Sep 13, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Not only freedom and equality. Twenty years after the collapse of the Twin Towers, Chiara Lubich’s comments on the attack that changed the fate of the world are more relevant than ever, reminding us of the only possible way to peace. On the day after September 11 [2001], many of us felt the need to reflect deeply on the causes, but above all to work towards a true, responsible and definitive alternative to terrorism and war. … Today, whether we are in New York or Bogota, in Rome or Nairobi, in London or Baghdad, many of us are asking if it is possible to live in a world of peoples that are free, equal and united; peoples that not only respect one another’s identity but are also mindful of each other’s particular needs. … In many places around the world today, a cry of forsakenness rises up from millions of refugees, millions of people who are hungry, millions of people who are exploited, millions of workless people who are excluded and seemingly “cut off” from the body politic. It is this separation, and not only the hardships and economic difficulties, which makes them even poorer and increases their desperation. … Considering the challenges of the present and future of humanity, liberty and equality by themselves are not enough. Our experience teaches us, and we believe that there is need for a third, long forgotten factor in political thought and practice: fraternity. Fraternity can generate projects and action in the complex political, economic, cultural and social fabric of our world. Fraternity brings peoples out of their isolation and opens the door to development for those who are still excluded. Fraternity shows the way to peacefully resolving differences and relegates war to history books. Fraternity in action allows us to dream and even hope for some kind of sharing of goods between rich countries and poor countries, since the scandalous economic inequality in today’s world is one of the main causes of terrorism. The deeply felt need for peace in humanity today shows that fraternity is not only a value, not only a method, but is a global paradigm for political development. This is why a world that is ever more interdependent needs politicians, businesspeople, intellectuals and artists who put fraternity – as a tool for unity – at the centre of their thought and action.
Chiara Lubich
(Chiara Lubich, Message for the first World Interdependence Day, Philadelphia, USA, 12 September 2003 in Discorsi in ambito civile ed ecclesiale, [Talks given in civil and ecclesial contexts] edited by Vera Araujo, Città Nuova, Roma, 2020, pp. 111-113)
Sep 11, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Solidarity shared on 9/11 by Catholics, Muslims in Indianapolis (USA) continues In the days following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, many American Muslims experienced an angry and sometimes violent backlash from their fellow Americans because the men who hijacked the airliners that day had been Muslim extremists. The Nur-Allah Islamic Center in Indianapolis had multiple bombing threats made against it in the days after 9/11. So, when the Muslims of the center gathered for prayer on the Friday after the attacks, they knew that they could become the victims of an attack themselves. But they weren’t alone. 
Joining them that day were some of their Catholic friends who were members of Focolare, an international lay ecclesial movement in the Church that, among other things, promotes greater unity in the broader human family. “It was a very emotionally moving experience,” said Nur-Allah member David Shaheed, who has also served as a Marion County judge since 1996. “They felt connected to us. They felt that we were friends and neighbors. They put their lives at risk to be with us at such a historically tumultuous and scary time.” John Mundell, a member of St. Pius X Parish on 9/11, was part of the Focolare group that came to Nur-Allah on Sept. 14, 2001. “That experience was probably one of the most sacred moments of my life,” he said. “When we walked in as a group and they saw us, you could tell by the look on their faces that they realized that what we had established was real. There was nothing fake or superficial about it.” The Focolare members knew that choosing to stand with their friends at Nur-Allah after bombing threats had been made against their center potentially put their lives in danger. But their mutual relationship was important enough to them that they accepted that risk. “Our Catholic faith called us to be there with them,” said Mundell, now a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis. “This was where the rubber met the road. In your gut, you know what the right thing to do is, but you then have to say, ‘Yes, we’re doing it.’ ” Thankfully, no attacks happened on that day. But some members of Nur-Allah so appreciated the solidarity shown to them by their Catholic friends that they joined them for Mass two days later at St. Pius X Church. “It was reciprocal love,” said Mundell. “You reached out in love and then received this kind of wave [of love] back. It was a sacred feeling. Somehow there was the presence of God in this relationship we had established.” That relationship had started in 1997 and followed the example of Chiara Lubich, the Italian foundress of Focolare, who had reached out to W.D. Muhammed, the leader of a branch of Islam in the United States made up primarily of Black Americans. In the years that followed the start of the relationship in Indianapolis, the members of Focolare and Nur-Allah hosted meetings of Catholics and Muslims that drew people from across the Midwest. One had taken place in Indianapolis less than two months before 9/11. But the events of that day quickly deepened their relationship in ways that they could not have imagined. “There are times when God calls us to unity through pain,” said Michael Saahir, the resident imam of Nur-Allah. That, for him, is an enduring lesson of 9/11, one that he is concerned is being forgotten as the years pass. “Too often, when the pain subsides, we forget,” Saahir said. “We tend to forget too easily. Or we don’t even take time to study the lessons that come from it. And the oneness of the human family is the main one.” In recent years, members of Focolare in Indianapolis have become more aware of the pain experienced by their Black Muslim friends because of their race. “We’re not perfect as Americans, as Catholics in embracing this idea of universal brotherhood and sisterhood,” Mundell said. “We have a long way to go. There’s a racial aspect that we need to continue to work on and listen to.” Focolare and Nur-Allah members are making efforts so that the lessons of 9/11 and other lessons are remembered. In the months and years that have followed that day, people from both faith communities have been invited to parishes across and beyond the archdiocese and to universities to speak about their interreligious experience and relationship. When Mundell started receiving these invitations, he began to recognize a significance to the simple personal bonds that had been created with his Muslim friends in 1997. “It made us realize the uniqueness of that relationship and that it was no longer meant for just us,” he said. “It was meant to be shared with everyone.” “People need to see a model or example,” said Saahir. “I’m grateful that our relationship with Focolare is a model, not just for Muslims and Catholics, but for anyone to see that this is doable and has longevity.” Mundell and Saahir hope that the longevity of the relationship between their two communities will continue into the next generation. “It’s like passing on your faith,” Mundell said. “The next generation has to take it on as their own. They have to have their own experience. “This is something that we’ll be doing for the rest of our lives. The relationships have to be continually renewed and rebuilt”.
By Sean Gallagher for “The Criterion”, 3 September 2021
Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960
Sep 10, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Even though the disciples had many frailties and fears, Jesus had confidence in them and called them to follow him and to share his mission – to serve everyone. To serve, not so much as a slave who is forced into work but as a free person who generously offers his or her skills and strength. Solidarity in support of the Roma people The pandemic has exacerbated the social problems in our area. One of the most serious challenges is housing: many people do not know what to do and live in situations of distress and even serious degradation. When, as a parish, we helped a Roma family to move from a damp, dilapidated shack into a more dignified home, the action helped to overcome certain preconceptions.The gesture seemed to communicate the idea that if Fr Peppino and the other parishioners welcome Roma foreigners, it means that they are people like us whom we can and must help. This created a sense of solidarity and there was almost a “competition” to find ways to help. Some people donated furniture, others transported and assembled it, other people took care of the contract for the house and others the utility supplies. When M., a Roma mother of two beautiful children, came back from the hospital where she had been admitted for Covid-19, she told me: “I am touched and I wanted to thank you because I have never felt as loved as I do by you and the whole community.” (Don Peppino – Italy) Do unto others… At school, I had a classmate who never made any effort and very bad at maths. I repeatedly urged him to study harder but to no avail: nothing changed. He failed his first semester exam and was humiliated in front of everyone, so he cried. Although he had not listened to my advice and it was his own fault, I kept thinking of the sentence “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and I decided I would help him. I offered to tutor him in maths. He was surprised and delighted and immediately accepted. It was not easy to bring him up to an acceptable level, but a small miracle happened: he achieved a high mark at the end of the second semester! (Radu – Romania) Proximity About ten years ago, when living in Syria had become difficult for us Christians, we asked ourselves whether we should stay. Many relatives and friends had chosen to leave, and from the news we had received, they seemed to have found peace in other countries and were far from the noise of combat, terror and danger. Yet, even if we do little,we felt that that our presence here, day after day, corresponds to a real mission. It is not so much a matter of witnessing to faith or fidelity to one’s homeland, but of proximity, the proximity of which Pope Francis speaks. We are certain that for our children, too, this situation, even if it is not easy, will prove to be a great teacher of life. (V.M. – Syria)
by Maria Grazia Berretta
(taken from Il Vangelo del Giorno, Città Nuova, year VII, n.4, September-October 2021)
Sep 6, 2021 | Non categorizzato
The Focolare Movement is involved in various countries around the world in welcoming Afghan refugees. In Italy, to date, about 400 people have offered to open their doors to the refugees. There has been an immediate response from individuals, families and entire communities, from the cities of Milan to Ragusa. The Focolare Movement in Italy has launched an appeal to welcome Afghan refugees brought to our country by the first air bridges. Since 26th August, through the local Focolare communities and many people involved at various levels in local or national networks, an invitation was issued for the reception and accompaniment of immigrants. The appeal calls for: an assessment of the possibility of opening not only the Centres of the Movement, religious institutes, rectories, parish buildings, but also private homes; the identification of those who would be willing to collaborate for this emergency by supporting the arriving refugees; collaboration with local authorities and organizations. It’s all work in progress, which aims to combine private initiative with the reception systems set up by the Ministry of the Interior, and which is already taking its first concrete steps in line with what Pope Francis expressed in the Angelus on Sunday 5th September, that all Afghans “whether at home, in transit or in the host countries”, may “live with dignity, in peace and fraternity with their neighbours”. It did not take long for responses to arrive: some people offered their professional experience, others their own homes, or empty houses. Among the first to respond to the appeal was a nurse from Bergamo who said: “In between my shifts, I am available to help in any way”. Others offered their legal, health, or education-related skills. A family from Lombardy, with five small children, offered to host a child. Not just families, but entire communities are responding to the Pope’s invitation to open rectories and churches. Religious orders are discerning how to participate: for example, a group of religious from the Vesuvian countries. Then there are entire focolare communities, such as in Pesaro, Milan, Cosenza, who have come together to join forces and find a suitable place where they can welcome people. Contacts continue with some organizations and cooperatives with similar ideals, which can support and sustain this family-like welcome with relevant means, such as the “Fo.Co. Cooperative” (Chiaramonte Gulfi, RG) and the “New Ways for a United World Association” (Rome). In Marino, (Lazio), reception is already underway by the cooperative and non-profit organization One city is not enough, which acted immediately. Since the very first days of the emergency, some Afghan families have been hosted at the Mariapolis Centre of Castelgandolfo. On 28th August, people in several cities in Italy took part in the initiative promoted by the Economy of Francesco in favour of the rights and freedom of Afghan women. Alongside all these actions, funds are being raised, small and big amounts: one person unable to open their home had their family jewels evaluated so as to contribute to associations that could use the money locally for specific needs that cannot be covered with State contributions. The bank account is the one already in use for the Covid Emergency. Contributions can be made with the indication, WELCOME AFGHANISTAN.
Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
Sep 6, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Words such as perfection and holiness may seem like unattainable goals, but Chiara Lubich, starting from a statement by St Bonaventure, reflects on how it is possible to walk towards them, starting from the simplest gestures of everyday life. I found a thought on holiness attributed to St. Bonaventure, which many of us know, but perhaps we have not yet lived to the full. (…) This thought aroused in my heart a great desire to put it into practice with all of you. Aren’t we striving to become saints together? I’m referring to a statement made by a saint who was well versed in different ways to go to God. He boldly affirms that a person will go further on the way to God in forty days if they never stop, than another in forty years, who stops every now and then ‘in the vale of imperfections and venial sins’. Isn’t it wonderful? Of course, I asked myself: “What do imperfections and venial sins consist in?” We could make a long list of them. Undoubtedly, they are the opposite of perfection. And what does perfection consist in? In living charity: “Charity is the bond of perfection,” says Paul (Col. 3:14); “May they be perfect in unity,” we find in John (17:23). If charity is lived together, it becomes mutual: “I give you a new commandment,” says Jesus, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn. 13:34). And so this is the way we should always live, so as not to remain in the vale of imperfection and venial sins, and if we forget or fail to do so, we can begin anew. (…) Where should we begin? At home. Yes, at home, starting in the morning so that we begin the day well. At home, also because at times we make the effort to live mutual love with others, at meetings and congresses, but then, when we go home, because we are tired we are sometimes impatient with our brothers or sisters. We lose control and… good-bye mutual love! Let’s keep it in mind. If we do this, then in forty days, on November 30th, we will certainly have progressed spiritually and made a noticeable contribution towards our holiness and that of the people.
Chiara Lubich
(Chiara Lubich, Conversazioni in Collegamento telefonico, Rome 2019, p. 561-562)
Sep 1, 2021 | Non categorizzato
An interview with Stefania Papa, the new head of EcoOne, the Focolare’s environmental agency. She describes the Focolare’s participation in ‘Season of Creation” anche…’ and various ecology projects. From 1 September to 4 October, ‘Season of Creation’ will be held throughout the world. It features both prayer and concrete actions to safeguard and protect our common home. Stefania Papa is the new head of EcoOne, a cultural enterprise from the Focolare Movement that promotes a network of teachers, academics, researchers and professionals working in the environmental sciences. We interviewed her about the Focolare’s commitment to ‘Time for Creation’ and various ecology projects. What is ‘Season of Creation’? It is a specific period that goes from 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. It will be a time in which various churches around the world come together to pray and promote concrete actions to safeguard and protect our common home. This year’s theme is: ‘A home for all? Renewing God’s Oikos.’ And Oikos in Greek means home. Why is it important that it becomes more and more an event for different churches? To answer this question, I am reminded of an ancient African proverb that goes like this: ‘If you want to go fast, run alone. If you want to go far, do it together with others.’ Pope Francis himself in the encyclical ‘Laudato sì’ says, ‘We need a confrontation that unites us all, because the environmental challenge we are living, and its human roots, concern us and touch us all.’ We need to ‘unite the whole human family in the search for sustainable and integral development’.[1] We can only do this by coming together, seeking ever-closer collaboration and communion among the various Christian churches in the world. It’s been six years since the pope’s ‘Laudato si’’. Yet there is still a long way to go… Many other actions have been started and carried out, but much remains to be done. The task at hand may seem difficult, but we can still reverse some negative trends, adapt to minimize damage, restore crucial ecosystems and better protect what we have, starting with rethinking housing solutions and social mobility, sorted waste collection and in many other fields. But the road taken is the right one. And Pope Francis’ encyclical marks the point of no return. There is also a petition to sign. What does it include? It is an important opportunity that is offered to us to strongly ask world leaders to urgently commit to the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. In fact, two very important events will be held soon: 11–24 October 2021, the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15), where world leaders will set significant goals to protect creation; and 31 October–12 November 2021, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), where countries will announce their plans to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Focolare Movement is a partner in the Laudato Si’ Movement. How does Focolare commit to ‘Season of Creation’? The Focolare Movement has always been committed to the environment. For the ‘Season of Creation’ in particular, it has participated and is participating in the initiatives of the Catholic Church, such as the Laudato Si’ action platform of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development (through the New Families Movement) and in events promoted by the Laudato Si’ Movement, formerly the Global Catholic Climate Movement, to which it adheres. In addition, the last General Assembly of the Focolare concluded in February 2021 and relaunched ecological changes for members and structures, with small, medium and large activities (such as financing international projects, and development partnerships with Action for New Families, United World Action, etc.). At the same time, there is an ongoing commitment by all Focolare members to divest from fossil fuels. Just this year, in fact, the youth of the movement committed to pathways entitled ‘DareToCare’. It’s a campaign that means to take charge, take an active interest and give importance to the most fragile, the planet, institutions, our city, our neighbours and the problems of our society. Last May, the NGO New Humanity was also accredited as an observer at the United Nations environmental governing body, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the United Nations agency that deals with all global environmental issues. New Humanity carries out its environmental protection activities in particular through the EcoOne cultural enterprise. In addition, I would like to mention the partnership created between the Focolare Movement and FaithInvest, an international organization that works to help religions develop long-term strategic plans for the environment. In the cultural and educational field, there are several conferences planned that are promoted by EcoOne. There is also EcoOne’s participation in the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) and projects in schools, such as the one recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education called ‘Giving to safeguard the environment’.
Lorenzo Russo
[1] Pope Francis, encyclical letter Laudato Si’, 13–14.
Aug 30, 2021 | Non categorizzato
The pandemic is still ongoing, while the economic and social crises generated by it are worsening. The environmental situation in the world is dramatic and conflicts in some areas of the globe do not seem to diminish. And so, what can be done? For Chiara Lubich there is only one remedy: universal fraternity. To make humanity a single family and to do so by starting from the small, concrete, daily steps that each of us can take. In the face of the multiple difficulties in the relationships among people with such different mentalities, among peoples that are so different, cultures that are so distant from one another and religions distorted by the presence of extremists, there is only one remedy: universal brotherhood, to make humanity one family in which God is the Father and all people are brothers and sisters. How can this be done? Who is qualified for this task? There is no doubt about it: there is someone who also died for his ideal, but who then rose and made it possible for everyone. It’s Jesus. We must aim at bringing him back on earth, through us, by being another Christ, another incarnate Love, Holiness, Perfection, as he is. Now is the time in which to resolutely strive for perfection. But what does perfection consist in? Recently I re-read a paper on the spiritual life in which there were wonderful words of great Church Fathers and saints. Perhaps we already know these things, but it will be helpful to remember them now. All these eminent figures in the life of the Church agree that perfection consists in never stopping our growth, because whoever does not go forward, goes backward. And, considering that we are on a journey of love, perfection consists in always growing in charity. Let’s love, then and always love better, always better. How? By keeping before us our perfect model: … God who is Love. … St. Francis de Sales says: “St Francis de Sales says: “Whoever does not gain, loses; whoever does not ascend, descends; whoever does not win, is defeated”* We are struck by the radicalness demanded by love. But everything in God is radical. … Is it difficult? Is it easy? Try it and see. Give yourself to the will of God in each moment, to others, to the brother or sister you must love, while working, studying, praying or relaxing, while doing any activity. And we must continually improve in this: otherwise we will go backwards. To help us do this, we can say with every action, even the most simple and commonplace: “This is the most beautiful thing I can do in this moment.” … In this way we too will train ourselves for the task that awaits us and which is typically ours: universal fraternity.
Chiara Lubich
From “Conversazioni in collegamento telefonico” [Telephone link up conversations] Citta Nuova ed. p. 620 – Castel Gandolfo, 27 September 2001 * St Francesco di Sales, Trattato dell’amor di Dio, [Treatise on God’s love] III, 1, Città Nuova, Roma 2011, p. 222.
Aug 27, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Loving first, selflessly, always, immediately and joyfully. This is an opportunity to incarnate the Art of Loving in our lives. It is from there that – as if drawn to it – fraternal communion springs forth, bringing new life and changing our world. Physiotherapists In the centre where I work, the number of requests decreased because of Covid, and many hours of the day were empty as a result. I obtained permission to help in a department of infected people. Other colleagues later followed my example. One day, one of them confided to us that his way of serving had never been so humane and engaging. “Only now have I realized what a gesture of solidarity means, a caress, even if you have gloves on. I feel like I’ve discovered a more human dimension to my work. I would like my children to do this service, because it is a real school of life.” (H., Czech Republic) Staying close When Pope Francis speaks of “closeness”, it seems to undo all the rules we have made for ourselves to live a certain way. For him, it’s all about the other person and our capacity to welcome them. I was talking about this once in the office. One of my colleagues was contrary to the idea, since according to her it is precisely this no-rules attitude that is ruining the Church. I listened to her, astonished and discouraged by how certain she was in condemning the pope, despite being an intelligent woman and, in her own way, a practicing Catholic. Since that day I avoided the subject, and whenever she would attack me with some article about the pope, I would try to deflect the conversation. The day before yesterday, on the phone, she told me that she couldn’t come to work because of problems with her anorexic daughter. As soon as I could, I went over. In fact, the girl’s life was at risk. My wife is a psychologist and, using various tricks, managed to spend time with her. Now the daughter is better, and she is often at our house. My colleague wrote me a message. “Now I understand what the pope means by the word ‘closeness’.” (C., France) I’ll go My elementary school teacher told us about a soldier, perhaps in the Alps, who was a bit exceptional: he would do any job, even the most unrewarding, saying to his superiors, “Vago mi” (I’ll go). This went on until “Vago mi” (as he was now nicknamed) never came back, killed in action. That death, the end of a life lived with altruism, struck my imagination as a child. I wished I could have been like him. In short, “Vago mi” became my model of someone who spends his life for others. And this was many years before I came across the one who gave his life for us and meaning to mine. (Joseph, Italy)
Edited by Lorenzo Russo
From “Il Vangelo del Giorno,” Città Nuova, year VII, n. 4, July–August 2021).
Aug 24, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Prof. Sureshchandra Upadhyaya has recently passed away. Indian teacher and scholar, profound connoisseur of Hindu culture. He met Chiara Lubich in 2001. The face adorned with a white beard that reached his belt. A small man from whom clear and essential thoughts emanated. Prof. Sureshchandra Upadhyaya was a person with a vast culture and profound spirituality. He was an expert in Sanskrit and Hindu culture which he continued to study and spread also through his teaching activity. The meeting with Chiara Lubich and her charism in 2001 marked the beginning of a deep spiritual and intellectual friendship which included other Indian academics. Prof. Upadhyaya was a leading exponent of the “Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan” of Mumbai, the Institute of Indian Culture, present throughout India. He joined it in 1960 at the age of 28 as a Sanskrit teacher, then, in 1972, he was promoted to academic director and continued his career with great passion, guiding many students with their PhDs. He received numerous awards, including: the “Eminent Vedic Scholar” award of the University of Mumbai (India), the “Certificate of Honour” of the President of India, the “Eminent Sanskrit Scholar” award of the Government of Country and the “Best Teacher Award” of the Government of the Indian State of Maharashtra. On 5th January, 2001 in Coimbatore (India) in the hall of the Nani Kalai Arangam College, the award ceremony of the prestigious “Defender of Peace Award” to Chiara Lubich took place. There were 500 people present, mostly Hindus, a qualified audience including Prof. Upadhyaya. After listening to Chiara, he said, “As long as there are people like this, God is with us and one day the earth will become heaven. All faiths seek the truth and truth is nothing but love and peace as Chiara tells us ”. Another time he said: “Chiara Lubich tangibly reveals to me that God can be experienced through profound unconditional love. As soon as you love God, you also love yourself and others as God loves the whole of creation. As you spread your love, your experience of God deepens within you and overflows out of you. Loving then becomes your very nature, like the flowers that emanate their fragrance all around. Driven by love and compassion, it flows effortlessly, self-forgetful, like waves that dance in the divine ocean. Let us be inspired by Chiara’s commitment to live by loving one and all, to experience the presence of God inside and outside of us and to feel happy beyond all measure ”. On 12th August, 2021, Prof. Upadhyaya finally reached the bliss of “Ananda” (the pure state of joy and happiness) about which he often spoke.
A.M.A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ID42kDSgrY Here is the memory of Prof. Upadhyaya written by Roberto Catalano, professor of theology and practice of interreligious dialogue at the Sophia University Institute in Loppiano (Italy) http://whydontwedialogue.blogspot.com/2021/08/uppadhyaya-ji.html
Aug 23, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Chiara Lubich reminds us that we are all called to dialogue. And if we spend parts of our day alone, we can do everything for the sake of our brothers and sisters, like true “apostles of dialogue”. … Each time we are in contact with one or more brothers or sisters, directly or indirectly, by means of a telephone call, a letter, a job carried out for their benefit or prayers said on their behalf, we all feel that we are involved in an unending dialogue, that we are called to dialogue. How? By being open to our brothers and sisters, by listening, empty of ourselves, to what they want, to what they say, to what worries them, to what they desire. Once we have done this, we give what is desired and what is appropriate. And if there are times and hours that I must dedicate to myself (eating, resting, dressing, and so on), I can try to do all these things in view of my brothers and sisters, always mindful of those who await my love. In this way and only in this way, by continually living the “spirituality of unity” or “of communion”, can I effectively contribute towards making my Church “a home and a school of communion”; I can further the unity of the Church with the faithful of other Churches or ecclesial Communities; and I can achieve, together with people of other religions or cultures, ever larger spaces of universal fraternity. … Let’s feel that we are “apostles of dialogue” and live accordingly. A 360 degree dialogue, certainly, but starting out on the right foot: by loving every neighbour we meet, and the measure of our love is the gift of our life.
Chiara Lubich
Taken from: “Conversazioni in collegamento telefonico” Citta Nuova ed. pag. 667, – 2004
