Forgiveness, dialogue, reconciliation are the words of peace

Sep 9, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

“Let the sounds of weapons cease! War always marks a defeat for humanity.” Severe words from Pope Francis during the vigil of Saturday, September 7^th in Saint Peter’s Square, where he prayed for peace inSyria and throughout the world. In the days preceding the vigil there had already been much response from many parts of the world, also from Amman, Jordan, where Maria Voce had gone to represent the Focolare Movement. A hundred thousand people prayed with Francesco for four hours of awesome silence. The quiet atmosphere of composure and recollection was interrupted only by the sound of prayer. The Pope venerated the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, Mary Protectress of the Roman Peoples. Then the Rosary was recited by the crowd in a single voice. As the conversation with Mary unfolded, a sense of trust in the Mother of All and Queen of Peace filled everyone’s soul. Amongst the crowd, just outside the barriers, a group of Muslims recited verses from the Koran. In an atmosphere of universality, everyone raised prayers to the one God. The meditation offered by the Pope was very dense; his face concentrated and serious. He began with the Book of Genesis, speaking of God’s desire for harmony in Creation, and of the chaos that was unleashed by man through violence and dispute: “Where is your brother, Abel?” “The same question is asked of us, and it would also be good for us to ask ourselves: Am I my brother’s keeper? Yes, you are your brother’s keeper! Being a human being means caring for one another!” But when we break this harmony, “the brother to be cared for becomes an adversary whom I must fight and eliminate.” “Still today we raise our hand against our brother.” “We have perfected our weapons, as our conscience fell asleep, we have sharpened our thinking to justify ourselves  . . . Violence and war  bring death only. They speak only death! Violence and war speak the language of death!” “Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow and death?” the Pope asks. “Yes, it is possible for everyone!” And a loud applause confirmed his words. “I would like us to cry out from every corner of the world: Yes, it is possible for everyone! Indeed, I would like each one of us, from the smallest to the greatest, including those who have been called to govern the nations, to respond: Yes, we want it!” Then he went on: “How I wish that all men and women of good will would look to the Cross if only for a moment! There, we can see God’s reply: violence is not answered with violence, death is not answered with the language of death. In the silence of the Cross, the uproar of weapons ceases and the language of reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue, and peace is spoken. Then the praying continued. Long silences followed by prayers and songs. A long period of silent adoration. Everyone was focused on the white host in the golden monstrance, focused on that God who appeared to be like the heart of the world in that moment. On the next day, the 8th of September, during the Angelus he spoke again about peace “in this moment as we are so strongly praying” for it. He exhorted everyone to “say ‘no’ to fratricide and to the lies it makes use of, no to all forms of violence, no to weapons proliferation.” Then without hesitation he strongly added: “This war here, that war there – because there are wars everywhere – are they truly wars because of problems or because commerce, for selling the illegal selling of weapons?” It’s time to say “no” to conflicts, to hatred, to violence towards our brothers and sisters. But to say this “no” “it’s necessary that each one of us strongly and courageously decides to renounce evil and its seductions, and choose good.” “Let us carry on with prayer and works of peace” so that “the violence and devastation inSyriamay immediately cease, and we may work with renewed commitment for a just solution to conflict and fratricide. The search for peace is long. It requires patience and perseverance.”   By Victoria Gómez

Testimonies from Syria

Sep 9, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

These are the testimonies of Syrians that have been gathered by Roberto Catalano, our correspondent in the Jordanian capital during a meeting among Focolare members with the Movement’s president, Maria Voce.

How are the tragic events that are tearing the country apart being perceived by Syrian Christians? Does it make sense to speak of dialogue among religions in such a context?

“There has always been dialogue in Syria at an official level, promoted by Mufti, other religious Muslim leaders and by the Churches, and they have always been respected for their work. In this respect, nothing has changed. In these past three years Syriahas paid the price for Islamic fundamentalism, which has manifested itself in the killings of moderate Sunni Islamists. These were persons of great value, such as the chekr El Boudi, president of the International Council of Islamic Law Scholars. Friends already in their forties have been telling me how since childhood they willingly went to hear him preach on Friday afternoons, because his teachings were infused with feelings of love, compassion and mutual respect. This is how it was up until the barbarous killing a few months ago inDamascus.”

And Christians?

“In terms of the people, when the violence began fear began to spread among Christians, the result of what we might call the historical memory of this religious element in the country (i.e. the Lebanese war). On the other hand, we must not forget the entrance of armed Syrian terrorist groups into Syrian cities, who are openly hostile to Christians, killing them just because they bear the Christian name. Not that it was all rosy before, but even when the reins of power were in the hands of the Muslims, Christians were respected and could also hold positions of responsibility in public administration and in the academic world. In any case, although the events inSyriaare not a directed attack on Christians, it does place them in front of the drama of emigration, which is the only way to escape the violence and ensure a future for their children.  Interreligious dialogue is not only a Syrian issue.”

“How do you live your daily lives under attacks and bombardments?

“In Aleppo prices have gone up. In areas controlled by the Syrian army bread is nowhere to be found, because the roads leading to flour storehouses are in the hands of the rebels. The Aleppo-Homs-Damascus road is extremely dangerous, especially the beginning of the road. But travelling anywhere in the city has become a gamble. Roadways that before required two or three hours to traverse now require up to 36 hours. Ten days ago terrorists from Jabat el Nouszra came down from Krak des Chevaliers towards the Christian zone of Wadi Nazara, they eliminated the soldiers at two road blocks, went into the first Christian village where a feast was being celebrated and mowed down all the people they saw passing by, especially the young. This instilled terror in the families, and many have fled to other places inSyria.”

Is there hope at any level for a peaceful or political solution to the conflict?

“I don’t think there were any positive signs this week. On the contrary, the fighting has intensified in several parts of the country and, as a consequence fear has grown among the public. Last week inDamascusthe words of Isaiah were echoing in my ears: “Like a lamb he was lead to the slaughter” (Is. 53:7). Never before had I understood the innocent Lamb who is helpless in front of impending death, unjust death. This is the reality among the people, especially following the threat of attack by theUnited States. They’re fearful, appalled, desolate. They looked into our eyes in disbelief: “Are they really going to attack us?” The mortars and rockets from the suburbs to the city were much more numerous, and army attacks just as heavy.”

Source: Città Nuova online

Thailand: Right to an education for Burmese children

Sep 8, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The Right to an Education for Burmese children project provides primary/elementary education for Burmese immigrant children with families who have fled to Thailand to escape persecution and extreme poverty in Myanmar. During the last school year 640 children were served. The project is promoted by the  United World Project (NGO) in collaboration with its local affiliate the Good Friend Centre in Thailand’s Mae Sot Province. Since 2006 Good Friend Centre has been working in Mae Sot Province providing primary education to Burmese children who have immigrated with their families, to escape persecution and extreme poverty in their homeland. Many of the families had to leave everything behind when they fled. Now they work as farmhands without the guarantee of regular salaries. The children often have to stay at home to help their parents in the fields. Their inability to pay tuition and school fees is a further discouragement that leads them to abandon early schooling. With 8 schools on the Thailand, Myanmar border, the Good Friend Centre provides free schooling to hundreds of children who would otherwise not be able to receive and education. To help the school become economically independent, production activities have begun to pay for educational fees (salaries and professional development courses for teachers, a daily meal for the children, school uniforms and educational materials). In 2011 the United World Association supported a project for raising chickens and pigs beside the New Blood School, a project which supports 450 children who are attending the school. For several months, a 5-acre plot has been rented beside the school for the cultivation of beans and corn, providing further support for the project. This new school year began with 2 production projects (raising fish and pigs) which will support the Mae Wah Khee School and the Pa Lu Gyi School attended by 190 children. This project requires an initial investment for the purchase of 3,000 fish and 10 pigs and a year’s salary for personnel. The pig farm should become self-supporting in 15 months; whereas, the fish farm should begin producing profit for the school in 5 months. These projects will help the schools to be independent of external support, and continue to provide free services to minors who otherwise would have no access to an education. Source: Action for a United World Newsletter

Mariapolises in Algeria: Christians and Muslims Together

Sep 7, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

During the months of July and August many countries of the northern hemisphere were holding Mariapolises, an annual gathering of the Focolare Movement. For several days, young people, children and adults of every background gather together with the one aim of living an experience of brotherhood according to the universal values of the Gospel. In some countries the guideline of this gathering is the Golden Rule that invites us to treat others as we would like to be treated.

So it was in Algeria where the Mariapolis was held on July 4 – July 6 at the Ulisse Centre in Tlemcen with its intriguing title: “My neighbor is another me.”

The community of the Movement in Algeria is largely Muslim and the upcoming feast of Ramadan that requires painstaking preparations, led Mariapolis organizers to hold the event for only three days.

In spite of its brevity the days were lived even more intensely, enabling everyone to enter more deeply into the topic: love of neighbour in the spirituality of unity and in the Koran.

More and more, people who have attended other Mariapolises want to introduce it to their relatives and friends. For this reason some had to be turned away for lack of space.This year 140 people attended the Mariapolis, nearly all of them Muslims several places in Algeria including the Sahara. There were many families and very many young people. The contribution of the young was very considerable, both in the preparing the event and in giving witness to their adherence to this ideal of brotherhood.

The children and youngsters were also able to experience what love of neighbor means: “I understood all the good that love of neighbour can do;” “I felt loved the whole time” two of them commented.

Some of the families who had come to the Mariapolis for the first time were awestruck by this great idea of brotherhood: “It seemed to me that I was touching God with my hand during these days,” one person remarked. “I discovered how to love God, without complicating life,” “I found such great serenity here,” “You are my second family.” Many such comments expressed the thirst for a more fraternal lifestyle, which is so needed to ease the tensions, especially at this moment in time.

It was this concrete brotherly love that helped to form a community in this land, a community in which love and respect prevail over cultural diversity, traditions and religions.

Jordan. The Focolare and interreligious dialogue

Sep 6, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS), founded in Amman in 1994 under the patronage of the Prince El Hassan bin Talal, offers, an academic level contribution to eliminate the tensions between religions and cultures, for the promotion of peace. Given the geo-political and cultural humus out of which it was born and the current seriousness of the problem, the main focus of RIIFS is the study of the relationship between Islam and Christianity.

The Institute is also engaged in what has been called the ‘Promotion of the Amman Message’ project, the speech delivered by Sheikh Izz-Eddine Al-Khatib Al-Tamimi, Chief Justice of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, November 9, 2004: a declaration of commitment to dialogue by the Jordanian Muslim world.

This was the context in which Prof. Amer Al Hafi, Associate Director and Head of the Research Committee of the RIIFS, called on the President of the Focolare, Maria Voce, these days in Jordan, to consult a qualified group of institutional representatives to present the contribution that the Movement brings to interreligious dialogue, with particular attention to relations with Islam.

The meeting was held at the Arab Thought Forum in the presence of about seventy guests. Dr. Kamel Abu Jamer, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the evening by presenting Maria Voce as a friend “of our country, the only nation in the region where, in accordance with the true spirit of Islam that is a spirit of peace, all religions are free to practice.”

The intervention of Maria Voce was focused on the experience of dialogue that was born thanks to the charismatic figure of Chiara Lubich, noting that Jordan is a “country where Muslims and Christians have lived side by side for hundreds of years, offering a great testimony of positive coexistence.” She also expressed appreciation for “the many initiatives promoted by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein to strengthen co-existence, including the initiative that has been welcomed by the UN, to hold an annual week dedicated to the harmony among people of different faiths.”

Then, tracking the development of the contribution of the Focolare to dialogue and pointing to love as its typical methodology based on what Chiara Lubich had defined as the art of love, Voce mentioned some significant experiences of Muslim-Christian dialogue in which the Focolare has played a part in recent decades. She referred to the relationship begun in Europe with many Muslims who arrived on that continent because of migration flows; the experience of Tlemcen in Algeria; one in the U.S. with the followers of Imam WD Mohammad and others in the context of the Near East. She said: “Often interreligious dialogue requires overcoming past misunderstandings in order to rediscover that we are brothers and sisters […]. Working together based on love and mercy brings numerous benefits. We often find that the Christian becomes a better Christian, the Muslim becomes a better Muslim, and that the society, which is the fruit of this collaboration, also improves.”

“Thank you for this heart to heart talk,” said Dr. Sadeq As AlFapiq, Secretary General of the Arab Thought Forum. “We have lost the courage, but this Movement was born in a discouraging moment of war. In moments of tragedy new hope is always born. “

“Sacrifice is a method of loving that is able to bring people together,” Prof. Amer Al Hafi reflected,  “and your presence here makes us feel that Christ is still alive and sends signs in people who love.”

“What we have all experienced this evening is something real, concrete and alive,” added Dr. Azmy Shaheen. “This change begins from oneself. The point is how are we to transform this into concrete models of peace and be missionaries of life and not only of words.”

Comments were also made concerning this particular moment in Islam and its critical view of the West which it views as anything but positive. Maria Voce addressed these comments as well at the conclusion of the evening, thanking everyone for their honest analysis that expressed the problems and the pain. “I’m Western and I come from the West and if I could do something to repair the injustice that has been done by that part of the world towards your lands I would wholeheartedly do it.”

By Roberto Catalano

Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan

Sep 4, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The unexpected news confirming the audience arrived in late afternoon on Tuesday, filling the Focolare members with joy as they concluded the events of the past few days.  Here are some of the first impressions shared by Maria Voce following the audience.

Maria Voce: “His Majesty welcomed us warmly, saying that he was honoured by our visit. He wanted to know how our work had gone on here in Jordan. Then I thanked him for the welcome we had been given by the country, underscoring that the reason for my visit was precisely to bring him my thanks and the thanks of all the Movement’s members. I was then able to inform him that we came from several countries, Christians and Muslims, all joined by the spirit of universal brotherhood. I thought it was important to highlight the fact that it was possible to hold a series of such meetings here in Jordan, precisely because of the spirit of openness and tolerance that characterizes this land.”

What was King Abdulla II’s reaction?

“He asked: ‘And us, what can we do to continue this work?’ He expressed his concern over the situation in the region, the great challenges, and he didn’t hide his concern for the Christian communities. But, above all, he told me that we had to face these crises and uncertainties together.”

Did he mention anything about his recent visit with Pope Francis?

“I told the king of our joy at seeing him in the photograph with the pope in the press. And he immediately stressed that it was one of the most beautiful visits that he has had in these years. Referring to the pope, he said: ‘We felt that we were brothers.’”

How did the visit conclude?

“I thanked him on my own part for having received me in audience and providing some visibility to our presence here. On his part he said that we could always turn to him at any moment and for whatever reason. ‘Ask for anything and we are at your disposal. I am your brother and I place myself at your disposal.”

By Roberto Catalano

EoC in Cuba: a possible dream

Sep 3, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

When John Paul II visited the island in 1988 he stated: “Let Cuba open to the world and the world open to Cuba.” Nowadays many Cubans would add: “Let Cuba open to Cuba,” almost echoing the words of José Martí: “To be great, it is enough to strive for greatness” [our translation].

For some time a project has been underway for creating businesses in several locations in Cuba, according to the model of a Sustainable Social Economy (ESS) and the Economy of Communion (EoC). This project is called “Training in the culture of brotherhood, assistance and support for small businesses and socio-cultural projects.”

Patricia Silva and Marisol Cuadrado from Argentina have put together a manual that is adapted to a Cuban context, intended for trainers and business owners. Marisol and Carolina Carbonell from the National EoC Commission of Argentina travelled to Cuba last July.

“They were beautiful days, intense and beautiful. You don’t come back the same as when you left,” Carolina recounts. “Together with Cuban economists, Ernesto and Kike who are passionate about the EoC, we held a series of workshops in Havana, Camaguey and Florida. These last two cities are located in the centre of the country.”

“We thought we would be talking with the business owners about business, but when you understand Cuba you immediately realize that you must begin by taking a few steps back and begin with the dreams and building relationships based on trust. For this reason the workshops always began with a lively self-presentation in pairs. Everyone had a few minutes for getting to know the other, listening and then presenting. The experiences that emerged from this sharing turned out to be quite beautiful, as if everyone had always been accustomed to this kind of communion.”

“In the work groups on the experiences of the first entrepreneurs of the Economy of Communion, the origins of the EoC were examined, and also how these business owners had decided to take the risk of organizing their businesses according to the principles of the EoC.

Carolina surprised everyone: “The dynamic of our workshop turned out to be a game: a treasure hunt. Through different stages we helped one another to discover our dreams, talents and the greatest treasure of all, the project for our life. We had a strong experience in Florida with a wonderful group of farmers.”

“We certainly uncovered Cuba’s best side: its people who are far more beautiful than the splendid beaches that draw so many crowds,” Carolina remarked. “We saw that the culture, warmth and generosity of this people have no cost attached, nor limit. It often happens that a business owner risks his own business in order to save a neighbour’s. They have our same dreams: freedom, equality, development and the best capital to succeed.”

“During our stay on this island,” she concludes, “we haven’t found friends, but brothers and sisters.”

At the service of peace in the Middle East

Sep 2, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

September 1, 2013: Pope Francis’ heartfelt plea for peace in the Middle East.

August 30 – 31: Meeting with 500 adults and young people, laity and priests, religious and bishops, representing the Focolare Movement in this area of the world. They came from Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, Iraq. Persian Gulf countries and the Arab Emirates. These are difficult times for these lands, and many had to overcome impossible obstacles to join Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti on their visit.

A letter from Syria was welcomed by thunderous applause: “You know that we are going through a difficult time (. . .) in the midst of the pain we carry on building bridges of love and unity with others (. . .) we sow hope in the people who are suffering all around us, we fill their sorrowful hearts with the presence of God, we do everything possible to bring love to others. (. . .) Today we pray with you today for Peace, which is being so threatened in the world and in the Middle East, especially Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq – that God’s love may triumph everywhere in the world.”

There were Christians from a variety of Churches (Catholics, Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholics, Maronites, Armenians, Chaldeans, Syro-Orthodox and Syro-Catholics), and also a substantial representation of Muslims from Algeria, but also Morocco, Turkey and Jordan. A cross section that makes you think that unity is not a dream, as Maria Voce remarked: “Looking at you, how could one have doubts about a united world!” For two days there was an atmosphere of true brotherhood.

Chiara Lubich had visited Amman in November 1999, but already in 1969 had said that “there are hotbeds of war everywhere in the Middle East, such that peace is always in danger. What should we do, since our ideal is unity? We should help these brothers and sisters to love one another, this body must heal. The health of humanity must be brought to bear here.”

The experiences from different countries underscored how the steps taken by the Focolare have been aimed towards this goal: to bring dialogue as a pathway to peace. Algeria and Turkey began by sharing how the dialogue developed with Muslims, and the ecumenical dialogue with Orthodox Christians. It wasn’t an easy process. Quite the contrary! Everyone involved in this experience has no hesitation to mention the criticisms, but also the firm decision to bring the experience ahead. Ever since February 2012, when she visited Tlemcen, Maria Voce gratefully confirmed the presence of Muslims in the Focolare in Algeria.

No less prophetic were the small but great stories of how the Movement began in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, the Holy Land, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Egypt. These are lands that have all at one time or another been torn by war, where, in spite of the difficulties, this spirit has found development often through social assistance projects that have brought healing to deep and painful wounds. As the Nuncio to Jordan and Iraq, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua pointed out, dialogue is a risk, but it also builds relationships of mutual trust that are cemented over time. Muslim professor, Amer Al Hafi, vice-director of the prestigious Royal Institute for Inter-faith Study of Amman, affirmed: “Dialogue is a grace from God for us. Through dialogue I understand the greatness of God who allows us to savor the diversity.”

During the discussion with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti some problems were mentioned that are currently being faced by this region of the world . . . problems that affect everyone, daily difficulties and death, problems for families and their future. Some barriers also emerged that exist among countries in the region, as well as the relationship between Muslims and Christians and the role of Muslims within the Focolare.

Maria Voce concluded by inviting everyone to a moment of silence, asking for the gift of peace: “Placing ourselves in front of God so as to place ourselves at his service, asking him to use us as instruments of peace (. . .) in these lands.”

Compiled by Roberto Catalano

Photo: Claude Gamble

Seventeen years of meetings between Christians and Jews

Aug 27, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

On the 17th Day for Peace, 70 Christians and Jews met for two days of dialogue and study at the Focolare’s permanent Mariapolis in Argentina (August 8, 2013 – August 19, 2013).

This year’s theme: “Love of neighbour in the Jewish and Christian traditions.” The programme opened with the testimonies of 6 Jews and 3 Christians who had attended an interreligious gathering organized by the Focolare at Castelgandolfo, Italy, last May. Their experiences highlighted the important steps being taken towards greater mutual understanding.

What is the secret of the success and continuity of this Day for Peace? The participants answer: “It offers a space for sincere sharing that is governed by fraternal affection and mutual respect, in which you are certain of the trust, listening and acceptance by the others.”

There were many salient moments. The first everyone remembers was the encounter with Pope Francis that aroused great emotion.

Focolarina theologian Lidia Erbetta, and Rabbi Silvina Chemen from the Beth El community, then presented a study on chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis. This chapter presents the well-known story of Cain and Abel and that fateful question: “Where is your brother?” Erbetta and Chemen proposed a group dynamic along the lines of the hevruta; that is, a study among equals, according to the tradition of the Talmud for the examination of Biblical texts. But this hevruta was not between only two people but six members of a communion and study group, and was followed by reflections from the presenters.

The same scheme was followed on the second day, this time with Francesco Canzani from the Focolare, and Rabbi Ernesto Yattah, who examined the Gospel text of Mark 12:29-33: the Gospel text in which Jesus recalls that what counts most is to love God and neighbour.

The Day of Peace concluded with a blessing at the olive tree that had been brought from Nazareth 15 years ago by Jewish friend, Ignazio Salzberg. This tree has become a symbol of Jewish-Christian dialogue at Mariapolis Lia.

This year again many spoke of the enthusiasm created by the meeting, the fruit of mutual and respectful dialogue, and the desire to go on living it in each individual’s daily social context.

Maria Voce in Jordan

Aug 26, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Africa, the Middle East was the cradle of great civilizations and 3 monotheistic religions. For thousands of years these lands held a very noticeable influence on Asia Minor and the European Mediterranean. Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Arabs and Turks have let an indelible mark through their culture, art and religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam were begun in this region, and it was here in Jerusalem that their holy city is found.

November 27, 1999 in Jordan is a day that will forever remain an unforgettable day for the members of the Focolare in these lands. Founder Chiara Lubich visited the Middle East and met some thousand members of the Focolare in Amman. They came from more than 20 countries (from the Middle East and beyond), some travelling over 20 hours by bus, others in airplanes, and overcoming impossible obstacles. A thousand people representing the more than 25,000 people who belong to the Movement in those lands. On that occasion, Chiara said to the crowd: “It’s wonderful to be with you. We are many peoples, but in this hall we are one.”

Two days later, on November 29, during the 7th Assembly of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), which was held in Amman, during her speech, Chiara Lubich presented the “Art of Loving” including the aspect of loving everyone without distinction, taking the initiative in loving, putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and remembering that every human being has made in the image and likeness o God. She offered as an effective way of building peace among individuals and peoples.

On August 28, 2013, the current president and co-president of the Focolare, Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, are expected to meet with the Focolare community in Jordan. Their visit will last through September 1, 2013 and is seen as an important and delicate encounter, considering the latest painful events in that region, especially in Egypt.

At the WCRP Assembly in 1999, Chiara Lubich had stated: “We are here today because we believe that in spite of everything,, peace is still possible. In fact it is the only path for a future that is worthy of the highest human values.” Perhaps these words are the key or understanding the upcoming visit of the Focolare president in Jordan.

Learning Fraternity: Udisha, a new dawn

Aug 22, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Mumbai is the economic heart of India and one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the country. But many of its 20 million inhabitants live on the streets or in slums found all over in the city. In one of these, about forty minutes by train from the centre of the city in the north west, live about 400 thousand people in conditions of extreme poverty.

It is here that in 1997 several families in the slum decided to set up a social project in collaboration with ‘Support at a Distance’, a project run by New Families. In 2001, during her first visit to India, Chiara Lubich encouraged them to develop what they had begun as ‘a practical response to the poverty around us.’

From then on the project has grown. Today it cares for 115 young people from 4 to 22 years old. Its activities aim at supporting students in their schooling, nutrition and health, in order to raise the standard of life for them and their families. In 2004 the project took the name ‘Udisha’ which means ‘the sun ray that announces the new dawn’. Today Udisha participates in the Schoolmates project, a Teens for Unity project, which seeks to build up a network among school classes and groups of young people in various countries and to support projects that promote solidarity.

Main activities:

Schooling and education. In India the schools have 70-80 students per class. This makes it difficult to give individual tuition and, to pass their exams, the young people have to attend expensive private support lessons. The poorest among them, since they cannot afford this, are forced to give up their studies. Udisha, therefore, offers free support lessons in several subjects. In addition it tries to raise funds to pay for further schooling, educational equipment and school uniforms. Occasionally extra-curricular cultural and recreational activities are organized.

Intercultural awareness. There are various religions present at Udisha: Christian, Hindu and Muslim. One of the project’s objectives is to contribute to creating constructive integration, culturally, religiously, linguistically and also between the generations. It encourages exchanges of experience and activities, working together especially with the Shanti Ashram of Coimbatore.

Medical treatment. Many of the young people suffer from malnutrition. They are at risk from the seasonal epidemics that come with the rains or floods. For this reason during the year there are group medical visits involving both doctors in the area and other organizations. Help is also given to improve domestic diet with proteins and vitamins through the distribution of food stuffs and dietary supplements. For some time a counselling service for young people and parents has also been on offer.

Training in parenting. Meetings to raise understanding and to share good practice among families are organized periodically for parents. These are occasions for a rich exchange of experiences, advice and points of view.

Microcredit. A year ago Udisha began an small venture into microcredit which involves seventy of the young people’s mothers. Split into three groups that meet monthly, these mothers have been trained in microcredit in the kind of atmosphere of mutual trust  absolutely necessary for such a venture to work. This year they will start to offer loans.

Source: Schoolmates website

Mariapolis gatherings in the world: signs of a society renewed by love

Aug 18, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Many cities were united with one another by a network of Mariapolises that were held around the world this year, from Sicily, in Italy to Bolivia, from Macedonia to the United States. Each Mariapolis had its own personality, but all of them shared the same spirit, based on universal brotherhood and the building of a better and more just society. In Chicago, USA, our Muslim friends travelled without food or water because of Ramadan, so that they could take part in the Mariapolis for one day that was dedicated to interreligious dialogue. Experiences on love of neighbor were shared by families, including a Muslim couple and a Jewish and Catholic husband and wife. Diversity of religions and nations was also evident in Macedonia where the theme of the Mariapolis was “The other another me”. The choice of this title immediately heightened the communion among all, between young people and adults, among Muslims, Orthodox and Catholics, between Macedonians and Albanians and also with those who arrived from Kosovo. The splendid natural surroundings, the hiking trails and sport activities provided opportunities to be open to one another and enter into the life stories of others. The motto of the Mariapolis in Lithuania was “Being bridges.” One bridge was built with Syria by inviting everyone to pray the time out for peace each day and collecting money for areas ravaged by war. Nearly 459 euros were collected. Many other bridges were built among people of different languages and cultures: there were Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians. The language barrier was overcome by speaking Russian, which is a common language among adults, while the young people spoke English among themselves. Language was never a barrier on the other side of the world in Indonesia where Indonesian, Chinese and English were the languages used by the 125 participants of the Mariapolis in Yogyakarta. And so a bit of the world has lived an extraordinary experience, the same experience that is repeated when evangelical love lies at the basis of every relationship. In Argentina the motto of the Mariapolis was “An experience of society renewed” to underscore that it is possible to transform society if we begin from ourselves, from our surroundings, remaining faithful in small things. From children to elderly, everyone experienced the various expressions of love: tangible, joyful, true, concrete love.

In Cairo: “We will pray together in the streets”

Aug 17, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

They write from Egypt: “We want to assure you that all the members of the Movement in Egypt are well.  The 14th of August was quite a painful day for the country, especially for Christians. As expected the government decided to vacate the occupied squares and unfortunately the reaction was surprisingly violent not only against the army, but against Christians as well. Throughout the country important churches, even ancient ones have been burned, also convents and schools that are run by men and women religious orders. Moderate Muslims immediately spoke out against the attacks and many offered to stand around churches to protect them. The grateful Christians asked them not to put their own lives in danger, because buildings can be reconstructed once the violence has passed.” “The Coptic Church is offering a powerful witness: Pope Tawadros has asked the faithful not to respond to any of the violence: “Will they burn the churches? We will pray in the mosques. Will they burn the mosques? We will pray in the churches. Will they burn both? We will pray together in the streets, for we are all Egyptians.” A. M. from the hard hit city of Assiut writes: “The church buildings have become incense burners, and the incense rises to Heaven to beg God for mercy on this people and grant miracles.” “A month-long state of emergency has been declared and in many cities there is a curfew from 19:00 until 6:00 in the morning. The situation is very serious and we are living moments of suspension, but we are held up by our unwavering faith in God’s love, a faith found not only in us but in all of Egypt’s Christians and Muslims.” “We feel the strong support of prayers from the Movement around the world and, on this feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, we have entrusted to Mary the people of this land who love her so dearly. “Rooted in the life of the Gospel, which invites us to love one another and everyone else, we offer this great suffering for the strengthening of peace not only here, but in the entire Middle East.”

Brazil: 50 bishops live an experience of communion

Aug 13, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

“Truly we are eyewitnesses that the Church has taken up a new path as it follows Jesus in a world that is troubled by so much suffering,” said Francis B. Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithanvanij, Archbishop of Bangkok at the opening of the annual fraternal gathering of 50 bishop friends of the Focolare Movement from 4 continents. Following the grand events in Rio the meeting was held at the permanent Mariapolis of the Focolare Movement near San Paulo, Brazil. “There’s someone else at work, the Holy Spirit who constantly calls the Church to reform itself,” observed theologian Hubertus Blaumeiser. This is the constant appeal of Pope Francis.

How does the experience of the bishops enter into this “novelty”? Brendan Leahy, the newly elected Bishop of Limerick, Ireland commented: “At the school of a charism – which is a gift of the Holy Spirit – we must let ourselves be shaped so that, above all, we ourselves can be reformed in our very being; and not only at the level of the individual but also in the communal life among us. Reform always begins from a new experience of God. By living in the light of this charism we have an experience of God that is then communicated beyond us, in all relationships.”

This was the source of the effective and affective collegiality that was lived out with particular intensity during those 10 days together. One expression of that mutual love was the rich exchange of experiences of the practice of the Gospel in daily life and its effect in their pastoral mission.

Interview with Cardinal Joao Aviz

“I realized that above all I must create a relationship of love with the people I work with and with those I come to meet. I should have no other measure but love,” recounted Cardinal Joao Aviz, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Consecrated Life. “Just for the fact of listening, half the problems are already resolved. Then, one day, I realized that on the cross Jesus received no answer to his cry: ‘My God, my God why have you abandoned me?’ This really struck me. God’s times are not our times. Then, where there seemed to be no solution, the situation suddenly changes.”

The gathering began with the bishops’ commitment to live in profound unity with the Pope and to live Jesus’ new commandment, which they solemnly and openly declared at the celebration of the Eucharist. The gathering concluded at the final mass with the re-consecration to Jesus crucified and forsaken, who is the measure of this love that embraces and transforms the sufferings of the Church and humanity.

By Carla Cotignoli

Italy: Young People and Legality

Aug 11, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

One young woman wrote to her peers from the Meeting 20013 at Caserta, Italy: “I return home enriched with each of you in my heart.” “Working shoulder to shoulder, understanding one another, struggling, dreaming, working deep into the night, feeling discouragement and beginning again, believing . . . All of this done TOGETHER has deeply united us. It’s impossible to turn back!”. Meeting 2013 “Legality – the protagonists of our land” turned out to be a benchmark event for the 500 young people who took part, due to the deep awareness and involvement. The words of Pope Francis in Rio echoed over the miles: “The youth are the window through which the future enters the world. Don’t be left standing at the window of life!” The participants were convinced: “to trigger a change, we need to begin from ourselves.” For young people from northern to southern Italy it was an opportunity to face up to the wound of illegality that spreads throughout the country and heal it with love. Challenges and a call for proposals  emerged from the discussion with journalist Roberto Mazzarella.    Three afternoon sessions: “Legality and the Environment; Legality and Welcome, and Legality and Work, involved a close discussion between the young people and presenters who are on the front lines in giving their witness in the struggle for Legality. Among these was Enrico Fontana, in charge of the Ecomafia of the Lgambiente Party; Fr. Maurizio Patriciello, parish priest from Caivano and stron defender of legality in the “terra dei fuochi;” Dr. Antonio Marfella, oncologist, and Ivan Vitali, economist and director of the conVoi Association. “Legality is not the objective. It’s not a value, but an instrument for reaching the goal that is justice.” These words, spoken by national president of the Libera Party, Fr. Luigi Ciotti sent a thrill through the crowd. “How can love become connected to legality?” the young people wanted to know. Strong words followed: “There’s no legality without equality,” “if people’s personal human dignity is not respected, then legality becomes an instrument of power and exclusion.” He went on: “A well-founded allegation is also a proclamation of salvation,” but “the great sin of today is called delegating;” whereas, every individual “should assume personal responsibility,” which is the third leg of the democratic stool. “What are we willing to pay for our choices to remain faithful to our ideals?” asked the young people in a loud voice. The answers were measured against the events of the mornings in 11 work fields of lands confiscated from the mafia: we need to create community, to become an us that brings back legality. Temporary Procurator of the DDA of Bari, Giuseppe Gatti and RAI journalist Gianni Bianco gave testimony of this us in the book they co-authored, “La legalita del NOI” (The legality of “us”). Sociologist Vera Araujo, from the Focolare Movement, coined a term that summarized the experience and content of the Meeting: the culture of relationships, which pre-supposes and goes beyond legality, but demands action and interaction for the building of community wherever there are people on the fringes of life. The young people also signed a manifesto summarizing their commitments in five points. The next appointment is at “LoppianoLab 2013” (September 20, 2013 – September 22, 2013) for “Safeguarding Italy, creating the future together” and Project “Slot-Machine” which rewards civil virtues in regions that have given up gambling. This project will begin a tour of Italy at the end of September. A memento of the Meeting was left at Caserta, a 120m² mural which the young people took turns painting for 90 hours. It depicts an explosion of colour spewing from a simple pipe. Watch video on Youtube By Victoria Gómez

A carpet from afar

Aug 6, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

For years Mario has worked at a company that recently began to hire many Bangladesh workers. He recounts: “At first it wasn’t easy, but then things got better. They were making an effort to learn the work and were offered assistance when the language became a problem. Well, there was some lingering mistrust, especially in the departments.” Mario doesn’t talk much, but very observant and able to know what people are thinking. He sees their problems and listens with interest, this is why he’s a good man to work with.

Then one day something else happened that regarded a colleague at work. It bothered Mario and he talked about it with his wife, Silvia: “Hossain has to go back to Bangladesh for the holidays. He asked that someone accompany him, after being paid, to the airport. If only you knew how much grumbling there was then, everyone saying that he could manage it on his own, and should they lose a day of vacations in order to do him this favour?” Mario hesitated and coughed a bit, as Silvia moved cups and dishes around the kitchen. “You go, if you feel like it,” his wife suggested. “If you were the one in need, you’d be glad to find people who were willing to help, wouldn’t you?” “Yeah, I have thought about it. It’s a long trip, but I don’t want him to pay.” “You do well, and pay no attention to the criticism from others.”

The day came. Everyone said goodbye to Hossain with a certain joking and euphoria: “Don’t trust this one,” someone said, “you never know where he’ll take you!” “But go on,” says another, “you didn’t feel like taking him, but Mario yes, I’d certainly trust myself to him anytime!” Mario and Hossain departed and travelled for 200 kilometres, but when Hossain wanted to repay him for the ride Mario reiterated: “I don’t want anything, I’m glad to take you and wish you a good trip. I know it will be a bit tiring, but you’ll be happy once you see your children and friends!”

Hossain was visibly moved, he didn’t expect this! A hasty farewell, boarding and then Mario was on his way back home. A month went by, a quiet month, at lunch they often spoke of Houssain and his upcoming return. “And how will he get back?” the family asked. His return is taken care of, Mario informed them, because some of his countrymen who will be travelling with him will give him a lift to his house. When Houssain returned to the factory, Mario was waiting to meet him and listen to all the stories about his visit to another side of the world, where the daily struggles can even involve sharing in the emotional fatigue of having to leave and return to one’s family and loved ones.

He hadn’t long to wait. When he tracked him down, he found Houssain excited and happy. He told of his visit, how his children had grown and the feasts with relatives. . . Then he unrolled a large carpet before the Italian. Mario looked at it with curiosity but never expected to hear Houssain say: “A carpet for you.” Mario’s eyes widened as he thought of how Silvia would be surprised. She had never received a gift like this! It seemed like the flying carpet from those stories he read as a child when he had dreamt of flying on a magic carpet to faraway lands. He closed his eyes and dreamt again, but there was Houssain’s carpet still in front of him, a token of gratitude and a seal on a friendship that had the flavour of a fairy tale.

Annamaria Gatti

Chiara Luce at the WYD: “Until next time!”

Aug 4, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Franz, you wrote the book. What has the life of Chiara Luce left with you?

“Chiara can truly be a model for everyone, believers and non-believers alike, because what she believed in is the same as what every person of good will believes in: striving to love, being attentive to the person near you, living the present moment. Another important thing – and in this she is such an efficacious model for the times we are now living in – simplicity: she’s simple. Her way is not an easy one, but neither is it complicated. For her, of course, this meant going through something very painful, a narrow passage, cancer, one of the most painful cancers. But Chiara didn’t become a saint only because of what she went through with the illness, but because one baby-step at a time, from the time she was a small child she had learnt to  say her “yes” in doing God’s will: whether it was racing around on her bicycle, gathering mushrooms with her Dad, or going for chemotherapy. What led to the great moment of her beatification was undoubtedly the greatness and the lightness, the levity and the love with which she lived all these things.

It was also due to the small population of people that surrounded her from when she was small – her parents and her friends from the Focolare Movement. Moment by moment they shared in both her joys and in her sorrows. There was a mutual “nourishing” exchange among them. These people were enriched, but they also communicated strength and energy to Chiara to go forward.”

How has the reception of Chiara Luce’s life been among young people?

“Even those who don’t know her, who don’t know anything or very little of her,  I don’t know, in some mysterious way – they fall in love with this person. We can talk about her, write books, but my impression is that Chiara Luce doesn’t talk on TV or on the radio. She talks to the individual heart of each person. In some mysterious way she manages to create a personal relationship with her. And this is marvelous. This has been the case for her mother, her father and also for me. I have a stronger relationship with her now than when she was still alive.”

I asked Teresa Badano, Chiara’s mother, for her impressions after having been part of WYD in Brazil.

“It was all marvelous, perhaps because we arrived here with a simple attitude of awaiting, waiting to see what surprises would be in store for us, trying to live each moment in love. Then everything became beautiful. We lived a little bit of what Chiara Luce has taught us: to live in a normal way something that was not normal for us who never leave our house, except for the past several years. We tried to do the will of God that was presented to us in such a wonderful context.”  

Here you could sense the impact Chiara Luce had on the young people. . .  

“We certainly realized that she had a special grace for the young people. Her experience is valid for all children and teenagers like her. She offered her life for the young people. But all those faces, all those embraces that don’t want to let you go. . . for us who are nothing! They just overwhelm us! It’s marvelous. . . You see so much joy in the young, which comes from the heart. She transmits a bit of Heaven to them and they transmit it to us.”

“Yes, many times. There was one teenager who was undecided. It seemed he had a vocation, but he was really uncertain. Suddenly he felt that Chiara Luce was saying to him: “This is your way.” And he jumped into it. Now he’s a focolarino. Even those who have only heard talk of her or seen her photo have been touched by her gaze, by that interior beauty, but that fire she had within. For sure God wishes to fulfill the plan he has in mind for each one of these young people. As Cardinal Joao Aviz said while bidding us farewell, “This is only the beginning of what Chiara has begun to do. We’re only at the beginning here, because it’s going to be something huge, huge, and it will continue.”

We stand waiting. As Chiara Luce said in her last greeting to the youths and young people of the world: “Until next time!”

Compiled by Carla Cotignoli (Brazil)

Great Britain: launch of new Focolare website

Aug 1, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

This year the Mariapolis for Great Britain will be held in the beautiful setting of Cefn Lea in mid Wales during the period 29th July -2nd August. What is a Mariapolis? It is an event organized by the Focolare Movement and is characteristic of its spirit: it is a gathering of people of all ages and backgrounds, spending a few days together putting into practice the universal values of the Christian Gospel. The main guideline for these gatherings, which take place in many countries throughout the world, is the ‘Golden Rule’, which invites us to do to others what we would like to be done to us. It is an opportunity to experience what happens in day-to-day life when we have listening, gift of self and sharing as the basis for our relationships. During the Mariapolis in Wales, the new official website for Great Britain will be launched. Visit the new site at: www.focolare.org/gb

Pope Francis to the young people in Rio: “Go, do not be afraid, and serve”

Jul 29, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

“Christ has confidence in young people and entrusts them with the very future of his mission, ‘Go and make disciples.’” These were the first words spoken by Pope Francis upon his arrival in Brazil, speaking before civil and religious leaders where there to welcome him. In his homily at the mass celebrated with three million people on Copacabana beach, at the conclusion of WYD, the Pope appealed to young people: “Jesus is calling you to be a disciple with a mission! Today, what is the Lord saying to us? Three simple ideas: Go, do not be afraid, and serve. Simple but engaging words, like so many other words spoken during the week in Rio de Janeiro. Now the young people return to their own cities and countries, families, groups, associations and congregations, invited by the Pope to “make some noise,” to stir up the waters, to take into account both their peers and elders, to live out the faith in its entirety. Donna from Lebanon: “The Pope’s language is simple and direct, language that is more adapted to today’s times.” Joaquin from Argentina, who followed WYD from afar: “’Making noise means’ being a force that pushes society. I really felt part of Francis’ equation: youths – elderly – adults. Today it’s the young people and so it’s up to me. I like this more general vision, which is the correct one.” Daniela (Italy): “This ‘reciprocity among generations’ to which we have been so insistently invited by Pope Francis, will be an explosive force, a mutual help. What I go away with from the WYD is the desire to live my life in a more radical way, and to go out every day, day in and day out, trying to be this window that allows the future of the world to come in!” Iggy, (New Zealand): “This WYD is push to make a revolution, to ‘win over’ other young people to a life like this. Especially because, in my country of New Zealand, there aren’t many people believing in God.” From young people of Rio de Janeiro who too part in the ecumenical and interreligious dialogue group: Fuminori (Catholic): “The WYD is the proof of what is happening in Rio among Catholics, Methodists, Baptists and others. Non-Catholics helped out foro this World Youth Day, welcoming young people into their own homes with fraternal hospitality.” Carlos (Presbyterian): “The WYD has brought a new spirit to the city. There’s music, celebrating and a tone of voice that is above institutions. These are young people of Christ. They bring a new form of religious identification that passes through institutional walls.” Fernando (Muslim): “I see the WYD as something very positive, because it allows young people from different places to talk about principles and values that are very important for everyone. It was also an encounter with God, and that always brings marvelous results for the renewal of faith in everyone.” Among the young people who have fulfilled their journey responding to the call of God, was Blessed Chiara Luce Badano. When asked if she had ever seen young people change their lives through contact with her daughter, Maria Teresa responded: “Even of those who only heard talk of her or seen her photo, they weren’t just touched by the lovely photo, but by what she was saying to them through that gaze, which expressed what was in her soul, by that fire she had within. Yesterday I was thinking to myself: ‘God certainly wishes to fulfill the plan he has in mind for each one of these young people.’ And so, let’s entrust them to her.” Maria Voce recently wrote a letter to the members of the Focolare in which she invited everyone to go to “the existential peripheries, to any place where people no longer find the centre of their being because they cannot find God. All of us, through God’s grace alone, have met Him. We are called to remain there, immersing ourselves in this disoriented humanity to bring it back to its centre,” and she went on to say: “I think that Chiara herself wanted nothing less, because since always she saw the ‘great attraction’ of ‘being lost in the crowd, in order to influence it with the divine life” [1]. Following the days in Rio, there is a new road for us to follow together. See you in Krakow! [1] Lubich, Chiara. Essential Writings (New York: New City Press, 2007), p. 213.

Learning Fraternity: the Schools in Northern Ireland

Jul 28, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

It is March 20th 1993: in Warrington, in the English Cheshire County, the IRA launches one of its bloodiest attacks: two bombs explode within minutes from each other downtown, wounding 56 persons and killing two kids, Jonathan Ball, three years old, and Tim Perry, 12 years old, who will die, after a five-day life-and-death struggle. Already before the bomb attack, two schools, one Catholic and one Protestant, on the two principals’ initiative, tried to overcome the rigid division between Catholic and Protestant students, that usually attend separate schools. What took place inWarrington left a deep mark, creating an outrage wave, but also the will to change things. As years went by, indeed the involvement widened, and it was the turn of Belfast, capital city of Ulster, where two schools of the same suburb, one Protestant and one Catholic, started to build a mutual collaboration and brotherhood relationship. These two institutes were quickly joined by a third one from EIRE. In this way a “circle of schools” was born, where the so-called art of loving is proposed by means of the cube of love. Kevin Mc Keague is the principal at St James Catholic School (Belfast): “I heard once from Chiara Lubich that of the three ideals of the French Revolution, brotherhood was the least developed … This is true here in Belfast as well, segregated as we are in two communities … Therefore I saw in my meeting with David (the principal at the Protestant School) the opportunity to build bridges and to bring in our communities an injection of love and brotherhood.” David McConkey is the principal at the Whitehouse Protestant School (Belfast): “I was deeply convinced that education plays a fundamental role in promoting peace, through a number of initiatives where students of different religious traditions can meet face to face”. Declan O’Brien, principal at St Conleth School in the Republic of Ireland: “At first sight, I was so struck by the unity between the two schools of Northern Ireland , and by the true testimony of unity and brothe rhood between Kevin and David, that I decided I wanted to share with them their project, introducing the cube of love in my school: in this way different schools could live together the art of loving.  In 2009 the Protestant school in Belfast was completely destroyed by an arson, a tragedy shared by the other two schools, which organized together a solidarity concert, whose title was “everybody for everybody”. A lot of students with their parents from the three schools took part, together with the unionist mayor and the parish priest, both representatives of communities clearly divided, and who would normally not be invited on the same stage together. Thanking all the participants for their presence, the mayor said: “You all are giving a strong testimony in your community and in the country”. A local newspaper wrote of kids that “show us a road map”. At a certain point the concrete possibility came out, that the school could no longer be rebuilt, also due to the lack of funds. This difficulty was immediately shared among students and staff of the three schools and it was decided to organize a decent but strong protest in front of theParliamentBuilding inBelfast. The Parliament Committee for Education, composed by members of different parties, was deeply struck by this proof of solidarity. On the same day the reconstruction of the Protestant school was officially announced. In these three friendly school it was introduced the art of loving, originally proposed by Chiara Lubich as an antidote to egocentrism, discrimination, bullying. The art of loving is the original collection of a number of genuinely christian ideas, that constitute an harmonic synthesis of the different requirements of love. At the same time it reminds the idea of exercise, continuous effort, in order to make it a living and active reality. O’Brien explains us that the students put this art into practice both at school and at home, showing how this art helps them in being more tolerant, broadminded and open to others: “One of the students was sistematically made fun of by two others. This all took place, without the teachers even noticing it. There was the risk of revenge, and also of broadening the circle of hate. The proposal of putting the art of loving into practice broke this mechanism up, giving the students the courage to positively change things. The situation quickly improved”. As time went by, the communities linked to the three schools found themselves more and more united, also thanks to events like “Drums for peace”, during which students read poems, sing and display art works, whose main theme is peace … besides drumming, of course! Originally these drums were used to announce opposing groups during political rallies, now they announce peace! During “Drums for peace” a winning poem is regularly chosen. In 2010 the choice fell on the one written by Aiden Doyle (eight years old) from Belfast. It was written after some clashes risked to plung Northern Ireland back into the dark years of civil war. In those days a policeman and two soldiers were killed. With the typical kids’ naturalness Aiden writes: “That policeman who died was somebody’s father…” and asked not to turn back in the peace process. These simple and convincing words by Aiden made news and reached the news programme of the national channel giving a strong contribution to promotion and education for peace. “This is not only an educational experience”- an observer tells- “but also a social one, that teaches how to overcome boundaries, not only between different communities, between North and South, but also barriers of religion, language and culture”. Source: Northern Ireland: An agreement among three Schools, in order to rebuild fraternal relations LEARNING FRATERNITY: international conference-workshop on Education Programme, information and registration ‘Good practices’ preparing the event Castel Gandolfo (Roma) , 6 – 8 September 2013

Alejandro: A Trail of Light

Jul 26, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

His friend Chava tells us that “Alejandro never waited to receive when he had an opportunity to give. He showed great patience with us, and waited for us as we tried to learn and live the spirituality of unity. Alejandro was killed while he was doing something worthwhile – visiting a cousin in hospital. He died while loving, as we would all like to die. I ask myself if I am really very radical in the way I live the Gospel, as radical as he was. His death is life, not darkness. It’s a strong push to live our ideal more radically, following Jesus all the way.”

On Saturday, 20 July 2013, Alejandro received the daily “password” via WhatsApp. The “password” is a brief slogan that Focolare members try to put in practice throughout the day. That day the slogan was: ‘Our final exam will be on whether we have loved our neighbour.’ He immediately responded to his friend Andrea who had sent him the password: “These are powerful words and, yes, you’re right, we have to live it.” Just a few minutes later he was at the hospital bedside of an ill cousin. Suddenly two assassins entered to murder someone, and the unfortunate witnesses of the crime were also killed.

For the Young For Unity Group in Torreon, Mexico – an area immersed in violence – it was a shocking blow, and yet they responded courageously “so that the spiritual richness would not be lost” of their friend’s life with whom they shared a commitment to give witness to universal brotherhood and to spread a culture of non-violence.

Alejandro met the young people of the Focolare in 2011. Right away he wanted to know more about the ideal that animated their lives, and he began living Jesus’ message with them. His life became a testimony of God’s love for others, in everything he did: in the family, with his friends, at work and with many other people as well.

“I knew him from when we first began this adventure,” Willie recounts, “I was very struck by his willingness and his ability to immediately put into practice every new point of the spirituality of unity that he discovered.”

“What struck me most about him,” says David, “was seeing the strong mark that he’s left in so many people. . . and also his great desire and thirst for God.”

The Gen from Torreon write: “We consider our friend, Alexander, as a martyr for the united world, and for this reason his blood is not a tragedy, but a blessing for anyone who wants to unite in the battle for peace in our region, in our country and in the world.

During these days when the World Youth Day is taking place in Brazil, Pope Francis has urged more than a million young people to be radical in the faith. Alejandro is certainly someone who did not step back, but took this invitation to heart. And he put into practice Chiara Lubich’s constant appeal to the young: “Aim high!” This is why he leaves behind such a trail of light!