The ideal: Jesus forsaken

Feb 11, 2014 | Non categorizzato

“One day the spiritual director asked Chiara: ‘When in his life did the Lord suffers the most?”

“I suppose in the Garden of Olives”.

“No. In my opinion he suffered the most on the cross when he cried out: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (Mt 27,46; Mk 15,34)”.

He left, and Chiara speaking with Dori (one of her students, and among the first to follow her, editor’s note) and later with the others, began to focus her love – and her studies – on that cry: on that moment of anguish in which Christ felt abandoned even by the Father, for whom he had become man.

“I am convinced that Jesus forsaken will be the ideal that will solve the world’s problems: it will spread to all corners of the earth.”

Year after year, this conviction would have been consolidated in all kinds of trials, thanks to which her ideal was taking root among humankind.

Thus, Jesus forsaken became Chiara’s love. And it became the love – the ideal, the goal, the norm – of the Work of Mary (or Focolare Movement, editor’s note).

One day she explained to us: “If when I am old and dying, the youth come to ask me to define in brief our ideal, I will reply with a feeble voice: Its Jesus forsaken!”.

Source: “It was a time of war…”, Chiara Lubich – Igino Giordani, Città Nuova Ed., Rome, 2007, pp. 122-123.

1994-2014: Remembering Klaus Hemmerle

Feb 11, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Chiara Lubich and Bishop Klaus Hemmerle. Synod of the Laity, 1987.

‘Klaus Hemmerle is timeless, because it is was not so much he who lived, but Jesus lived in him. So I see him today as I was him while was still among us. I see him as another Jesus, but with all the qualities that stood out in his personality, ranging from the astuteness of the just to the wisdom of the elect, and ranging from a fatherlike and yet brotherly commitment, given with tremendous resolve to the portion of the People of God entrusted to him, to his freedom in following a charism from the Holy Spirit and his characteristic gift as an artist. That’s what he was like.’

Asked about her own relationship with the Bishop Hemmerle, Chiara Lubich described him as ‘a person called by God to found, together with [me as] its [overall] founder, a specific part of a Work of God. Hence it is a unique relationship known only to those who were in it, a relationship of the purest friendship, full of the charity of Christ.’ Indeed, Chiara called him a ‘co-founder’, and said, ‘He helped me to bring in being two important things within the Focolare Movement: the branch of the Bishop Friends of the Movement, who share in the spirituality of unity, and the founding of the Abba School that translates the spirituality of unity, the fruit of a charism, into intellectual thought.

‘He had many gifts and they shone out from him. When you think of him, even while he is clothed in the dignity of a priest and a bishop, it is easier to see him as an angel than as a man, because of his sublime delicacy of mind, his freedom of spirit, his deep and enlightened intelligence, his constancy of temperament, his fervour, without exaggeration, when it was necessary to defend someone, and his firmness. I and we saw him as an example because of his complete detachment from himself and from all he was involved with. Only after his death, for instance, did I learn of his musical and artistic talents.

‘He was an example in his constant attention to love for every brother or sister he came across as well as for everything that, for him, represented God’s will.

‘And an example in his passionate attachment to the Word of God such that he lived it, for instance, for five years, one Word at a time for a month in depth, in preparation for the Abba School. He had heard of the experience of doing this at the beginning of the Movement before the Spirit gave us some particular intuitions, things that proved to be of immense value for studying the charism.’

A group of Bishop Friends ot the Focolare.

And with regard to being a bishop? Chiara Luibich recalled, ‘He once confided in me that, so far as he was concerned personally, he would have preferred to have been a theologian but, I think, becoming a bishop certainly made him useful to the Church, as indeed he was to the Focolare Movement, since to his immense learning he added the authority of the Church’s Teaching Office, and in this way he provided us with some important guarantees.’

From Wilfried Hagemann, Klaus Hemmerle, innamorato della Parola di Dio [Klaus Hemmerle, a Man in Love with the Word of God] (Rome: Città Nuova, 2013) pp. 288-89.

Swiss youth play for their peers in Cairo

Feb 6, 2014 | Non categorizzato

On the 25th of January, 2014, the 14° edition of the annual sponsored volleyball marathon organized by the “Youth4unity”, the young people of the Focolare Movement of Switzerland, was held.

160 sports enthusiasts full of enthusiasm met in six gymnasiums belonging to the schools in Zurich Oerlikon, and not just to engage in sports. In fact, with what they have gathered from the sponsors, they are able to support, already for the third time, the Koz Kazeh (Rainbow) Foundation of Cairo.

This foundation takes care of Egyptian youth and teens who have to work to support their families and who can only study during their days off. Recently they are able to take advantage of professional training courses and special support programs for teenage girls.

Aside from the social commitment, having fun and games has marked the volleyball mMarathons that take place in Zurich. The motto “Take care; respect the one next to you; each person is important”, was the guiding thread of the tournament, making it a friendly and fair competition.

“In the game there is no battle for competition, as is the usual practice in other tournaments, because we play for another reason”, Gabriel (18) from Zurich who is participating for the first time in the Volleyball Marathon affirmed.

Aside from this, Volleyball Day has involved around twenty people who voluntarily collaborated behind the scenes for the success of the tournament.

The team “Abracadabra”  was able to raise the highest amount totalling 2,376 Swiss Francs (around €  1.942,1 ) thus winning the “cup challenge”. The winning teams “D’Choncheflicker” (League A) and “Oerlikon one” (League B), each won a big basket of food items for a dinner together.

The “time out” (a minute of silence to pray for peace) and the letter that arrived for the occasion from the Koz Kazeh Foundation, helped to strengthen the relationship among the young people of Zurich and of Cairo.

The total amount collected for the 2014 Edition of 12,074 Swiss Francs (€ 9’869,30 ), has already been sent to support the microprojects in Cairo.

Photo gallery

Maltese publication: “L-Arti tal-Imħabba”

Feb 5, 2014 | Non categorizzato

>The day before the publication of the book, L-Arti tal Imhabba (The Art of Loving) Marisa and Mario from the Focolare community on the island comment: “We had the opportunity to present a book by Chiara Lubich translated into Maltese, and it’s made us very glad!” The book was presented in a crowded hall on January 17, 2014 in the presence of speakers from five fields of expertise: Professor Marie Alexander from the Malta University Linguistic Institute; Natalino Camilleri, General Superior of the Christian Doctrine Society (M.U.S.E.U.M.); Father Karm Debattista, well-known in Malta in the fields of music and communication; the Reverend Canon Simon Godfrey, Chancellor of the Anglican Church and Dr. J. Mifsud, lawyer, journalist and television presenter. The speakers highlighted how the art of loving proposed by Chiara Lubich, is drawn directly from the Gospel and summarised in five points: loving everyone without discrimination; being the first to love; recognizing the presence of Jesus in every neighbour; becoming all things to all people as St. Paul says; and loving one another. The commitment to such a way of life is a constant daily effort, but it produces a spiritual disposition that is the first step towards a peaceful revolution capable of changing individual hearts and building a civilization of love. Rev. Simon Godfrey and Dr. J. Mifsud also highlighted the parallelisms between Pope Francis and Chiara Lubich. Following presentations by the speakers, a family, a young woman and a young boy recounted experiences of living the art of loving, and the Cube of Love was introduced. At the conclusion of the evening many expressed their joy at having discovered a new way to face daily life: “The message is simple, beautiful and strong,” said Fr. Silvestro, “within the reach of anyone.” Others appreciated something else: “Dostoevskij writes that beauty will save the world,” Stephanie recalled, “and today we have seen a moment of beauty and harmony, because what was being said today pertains to God who is Beauty.” Miriam commented: “There was neither believer nor unbeliever: in love we all felt like a family and were free to speak freely.” Ezio: “I knew this book in Italian, but here I discovered its value. I want to become better at living the art of loving and, with my heart and mind, find many ways to render it more beautiful, more efficacious, more intense, diffusive, more creative and never taken for granted.”

Sardinia in Solidarity

Feb 3, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Ozieri, near the Sardinian town of Sassari, Italy. A group of Focolare members working in a parish wondered how they could use their talents to help the less fortunate. Learning of the Focolare’s NGO Azione per un mondo unito which assists disadvantaged people in the Third World, they decided to invest some time and energy into helping those people. The initiative that was launched four years ago has had many ups and downs. Egidia recounts: “The apartment flat we had received and furnished thanks to contributions from many people, was our sewing workshop. Then the parish priest asked us to give him the flat for a Ugandan priest who was going to be living there for a while. It seemed to be the end of our project, but then a very nice hall was given to us within the parish compound.” By then the group had broken up and they had to begin again from scratch! After a long time, work finally resumed. Women from several movements and associations began to arrive, even some who no longer went to church. They were all very enthusiastic and brought along everything needed: cloth, thread, silk, cotton, two sewing machines and even a machine for manufacturing knitted garments. The workshop was all there, Anna Maria recounts: “There are thirty of us working with love and enthusiasm. We’re trying to build a positive relationship among us. We decided that the profits would be donated to the United World projects in Uganda. The parish priest also became involved, and the local population is kept informed through a diocesan newsletter. The sewing group attends markets and fairs where they sell their products. Egidia recounts: “Last year as we were preparing for a Christmas sale, we heard that the organisation in charge of the Sweets Fair – a local country feast whose profits are donated to the missions – was in difficulty. We all agreed to offer our support. Our sewing workshop was then transformed into an exhibition hall. It turned out a great success. This gesture allowed us to meet many more people who came to visit the exhibition and were taken in by the cheerful and harmonious atmosphere among us.” Anna Maria: “This is how we decided to call our workshop Laboramor (labour [of] love) which expresses our desire to live the art of loving. The faraway Ugandans are not our only objective. We begin from ourselves, building positive relationships with one another. We share our difficulties, the steps we can take to resolve difficult situations at home and at work. We feel like a family that helps one another in many ways great and small. And we entrust everything to God, convinced that He will continue to help us to bring ahead this beautiful adventure which He has begun for us.”

The Adventure of Unity: Chiara’s Final Days

Feb 2, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Following a period of illness and retreat in Switzerland in the early 1990′s, Chiara Lubich engaged the Focolare in a rapid opening to local society and to faraway peoples. Certainty that the Movement was fully inserted in the Church spurred an extraordinary season of dialogue, journeys and public recognitions. A number of honorary degrees, citizenships and prizes on every continent (see timeline) showed how her Ideal and its influence had reached a high point.

The period between 1994-2004 saw the start and consolidation of deeper and expanded dialogue with faithful of the Great Religions especially in the East; a large series of activities promoted by the Movement that advanced the contribution of the charism of unity in the fields economics, politics, communication, health, and more; the launching of a large scale effort engaging politics and ecumenism in giving a “soul” to Europe.

Following this long period of journeys, foundations and new frontiers, Chiara’s health began to fail. The last three years of her life on earth were perhaps the most difficult. Jesus Forsaken, her Spouse, presented himself to her “in a solemn way”, in a darkness where it seemed that God was “like the sun when it sets and is lost beyond the horizon”. Nonetheless, moment by moment Chiara continued to love person after person, one person at a time. She continued to place herself at the service of God’s design on the Movement, overseeing its development until the very last days of her life when, to her great joy, Sophia University was instated as a Pontifical University Institute.

She had spent her final month in Gemelli Hospital, in Rome. From there she still managed brief correspondence and decisions for the Movement. She also received a letter from the Pope which she re-read often because it gave her great comfort. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I visited her in hospital and gave her his blessing.

During the final days she more than once expressed a desire to return home. Once there, she said goodbye to her first companions and close collaborators. Then, as her condition worsened and she began to fade away, an endless line of people passed by her bedside, to see her, kiss her hand, to say thank you. The emotion was intense, but so were the faith and love. The Magnificat was intoned in thanksgiving for the great things the Lord had done in Chiara, and as a renewed pledge to live the Gospel, to love in the way Chiara had always taught and done.

Chiara passed away on March 14, 2008 just after two o’clock in the morning. The news quickly spread to the members of her spiritual family around the world, who were united in prayer.

In the days that followed thousands of people, from plain working men to political and religious leaders began to arrive in Rocca di Papa to honour her. The funeral was held in the Roman Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, but was unable to hold the huge crowd that had arrived (over 40,000 people). Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone presided at the Eucharistic Celebration which was con-celebrated by 9 cardinals, 40 bishops and hundreds of priests. Cardinal Bertone read the message sent by Benedict XVI in which the Pope described Chiara as a “Woman of intrepid faith, a meek messenger of hope and peace”.

Some words spoken by Chiara resounded among the crowd: On your day, my God, I shall come to you. . . . I shall come to you, my God. . . . with my wildest dream come true: to bring you the world in my arms. That all may be one!”

The Philippines: the faith of the littlest ones

Feb 1, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Micha Jane and Ryan, live with their family in Tacloban, the capital of the province of Leyte, an island in the central southwest of the Philippines, among the cities most affected by the typhoon of November 8, 2013. Among the 200,000 inhabitants, more than 10,000 have been estimated to have died. These two teens who, with their family are members of the local community of the Focolare, still retain vivid memories of the tragedy: “I can’t tell you how many times we recited the holy Rosary with the whole family – Ryan shared: after the typhoon passed our house had only it’s roof that was damaged”. And Micha Jane: “My father told us to hide in the bathroom because it was the only place that had cement walls; everytime the house trembled and the things slammed against the outer walls I felt as if I was the one being hit. So I tried to concentrate more on my prayers and I felt that my fear slowly disappeared.” After the typhoon passed, night came: “We heard people talking about homes being ransacked, people killed; once again we found the strength to ask God for help and, at the same time, we felt that we must be prudent and watchful”.. The days that followed were really difficult. The very strong wind blew away the roofs, houses, trees, and caused an ocean surge that in a matter of minutes submerged part of the city. There was no eletricity, water, there was no way to communicate with anyone, not even through cellular phones; the first telephone contacts were made possible only after many days. Micha Jane continues to share: “We would hear occasional gunshots, the nights were extraordinarily silent. Most of our neighbours and friends were evacuated to Cebu or Manila by military airplanes. Some relatives wanted to convince my father to do the same. Instead, my parents decided to remain. They explained to us that they wanted to take on the responsibility of helping those in need. As the days passed, we helped my father and mother to distribute the relief goods that were starting to arrive and we also visited the survivors of the typhoon”. Ryan continues: “I thought that I would be overwhelmed by the lack of internet, television … And yet I realized more and more that there is joy and life in meeting people and loving them”. Micha Jane confirms: “Our life became even more simple. My brother mops the floor, I fold the clothes that my mother has washed. We have made a schedule for washing the dishes and my turn is after breakfast and my brother after lunch. We found true joy in helping out. Our days are always more full and satisfying. I understood that true happiness lies in loving”. Up to now the emergency situation in the zones most affected has not ended: after the wave of emergency aid had passed, with the support of the AMU (Action for a United World) and the AFN (Action for New Families, onlus) of the Focolare Movement, the project to repair and reconstruct around forty housing units has begun. The faith of these families, starting from the littlest ones, in the strength of the Gospel lived and in prayer done together will do the rest. For anyone who would like to contribute financially: Associazione Azione per un Mondo Unito – Onlus presso Banca Popolare Etica, filiale di Roma Codice IBAN: IT16G0501803200000000120434 Codice SWIFT/BIC CCRTIT2184D Causale: emergenza tifone Haiyan Filippine AZIONE per FAMIGLIE NUOVE Onlus c/c bancario n° 1000/1060 BANCA PROSSIMA Cod. IBAN: IT 55 K 03359 01600 100000001060 Cod. Bic – Swift: BCITITMX MOVIMENTO DEI FOCOLARI A CEBU Payable to : Emergency Typhoon Haiyan Philippines METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY Cebu – Guadalupe Branch 6000 Cebu City – Cebu, Philippines Tel: 0063-32-2533728 Bank Account name:  WORK OF MRY/FOCOLARE MOVEMENT FOR WOMEN Euro Bank Account no.:  398-2-39860031-7 SWIFT Code:  MBTCPHMM Payable to:  Help Philippines– Typhoon Haiyan Email: focolaremovementcebf@gmail.com Tel. 0063 (032) 345 1563 – 2537883 – 2536407

Loving & Serving in Japan

Jan 31, 2014 | Non categorizzato

“I work as a civil servant in the area of fisheries and marine resources. During my 22 years of marriage I’ve moved 5 times to different regions of Japan because of my job,” recounts Nagatani Hiroshi. He is a married focolarino with three grown children. He was born into a Buddhist family but later followed his wife in being baptized a Catholic. “I thought that by doing so I would be providing my children a single religious reference in a social context that is quite diverse spiritually.” In 1993 Nagatani and his wife met the spirituality of unity and felt urged to live the Gospel by placing themselves at the service of others, especially by contributing to the spiritual formation of the laity in their parish. Family life was still filled with moves and “this brought an element of adventure. One time we went to live on the island of Tsushima where there is no Catholic church. At first we felt totally lost, but then we became friends with an Anglican priest on the island, and would attend the Anglican liturgy on Sundays. Thanks to this friendship, when a Catholic priest began coming to the island to visit us, the Anglican priest was quite willing to place the church at the disposal of the Catholics for Mass. Thus all the Catholics on the island began to unite and we were able to contribute to their spiritual growth.” Recently Nagatani and his wife were invited to join the Diocesan staff that runs marriage preparation courses for young couples. They were entrusted with the lessons on procreation and life. “My wife is a midwife, so she dealt with the technical side. I dealt more with the family relationship side, that is, the variety of issues that are involved and how they could be dealt with as a couple. In carrying out this service I find myself conveying to the young people an idea of Igino Giordani, which was particularly helpful to me. Igino Giordani would say that all the time a couple does not live out mutual love is wasted time.”

Ecumenism: A Week as Brothers and Sisters

Jan 30, 2014 | Non categorizzato

This is a special year for ecumenism. Fifty years have gone by since the publication of Unitatis Redintegratio, the Second Vatican Council Decree on Ecumenism, which promotes unity among all Christians. The document denounces division, which openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature. Many steps have been made by Christian Churches during these 50 years: asking for forgiveness; recognizing each other as brothers and sisters; efforts to overcome the thorniest issues even from a theological point of view. These 50 years have been a dialogue of life. This year’s Week of Prayer, which was prepared by Christians from Canada and celebrated in many great and small ways, acquired significance and power when considered in this larger context. Paco and Pilar, Catholics from Spain: “In Caceres we held an hour of prayer with brothers and sisters from the Evangelical Church. It was so beautiful to unite in praying the Lord’s Prayer. A grand experience!” Jacqueline Reyes” “Here in Ecuador we had an octave of ecumenical celebrations. There was a strong spirit of brotherhood and joy. This is a path of hope.” In Pozzuoli, Italy, it was an intense moment of encounter between Catholics and Evangelical Christians from the Baptist Church, with the unexpected participation not only of the Pastor, but also the congregation. We were all ‘the people next door’, people who knew one another from the market, the hospital, the workplace . . . it was so simple and triggered a relationship of trust. Music was provided by musicians from the various groups who formed a single orchestra, learning and playing the hymns of each other’s churches. The Offertory was very inspiring: the presentation of a Bible representing the Word; a bouquet of flowers representing the harmony and beauty of unity in diversity; a scroll with the words of Jesus’ Testament; a TAO and apron representing service.” In Sardinia, Italy, pastors and representatives of all the Churches in Cagliari gathered in St. Helen’s Greek Orthodox Church. There were Lutherans, Baptists, Adventists, priests from Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and Romanian Orthodox Churches. Throughout the octave these Churches held prayer meetings according to the style of their liturgical traditions. The Baptists presented a Bible study on the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians; the Adventists a moment of reflection and song that had been proposed for the Week of Prayer; Catholic seminarians from the regional seminary did the same. The Orthodox prepared vespers and the common ecumenical celebration that had been prepared by a mixed group of members from all the Churches was held on Sunday, January 19. Anna and Vittorio write: “It was a week in which personal relationships grew among representatives of the Churches, even relationships that had been going ahead for many years.” Who knows what other (extra)ordinary things happened elsewhere in the world during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. You are invited to write us your story at: www.focolare.org!

Faith and Reason: Two Doctorates for Dialogue

Jan 28, 2014 | Non categorizzato

© University of Notre Dame

Simplicity and professionalism are evident in the elegant but simple Great Hall of the Rome base of the American University of Notre Dame du Lac. Here on 27th January Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, received honorary Doctorates in Law.

The American scholar Thomas G. Burish, Vice Chancellor of the prestigious university, opened the ceremony. He emphasized that honorary degrees are conferred on those who have given a contribution never seen before.

The President of the University, The Revd John Jenkins, giving the honorary degree to Maria Voce. Photo © University of Notre Dame

Caridinal Tauran and Maria Voce, in their respective fields, offer something unique to people today. The citation conferring the degree upon Maria Voce says: “…because of your extraordinary leadership of the Focolare Movement, and as a recognition of the incredible witness and inspiration of the Focolare Movement itself.  Your work to advance the cause of unity, especially through a commitment to dialogue and friendship, is truly a salve for the wounds of a fractured world”.

Present at the sober and meaningful ceremony were various dignitaries and the entire Administrative Council of Notre Dame. ‘The Doctorate conferred today on these two persons is an award for what actually is theirs already, and so it does not add anything to them. Rather it is an honour for us who are granting it,’ Prof. Burish said.

His Eminence Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran. Photo © University of Notre Dame

Cardinal Tauran’s speech put into light Europe’s difficult progress to recognizing the separation of faith and reason. He said, ‘The God who has been put aside has reappeared today in a world where people continue to ask themselves the big questions of life and death.’ In Cardinal Tauran’s analysis dialogue is obligatory. As he put it, ‘It is a risk because you have to accept challenging questions from someone else who believes and thinks differently.’ The key words are, therefore, identity, otherness and dialogue: a threesome that allows us not to give up our own faith, but to choose to walk together towards the truth.

During the meal offered by the university, Maria Voce gave a reflection, followed by a prayer. She said, ‘I was always fascinated by academic work. During my last year studying law I met Chiara Lubich and her charism of unity. It bowled me over and I immediately got involved, which meant that I adopted a gospel style of loving in my life. In front of me was a good carrier, as the first woman lawyer belonging to the court of Cosenza. But suddenly I was overwhelmed by the powerful call of God to follow him in the Focolare community. A week later I left everything, and I have never regretted it. I remember that some years later, when by chance I was called to give witness in a trial, I felt again all the fascination of the world I’d left behind and, the same time, the joy of being able to give something beautiful to God.’

© University of Notre Dame

She then remembered one of her university professors who called law ‘a system of limits’. Starting with this definition, Maria Voce offered a significant reflection upon the Law. ‘In the logic of gospel love lived out, a limit is the chance to experience the true being of a person who is fulfilled in giving, in self-giving, in making a gift of self. It is only in this way that we can reconcile individual liberties as part of a higher synthesis that leads to communion, in and through which the identities of persons can be protected, indeed can have their potential realized. Communion, unity – in which we can see God’s project for the human family – is not something that annihilates the person, but something whereby the person is fulfilled. And this is why being in relationship is constitutive of human beings.’

And, at the end, she prayed, ‘You came into world thanks to a young woman; in all we do, help us to be, like Mary, instruments of your love for the world. In particular make it possible in our work together, in our universities, in our communities, in all our projects and meetings, that like Our Lady we should give birth to your presence and witness the fulfilment of your promise to be with us wherever two or three are gathered in your name.’

Roberto Catalano and Michele Zanzucchi

Latin America Without Borders

Jan 27, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Seventy one students showed up atMariapolis Liain Argentina: from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Italy and Argentina. It was an opportunity to spend nine days together and explore answers to some challenging questions.

The academic approach of Summer School 2014, promoted by Sophia University Institute and the help of some Latin American professors, examined several disciplines from a new viewpoint.

Biblical Theology. Exploration of the authenticity of Gospel texts brought out the revolutionary and transforming message of Jesus’ words.

Economic Sciences. Trust and reciprocity were shown to be helpfully important to economic performance.

Sociology. The human person and society in the historical sociological context, and in the Magisterial documents of the Church, beginning with the idea of gift and interculturalism.

Latin America is calling for deep change: a return to its roots; a recognition of its wealth and the cultures of its first peoples; the challenge of social inequality; finding ways to transform its contrasting diversity into gift.

The Arts were celebrated as a valid way for promoting interculturalism, in a display of works from several countries and the concert Music of Hope: the world opening of the opera “Hablata Oblata Opus 265 by Costa Rican composer Mario Alfaguel. It is a combination of contemporary music with texts by Latin-American thinkers that delighted the audience. Students from the first Summer School presented 29 papers in seven academic areas, and 12 projects that demonstrated that it is possible to begin from a new paradigm: the culture of brotherhood.   

Daniela from Chile presented a project titled: “The new look of knowledge in the field of health care: what the same and what is different in Mapuche medicine and traditional medicine. Comparing traditional medicine and indigenous peoples.”

Christopher from Mexico presented his work titled: “Brotherhood between the lines: an approach for its use in Mexican political discourse”. He explains: “This project’s goal is to develop an analysis of the concept of brotherhood as an element of the present system of political discourse in Mexico.”

Carlos from Argentina: “We’re many, but we’re one. Today I feel as if Central America has become a land without borders, united from north to south by a single dream: universal brotherhood.”

They leave with great challenges ahead of them: to bring forward socially transforming projects in individual regions of the continent, which will be presented at the next Summer School in 2015.

Pasquale Foresi: At Chiara’s Side

Jan 26, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Chiara Lubich always saw Pasquale Foresi as someone with a unique design in the development of theFocolare Movement: the design of incarnating the charism of unity in concrete ways. For this reason she considered him, together with Igino Giordani, a co-founder of the Movement. In 1949 when he met Chiara and the Movement, Pasquale Foresi was a young man looking for his way in life. He felt called to priesthood and attended seminary in Pistoia, Italy, and the Almo Collegio Capranica in Rome. He recalls: “I was happy and satisfied with my choice, but at a certain moment I had second thoughts (. . .) I began to doubt that I could move toward priesthood with these thoughts in my heart, so I suspended my studies at least for the moment. It was then that I came to know the Focolare Movement (. . .) In the members of the Movement I found an absolute faith in the Catholic Church and, at the same time, a radically evangelical way of life. It made me see that this was my place and soon the idea of the priesthood returned.” He was the first focolarino to be ordained to the priesthood, followed by others who also felt called to serve the Movement in that way. Pasquale saw in the first steps of Chiara Lubich and her companions “an evangelical spring gushing forth in the Church” and he began a partnership with them that would lead him as a priest to make a fundamental contribution to the Movement’s development, as a very close associate of Chiara Lubich. He wrote about some of his basic tasks in the Movement: “As a priest I was in charge of relations with the Holy See. I also worked for the Movement’s growth and development throughout the world. I assisted Chiara in drafting the Statutes of the Work of Mary. I also helped in starting up some of the permanent fixtures in the Movement such as the “Mariapolis Centres” that provide courses for the members; the town of Loppiano in Italy; and Citta Nuova publishing house.” But there is one area of Fr Foresi’s life that perhaps represents his specific contribution to the development of the Movement. He explains: “It’s in the logic of such things that these new spiritual currents or charisms in the Church contain implications for culture as well. If you study history you’ll find that this has always been the case: the development of architecture, the arts, ecclesial and social structures, the fields of human knowledge and especially theology.” Fr Foresi has spoken and published numerous articles and books on the novelty of the spiritual and social dimension of the theology that emerges from Chiara’s charism. His words contain a keenness of analysis, breadth of vision and optimism for the future that is made possible by the wisdom that comes from a strong charismatic experience, as well as the abysses of light and love, humility and loyalty that can only be created in a person’s life by God.

Chiara Lubich: to be able to say at the end “I have always loved”

Jan 22, 2014 | Non categorizzato

«Today I am 46 years old. It’s twice the age I had when I started living the Ideal [the spirituality that radiates from the charism of unity, ed.]. I’m happy because from now on the period I have lived the Ideal will be more than without it.

But, my God, once more I need to throw my life into your heart. I need to burn my being in the ardent flames of the Holy Spirit, whom we have to thank for all eternity and from this moment for having indicated this way of love to us: to love, to love always, to love all. At the end of each day, to be able to say: I have always loved.» (Diary of 22 January 1966)

«Speaking of Jesus, St Paul writes: ‘… and he gave his life for me.’ (Gal 2:20).

Each of us can repeat those words of the Apostle: for me.

My Jesus, if you have died for me – for me – how can I doubt your mercy? And if I can believe in that mercy with faith which teaches me that a God has died for me, how can I not risk everything to return this love?

For me. Here is the formula which wipes out the solitude of the most lonely; raises into God every poor man belittled by the whole world; fills every heart to the brim and makes it spill over onto those who either do not know or do not remember the Good News.

For me. For me, Jesus, all those sufferings? For me that cry?

Oh! You will certainly not let my poor soul be lost nor many others, but you will do everything… if only because we have cost you too much.

You gave birth to me for Heaven, as my mother did for earth. You are always thinking of me, only of me, as you do of each and every person.

You give me more courage to live my Christian life than if I had the whole universe at my back to spur me on.

For me. Yes, for me.

And so, Lord, let me also say especially for the years that remain: for You.» ( Chiara Lubich, Knowing How to Lose, New City, London 1981, pp.3-4).

Gen Verde: Music Made To Be Played

Jan 20, 2014 | Non categorizzato

 Gen Verde

Music Made To Be Played

New Year, New Release! It’ s 66th album.

 These 14 original songs plus an instrumental take a fresh look at the challenges and choices facing individuals and society today. The album offers a clear and positive perspective on building relationships in a multicultural but divided world in order to go together towards a hope-filled future where all can live in dignity and peace.

Gen Verde: Music Made To Be Played

Jan 20, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Nancy from USA: Music Made To Be Played” began to take shape during evenings spent with thousands of people, most of them young, who visited our studio in Loppiano, Italy during the past two years. Alessandra from Italy: “The songs speak of today’s challenges; the desire to lift up the world;  the power of love that lies in each one of us and is capable of changing lives and history.” Colomba from Korea: “This new album includes the concert we are currently using on tour, along with new pieces that have emerged from the enriching encounters we have had with so many people over the past two years.” “The challenges of today are given centre stage,” says Adriana from Brazil. “They’re presented in a clear and positive light. We focus on human relations, integration, suffering and fear of diversity, hope for a peaceful future. In other words: daily life.” Gen Verde Band: 21 artists and professionals from 13 countries, each with her own cultural diversity that contributes to the band’s unique message. Over the past 47 years they have given more than 1400 shows, between workshops, concerts and educational workshops in hundreds of tours in Europe, Asia and North and South America. What is the purpose of the band? Raiveth from Panama answered: “To contribute to a global culture of peace, dialogue and unity through art.”

The Adventure of Unity / Building the Work of Mary

Jan 19, 2014 | Non categorizzato

<strong>December 7, 19443 is considered the day of the Focolare Movement’s birth, because on that day Chiara Lubich “married God” by consecrating herself to Him forever.

But the Focolare foundress had also been known to say that another date for celebrating the Movement’s birth was her October 1939 visit to Loreto where, according to a tradition, the house of Nazareth is preserved. The family atmosphere that was lived in that family was a “calling” for Chiara; a calling to silently relive the family of Nazareth, the greatest mystery in history, the life of God amongst His people.

Many exceptional discoveries followed upon that moment. But Chiara was never alone in these discoveries: Natalia Dallapiccola, Giosi Guella, Marilen Holzhauser, Graziella De Luca, Vale e Angelella Ronchetti, Dori Zamboni, Gis e Ginetta Calliari, Silvana Veronesi, Lia Brunet, Palmira Frizzera, Bruna Tomasi . . . and a few years later, Marco Tecilla, Aldo Stedile, Antonio Petrilli, Enzo M. Fondi, Pasquale Foresi, Giulio Marchesi, Piero Pasolini, Oreste Basso, Vittorio Sabbione . . . these were the first of many other who would follow Chiara. The personal lives of these men and women who followed the path opened by Chiara show how necessary each of them was to God’s plan in bringing about the Movement and its structures, as the charism took flesh. It couldn’t have happened in any other way for a charism characterized by a unity that is an expression of life of the Trinity. These companions were people from very diverse backgrounds and professions, all guided by the same voice to place their talents at the service of others.

The Focolare Movement’s development over these 70 years seems to explain the assertion of Gregory the Great that the Sacred Scriptures “grow with the one who reads them” and “Like the world, the Scripture is not created once and for all: the Spirit still “creates” it each day, you could say, little by little, as he “opens” it [to us]. Through a marvellous correspondence He “dilates” it according to the measure in which the intelligence of the receiver welcomes it”[1]. For the members of the Movement it was the sharing of how each person was living the Gospel that nourished the understanding of Jesus’ words. Living the Word and communion was a practice that would lead to a collective form of asceticism.

The life of Chiara and many others who welcomed and accepted the Word in times of epochal cultural transformations demonstrates what the work of their life had been: “to be partakers in God’s plans for humanity, to embroider patters of light on the crowd and at the same time to share in each neighbour’s shame, hunger, troubles and brief joys.” Today more than ever, the real attraction is to live “the highest contemplation while mingling with everyone, one person alongside others.”

Chiara’s early companions experienced what the Second Vatican Council explains regarding to the Church: “By the power of the Gospel [the Holy Spirit] makes the Church keep the freshness of youth. Uninterruptedly He renews it and leads it to perfect union with its Spouse” (LG, 4).

Vancouver: A Workshop of Unity

Jan 18, 2014 | Non categorizzato

In Vancouver the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is prepared by Christian communities from different Churches, building relationships of mutual understanding and cooperation through concrete action and looking upon one another as brothers and sisters to be loved.

These are the ideas that have marked the work of Marjeta Bobnar who has been in charge of coordinating ecumenical and interreligious relations or the Archdiocese of Vancouver since 2012. The region where she works is scattered with many Churches: Anglican, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Mennonite and more.

She recounts: “The first step was to establish new relations with the different communities, as well as to sensitize Catholic environments to ecumenism.” Marjeta was supported in this effort by Archbishop J. Michael Miller and by the Focolare community to which she belongs.

This effort already produced many fruits during last year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Marjeta explains: “The majority of Catholic parishes didn’t have any contact with the other churches in their area, but expressed their desire of inviting the members of neighbouring Christian communities. This led, for example, to a contact with one Lutheran pastor who was very open to ecumenical dialogue.”

During the moments of prayer many testified to joy of being together, and to the desire of dialogue and knowing one another better. Many wanted to stay in touch and to involve more people in successive gatherings.

Together with the Anglican diocese we’ve scheduled several events for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that will allow Anglicans and Catholics to share experiences, but also questions. At the beginning of 2013 a mixed work group of 3 Anglicans and 3 Catholics was formed. It turned out to be a beautiful experience in preparation for this year’s events.

We are also in constant contact with leaders from Lutheran Churches and ecclesial communities, the United Church of Canada, Mennonites, Pentecostals and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

As we prepare the moments of sharing and prayer, we are met with an enthusiastic response and also much gratitude for the unity we already experience.”

Young People Launch A Challenge in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Jan 17, 2014 | Non categorizzato

“Living together for something that can reinforce the good in the world is unifying and strengthening; it encourages us to keep pushing toward a more united world,” says Igor who is one of the Youth for a United World from the Northeast Region of Brazil.

What is Desafio?

St. Mary School

Igor explains: “Desafio (Challenge) is three days of encounter, celebrating and sharing many of the projects that we Youth for a United World in this region (with its seven states) have been bringing ahead in our cities. Every year around 350 young people meet at Mariapolis Santa Maria in Igrassu, Pernambuco. The programme includes discussions for delving deeper into topics of interest, reporting on the projects and other activities that have taken place in different cities, several workshops and forums. It was very helpful to learn more about some of the social projects that are carried out by the Focolare, and the concrete help that we were able to offer during those days, as a sign of love to the local people.”

It was quite a demanding schedule . . .

“Obviously,” says Igor “there were also evenings and other moments for games and recreation. One evening is dedicated to ecumenical prayer for peace. This is always one of the most well received moments in the programme. You feel that we are all connected and that it would be enough to pause and make room for prayer which immediately creates like a spiritual bridge that unites us to God and with one another.”

This year you held the 4th edition with the slogan: Go towards others. What were the results?

“What was most evidenced was the importance of relationships: in the family, in society, in the virtual world and in the various initiatives and social projects. The great novelty this year was a project that we launched some time ago. Everyone felt quite strongly about this particular project which we named First the least. It involved the groups in each city in discerning who the least were so we could start living for them. Many concrete initiatives in favour of those most in need were born from this effort in several places in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Igor concluded: “Desafio is the moment in which we engage the greatest possible number of young people in building a more united and fraternal world.”     

The Joy of Discovering we are Brothers and Sisters

Jan 15, 2014 | Non categorizzato

You have had contacts with many non-Catholic Christians. How do you see them now as compared to before?

«When a bottle is three quarters full, you can have two different reactions. You can say, “Oh, a quarter is still missing,” or you can say, “It is already three-quarters full!”

The first expression describes how I used to view my non-Catholic brothers and sisters about 15 years ago, before I began to work for ecumenism with the whole Focolare Movement.

The second reaction is one which I have had in my heart during these last years.

In fact, I cannot thank God enough for having put me in touch with Christians of the most varied and important denominations.

They willingly established with us a relationship of mutual charity in Christ. So living and working with them and, above all, getting to know them better, has given me a great sense of awe and gratitude towards God’s Providence, which has watched over the many riches of faith, of hope, of other liturgies, of the value of God’s word within these Churches or ecclesial communities (Continue Reading)

When dialogue leads to welcome

Jan 14, 2014 | Non categorizzato

Three years ago I started a journey as a volunteer in a Community of Rome which takes care of addicts. The Centre, that started in 1978 as a support group for drug addicts, has today widened its scope of operation and is no longer limited only to drug addiction.

The journey of the clientele within the community includes not only those who have addiction problems but also their families or relatives who are involved in the situation which at times have reached the limits of human endurance. I do my volunteer work precisely for these least of our brothers, taking care of their basic needs, and also of their support or self-help groups.

In both these instances: welcome and self-help, I had the chance to concretely experience the importance and the validity of dialogue that is made up of communication and listening, that I bring ahead in the Focolare Movement among persons who have faith and others of different convictions just like me.

The welcome or reception is the most difficult moment for those who arrive feeling lost, confused and who, with great effort, try their best to open up and share their situation to a person that they have never met before. This is the most complicated step of the entire journey; if the person who tries with great effort to overcome the fear and the shame, does not feel listened to and welcome, then the work that follows could become useless.

Even in the diversity of situations, the dialogue allows – thanks to the reciprocity that arises from it – a union and an exchange from within that is truly profound. The positive points of one and the sufferings of the other confront each other in an enriching sharing. The burden in a person that in the beginning seemed to be unbearable, becomes lighter and the sufferings less heavy. There will be many difficult moments along the road, but knowing that one is not alone helps; when one falls there is a shoulder to lean on.

One morning, a lady arrived asking to talk with one of the staff. I was alone, so I offered to listen to her. Even before we sat down, she already set the conditions for our conversation: this meeting must remain secret (because if her son would come to know about it he would probably kill her); she would not tell me her name and even the name of her son; I cannot tell the police anything nor file a case.

My first reaction was surprise and then anger, many of her conditions irritated me. But when I was able to detach myslef from my role, I saw two people who were were definitely not trying to dialogue: one was weak and burdened with suffering and fear; the other was strong, but locked into his duty as saviour.

I perceived the impossibility of working and the incapacity of concretizing the theories that I had learned in the three years of my service in this community. The technical instruments are useless in this situation, the methods used by me in the past are fruitless, I had to change my strategy.

The moment had come to apply the dialogue that I usually carry out with my friends of the focolare! Only I can change the situation. The tone of my voice, my attitude changed; I invited the lady to sit down and I put all my technical knowledge at her disposition, but above all I lent my humanity, forgetting the many usual bureaucratic procedures.

There was a simultaneous explosion of tears and of joy; she sat down and begging forgiveness for her tears, she started to share with me her story. The need to share the drama that she was going through, finally found a space where it could be shared freely without shame or fear of being judged.

My opening finally became a listening that was able to welcome her suffering, process it, make it mine and give back to her my contribution in a mutual enrichment. (Piero Nuzzo)

The Focolare Movement and interreligious dialogue/2

Jan 10, 2014 | Non categorizzato

An interview with Maria Voce by Roberto Catalano, of the centre of the Focolare Movement for interreligious dialogue, on the occasion of the 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace, held in Vienna, Austria at the end of November 2013. (second part) Chiara Lubich had understood that dialogue was the solution to many challenges of our time … «As I was also able to say in my talk here in Vienna, Chiara has placed us before a very clear and simple vision: we are all children of God and, therefore, all brothers and sisters to one another. In the beginning, it was not a prospect aimed at the great religions, but rather a consideration of the human person. This attitude then led to dialogue and relationship with the followers of other religions. I think this was prophetic. Indeed, Chiara began to open the Movement to dialogue even before the Second Vatican Council when, later, the dialogues were taken as one of the paths of the Church precisely because they were part of this prospect towards the human person. Moreover, Chiara prepared the means and tools for these dialogues. Becoming acquainted with people of other religious traditions, she understood that it was necessary to learn more how to continue these relationships. For this reason she founded some special centres, … where we try to go more in-depth so as to get to know  Christians of other churches, faithful of other religions and people of different cultures. In fact, a possibility of greater love and openness arises from a deeper understanding of one another. We discover the values and we don’t take a defensive position, but one of a dialogical attitude, as it should be. … Today we find ourselves with Buddhists, Muslims and people of other religions who are an integral part of the Movement and we cannot say that we dialogue with them. They are part of our Movement and so, together with us, they dialogue with others. We have, therefore, passed the stage of dialogue arriving at a stage of unity and full cooperation also with them.» What are the prospects of interreligious dialogue for the Focolare Movement? « We see that when we meet and dialogue, there are always new people of various religions who are attracted by the relationship they have seen between members of different faiths. This testimony opens up the possibility of extending the dialogue. This means that tolerance, understanding and friendship are possible, all aspects which are often compromised by many judgments. We need to drop prejudices so as to discover the beauty that there is in every person, especially highlighting that the most precious thing is to belong to a religion. This makes it possible to shed light on the relationship of each person with God. … The dialogues allow us to grow in the ability not only to understand those people with whom we live…, but also to take in others who come from spiritual traditions and inspirations that are different from our own. … Our Movement aims … at ut omnes [‘That all may be one’ asked by Jesus to the Father] and, therefore, must encompass all dimensions as much as possible. The Movement cannot be satisfied with the Catholic dimension in which it was born and which also has a universal perspective within itself, because Catholic means universal. In order to be truly universal, we have to discover all the beauty that there is in humanity». Read the complete interview on Città Nuova online (in Italian)

The Focolare Movement and interreligious dialogue

Jan 6, 2014 | Non categorizzato

In occasione della On the occasion of the 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace in Vienna, Austria at the end of November 2013, Maria Voce was nominated as one of the 62 co-Presidents of its World Council. For 43 years Religions for Peace has been promoting dialogue among persons of different faiths and cultures. At the conclusion of the Assembly, Roberto Catalano – of the centre of the Focolare Movement for interreligious dialogue – asked Maria Voce a few questions on the relevance of dialogue among followers of different faiths and the role which the Focolare Movement has and could have in this context. We publish the interview in two parts. Religions for Peace. What was your impression of this experience, given that the Focolare Movement is committed to this since 1982? «It gave me a very good impression. In fact, it answers to the need of the different religions to express support and aid towards peace. I think it’s very important that this inspiration remains: that is, religious principles are always important in building peace. … Peace must come from a vision of the human being and humanity as family, that only religions can give. … I find it right that our movement is also part of this.» What was your impression regarding the experience of dialogue of the Focolare Movement throughout the world? «An extraordinary impression. Wherever our Movement is present, there are also people of different religions forming part of it. I say wherever because we cannot think of excluding anyone from the sphere of our activity. In fact, as Focolare Movement the goal before us is ut omnes – ‘That all may be one’ as Jesus asked the Father – and in that ut omnes every person finds their place. The contacts we create in our workplace, in families, squares, everywhere, lead us to meet people of different religions. However, the most beautiful thing is that we establish a deep relationship with these men and women …. We’re amazed to see that, together with Christians, there are people of different religious traditions that form part of our movement. The Christians are the elder brothers and sisters because they were the first to start, but they welcome the others in the same family. … A large part of the Catholic episcopacy has great esteem of the Focolare Movement, because it realizes the possibility of establishing relationships with people of different religions. This is very important for bishops who are working in countries such as India, for example, or other parts of Asia. In fact, it means counting on someone who proposes a Christianity that is open, that is not closed in defending itself, a Christianity of dialogue and collaboration and not of conquest.»  (second part) Read the complete interview on Città Nuova online         (in Italian)

The Adventure of Unity / Awaiting approval

Jan 4, 2014 | Non categorizzato