Always ready, always available, close to everyone and at the same time able to see the global perspective. A Councillor at the International Centre of the Focolare Movement since 2014, she left this earth on 5th December.
Friederike Koller with the Focolare founder Chiara Lubich
Friederike with young people in Nigeria
Anna Lisa Innocenti and Stefania Tanesini
We are in the liturgical season of Advent. So, a time of waiting, of preparation for Christmas, a time for being alert and praying. But how can we do this? Here too, we are helped by circumstances, by the brothers and sisters who fill our days: the love we can give will be our prayer, welcomed by Heaven. “Be alert and pray” (…). these few words hold the key to facing the most dramatic events in life, but also the inevitable trials of every day. However, we are immersed in the frenetic and all-consuming pace of modern life, so how can we possibly avoid being lulled to sleep by many “siren songs”? And yet these words of the Gospel are meant for us too… Even in times like these, Jesus cannot ask us to do something that is beyond our capabilities. Along with this exhortation, he must necessarily show us how to live in accordance with his word. So then, how can we stay awake and be on our guard? How can we always have a prayerful attitude? We might have made every effort to shut out everything and everyone as a means of self-defence. But that is not right, and it is not long before we realise that, sooner or later, we have to give in. The path to take can be found in the Gospel and in human experience itself. When you love someone, your heart is watchful, always waiting for that person. Every minute that passes is spent for that person’s sake, watching and waiting. A person who loves is watchful. Being watchful is characteristic of love. … This is the attitude of those who love Jesus. They do everything for his sake. They find him every moment in the simple expressions of his will, and they will meet him solemnly on the day he comes. … The smile we give, the task we carry out, the car we drive, the meal we prepare, the activity we are organizing, the tears we shed for one of our brothers or sisters who is suffering; the instrument we play, the article or letter we write, the happy event we share cheerfully, the dress to be cleaned… If we do all these things out of love, they can all become a prayer. To be alert and pray always, we need to be anchored in love, to love God’s will and every neighbour he puts beside us. Today, I really want to love. So, I will be alert and pray at all times.
Chiara Lubich
(Chiara Lubich, in Parole di Vita, [Words of Life] edited by Fabio Ciardi, Opere di Chiara Lubich, Città Nuova, 2017, pp. 634-636)
“Planting seeds of peace and seeing them blossom”. Margaret Karram’s words during the forum for dialogue entitled “Seeds of hope against prophets of doom: a partnership between Religion and Government for a new policy on Mediterranean unity” at the Rome MED 2021 organised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies). “I believe that government policies in the Mediterranean region should create a political environment conducive to pluralism and equal citizenship”. These were the words with which Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, addressed the seventh edition of Rome MED 2021 (Mediterranean Dialogues) in Rome (Italy) on 3 December 2021. “I think that religions,” she continued, “can also be part of the solution, by offering and promoting a different narrative. (…) Each of us has our own narrative, and we have to listen, understand and respect the other person’s narrative”. The event, which took place in Rome from 2 to 4 December 2021, is the annual high-profile initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies). It brings together politicians, academics, entrepreneurs, religious leaders and NGOs to discuss opportunities offered by the Mediterranean and how to address the many crises across and around the Mediterranean. Margaret Karram’s speech was part of a panel discussion entitled “Seeds of hope against prophets of doom: a partnership between religion and government for a new policy on Mediterranean unity”. The discussion, moderated by Fabio Petito (Head of the Religions and International Relations Programme at ISPI) and Fadi Daou (Co-founder of the Adyan Foundation), was attended by Marina Sereni (Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Italy), Noemi di Segni (President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities), Azza Karam (Secretary General of Religions for Peace), Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski (Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See) and Haya Aliadoua (Advisor to the Secretary General of the World Muslim League). The panel’s reflection on the crisis of disunity that for some time now and for various reasons has affected the shores of the Mediterranean, the scene of clashes between various cultures, moved the debate along and simultaneously left space for possible initiatives and greater involvement from religious leaders and communities in public life to promote new pathways towards fraternity and peace. “Just yesterday,” said Margaret Karram, “Pope Francis having recently arrived in Cyprus, stressed that the ‘mare nostrum‘ – as the Romans called it – is ‘the sea of all those peoples who border it, in order to be connected, not divided’[1]. I believe this is the Mediterranean area’s true identity”. Thinking of the Mediterranean not as one continuous crisis but as an opportunity to work in an effective way, Karram continued: “As Focolare we have been present in the Mediterranean region for over 50 years. Bringing interreligious commitment into daily life, helping people with their needs in concrete ways, is the lesson we have learned and which we strongly value; I believe that high level strategies don’t have such a profound impact”. Speaking of concrete initiatives the Focolare President presented a number of examples and testimonies from Lebanon to Syria that demonstrate the importance of putting the person at the centre and taking care of relationships and diversity, and underline the part that religions can play in this field. “Love and caring for every human being are the core of this message,” she concluded. “Religions have the natural ability to network and draw people into a space where we can plant seeds of peace, seeds of hope, and see them flourish”.
Maria Grazia Berretta
[1] Pope Francis, Meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps – “Ceremonial Hall” of the Presidential Palace in Nicosia (Cyprus), 2 December 2021. Cfr. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2021/december/documents/20211202-cipro-autorita.html
“Together for Europe”: achieving unity by living it On the way towards the reconciliation of diversity. This idea lay at heart of the last meeting of the “Friends of Together for Europe” (IpE). The event took place on 6 November at Castel Gandolfo, Rome. Sharing reflections and experiences strengthened the bond among people whose life experience has been very different. 
The international network of Christian Movements met again this year: 16 members of the steering committee of “Together for Europe” (Sant’Egidio Community, YMCA Germany, Efesia France, ENC Austria, Focolare, Schönstatt, Syndesmos) and over 150 people connected via web met on 6 November 2021 at the Focolare Movement’s International Centre in Castel Gandolfo, Rome, Italy for a time of sharing and practical commitment. Polarisation, reconciliation and overcoming diversity were among the central themes of this meeting. The day consisted of various interventions, with contributions from Gerhard Pross from Young Men’s Christian Association of Esslingen, Germany who is currently moderator of “Together for Europe”, and Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement. In his address, Pross invited us to be “bearers of hope”: “In the midst of the upheavals and crisis of our time, we can live the indestructible hope of the Gospel and be messengers of God.” Margaret Karram, with her message of unity, encouraged everyone to become “apostles of dialogue” during this time of polarisation. “Engage with other cultural horizons, ways of thinking, habits and paradigms in order to appreciate them. This does not disorient but enriches.”. IpE’s mission has always been the free convergence of Christian Communities and Movements from different Churches capable of creating relationships of communion while respecting diversity. This is an effective response to the ongoing need for a culture of reciprocity and fraternity. For some time now, the national committees and working groups that have formed spontaneously over the years, have been contributing to this process by sharing the details of the progress they have made. From the Czech Republic came the story of the journey that led some members of IpE to visit the White Mountain, near Prague, on 9 May 2021, Europe Day. On the terrain where 400 years ago there were clashes during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), Catholics and Protestants publically admitted to their mistakes, asked for mutual forgiveness, and expressed their readiness to be of service to Bohemian society which today consists largely of people who do not define themselves as believers. In Germany, at the end of 2020, the National Committee proclaimed a year of encounter and friendship. From January 2021 onwards, in fact, a “virtual living room” has been created once a month, where the various initiatives and groups are invited to meet and where, in turn, a representative of a Community or group is interviewed. This enables people to get to know one another better and share experiences. Serbia spoke about the initiative of a group of Movements from different countries involved in supporting refugees: “In Belgrade, we are often in contact with various people in the refugee camps. When they apply for asylum at the Embassy in Belgrade, Hungary, they often have a long wait ahead of them. We offer them food or shelter during this time and beautiful friendships develop. They often continue when there are opportunities to spend times of prayer together and visit one another.” https://www.together4europe.org/il-green-pass-invisibile/
Maria Grazia Berretta
A plataform that connects the new cities of the world. The first event
The Unity Conference 2021, with the theme Innovate New Ways for Inclusion in a Divided World, will highlight issues related to building more resilient and inclusive economies, with topics on social impact investments and the impact of climate change, among others. The conference also marks the official launch of the Nuova Global Foundation and is expected to attract media, business and philanthropy participants from more than 21 countries around the world.
The event to be held on November 30, 2021 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. (GMT +1) will feature online and live participation at the Mariapoli Center in Castel Gandolfo (Rome, Italy) will involve the participation of Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, Jesus Moran, co-president of the Focolare Movement, Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, member of the Board of New Global Foundation; Réka Szemerkényi, economist, member of the Board of Directors of New Global Foundation, Richard B. Tantoco, President and CEO of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Olayemi Wonuola Keri, CEO of Heckerbella Limited.
Nuova Global Foundation is a new established platform that connects the New City global network of journals and publishing houses in affiliation. It aims to support the development of media to spread the ideal of universal brotherhood and a united world and make it a reality by inspiring millions of people.
The Nuova Global Foundation is a global non-profit organization founded by the Focolare Movement. The platform aims to support the development of media organizations and journalistic projects bringing to light global challenges and solutions for the common good and humane global development. NGF supports a growing global network of affiliates across 5 continents and 21 cities, working together to create ideas and solutions for inclusive and sustainable growth in our global society.
For information on the event agenda and to register for free, log on to: https://nuovaglobal.org/unity-conference/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHPd7mpuZc&list=PL9YsVtizqrYsgzKgJ0bWOp2v2ZXc4bZAW
On 4 March 1989, Chiara Lubich answered questions from the animators of Youth for a United World. In this extract she refers to the care of creation, a new issue at that time and a pressing need for all humanity today. … the development of science, the development of technology, is something enormous and marvellous which has amazed everyone. … But it’s happened so often without any reference to God. If we continue like this, our planet could explode from one minute to the next and throw us into a different kind of catastrophe – no longer an atomic disaster but an ecological disaster. It’s almost as if, over these last few decades, human beings have been trampling, crash, crash, through the mud with enormous heavy boots, splashing mud everywhere, throwing into the sky things that don’t belong there, and into the rivers things that don’t belong there, pouring into the oceans things that don’t belong there. They’ve ruined the trees, ruined nature…. Yet, at the same time, there have been many new discoveries, many wonderful things and great developments. So, there is good mixed with the bad. But they didn’t listen to God, they were hidden from God, and now this phenomenon is forcing us to face the situation together, with a united world. If we don’t solve this problem together, we will never solve it. In other words, everything tends toward unity. Even the negative things make us realize that, yes, universal fraternity is essential, but it has to be in God. Yes, things should be done differently; we have to live on this earth, not blow it up. But we have to remember that God exists. So, there is this thrust, this turn-around, but it’s making everything tend towards unity, forcing us to be one, like the ecological problem, which is forcing us to bring about a different kind of fraternity. All these events, especially the painful ones, which are more difficult to interpret, should be seen in two ways. In one sense, they are as they are, but something else is involved, too. God’s hand is there, God’s providence which transforms them and makes them into the fuel for our spiritual life. The cross was needed to redeem us, that suffering was necessary, that cry: “My God, why have you forsaken me?” to save us. Our suffering is also necessary to create a new world, to change the world, to change people and creation- suffering is needed, it’s necessary.
Chiara Lubich
(Chiara Lubich, Answers to the questions of the animators of Youth for a United World, Castel Gandolfo, 4 March 1989)
How two parents from the north of Peru dealt with their daughter’s illness, sustained by the love of God and a large extended family. “One evening while we were having dinner I noticed a big lump on our youngest daughter’s throat,” said Marisela, the mother. “The doctor examined her, and a scan revealed a 5 cm tumour. He advised us to see an endocrinologist for further investigations. The specialist ordered a biopsy which unfortunately confirmed the presence of a malignant tumour with metastases which needed to be operated immediately. It was shocking news that none of us was expecting. When I got home, I shut myself in the bathroom to give vent to my feelings and through my tears, I asked God – Why this suffering?” “It was an extremely challenging time for me. The operation was very expensive,” continued Luis, the father, “but I didn’t want Marisela to worry about money. We would have asked for a loan to have the operation carried out in the capital, Lima, but where would we stay during and after the operation? We got in touch with the people responsible for the Focolare Movement to which we belong. Our Centre was already occupied by a number of Venezuelan families who had immigrated to Peru because of the difficult situation in their own country. However a member of a religious order from the Movement happened to be offering accommodation to guests of the congregation. Being welcomed in this way really made up feel God’s closeness. In Lima the neoplastic specialist ordered a second biopsy and further tests to be carried out, just to be sure, but the diagnosis was confirmed so this last hope was also dashed. Our daughter burst into tears but the doctor consoled her by assuring her that everything would be fine.” The community of Lima,” said Marisela, “did everything it could to raise enough money for us to pay for the operation, while a raffle organised by our eldest daughter covered other expenses. The day before the operation, Father Nacho came to see us, administered the anointing of the sick to our daughter and accompanied us to the clinic. During the operation, an army of people were praying for the operation to be successful. And it was!” “The doctor decided that radioactive iodine therapy would be needed,” explained Luis. “Even that was too expensive for us! But faith can move mountains and heal the sick, we told ourselves. The doctor helped us to register our daughter with the SIS (Integral Health System) and in checking her details, discovered that she had already been registered. Unbeknown to us, someone had been paying her medical insurance for three months. It was such a surprise for us! It meant that she could have all the medical examinations and treatment she needed for free”. “Once again,” concluded Marisela, “we have seen the power of prayer, and we are so grateful to this great Focolare family for the love they have shown us in so many ways and for not leaving us alone during this very difficult time.
Edited by Gustavo E. Clariá
To be peacemakers means to act with generosity, be in solidarity with those around us, go beyond and open paths that allow us to get closer to others – so they feel embraced as they are. Not just any cake A Muslim family lives in our building. For their feast at the end of Ramadan, we thought we would wish them well and bring them a cake (we had heard that this is the custom). Since they were not at home, we wrote a note and placed it and a package in front of their door. Later we met up with them. They had been away for the festivities, and upon returning had joyfully found the small gift. With a big smile, the husband thanked us, saying: ‘We have been in Switzerland for 25 years, and no one has ever wished us well. We were very, very pleased.’ In my heart, the joy doubled. Adriana, Switzerland First a sandwich, then a hundredfold I only had enough money in my pocket for one sandwich. As I left the sandwich shop, I noticed a lady looking hopefully at all those who were eating. She was certainly hungry and waiting for someone to offer. Since I could eat something later at home, I took my sandwich and gave it to her, making her happy. Then I took her to a greengrocer, whom I asked if he could give her some fruit that I would pay for the next day. Instead he handed her a bag of fruit, free of charge. I was so happy to see how a hundredfold can come from a sandwich. M., India One coffee was all it took After returning from a holiday, I was in for a surprise at work: a new employee, having completed his apprenticeship, had been placed in the same office as me. It wasn’t because he had invaded ‘my’ space, but from the very first moment I found him to be an unpleasant person because of his mannerisms, his talking about everything and everyone… Would I be able to work with him? And to think that I had returned refreshed, above all in spirit. In fact, with the whole family, I had participated in a retreat based on how to live the Gospel in everyday life. And here I was put to the test, working elbow to elbow with that ‘difficult’ guy. I was wondering how to love someone like that when an aroma of coffee came to me from afar… Idea! Without delay, I went to get two, one for myself and for him. Surprised by the unexpected gesture, my colleague asked, ‘How did you know I needed coffee of all things?’ Laughing, I joked that I was a fortune teller. From that simple act of kindness things changed, and we became truly friends afterwards. J. M., Spain
Edited by Maria Grazia Berretta
(From Il Vangelo del Giorno, Città Nuova, year VII, n.4, November–December 2021)
Starting from the reception of a group of Afghans in a facility of the Focolare Movement in Italy, the story of the friendship that made their arrival possible. The friendship between Costanza Quatriglio, an Italian film director, and two Afghan actors, Basir Ahang and Mohammad Jan, who are of Hazara ethnicity that has been persecuted for many years. https://vimeo.com/620774011
If we try to improve every day, we too can be builders of peace as the November 2021 Word of Life invites us to be. We do all we can – because this is what our Ideal wants – to achieve unity in the whole world. It is for this reason (for peace everywhere) that we pray every day during the ‘time-out’. Now, one of the means we have for reaching this goal (unity and peace) is that of involving as many other people as possible, and of course the members of other religions. So, I invite everyone to revive the relationships we have with them. … And there are members of the different religions more or less everywhere. Certainly, what God’s will asks of us is always a revolution. We know that in this field there have been centuries of immobility and often of hostility. It is a hard struggle to build peace, and so we must be strengthened, trained and prepared. This is why I would like to suggest, first of all to myself and then to all of you, something which will help us in the following weeks, give us more support and is extra to what we are already doing. It will help us be more vigilant and continually grow so that we don’t lose ground. We know, in fact, that if we do not go forward, we go backwards. I would like to suggest something that will help us to improve a little bit every day in living our Ideal. This something could consist in saying to ourselves before every action: ‘Today better than yesterday’. Many actions in our life are somewhat repetitive: we pray every day, we eat, we go out, we study, we work, we meet people, we sleep, we go for walks, we do housework, we rest, and so on. Well then, before every action, let’s say: ‘Better than yesterday’. And let’s act accordingly. By doing so, we will be as God wants us to be. We are a Movement and we are not allowed to stand still. We will receive more graces and it will be easier for us to carry out this month’s specific task: to give special attention to the faithful of other religions and to collaborate with them towards peace and unity in the world.
Chiara Lubich
(Chiara Lubich, in Conversazioni in collegamento telefonico, a cura di Michel Vandeleene, Opere di Chiara Lubich, Città Nuova, 2019, pagg. 425-426)
