workers. He would remember them forever. Unfortunately, none of these people he knew were on duty. But his ‘thanks’, quite a rare event, will be passed on to them by their colleagues.”
“We know that God will ask each of us: “What have you done to your brother?» – Pope Francis concludes. “The globalisation of indifference weighs on the lives of many of our brothers and sisters, and calls out to us to become the architects of a globalisation of solidarity that can give them hope and new courage to undertake the journey through our time and bring along with them new prospects, a task which God has entrusted to us.”
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 31, 2014 | Non categorizzato
«A soul in love, » Enzo «lived constantly in God’s presence, always one with Him. Always.» This was how Chiara Lubich described Enzo Fondi, just after he passed away all of a sudden, silently and serenely on 31 December 2001. «Enzo Fondi has gone to Heaven,» Chiara wrote to all the members of the Movement: «It is a great joy, even if in my lifetime […] we have never felt such great pain. The joy is because we cannot only say that Enzo has died, but that he gently passed from one “room” to the other. When they found him after the Te Deum, the expression on his face was one of great peace, without the shadow of anxiety at all, giving us the impression that he was “received” by Mary, our Mother, whom he loved in a particular way, with such tenderness. In our hearts we had the common impression that if we have been deprived here on earth, of this “gigantic figure” of the Work of Mary, we have, on the other hand, a saint in Heaven. This was how we considered him over the last few years, when his illness had refined and prepared him for this step.»
As an enthusiastic promoter of unity, he was especially guided by one particular sentence of the Gospel: “As you, Father, are in me, and I am in you may they also be one in us” (Jn 17:21).
Enzo Fondi, a doctor from an affluent family, was born in Velletri in 1927. In 1951, he joined the first Roman focolare. He was a part of the first group of Focolarini doctors who, at the start of the 1960s, crossed the confines of the socialist block to work as an assistant surgeon in the Catholic Hospital of Leipzig in Eastern Germany. From then on the spirituality of unity spread throughout Eastern Europe. In 1964 he was ordained priest at the service of the Movement, and later was assigned to the United States.
In 1977, the year in which Chiara Lubich received the Templeton Prize for the progress of religion, Enzo was assigned the task of developing interreligious dialogues of the Focolare, and with one of the first focolarine, Natalia Dallapiccola, gave his fruitful contribution to this end. On hearing the news, our Muslim friends in Algiers wrote: «With great simplicity Enzo taught us all the rules of the “art of loving” and opened our eyes to the universality of Chiara’s work and to what degree the miracle of unity is daily within our reach!» For years, Enzo was in charge – together with Natalia – of the spiritual formation of the members of the Focolare Movement. There is, therefore, a big archive of his answers, writings, and talks, with which he helped many to acquire a deeper comprehension of the charism of unity.
«Enzo had spent his last years on a cross,» 
Chiara wrote again. A serious disease, in fact, had more than once led him to the brink of death. «But – we had the impression – that he had embraced Jesus Forsaken in such a perfect way. He was never impatient even for a moment, and never complained to his co-focolarini. The drama he was living was a matter between him and Jesus. Though rarely, he had confided to me about his physical condition, always with a smile on his face. And in this way, in the last period his life was an uphill, relentless climb, embellished with virtues, and God bestowed the grace of union with Him.»
This is testified to by Enzo’s last thoughts dated 15 December 2001: «My last will and testament. For me, it is the last will of God, the last thing he wants of me now. There will be no other. I must fulfill this last will to perfection, whatever it may be, and this is my last testament. I don’t know what will really be the last will of God I shall undertake in life. The only thing I am sure of is: for that last and this present moment, I will have the actual grace to help me do it, inasmuch as I have practiced in exploiting this grace, by living the present moment.»
A few days after December 31, he went from this earth accomplishing the final will of God.
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 30, 2014 | Non categorizzato
“It was not a conference, but an experience and, to be more precise and in-tune with the event, I would call it an experience of tikkun, reparation, as explained in the Jewish tradition,” writes Roberto Catalano, from the Focolare’s Centre for Interreligious Dialogue on his return from Salerno.
The three-days of “study, listening, prayer” (24-26 November), looked at several topics, from anti-Judaism throughout the centuries, to the recognition of Israel, the Holocaust, the improvement in Jewish-Christian relations since the Second Vatican II, and the Way to the Tikkun Olam. All the presentations were done in two parts: Christian and Jewish. An occasion, the first of its kind in Europe, which marked a step of “reparation of relations between the Jewish and Christian traditions that in these last two thousand years have experienced tragic moments,” writes Catalan. “The relations between Jews and Christians have for centuries suffered the consequences of these events that guided the history of humanity towards tragedies culminating in the Holocaust. Recently, as we know, the conciliar declaration Nostra Aetate and, then, people like John Paul II and Cardinal Martini, who is repeatedly cited by Jews and Christians alike, have taken up the threads of the relationship and have contributed to a decisive rapprochement by the Christians.”
Planned initially for bishops and diocesan delegates for ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue, it was then opened out to all the coordinators of dialogue, and others, Jews and Christians, secular and religious. There were more than 400 present, including 50 priests: there were Christians mainly from Italy, and Jews from Italy, Israel, and the US.
“The conference of Salerno was an important step on this journey. We have spoken very clearly on one side and the other without ignoring history but being realistically optimistic. It was impressive to see Catholic priests, bishops and cardinals sitting next to rabbis. The Jewish kippah mingled with the red caps of the bishops. Fraternity was the queen of these days: the impression was to have begun a joint project. Speaking with Joseph Levi, the chief rabbi of Florence, we were saying that even just ten years ago it would have been unthinkable to hold an event like this.
The story goes on and, contrary to what the media would have us think or what still tragically happens in different parts of the world in these times, the tikkun of the world has begun or perhaps progresses because it is now enriched with a new dimension, the common contribution of Christians and Jews. It is necessary to have the desire to work together for fraternity: to recompose that family to which we all belong. This was stated so effectively in Nostra Aetate: “All nations are one community and have one origin, because God caused the whole human race to dwell on the whole face of the earth. They also have one final end, God”(NA 1).”
Dec 29, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Dec 28, 2014 | Non categorizzato
http://vimeo.com/114689814
See also: Disability: the value of life
Dec 28, 2014 | Non categorizzato, Word of
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 27, 2014 | Non categorizzato
Fr Fabio Ciardi of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate has been assigned the task of explaining the Word of Life 2015. In an interview with New City published in the 25 November edition, he himself explained the reason for this: “It may be because I worked with Chiara Lubich for years, especially in the field of spiritual theology. During the last period of her illness, I helped her to prepare the comments on the Word of Life. I hope that my long stay in the Abba School – the team that studies the “founder’s writings” on the charism of unity – has helped me to assimilate some of her wisdom and express it also in these new comments.”
Generations of Christians have lived the Word of God. What did Chiara Lubich introduce that was new?
“One usually stops to pray or meditate on the Word. Here, instead, one is asked to put it into practice, and transform it into life, as St James exhorted: “… be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1.22). Authentic listening, with one’s heart and not only with one’s ears, means assimilating and internalizing the Word, so that it imbues one’s whole Christian existence. Chiara furthermore focused on the Word of Life’s social dimension: it should generate a Christian community, that is, its effects should have an impact and be shared among those who live it, so that members of the community may discover its potential.”
“It is not so much we who live the Word, in reality, it is the Word that gives us life,” he continued. “The destiny of the Word, Chiara said, is to be “devoured” to generate Christ’s presence among us.” On recounting the experience at the start of the Movement: “In every instant of life, it was our nutriment. Exactly in the same way as the body breathes in order to live, our soul, in order to live, lived the Word.”
Fr Ciardi stressed in the interview: “Following the tradition set by Chiara, we are called to continue, precisely in the same way she did, and look to the Scriptures because it always has new answers to the most different situations.” And added: “Her comments are a precious treasure chest from which we will continue to draw inspiration, and will always be something we will always meditate on.”
He concluded by saying: “I am aware that my comment will only be a small introduction to the Word of Life, and this, and not the comment is what remains in the heart of the reader, and will bear fruit.”
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 26, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“You left in silence, almost on tiptoe, without disturbing anyone. Perhaps you wanted to celebrate your Christmas in heaven, the Christmas celebration of Life…” wrote one of the focolarini who had lived with him in a focolare community over the last years in Rocca di Papa.
Born in Vicenza (Italy) on 22 February 1927, he met the Ideal through the group in Pisa in ‘52, where he was studying Medicine. After a few years in Rome, Pescara and Turin, came the turning point of his life: Africa.
This occurred at the start of October 1962, when Chiara Lubich and Don Foresi asked him, and Nicasio Triolo, another focolarino doctor: “Are you ready to leave for Africa?”.
On 11 February 1963 they landed in Cameroon together with Danilo Gioacchin, a vet and Venetian, like Lucio. Life over there was a daily query on the reality around them, in an attitude of crystalline and open respect for the culture of a people that was completely new to them. Wonder, uncertainty, discoveries and deep perceptions of their limits in face of a mystery, but above all always open to the plans of God who would have transformed their experience into a fantastic “love song” that developed simultaneously with the founding of the Movement and the spreading of the Ideal of unity in the black continent. Lucio would have lived that particular time in close contact with Chiara Lubich who later visited Cameroon in ’65, ‘66 and ‘69. Much later, in ‘92 Chiara went to Kenya and again to Fontem (Cameroon), where in the meantime, in 2000 the first Focolare citadel in Africa was built. Lucio was so happy to see that in “a span of 35 years Chiara’s dream had become a reality, that God exists, that love is real, and that mutual love is the secret of happiness; and that all was made possible because Our Lady has embraced us all as a sole family.”
Da sinistra: Lucio Dal Soglio, Georges Mani, Dominic Nyukilim, Teresina Tumuhairwe, Benedict Murac Manjo, Marilen Holzhauser, d. Adolfo Raggio, Nicolette Manka Ndingsa.
Lucio did not speak much about himself, and he never wanted to show off, or be in the spotlight. But for those who were lucky enough to have known him, Lucio was like a “huge Baobab” tree – as some African friends wrote recently. Numberless echoes have reached us from Africa: “We shall never be grateful enough to him for what he has done for the Work of Mary here in Africa!!!”. “His love for people was infinite, because he saw in each person, Christ, whom Lucio loved with all his heart…”. “We remember above all, his radicalism and sincerity in living the Gospel, a big brother, a true friend who has always walked with us along life’s “holy journey.” “I see an African Mary’ with her arms open wide to welcome this special son of hers, along with many others who have lived, suffered, worked and endlessly loved to bring the ideal of Unity to the lands of Africa. This is not a time of sadness, but of profound thanksgiving to God for the gift of having walked alongside Lucio on this holy journey, and who was our father, elder brother and friend.”
The world of the Gospel Chiara Lubich had given him as a guide and lighthouse for his life was: “”If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” (Mt. 18,12).
“We are praying to him –Maria Voce wrote to the Focolare members –and asking him to help the entire Work of Mary to fulfill the God’s plan “that all may be one.”
Dec 26, 2014 | Non categorizzato
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
For humanity to carry on
we need to have the courage to “invent peace”.
Of course we’ve asked ourselves:
Where do the kamikazes get the radicality
such a terrible choice as theirs requires?
Shouldn’t we be ready to give even our life
for the great ideal of love of God and love of neighbor.
Every person can love
because brotherly love is written in our DNA.
The brotherhood that Jesus brought on earth would then flower everywhere.
He became our brother, and made us all brothers and sisters to one another.
Perhaps Divine Providence
makes use of destructive situations
to spark an unexpected moral jumpstart
and unleash unimagined energy
with which to build a whole new peace
and allow humanity to breath again.
Chiara Lubich
(Excerpt of Editorial no. 24/2003 Città Nuova )
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
For humanity to carry on
we need to have the courage to “invent peace”.
Of course we’ve asked ourselves:
Where do the kamikazes get the radicality
such a terrible choice as theirs requires?
Shouldn’t we be ready to give even our life
for the great ideal of love of God and love of neighbor.
Every person can love
because brotherly love is written in our DNA.
The brotherhood that Jesus brought on earth would then flower everywhere.
He became our brother, and made us all brothers and sisters to one another.
Perhaps Divine Providence
makes use of destructive situations
to spark an unexpected moral jumpstart
and unleash unimagined energy
with which to build a whole new peace
and allow humanity to breath again.
Chiara Lubich
(Excerpt of Editorial no. 24/2003 Città Nuova )
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
For humanity to carry on
we need to have the courage to “invent peace”.
Of course we’ve asked ourselves:
Where do the kamikazes get the radicality
such a terrible choice as theirs requires?
Shouldn’t we be ready to give even our life
for the great ideal of love of God and love of neighbor.
Every person can love
because brotherly love is written in our DNA.
The brotherhood that Jesus brought on earth would then flower everywhere.
He became our brother, and made us all brothers and sisters to one another.
Perhaps Divine Providence
makes use of destructive situations
to spark an unexpected moral jumpstart
and unleash unimagined energy
with which to build a whole new peace
and allow humanity to breath again.
Chiara Lubich
(Excerpt of Editorial no. 24/2003 Città Nuova )
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
For humanity to carry on
we need to have the courage to “invent peace”.
Of course we’ve asked ourselves:
Where do the kamikazes get the radicality
such a terrible choice as theirs requires?
Shouldn’t we be ready to give even our life
for the great ideal of love of God and love of neighbor.
Every person can love
because brotherly love is written in our DNA.
The brotherhood that Jesus brought on earth would then flower everywhere.
He became our brother, and made us all brothers and sisters to one another.
Perhaps Divine Providence
makes use of destructive situations
to spark an unexpected moral jumpstart
and unleash unimagined energy
with which to build a whole new peace
and allow humanity to breath again.
Chiara Lubich
(Excerpt of Editorial no. 24/2003 Città Nuova )
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
For humanity to carry on
we need to have the courage to “invent peace”.
Of course we’ve asked ourselves:
Where do the kamikazes get the radicality
such a terrible choice as theirs requires?
Shouldn’t we be ready to give even our life
for the great ideal of love of God and love of neighbor.
Every person can love
because brotherly love is written in our DNA.
The brotherhood that Jesus brought on earth would then flower everywhere.
He became our brother, and made us all brothers and sisters to one another.
Perhaps Divine Providence
makes use of destructive situations
to spark an unexpected moral jumpstart
and unleash unimagined energy
with which to build a whole new peace
and allow humanity to breath again.
Chiara Lubich
(Excerpt of Editorial no. 24/2003 Città Nuova )
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
For humanity to carry on
we need to have the courage to “invent peace”.
Of course we’ve asked ourselves:
Where do kamikazes get the courage that
a terrible mission such as theirs requires?
Shouldn’t we then be ready to give our life
for the great ideal of love of God and love of neighbour?
Every person can love
because love for our brothers and sisters is written in our DNA.
The fellowship that Jesus brought on earth would then blossom everywhere.
He became our brother, and made us all brothers and sisters to one another.
Perhaps Divine Providence
makes use of destructive situations
to spark an unexpected moral jumpstart
and unleash unimagined energy
with which to build a world of peace
and allow humanity to breathe again.
Chiara Lubich
(Excerpt of Editorial no. 24/2003 Città Nuova )
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of gifts and joy, especially gifts from Heaven.
With gratitude in my heart for this year that is ending, I would like 2015 to be the year of our ‘Yes’! This means that before any situation we should say a joyful and total yes. A yes repeated infinite number of times: yes to God who asks us something unforeseen, yes to that person who needs our concrete love, yes to an unexpected suffering, yes to Jesus who awaits us in humanity so as to be welcomed, transforming suffering into joy, life and resurrection. Yes, always yes.
May a “choir of yeses” rise from us all this year so as to make the world smile with that joy that only Jesus can give us. Best wishes to all!”
Maria Voce (Emmaus)
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
May 2015 be the Year of our “Yes”
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of gifts and joy, especially gifts from Heaven.
With gratitude in my heart for this year that is ending, I would like 2015 to be the year of our ‘Yes’! This means that before any situation we should say a joyful and total yes. A yes repeated infinite number of times: yes to God who asks us something unforeseen, yes to that person who needs our concrete love, yes to an unexpected suffering, yes to Jesus who awaits us in humanity so as to be welcomed, transforming suffering into joy, life and resurrection. Yes, always yes.
May a “choir of yeses” rise from us all this year so as to make the world smile with that joy that only Jesus can give us. Best wishes to all!”
Maria Voce (Emmaus)
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
May 2015 be the Year of our “Yes”
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of gifts and joy, especially gifts from Heaven.
With gratitude in my heart for this year that is ending, I would like 2015 to be the year of our ‘Yes’! This means that before any situation we should say a joyful and total yes. A yes repeated infinite number of times: yes to God who asks us something unforeseen, yes to that person who needs our concrete love, yes to an unexpected suffering, yes to Jesus who awaits us in humanity so as to be welcomed, transforming suffering into joy, life and resurrection. Yes, always yes.
May a “choir of yeses” rise from us all this year so as to make the world smile with that joy that only Jesus can give us. Best wishes to all!”
Maria Voce (Emmaus)
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
May 2015 be the Year of our “Yes”
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of gifts and joy, especially gifts from Heaven.
With gratitude in my heart for this year that is ending, I would like 2015 to be the year of our ‘Yes’! This means that before any situation we should say a joyful and total yes. A yes repeated infinite number of times: yes to God who asks us something unforeseen, yes to that person who needs our concrete love, yes to an unexpected suffering, yes to Jesus who awaits us in humanity so as to be welcomed, transforming suffering into joy, life and resurrection. Yes, always yes.
May a “choir of yeses” rise from us all this year so as to make the world smile with that joy that only Jesus can give us. Best wishes to all!”
Maria Voce (Emmaus)
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
May 2015 be the Year of our “Yes”
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of gifts and joy, especially gifts from Heaven.
With gratitude in my heart for this year that is ending, I would like 2015 to be the year of our ‘Yes’! This means that before any situation we should say a joyful and total yes. A yes repeated infinite number of times: yes to God who asks us something unforeseen, yes to that person who needs our concrete love, yes to an unexpected suffering, yes to Jesus who awaits us in humanity so as to be welcomed, transforming suffering into joy, life and resurrection. Yes, always yes.
May a “choir of yeses” rise from us all this year so as to make the world smile with that joy that only Jesus can give us. Best wishes to all!”
Maria Voce (Emmaus)
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of gifts and joy, especially gifts from Heaven.
With gratitude in my heart for this year that is ending, I would like 2015 to be the year of our ‘Yes’! This means that before any situation we should say a joyful and total yes. A yes repeated infinite number of times: yes to God who asks us something unforeseen, yes to that person who needs our concrete love, yes to an unexpected suffering, yes to Jesus who awaits us in humanity so as to be welcomed, transforming suffering into joy, life and resurrection. Yes, always yes.
May a “choir of yeses” rise from us all this year so as to make the world smile with that joy that only Jesus can give us. Best wishes to all!”
Maria Voce (Emmaus)
Dec 23, 2014 | Non categorizzato
May 2015 be the Year of our “Yes”
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of gifts and joy, especially gifts from Heaven.
With gratitude in my heart for this year that is ending, I would like 2015 to be the year of our ‘Yes’! This means that before any situation we should say a joyful and total yes. A yes repeated infinite number of times: yes to God who asks us something unforeseen, yes to that person who needs our concrete love, yes to an unexpected suffering, yes to Jesus who awaits us in humanity so as to be welcomed, transforming suffering into joy, life and resurrection. Yes, always yes.
May a “choir of yeses” rise from us all this year so as to make the world smile with that joy that only Jesus can give us. Best wishes to all!”
Maria Voce (Emmaus)
Dec 22, 2014 | Non categorizzato
Dec 21, 2014 | Non categorizzato
http://vimeo.com/114682168 The serious Ebola outbreak spread particularly in Guinea Conakry, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with immense losses among the local population, as was communicated by the press. AMU, the NGO related to the Focolare Movement, is intensely involved in fighting the virus in various ways. We have asked Stefano Comazzi, one of the leaders, to tell us about this. «In reality the situation seems to be much more dramatic than what is generally relayed, since the epidemic breakout is still beyond control. This goes to impact greatly on the lives of millions of people, due to travel restrictions and reduced business with the consequent scarcity of food, and impediments in schooling and work… not to mention the mourning in families hit by the virus, and who often lack the means to support the weaker members.» Outbreak figures «As of today–Stefano affirms – the figures are imprecise since many cases are not recorded, and also because the epidemic outbreak in the rural zones has reached the big cities, where the dense population and the miserable living conditions strongly enhance the diffusion of the virus.» Dramatic situations. As is known, «the healthcare operators are among the first to pay in person since in trying to limit the infection, they were in turn infected, often with deadly outcomes, thus weakening the health organisations that already had limited resources, and today are no long able to face this calamity. Furthermore, the lack of means and suitable medical equipment and material had forced many health centres to close since instead of being barriers to the spreading, ironically they became a means of spreading the outbreak» Sierra Leone. A similar situation occurred also in the Catholic “Holy Spirit” diocesan hospital of Makeni in Sierra Leone, the locality where Fr. Carlo Di Sopra, a Xaverian priest and pioneer of the spirituality of unity in Africa is stationed and where there is a dynamic Focolare community. Fr. Carlo, with the other religious of his congregation and the entire diocese of Makeni, is all committed to starting up again the activities of the hospital. «At the moment – he said – our structure manages to offer only limited first-aid services. We are, however, doing our best to carry out the urgent renovation works that will make the structure suitable to new challenges, especially regarding the purchase and installation in the new facilities, of a specialised medical laboratory for infectious diseases. With the hope that this Ebola emergency comes to an end, this laboratory will, however, continue to serve the local population in the prevention and care of other locally diffused infectious diseases (AIDS, hepatitis C, malaria, etc.)». Project. This action is part of a more extensive project coordinated by Caritas and with the support of other associations in an integrated project of active assistance, not only in Sierra Leone but also in Guinea Conakry and Liberia. The youth in the front line. «There are other immediate and concrete activities which the Focolare Movement supports, for the sick and their families – Stefano Comazzi concluded – in particular for those in quarantine and who will receive support with the contributions collected for this emergency.» Those who wish to give their contribution may do so through the following account at Banca Popolare Etica – Rome Branch: code IBAN: IT16 G050 1803 2000 0000 0120 434 code SWIFT/BIC: CCRTIT2184D registered in the name of Associazione Azione per un Mondo Unito Onlus Reason: Emergency Ebola
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 21, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Between 2002 and 2006, a civil war was underway in the Ivory Coast, which went virtually unnoticed by Europe and the world. It was a political conflict over control for power. The Focolare Movement has had a presence in that country, in the capital city of Abidjan and in Man, since 1975.
When hostility broke out and Man became the target of the rebels, the western countries advised their co-nationals to evacuate immediately. The welcoming centre for foreigners was located in front of one of our centres, Mariapolis Victoria. That centre began to fill up with refugees, and so we decided, Africans and Europeans together, to stay on with the population. It was certainly a risky decision, but motivated by the desire to partake in the drama that was engulfing everyone.”
Then they began working together in welcoming the thousands of people who poured into the centre. The refugees belonged to different tribal groups and were Muslim, Christian and followers of traditional African religions. All were welcomed without distinction. The Focolare Movement offered temporary spaces where they could stay. Many of the refugees brought with them all they could carry.
“Life within the compound, even amidst the difficulties caused by the war, continued as it was in the city, in peaceful and integrated coexistence of the diverse communities, not without some natural tensions. There was also a vast sharing of goods and basic needs (clothing, food and water). All doctors and nurses had fled, according to the government, and the only doctor remaining was one of us, who cared for the people without any discrimination, including rebels who controlled Man for a period of time. As soon as the government took control of the region, the majority of people left for the villages, but some remained behind.”
The Man experience highlights how a Focolare community responds in risky situations: “Firstly, the many years of people in the area who are trying to live the Gospel, has created an inter-ethnic community that offered a place of welcome and peace; the members of our community, acting because of a powerful spiritual motivation, decided to stay with the people and share their fate. That principle of fraternity garunteed that all were to be welcomed, without any type of discrimination. This created mutual trust, which allowed the thousands of people not only to survive, but even to share what they had with others. the trust that was generated among all, even the rebels, secured the possibility of saving other lives. In fact, one group of rebels risked their lives, escorting a special bus that brought children from a hospital which had fallen into the hands of some of their fellow-rebels, into an area controlled by the government. Thanks to everyone’s effort, a certain social cohesiveness was preserved.”
See also: Witnesses to Peace, New City Philippines
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 20, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Poverty in Central America and South of the Continent, the youth, digital culture, the role of women, original cultures, afro-descent culture, social movements, the new perspectives of the continent. Some of the themes discussed during the 2nd Seminar on Trinitarian Anthropology, promoted by the Latin-Americal Episcopal Council (CELAM), held last October in Cochabamba (Bolivia).
Entitled “A Trinitarian Anthropology from and for our peoples. Diversity and plurality,” the symposium was developed by a team of expert Latin American theologians (Jesuits, conventuals, priests of the clergy and lay people) and the presence of Italian theologian Piero Coda, dean of the Sophia University Institute (IUS), international ateneo of the Focolare, with headquarters at the town of Loppiano (Florence). To note, the active participation of 4 IUS students from, Colombia and Argentina.. In fact, the ateneo is taking its first steps to establish itself also in Latin America.
The first day featured a press conference online with journalists to present the first book of the team that had worked on the project during last year’s seminar, at the Argentian Focolare’s “Mariápolis Lia”. There were journalists from Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, Perù, Bolivia and Argentina.
A singular event was the visit to the Missionology Institute, directed by Dr. Roberto Tomichá,an aborigine Franciscan, and member of the central team of Trinitarian Anthropology. The symposium participants visited the study centre which was created following indigenous categories and values.
On that occasion the Director expressed his conviction the the key to the “fundaments for the theology of indigenous peoples” lies in Trinitarian anthropology.”
In order to allow this itinerary of common reflections of philosophies and life to develop, the decision was made to appoint the new Latin American branch of Sophia, as its representative to the CELAM.
This agreement was made by the various universities to which the various participants belonged.
Since the pariticpating theologians are all renowned at Latin American and world levels, they took all by surprise when they relayed their impressions which underlined “ the profound liberty and fertile creatività experienced in the work groups, in the methodology established and the horizons open towards the future.” The next appointment is set for 2015 in Argentina.
Dec 19, 2014 | Non categorizzato
The serious Ebola outbreak spread particularly in Guinea Conakry, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with immense losses among the local population, as was communicated by the press. AMU, the NGO related to the Focolare Movement, is intensely involved in fighting the virus in various ways. We have asked Stefano Comazzi, one of the leaders, to tell us about this.
«In reality the situation seems to be much more dramatic than what is generally relayed, since the epidemic breakout is still beyond control. This goes to impact greatly on the lives of millions of people, due to travel restrictions and reduced business with the consequent scarcity of food, and impediments in schooling and work… not to mention the mourning in families hit by the virus, and who often lack the means to support the weaker members.»
Outbreak figures «As of today–Stefano affirms – the figures are imprecise since many cases are not recorded, and also because the epidemic outbreak in the rural zones has reached the big cities, where the dense population and the miserable living conditions strongly enhance the diffusion of the virus.»
Dramatic situations. As is known, «the healthcare operators are among the first to pay in person since in trying to limit the infection, they were in turn infected, often with deadly outcomes, thus weakening the health organisations that already had limited resources, and today are no long able to face this calamity. Furthermore, the lack of means and suitable medical equipment and material had forced many health centres to close since instead of being barriers to the spreading, ironically they became a means of spreading the outbreak»
Sierra Leone. A similar situation occurred also in the Catholic “Holy Spirit” diocesan hospital of Makeni in Sierra Leone, the locality where Fr. Carlo Di Sopra, a Xaverian priest and pioneer of the spirituality of unity in Africa is stationed and where there is a dynamic Focolare community.
Fr. Carlo, with the other religious of his congregation and the entire diocese of Makeni, is all committed to starting up again the activities of the hospital. «At the moment – he said – our structure manages to offer only limited first-aid services. We are, however, doing our best to carry out the urgent renovation works that will make the structure suitable to new challenges, especially regarding the purchase and installation in the new facilities, of a specialised medical laboratory for infectious diseases. With the hope that this Ebola emergency comes to an end, this laboratory will, however, continue to serve the local population in the prevention and care of other locally diffused infectious diseases (AIDS, hepatitis C, malaria, etc.)».
Project. This action is part of a more extensive project coordinated by Caritas and with the support of other associations in an integrated project of active assistance, not only in Sierra Leone but also in Guinea Conakry and Liberia.
The youth in the front line. «There are other immediate and concrete activities which the Focolare Movement supports, for the sick and their families – Stefano Comazzi concluded – in particular for those in quarantine and who will receive support with the contributions collected for this emergency.»
Those who wish to give their contribution may do so through the following account at Banca Popolare Etica – Rome Branch:
code IBAN: IT16 G050 1803 2000 0000 0120 434
code SWIFT/BIC: CCRTIT2184D
registered in the name of Associazione Azione per un Mondo Unito Onlus
Reason: Emergency Ebola
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 18, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Salvatore vividly recalls, “When I was about fourteen, I had my first encounter with Jesus. I remember it as vividly as if it happened yesterday. I had met the Focolare Movement, people who had found fulfillment in life and who were able to get this young lad interested in what they were on about. I liked hanging around with them and together with my brother, we’d find every excuse to go to their place. It was that special aura around them, the ‘presence’ of Jesus in their midst, that attracted me. The fruit of that period? The desire to meet Jesus in the Eucharist every day.” When he was 20 he fell in love with Adriana. “I decided to declare my feelings, certain that they would be reciprocated. But the response I got was a harsh disappointment. I could not imagine my future without her. I was tempted to withdraw into myself. But I learned not to stop, and to have an open mind and heart. I persevered in loving. After a few years, I found myself with Adriana at my side, and it was then that our lifelong adventure began.” Some years into the marriage, and with three adolescent kids, Adriana and Salvatore were immersed in a busy life, amid family, their jobs, and volunteer work. Above all, a difficult period began for Adriana. “Slowly and silently, a sense of aridity was growing in me, characterised by a lack of self-confidence. I experienced bitterness in losing people I loved, and at a certain point, there were even times when I wished I could die. But somehow, everything around me was pushing me to move on. I worked for long hours behind a teller’s window with a throng of people in line, and trying to love each one, after which I was at home, cooking, cleaning, staying with my kids, and helping them out. My relationship with God was reduced to a bleak light which was quickly fading. One day I took stock of this absence of God in me, and I was overcome by fear which shook me deeply. I prayed to ask him to reveal himself! It was almost as if I was challenging him. It was during my early morning walks, that I found a relationship with God again, and this helped me re-establish my inner peace.” And the kids? It was an experience of detachment. Salvatore recounts the experience with his firstborn. “Ever since he was a teenager, he wanted to be a musician. He learned to play the guitar and though he never wanted to go to the conservatory, he got involved in our city – Naples – with musical groups, activities, and musicians of a certain level; He had frequent engagements with them, even if he was only 20. The prospects, however, were scarce. At 24, he decided to give his life a new turn and left for London. It was such a disappointment for us. He did not speak a word of English, and he was going to this immense and unknown city, without knowing where to stay and how to make a living. On the day of his departure, I accompanied him to the airport, and watched him disappear at the departure gates. My heart was torn between contrasting sensations. I felt fear for his life, the pain of losing him, yet I was aware of the need to respect his choices in life. That image of the plane taking off seemed to summarise what God was asking of me: to let go of the flesh of my flesh, to allow him to be different from me. God was saying, “Before he became your son, he was MY son, so do you think I will not take care of him?” My son now lives in London, working as a musician. “Two years ago, we went to visit him. The opportunity came as he was performing in a concert in a theatre which is considered the temple of modern dance, filled to the brim by 2,000 people! He was there with with his successful band which had taken him on tour around the world.” And at what stage are we in now? “Well, we’re experiencing a newly found freedom, even in our recent choice to leave our home in Naples for a few years and to transfer to another city, Rome, to be at the service of the international centre of the Focolare Movement.” (A. and S. L. – Italy)
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 17, 2014 | Non categorizzato
A Europe that is a little tired and pessimistic? Maybe. These were the terms used by Pope Francis when he spoke during his recent visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The challenges that Europe, together with the whole world, faces are many.
The convention of dialogue between Buddhists and Christians, which was held on December 10 at the Pontifical Urbanian University, sought a common message of hope so that the world does not revolve around economic interests, but have in its heart an anthropological orientation that affirms the sacredness of every human being.
The event was organized by the Ufficio Nazionale per l’Ecumenismo e il Dialogo interreligioso della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (UNEDI) [National Office for Ecumenism and interreligious Dialogue of the Italian Episcopal Conference], the Pontifical Council for interreligious dialogue, the Italian Buddhist Union, together with various Christian and Buddhist organizations.
The crisis viewed from various perspectives: the anthropological-theological, so as to lay the foundations, and the economical financial to offer some input. Vincenzo Giorgino of the University of Turin, and Luigino Bruni of the Lumsa University of Rome, in fact, two voices, Buddhist and Christian, studied in depth the crisis and the uncertainty of contemporary man. From here emerged starting points for study and reflection on capitalism that can be replaced with new paradigms such as that of the economy of communion.
Then a medley of experiences about the battle against the crisis. The Community of St. Egidio shared on how they go ahead along their way made up of prayer, the poor and peace; the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta shared on how they help single mothers in Italy; the Focolare Movement related their experience of helping the migrants in Lampedusa and the journey of fraternity that has begun with the Muslims in Sicily. On the part of the Buddhists, the Rissho Kosei-kai of Japan shared how they raise funds through the Skip a meal campaign for situations of poverty, emergency, education, environment, refugees, wherever there is a need. The Tzu-chi Foundation of Taiwan, which was started by a small group of female Buddhist monks and housewives, now has 10 million volunteers and donors and has been able to send aid to 85 Countries.
The following day, the delegation of the Tzu-chi Fondation, led by their spokesperson Rey-Shen Her, was welcomed at the international headquarters of the Focolare Movement for a meeting to get to know each other better. Some Buddhists friends from Rome and members of the Focolare involved in various sectors were present. Tzu-chi, which in chinese means “compassion and assistance”, is the biggest Buddhist organization for charitable works in the world. It was founded in 1966 by Cheng Yen, a female Buddhist monk, the winner of the Niwano Peace Prize of 2007.
Through the respective presentations of spirituality and activities, even if in a very brief and concise manner, followed by an open dialogue, one is able to grasp some characteristics that are in common: they were both founded by women, the culture of giving is lived, there is the sense of being a family, reciprocal love and altruism, for example.
Answering to some questions, Prof. Her affirmed that «the activities of compassion towards those in need purify us». «These are words – affirmed Christina Lee, of the Center for interreligious dialogue of the Focolare – that remind us of the words of Chiara Lubich, “we go to God through our neighbours”. Elements that unite us in the common journey towards universal brotherhood and for the good of humanity».
«Aware that our encounter with the other is either filled with humanity and compassion or it has failed in its mission: that of bringing God to the people of today, in a discrete and maybe sometimes hidden way, but nonetheless true and significant », concluded Fr. Cristiano Bettega, director of the UNEDI.
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 16, 2014 | Non categorizzato
“In high school, when I read Man The Unkown by Alexis Carrel, I found great inspiration for my future. His intuition concerning the psychosomatic relationship, that is, the interaction between body and soul in health and in illness simply fascinated me. But the war was on and there was the landing at Anzio (Italy), just a few kilometres away from where my family lived, which catapulted me into the traumatic experience of saturation bombings, and the destruction of our home. Rome then became the safe haven where my family and I went to live with the few possessions we were able to salvage. There I began my life again, and enrolled in medical school. In addition to my studies, which were moving on with good results, I attended the Catholic activities that were held in the world of the university. I became more and more convinced that the most genuinely obvious Christian values of charity, justice and the faith that were expressed in good works, needed to be more deeply rooted in the consciences of Christians, in order to avoid that deadly dichotomy between the relationship with God and the relationship with other people, which renders the Christian presence in the world invisible and irrelevant. Therefore, without realising it, I was searching for something, in an interior atmosphere of expectation, of vague discontent that was towards something that was new. This was the state of my soul when, in the 5th year of medical school, in February 1949, I was invited to a meeting. 
There I met Chiara Lubich. After having been introduced by an order priest, she told us her spiritual experience and that of the first group that formed around her. And I don’t know how to explain it, but by some sort of alchemy that story I heard from Chiara also became my story. It didn’t deal in ideas and necessary explanations. It was a simple exposition of the facts; these were extraordinary, yet “normal” people. It was a matter of accepting their story or not. But if one accepted it, there was no other way of knowing more, than to follow that young woman who – you could just see it – was the living personification of that experience, of that message she brought. So at the end of the meeting I wanted to spend a few more minutes with Chiara and accompanied her for a bit of the way. From that day I never lost contact with the focolarine who had been living in Rome for a few months. […] But my story wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t tell you the secret weapon that made me win the battles against myself and overcome that radical inability to love which afflicts all of us. It was the discovery of Jesus’s greatest suffering in the small and great sufferings of humanity. Chiara spoke of it often, because it’s such an indispensable help, especially for those who are just learning to take their first steps in building unity. We all know that dark umbra that lies behind our human nature, with its load of introspection and selfishness. But all that was assumed once and for all by Jesus It has taken on His voice and countenance, which tells us that “the night no longer has any darkness” and every wound can be healed, because He loved it and healed it. Many times, through the years I’ve experienced the burden of pain and suffering. Yet, each time I believed in Love and threw myself into His arms, beyond the suffering I found an ever deeper peace, an ever purer joy.”
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 15, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“Let this cube be the sign that reminds us that peace is a precious possession, to be cultivated always, with the commitment of everyone.” These were the words of the Deputy Mayor of Trieste, Fabiana Martini, during the inauguration of the “Cube of Peace” garden on November 21, 2014. The steel frame and polycarbonate structure, 60 cm per side, is located in the Muzio de Tommasini Public Garden. Each of the six sides has a motto: We help each other; Forgive others; Be the first to love; Listen to others; Share with others; and Welcome everyone.” Promoted by the Town of Trieste and built by the Focolare’s Action for a United World (AMU) on the hundredth anniversary of World War I, the initiative resulted from a project already launched in other Italian cities such as Trent and Rovigo, but also in more distant lands like Hungary and Pakistan. The aim is to foster peace education, engaging children and teenagers, but also schools, educators, families and adults of all ages who wish to be involved in this important and timely effort. The crowded ceremony was conducted by Roberto Mosca from the United World Project, and enlivened by music and songs from many children, teenagers and young people. Students from every class level and type of school also contributed, along with Municipal Councillors of Public Works, Andrea Dapretto, and Education Councillor Antonella Grim, who stressed the viability of the project, as well as the significance and value of building true relations of peace. 
Whoever passes by the “peace garden” with the “cube of peace” at its centre, will be able to almost playfully, spin the cube and begin to build a personal but very important journey of peace. This educational toy was inspired by the Art of Loving proposed by foundress of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, and it aims at putting into practice the phrase from one of its six sides that comes up with each day’s spin. The cube is part of a broader educational project that has involved many educators, classrooms, especially at the nursery and elementary levels, in a daily journey of raising awareness about peace and solidarity. Source: Town of Trieste Press Office
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 15, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Plenty to do When we young people heard that there was a colony of 1000 people in the desert, who were stricken with leprosy, we went to explore their situation. We saw that they were in need of everything, even medical care. We contacted Caritas, now we are a group of Christians and Muslims who go to visit there on our days off from work. Two medical students did some research on caring for lepers. Others got involved in other services, such as painting their dwellings. Another young person, a journalist, wrote articles in several magazines and newspapers in order to inform and sensitise as many people as possible about the problem. We came to realise that those patients were especially in need of someone who would listen to them: for them, this was even more important than medicines. This experience that there is always something that anyone can do, to give something that will be to the advantage of others. S. H. – Egypt 
The little cart A poor man had knocked on our door several times, asking for money. I thought it would be better to teach him how to fish, rather than give him a fish. So I started to build him a small cart to sell sweets and coffee. I made the window with a metal table we had in the house and, with the proceeds from the sale of paper, I bought the wheels. We ended up with a really nice cart. Then we went to Bogota, in the area that the poor fellow frequented, to deliver it to him. When he saw it he was amazed, so happy that he asked to take a picture with us. He got to work right away and now has a more dignified life. O. M. – Colombia 
I found a friend! I was driving to the doctor. It was raining and I was in a hurry. I had just passed a man who was walking with difficulty by the side of the road. Then I thought again and, put the car in reverse. I invited him to get in. He was also on his way to the doctor. . . my very doctor! When I told him that, he exclaimed: “Today I met an angel!” In fact, my name is Angelo and when I told him he had quite a good laugh. When we left the doctor’s I accompanied Antonio – that was his name – to do some shopping and then to his home where I met his wife, Antonietta. As they shared a bit about themselves, I was offered a liqueur and a biscuit made by his wife. Before saying goodbye, we exchanged telephone numbers and promised that we would meet again. Antonio: “Today I found a friend.” And Antoinetta immediately handed me a dozen fresh eggs, saying: “They’re still warm, just taken from our chickens.” It felt like time had stood still. Truly, there is more joy in giving than receiving! Angelo D. N. – Italy
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 13, 2014 | Non categorizzato
The wonder of Redemption began with the birth of the Redeemer, the King of Creation who couldn’t find a room to come into this world, nor a stone on which to rest his head.
He was true man and his appearance among the people for whom he came took place in the appearance of an infant lying in a manger.
The Romans awaited a saviour who would appear as a boy, who would begin a new cycle of the centuries – the Greeks and the Persians as well.
The Jews expected him in the light of prophecies that pinned all hopes on him for a rebirth of the past and a total overturning of the present.
The overturning was already underway in that low-class birth, which placed the Son of God on the level of the victims, the homeless, the moneyless, victims of floods and wars: those on the bottom level of the widespread human misery. Later he would die on the scaffold of disgrace and shame.
Such a stunning presentation of the Divinity: haloes of angels above and shepherds’ knots below. But even more astounding was their song at that singular birth which resounded and filled that night with bright and shining glory: Glory to God in the highest; and peace to all on earth!
The glory of the God resounds in those lyrics: peace to all on earth! God’s peace is his glory, and the people’s peace is their glory.
The link lies already there in that relationship of divine and human values contained in God’s Incarnation, where the divine nature and the human nature are united in one person, the link and mediator of the infinite in the finite, of the eternal in the transient, of the glory in the peace.
Henceforth, the glory of God will never be separated from the peace among his people. If there is one, there will be the other; if one is lacking, so will the other be.
Great and packed with consequences was that first proclamation of the Good News, that announced the social and personal effect of love, the law of the new era, adopted by that low-class Child. The effect of that law is peace. If there is peace, it means that the divine light of charity is flowing in the spirit of each person and in the relationships among all; it means that people will like brothers and sisters perceiving the presence of the Father.
The greatest glory that people can give to God in the highest is, witih good will to secure peace below, the peace of rational beings on the lowest of the planets, this flower bed in which we become so ferocious.
Through peace our life on earth can be divine. If, instead of wasting time on hating, we gain life by loving, we will welcome into our hearts the God who is Love. God has taught mystics that he dwells nowhere except in peace.
Therefore, with the presence of Christ, a stable can be the highest heavens, a barn can be a church, every house can be a church, every office, even every Parliament.
Igino Giordani, (Turin: Parole di vita, SEI: 1954), pp. 21-23.
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 12, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“It is not a simple tuition class, or a mere opportunity to work. Udisha is much more, a real and true point of reference for children, families and entire communities.” This is what Susanna Svaluto Moreolo wrote, a young Italian Volunteer, the first one from Italy to lend her services to the project of the Focolare Movement in Goregaon, one of the slum areas of Mumbai, 400,000 inhabitants, 40 minutes by train from the city centre.
Udisha, in urdu “the ray of light that brings a new dawn” takes in more than 100 children, teens (from 4 to 22 years old) and many mothers every year: there are 60 of them inserted in the micro-credit project. It is a project born from and based on the spirituality of unity, according to the conviction of Chiara Lubich that the greatest power for social transformation lies in the Gospel lived. Concretely it involves activities after school, counseling, occupational therapy for children and teens; contributions are made to pay for school fees; production and sale of bags for the activities of micro-credit; days of conviviality and meetings organized for the parents, and financial support for the families.
«What impressed me – continued Susanna, a student – is the awareness, above all on the part of the teens, of the opportunity that this project offers them as students and as persons and, consequently, their commitment and active participation in the project itself. The teens find in Udisha a real and true second home, people in whom to confide in and on whom they know that they can rely on for help. Most importantly, in this regard, is the presence of a counselor who provides psycho-educative support for the teens and parents.
The volunteer workers carry out their daily life in Udisha, and the impression one has is that the project takes on the «central role for those who are part of it. One can grasp this from the way the children work in groups among them and on how the older ones are responsible for the younger ones, from the mothers who come to Udisha at least three times a day to accompany the children, bring them their lunch and take them back, and then to return once again to work in the project of bag-making that involves them directly. The fact that among the teachers of the tuition class after school there are also the young girls who in tha past were the beneficiaries of the project and continue to be a part of it as volunteers, is quite significant.”
An experience wherein each one can put at the service of the others that which he or she does the best, in Susanna’s case for example, it was dance: “I had the chance to teach dancing both to the teens and to the mothers, preparing them for a performance on the occasion of the feast of the independence. This involved me in a special way because it allowed me to discuss with these women, who agreed with enthusiasm to the activity, making me understand the importance of creating moments of relaxation, that allows them to pass the time and to escape, even just for awhile, from their daily routine.”
An impression before leaving the Indian subcontinent? “I believe that the experience in Udisha represents a very beautiful opportunity because it allows one to fully life the Indian reality: the hospitality, the dignity, the food, the religious aspect and the reciprocal respect for the different religions and cultures, the rituals, the weekends spent with the Hindu families of Udisha… with regards to the fear of all these aspects that I had before leaving, this experience made me forget then all.”
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 11, 2014 | Non categorizzato
Observe, involve, think. But also act, evaluate, enjoy. These six actions summarise the steps to be taken in developing an action plan in the local districts involving entire communities, starting off from the children. In what way? By helping them take on a different view of their own daily growth, for example from at home, at school, and by talking about situations and facts that signal out a specific problem. And taking these situations as the starting point of an action plan that responds to the social and fraternal indicators, to imply acts that are not based on expectations of a personal profit, but aimed only to benefit the others according to their needs, and enhancing that possibility of generating a positive reciprocity.
This is only one of the action plans launched for the extensive panorama of the Youth for Unity: featuring also Run4Unity, Super Soccer, the Universal Person workshop, Let’s Colour the City, and Schoolmates’ Give Projects and still another project in the making, made possible also thanks to a network of young and adult educators. Recently, about a 100 of these educators attended a meeting in Castel Gandolfo (27-30 November), mostly from Italy, with representatives from France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Hungary and even from Guatemala, Paraguay and India.
Deep inside, all had a common desire to mould the new generation, and work with them. They spared no effort, time and energy, in the conviction that “without an adequate educational project it would be practically impossible to set up a serious and enduring project at the service of a new humanity”. Pope Francis he urged all to “educate” during the general audience with the Focolare Movement. “Chiara Lubich had also coined an expression which is still very actual today, saying – we need to mould the “global person,” men and women with hearts and souls modeled after the mentality of Jesus, and who are thus able to read and interpret the needs, uncertainties and hopes besetting each human being”.
But to be able to educate, one has to be trained: this is why a lot of time was given to refreshing and deepening Chiara Lubich’s views on education, and a psycho-pedagogical approach to target and promote “Life Skills” in the group of children. Besides peer-to-peer education which an adolescent necessarily needs, the role of the adult guide is fundamental, and this guide must imbue trust, and leave room for creativity, free initiatives, the possibility to experiment on oneself, and put oneself to the test.
In this perspective also the new initiatives came about, like the “It’s up to me” educational project (Up2me) which focuses on affection and sexuality at the developmental stage, undertaken in synergy between the teams of Children for Unity and the New Families, and addressing the pre-adolescents and adolescents. The person–relation is a referral paradigm, in the anthropological vision sparked up by the charism of unity, that is, the person in his being-in-relation with the other, in his capacity to love and be loved, to give and accept.
During an open dialogue session with the educators, Jesús Morán invited all to “recognise the signs of the times” in the digital revolution and to immerse themselves in this culture without being gullible. And Maria Voce, in relaunching, the pathway of the Children for Unity, three years after the birth in the Focolare Movement’s children’s branch, advised all to pay “greater attention to the poverty and sobriety of life” by walking alongside the children to ward off the constant risk of consumerism that creates situations in which, for example, the craze for the latest smartphone, makes the youth lose sight of the great material poverty around us.
Dec 10, 2014 | Non categorizzato
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 10, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
«64 years after the institution of the International Human Rights Day [10 December] and of the appeal to “all peoples of the world” launched by the United Nations General Assembly,” we, the members of UNIRedes, wish to make public our constitution on the network, in order to foster authentic partnership relations, and build a more just and fraternal world, in pursuit of total respect for human rights.» These were the opening lines of the “Manifesto” signed on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, by over 50 social organisations, initiatives and movements of 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries involved in UNIRedes.
What do they have in common? Commitment to social change through a culture based on brotherhood, as a social expression of Chiara Lubich’s charism of unity. They work on various fronts: the political, social, economic, intergenerational and cultural fields. Their main characteristics are: promotion of cooperation and participation of the various players involved.
The “Manifesto” expressed furthermore, the «Commitment to cultivate and spread in our environments, a culture that respects and protects the dignity, liberty and rights of every human being, and operate continually to stir up in our territory, a firm and convinced awareness of the value of each human being; spreading this vision to as many people as possible, also includes sharing with them experiences, good practices, material for the education and qualification of our members, deficiencies. for reciprocal support without geographic or idiomatic barriers, and grow in the awareness that we are all part of one family.»
In short, UNIRedes wishes to make public its willingness to cooperate and “support all those who want to work together, and therefore make justice and fraternity more visible and concrete, and as the force which can bridge the lack of dignity many people are subjected to.» This is why they are launching «a public appeal to the government institutions and organisations of civil society, and to those individuals who support initiatives and social actions, to merge and share forces, in order to build a world in which the rights of each person are not violated but protected and guaranteed.» Unite therefore, the efforts of people who have been committed for years in the existential outskirts of society in Latin America to construct a more fraternal world.
For further information: www.sumafraternidad.org (http://www.sumafraternidad.org/web/ )
Contacts: info@sumafraternidad.org (AR) / uniredes@focolares.org.br (BR)
Organisations that are members of UNIRedes:
Apadis (Asociación de Padres de Ayuda al Discapacitado) – AR
Asociación Civil Nuevo Sol – AR
Associação de Apoio à Criança e ao Adolescente (AACA) – BR
Associação de Apoio à Família, ao Grupo e à Comunidade do Distrito Federal (Afago-DF) – BR
Associação de Apoio à Família, ao Grupo e à Comunidade de São Paulo (Afago-SP) – BR
Associação Famílias em Solidariedade (Afaso) – BR
Associação Famílias em Solidariedade de Cascavel (Afasovel) – BR
Associação Nacional por uma Economia de Comunhão (Anpecom) – BR
Associação Civitas – BR
Associação Pró-Adoções a Distância (Apadi) – BR
Associação Nossa Senhora Rainha da Paz (Anspaz) – BR
Casa de los Niños – Bolivia
Casa do Menor São Miguel Arcanjo – BR
Centro de Atención Integral Las Águilas – MEX
Centro Social Roger Cunha – BR
Codeso (Comunión para el Desarrollo Social) – UY
Colégio Santa Maria – MEX
Dispensario Medico Igino Giordani – MEX
Editora Cidade Nova – BR
Fazenda da Esperança – BR
Fundación Unisol – BO
Fundación Mundo Mejor – CO
Grupo Pensar – BR
Hacienda de la Esperanza de Guadalajara – MEX
Instituto Mundo Unido – BR
Núcleo de Ação Comunitária (NAC)/Núcleo Educacional Fiore – BR
Núcleo de Ação Voluntária (NAV) – BR
Promoción Integral de la Persona para una Sociedad Fraterna – MEX
Refúgio Urbano – MEX
Saúde, Diálogo e Comunhão – BR
Sociedade Movimento dos Focolari Nordeste/Escola Santa Maria – BR
Sociedade Movimento dos Focolari – BR
Unipar (Unidad y Participación) – PY
UNIRedes operates through social initiatives also in Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala and Venezuela.
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 10, 2014 | Non categorizzato
“I’ve been working in the criminal justice system of Santa Fe for twenty years. It’s not a good business card to be holding these days in Argentina, where officials and institutions are the subject of constant suspicion, whether justified or not.
Ever since my first experience in the Focolare with the Gen, the spirituality of unity has given meaning to my presence in the environment where crime, violence and non-love are more evident than love, which is the fulfillment of the law, as St Paul says. During these years of constant challenge I tried to gear professional training, ethics, career and social relationships towards serving people, and certain difficult steps made in this direction have turned out to be decisive for me on my journey.
When my wife and I decided to adopt a little boy, we didn’t profit from the knowledge of people who could have helped us to complete the adoption process more speedily by going ahead of other couples who were perhaps living in solitude and suspension. Finally we were called: the official on duty, who knew me, was quite surprised by our attitude during during all the years of waiting. With the arrival of our adopted daughter, it was confirmed for us that God’s plans are perfect and can be realized when we do His will.
One time I had to take care of a case in which the defendant was ready to take justice into his own hands if he didn’t receive a favourable verdict. Meanwhile I continued to receive alarming anonymous messages regarding the dangerousness of the defendant and his close links with local authorities. In spite of it all, I stayed faithful to the juridical process and more than once had to give serious warnings to the defendant regarding his obligations in the procedural process. In the end, the verdict was not in his favour, but I gained the trust of his lawyer which continues until today. When I finished the case, that person came to greet me. He confided in me concerning his violent tendencies, and how in future situations in which he felt the urge to become violent, he would turn over to his son that problem which seemed unsolvable to him.
Since trials are recorded in writing, the whole process produces a mountain of paper work that makes consultation quite difficult, and often defendants and their families suffer helplessly. It is precisely in these situations that creating a space for sharing allows for bringing into evidence the individual dignity of each person, which is a first step towards hope for a better life.
At times, the mere fact of listening to someone with the heart and mind, can give us a light that goes beyond procedural practices for formal interrogation of a detainee, so that the person can explain his dramatic situation, and the justice official can have an adequate knowledge of the facts for making a truly humane decision. This has happened to me many times, like when I decided on a psychiatric visit for a detainee whom I had deeply listened to. There was a real danger that might attempt suicide, and this decision restored some balance to his situation.
“You know better than I do. What always makes the difference everywhere is: love, even in the exercise of justice.
(M.M. – Argentina)
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 9, 2014 | Non categorizzato
Is he or she the right person? Does the precariousness of one’s situation make a long-term programme possible? Why does marriage seem so frightening? Whoever is thinking about building a future together today often find themselves having to face choices, difficulties, doubts. A journey of growth and the sharing with other couples can help in living one’s own choice with responsibility. There are many young people who feel the need for a preparation. Ines a young Spanish girl, works in the field of fashion, although she has just been recently laid off; she and Alejandro, a business consultant, are planning to get married next July. They are from Madrid and came to know about the course from others who have already attended it: “To invest in our future is what counts the most, and so we did all we could to be here”. A couple from Brazil, because of the high cost of the airfare, requested that it be their advanced wedding gift. They were days of reflection and discussion on the various topics through experiences, reports of experts, workshops that were about life as a couple and family life, from budgeting to work, simplicity and moderation, communication, feelings and emotions and being parents. “Ideas such as these form us as a future family – continued Ines – and help us to ge to know each other more. Is “this” really what we want?” More that 200 engaged couples met at Castelgandolfo (20-23 November 2014), with simultaneous translation in ten languages, during the annual course of the New Families,, which is bringing ahead the formation of engaged couples also on the local and regional levels. 
Modern culture which is centered on personal well-being, does not encourage marriage which implies a bond sworn to before society and which requires a committment and also some sacrifices. But the social and family network give solidity to the relationship and in the communion among families, each family unit is a resource for the others. “For me the legal recognition is important”, said Adolfo who has been with Antonella for ten years, and they have been living together for five years: in April they will get married in a mixed rite ceremony since he is a non-believer and she is Catholic. “I asked myself whether this difference in our convictions would have brought with it some problems among us, but then in learning to accept each other, the diversity of the other has served as a stimulus. Last year I got sick – she continued. This trial strengthened our relationship and guided us in the step towards marriage”. “From a financial point of view, our situation is quite uncertain because I have an employment contract only up to February, then I don’t know what happens next – Ana of Belgrade explains – while Alexander, her fiancee, plays the violin in an orchestra. “We understood that there may be small financial solutions and we have to see what is really necessary”. From Serbia, also 3 other mixed couples came together with them, one of the two is Catholic and the other is Orthodox. “Our desire is to understand together how to live better the differences among us so that they become an enrichment and not an obstacle”. This “forever” can also be frightening – said one of the families of the staff organizing the Convention – “but this is not synonymous to perfection. Rather, perfection consists in this starting again every time that there is a setback or a difficulty in the relationship”. “A marriage is not successful just because it lasts, but what is important is its quality. Staying together and knowing how to love one another forever is the challenge that Christian spouses face” Pope Francis said to the engaged couples on the occasion of the celebration of Valentine’s Day 2014”. “In marriage, the spouses don’t give each other anything, but they give themselves in a continuous game of unity and distinction – said Chiara Lubich in Lucerne in 1999 – and their future is enclosed within this dynamics, a future that will bring them beyond themselves, and in particular through the generating of new life; and from this wider communion the family becomes the generator of society”.
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 8, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“Vy’aguasu peteĩ ñe’ẽme” (grand feast in a sole language), the event was given this title in Guarani, which besides Spanish is also the country’s official language. Just as the hearts spoke out in joyful unison on that occasion, last 16 November, Maria Voce wrote: «With great joy I join you in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Ideal in your beloved land of the Guarani, and your festivities at the Mariapolis “Madre de la humanidad. We express our deep gratitude to all those who were the first tools in God’s hands … » Some of these, protagonists of the beginnings of the Movement in Paraguay, recounted their fascination in discovering the novelty and adventure in following “a light that brightens every corner of existence.” Unconditioned, concrete and demanding Evangelical love, still continues to fill the lives of these eighty-year-olds brimming with life and wisdom. 
Throughout the years, the spontaneous evangelical life of the first group gave rise to the Movement today, and is now diffused in all the main cities of the country, and like the “parable of the small seed, is now a gigantic tree which opens its branches across the world,” as Chiara Lubich had envisioned. Along the lines of the “three keywords” Pope Francis recently addressed to the members of the Focolari’s General Assembly, the day was dotted with brief reflections on “contemplation, going out and formation,” enriched by concrete and effective experiences and actions in the field of bioethics and politics, and of social inclusion. Also in Paraguay, the light of the Gospel took flesh in its culture, in such a way that it became a lifestyle of its inhabitants. And here, the roots of its inhabitants, the Guarani people, are still strong. They were the most numerous among the 20 aborigines who lived in this land for more than 5,000 years, as recent discoveries have confirmed. This naturally communitarian people lived in harmony with nature and possessed a highly marked sense of the sacredness and dignity of the human person. Diana Durán professor and scholar in History, summarised the wealth of the Guarani people’s ancestral values and made herself a spokesman for the Focolari’s proposal to rediscover these values, after centuries of oppression and contempt, and proposed them as the antidote to the anti-values threatening society today. A huge contribution came from the Synod on the Family that encouraged all to stand by others in a concrete way, to heal their wounds and relaunch the family, the pillar of Paraguayan society, still robust but increasingly undermined. 
The conferment of the “Art of Dialogue” prize, after online polls, was awarded to Mons. Adalberto Martínez Flores, for his promotions of the Multisectarian Coordinating Table of the San Pedro provinces. The multisectarian service was created through his initiative in 2010, amid a situation of great strife that beset society. Thanks to this initiative still underway, and which convoked landowners, entrepreneurs, landless farmers and social parties, important improvements were achieved in the social sector as well as in the weaker brackets. The Focolari communities spread throughout the land recounted their experiences and actions: living a life of solidarity, especially in situations of suffering. The youth and the kids. The music band was able to contaminate all with enthusiasm, while the kids of the Focolari, incredible examples of going against the “have-all here and now” attitude were the protagonists of experience-sharing moments with a hundred of their peers. Lastly, the little ones, the Gen 4, conquered all with the simplicity of their evangelical life. Seeing life spread and grow always takes us by surprise. The first followers of Chiara lubich’s ideal of unity in Paraguay can say that for 50 years they have witnessed the birth and development of dynamic Christian communities, with the typical joys and pains of a growing family. The challenges remain, but when there is unity, nothing seems impossible.
Dec 7, 2014 | Non categorizzato
Dec 7, 2014 | Non categorizzato
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 6, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“I didn’t know Lionello Bonfanti. Today, not only was I impressed by his life, but I was really deeply moved.” This was one of the impressions shared at the end of the conference, “Law in Search of Justice. The Method of Lionello Bonfanti,” an enriching afternoon that was held on November 28, 2014 at the Parma Industrials Union headquarters. The conference was organised by Communion and Law, a section of the Focolare Movement that promotes the centrality of the person in the field of law, the person’s full dignity, relational skills and openness to the transcendent – as someone qualified to give the world a look that reflects the aspirations of individuals and peoples. A debate on law and justice, “led back,” as explained by Professor Adriana Cosseddu, “to a common root where justice, the guardian of relationships, exceeds the practice of law so that it becomes a sharing and ability to identify with any situation of discomfort or pain. It has a universal breadth, because it is an opportunity offered to everyone to rebuild relationships that are not based on self-interest – to use the words of the philosopher, Arendt – the capacity of entering in relationship with others and, above all, to place oneself in their place.” Magistrate Bonfanti demonstrated this right relationship between law and justice in his own life: “What emerges from his life,” states Focolare president, Maria Voce, in a message to the conference, “is how this search for justice always went beyond the mere application of norms. His seeking was focused first on relationships, on recognising the dignity of every person and placing himself in relationship with them, whether they were his own colleague, the lawyer, the chancellor, the offended party, or the one accused even of a serious offence. His commitment in seeking to apply the law in order to come not only to the truth of the case, but justice, guided him both in and outside the courtroom. Dr Mario Ricci dealt with the topic of respect for individuals and their basic rights. With entertaining stories, and constant challenges to the audience, especially those working in the legal professions, the Law Ordinary from the Intercultural Law School of the University of Parma underscored, among other things, how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is still not taken very much in consideration and seldom applied concretely. 
The conference was formative with an audience of magistrates, lawyers and notaries, accredited by the National Foundation of Notaries and by the Council of the Order of Lawyers. Many testimonies were given to show how the methodology used by Magistrate Bonfanti in his own career is still relevant and applicable today; these were presented by lawyer Maria Giovanna Rigatelli, Prefect Mario Ciclosi and Gino Trombi, friend of Lionello. An artistic performance about Lionello Bonfanti was an unusual touch, presented by filmaker Maffino Maghensani, who used the words of Magistrate Bonfanti and background music draw everyone into Bonfanti’s inner life, profession and decision to build with every person, authentic relationships that would last. “Today,” his sister Maria Grazia Bonfanti remarked, “Lionello has truly returned to Parma. The meeting in this prestigious hall was at the level of his life and his work.”
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 5, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
During the concert tour of the Gen Rosso in Northern Italy (Monza and Brianza, from November 10 to 15) “it not only poured liters of water due to the never-ending rain, but also many graces that all those who took part in the project continue to share with us,” the 18 artists of the band upon their return wrote us. The students who were involved in the project were 120 coming from 11 different institutes: “For the first time we were able to involve so many schools.”
The project was requested and organized by the local community of the Focolare Movement, in collaboration with the “Fraternità Capitanio” (Capitaniano Fraternity) , a community of people who live the gift of fraternity according to their particular characteristic as desired by Bartolomea Capitanio, a teacher who lived in Lovere (Northern Italy) during the first ten years of the Eighteenth Century.The Capitanio Fraternity has existed in Monza since 1977 as a community that welcomes young women in difficulty who want to go through re-education and recover their personal dignity so as to become builders of life for themselves and for others. «We found ourselves immediately in harmony with them and a friendships was born that will surely remain for a long time», the Gen Rosso continued. «At the end of the project we saw that these young boys and girls understood and totally welcomed the values intrinsic in the musical “Streetlight”. They spoke of family, of inner strength, of a new faith in oneself and to see them crying upon pur departure really touched our hearts … But we left each other with an ‘arrivederci’ (see you again), certain that we would meet again!».
Some of the faces and the experiences of these teens were broadcast on channel TG3 national.
“I never thought that in one week one could really like these people a lot, and instead this is what happened,” wrote Giada. “Each one of them puts their heart into what they do. And so it is a very big grace because everyday with the mottos that they share with us, they always teach us something new and encourage us to believe in our dreams.” Giada was in the group of the hip hop combination: “If you would get the chance,” she continued – I would advice anyone to try because, according to me, it is one of the most beautiful experiences that could happen to you!”.
“In 2 days I was able to learn two choreographies and in 6 I got to know around 130 people who, putting it mildly, are stupendous, my second very much extended family.” another wrote. “You from Gen Rosso have made me grow and experience a part of my dream, you made me understand what these two words FRIENDSHIP and LOVE mean. Your teachings are like gold: unique and precious.”
Nostalgia for the experience lived, but also a great message of growth: this is what the “120 teenagers of Monza” carry in their hearts, recalling that – as the words of a song in the musical says – from now on “we will love one another’s journey”.
![Peace: No longer slaves but brothers]()
Dec 4, 2014 | Senza categoria
The path taken by the Church, despite some contrary currents, is by its nature a path of hope which proceeds irreversible toward Jesus Christ. That is why the logo chosen for this year repeats these words: Gospel, Prophecy, and Hope.
With this conviction, men and women religious, consecrated men and women, and men and women touched by the charisms – which throughout the centuries have beautified the Church – were given an appointment for a Prayer Vigil and a Eucharistic Celebration for the opening of the Year of Consecrated Life.
On Saturday evening the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome gradually filled up with men and women with habits of different colors for the Vigil Prayer Service. “Fifty consecrated men and women preceded Bishop Jose Rodriguez Carbello in the entrance procession to Saint Mary Major, with a lighted lamp, a symbol of the different charisms but most of all a symbol of the Spirit who re-ignites souls and hearts,” recount Fr. Theo Jansen and Fr. Mariano Steffan of the International Center of Religious of the Work of Mary, who were present as representatives of those religious scattered throughout the world who are linked to the spirituality of the Focolare.
“Commenting on the selection of the Gospel about the miracle worked by Jesus at Cana in Galilee, about the changing of the water into wine, Bishop Carballo who was presiding at the Prayer Vigil reminded everyone, among other things, how in order to have the ‘new wine’ we should go to Jesus, know how to meet him and listen to him, and know how to ‘live’ him.”
“We were all struck by the fact that he wanted us to begin by placing ourselves under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From that moment on, in fact, listening to the Bible readings, to some thoughts taken from the writings of founders, and to the prayers – it seemed to me – we were all enveloped by Mary’s mantle,” recounts Fr. Mariano. “Pope Francis too, in his videotaped message prepared for the occasion and listened to before concluding the Vigil, entrusted us to Mary. And the prayer concluded with an invocation to the Virgin Mary,” added Fr. Theo Jansen.
![Card_braz_de_aviz[1]](https://www.focolare.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Card_braz_de_aviz1.jpg)
“The Eucharistic Celebration which took place on Sunday, November 30, in St. Peter’s Basilica gave the official start to the Year of Consecrated Life. Pope Francis’s inaugural greeting, read at the beginning of the concelebration presided by the Prefect of the Congregation Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, returned to the exhortation: ‘Reawaken the world!”
Fr. Mariano commented, “It made everyone smile and reflect when the Prefect of the Congregation – during the homily given in St. Peter’s Basilica – said: “It is a repulsive sight to see sad faces, always serious, without a smile among men and women religious .. . Joy needs to be manifested and shared . . . .”
“After these two events there was truly a new atmosphere in the plaza of St. Peter’s. One could see on the face of everyone the certainty that with such a beautiful beginning, we have every reason to hope. We returned home,” concluded Fr. Theo, “keeping everything in our heart as Mary did, with the conviction that we have already been given the premise for a step forward in religious life, and it is our wish for one another that in so doing we may ‘Reawaken the world!’ which is Pope Francis’s wish for us.”
Dec 4, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
«In the waters of the Sun Moon Lake, the green mountains of the central-eastern region of Taiwan are reflected.This big and beautiful island of the South China Sea was rightly named Formosa by the Portuguese sailors. Its fame attracts millions of tourists every year, also from mainland China. The steep slopes are covered with lush vegetation in the midst of which I can recognize clumps of bamboo, maybe 15 meters tall.
James Liao, a man in his forties, of a slim build like many of his countrymen, was waiting for us at the entrance of a small pier where we can sit on the stern of the Holy Love. It is a motorboat that has been recently rebuilt and he is justly proud of it: it is the only one of the whole lake that is accessible by the disabled in wheelchairs.
‘The special access port, the ramp, the special hooks to anchor wheelchairs during navigation have cost a lot, and this was one of the reasons why it wasn’t understood at the beginning. But it had to be done, if it is true that this initiative was created to overcome all forms of discrimination. This way 200 disabled people have been able to reach our camp already.’
Another instant of discrimination that James wanted to overcome was against the minority of the indigenous people inhabiting these places: the five jobs created in the camp are for them.
The camp is located in a small clearing in the flat bottom of a lovely gulf, virtually inaccessible by land. The surrounding forest and the birdsong create a striking contrast to the opposite shore of the lake, occupied by houses, roads, shops and a huge skyscraper, where the best sights are dominated by flashy five-star hotels. In the middle of the clearing there is a simple wooden house, allowing thirty young people to stayin two dormitories, and next to it there is an open-air structure that serves as a kitchen. All around, from the mountain’s side, some white pointed gazebos have been placed offering shelter from the sun or rain, depending on the circumstances; a corner is occupied by rays of black plastic crates black piled up so as to ensure that the higher ones, filled with humus, are level with the hands of a seated person: all designed to allow the disabled to also avail of the “green therapy”. The plants are well aligned and sprouting from the crates in confirmation that the therapy has been recently practiced.
By the lake, near the pier, there are some twenty lightweight metal canoes arranged in good order. ‘It is titanium, recovered 30 years ago from the carcasses of the planes of World War II by the founder of the camp, Father Richard, an American from Wisconsin who has left everything to devotehimself to us Taiwanese, beginning with the most feeble ones. Before me he was the manager of Special Need Centers (centres for disadvantaged people) of the Diocese of Taichung, and he had thought of this place to give them the opportunity to make learning experiences from which they would otherwise have been excluded. Actually I have never met him, but a short time ago I was filled with joy when I discovered one of the old documents that was precisely about a boat accessible for the disabled.’ The figure of Father Richard has played a role also in the choice of faith of James, followed by the decision to leave a well-paid job in a bank and go to study pedagogy of the disadvantaged and then work for them.
Every word of James’ transmits enthusiasm for all that means respect for the environment, care for the spirit, hospitability, and attention to others. It is really fascinating! But this is also an enterprise, so I ask for information on its economic management. ‘It is a source of great pride for us that we are now already in surplus, thanks to the revenue from the excursions and sports activities that we offer to the general public (down in the city we have two people working for us, in contact with tourist agencies). And so, instead of the diocese supporting us, as in the past, it is now us offering our profits, namely 30% of the all we get. Another 30% goes to the Centers for Social Needs, 30% is reinvested in the company and the last 10% goes to the employees, in a pattern that we have adapted from the Economy of Communion, as we want to follow its principles.’ And in order to be clear, all this is written very visibly on the billboard posted at the entrance of the boat introducing passengers to the logic of Holy Love».
Source: EoC online
