Amidst a constant rainfall, wind, cold, and chaotic traffic jams the Carlos Gomes theatre of Rio de Janiero was filled with a large crowd of young people. They came from faraway places, speaking in French, Spanish, English and Brasiliera. They had come to know the beloved Chiara Luce Badano, who is described among the intercessors of the WYD as “someone who lived totally abandoned to Jesus.”
Blessed Chiara Luce Badano was born in Sassello, Italy, in 1971. The WYD website states: “At 10 years of age she had a powerful experience of meeting God, which changed her life and that of her parents. From that moment on she decided to live the Gospel in a more radical way, striving to love all the people around her. At 18 years of age she was diagnosed with bone cancer. She lived every stage of the painful illness with great courage. The prayer proposed to her by WYD: “Help me to conquer the challenges of my youth, so that I can give my life over to Jesus Christ without reserve.”
To make her better known 80 youths and young people – dancers, musicians, singers and the entire production staff – devoted themselves to the arduous task for a good six months previous to the show that was presented on July 24, 2013 at WYD Rio. They believed beyond hope that they would find the money to cover all the expenses, but the communion of goods among the Focolare community in Brazil covered the entire cost before the show was even ready.
The show is called “Holiness Dressed in Jeans,” (www.chiaraluce.org) and it presents the brief life of Blessed Chiara Luce with color, rhythm and explosions of the joy that are typical of the Brazilian land. During a few moments of such profound and unique depth, the hall fell silent as it admired this young girl who transformed suffering into love, thanks to the love of her “Spouse” – Jesus crucified and forsaken. This intense passage was represented in an engaging mime with images of personal and social suffering projected on the stage’s large backdrop.
Each of the evening shows lasted no more than an hour, leaving the young people with an incredible thirst to know more about Chiara Luce and about her life, which they could begin to do by reading the book “25 minutos” by Franz Coriasco, which they received, and by visiting the website www.chiaraluce.org.
Many in the audience left their impressions about the show: “I was converted,” “I’ve rediscovered my ideal in life,” “it was like reawakening to a more radical life,” “we are enchanted by the beauty of Chiara Luce’s life,” and there were many others.
Three shows were foreseen at the Carlo Gomes theathre, but the endless line of young people that reached around and encircled the entire block, prompted them to ask the WYD Local Organizing Committee to allow a fourth show! In a short time, in spite of logistic difficulties, and the tiredness of the actors, permission was granted. To everyone’s great joy the parents of Chiara Luce showed up at this final show – Maria Teresa and Ruggero Badano. They had been at St. Francis Hospital for the Pope’s visit, accompanied by Chicca who was a personal friend of Chiara Luce.
Each show ended with a standing ovation. But it didn’t end there. The Youth for a United World in San Paulo have asked for the show to be performed in their city as well.
On the eve of his departure for Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis said: “Youth will be taking the leading role during this week”. And this is precisely what is happening! The young people are the protagonists of the extraordinary welcome given to the Pope, of the great joy that fills the “cidademaravilhosa” during these days, of the opening ceremony at Copacabana, of the various events that are taking place in different parts of the city. 500,000 were present at Copacabana, and two million are expected to be present during the week-end. The young people of the Focolare Movement have been present with their stand at Vocations Fair since Tuesday, July 23. This fair is being held at Quinta Boa Vista in a very large park and it is offering young people the opportunity to encounter and get to know deeper the various ecclesial realities present at WYD. At this fair, the youth of the Focolare are presenting Chiara Luce Badano, the United World Project and Escola Civitas. They have also set up a tent at Largo da Carioca, at the city centre, from where they are distributing the book “25 minutos: a vida de Chiara luce”, the Portugese edition of the biography of Chiara Luce, written by Franz Coriasco, an agnostic friend of hers. The foundation “Aid to the Church in need” has given its support towards this edition published by Cidade Nova. “A santidade veste jeans”, a musical about Chiara Luce’s life produced by group of young Brazilians, was held on Wednesday 24 at the Carlos Gomes Theatre. An extra fourth show had to be presented to cater for a number of young people queuing outside the theatre to the see the musical. Maria Teresa and Ruggero Badano, Chiara Luce’s parents, unexpectedly attended this fourth show. They arrived at the theatre to see the show after having taken part in the welcome given to Pope Francis on his visit to St. Francis Hospital. “On stage one could see young people enchanted with the simple and yet extraordinary life of Chiara Luce”, says Rosamari, a Brazilian. “Chiara Luce, a young girl like us, makes it clear that holiness is not something of the past”. On the same evening, on the other side of the city at the “Riocentro” Conference Centre, the Gen Rosso were presenting their show “Dimensione indelebile” (Indelibile Dimension). And on the 25th, they were at Varginha – in the favela of Manguinho – together with 200 young people following a recovery programme from addiction through art – to animate the festive celebration prepared to welcome the Pope. July 24 was also the day when young members of the Focolare Movement, together with friends from the Religions for Peace Global Youth Network, were engaged in the organization of the interreligious meeting “Go and build peace in all nations”. These young people were at Estácio de Sá, and from 18.00 to 20.00 they discussed dialogue and various forms of action as part of their common committment to promote peace. The highlights of this day were the Pope’s visit to Aparecida and to St.FrancisHospital, where he inaugurated a new wing dedicated to integral care. These were occasions where one could see gestures and hear words that touch the heart, penetrate the mind and urge one to follow them. At the end of the day, when the Holy Father spoke to the young people gathered at “Casa Italia”, he gave them a message that could be addressed to everyone. He told them: “Trust Christ, listen to him, follow his footsteps. He never abandons us, not even in the darkest moments of our life. He is our hope. Tomorrow at Capocabana, we will go deeper into this truth, which brightens our life. See you tomorrow!” Press ReleaseFocus: Youth Week kicks off with an interreligious meetingFocus: WYD 2013: Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro Updated on July 26, 2013 BF – LH SIF – Focolare Information Service
“I arrived at a time of crisis, searching for answers to social and existential questions, and here I’ve found a powerful answer.” So says one of the many people who came from all over the Southern Cone (Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina) to take part in the School for Social Studies (EDS) that was held on July 6-8, 2013 at Mariapolis Lia, one of the Focolare’s small towns in Argentina.
There were three days of intense reflection and dialogue, which took off from the life experience of people engaged in human development. Some had many years of experience and others were just beginning. They worked together, trying to give answer to that fundamental question that is put to Cain by God: “Where is your brother?” It is a rather disturbing question that happened to coincide in those days with the strong appeal made by Pope Francis while visiting the island of Lampedusa, Italy where many African migrants land in the hope of finding better living conditions, and where many are often shipwrecked.
“What has most struck me during these days is seeing so many people from so many different geographical areas working at all levels of society, but all working with the same objective in mind: to love. Everything was so important that I want to start applying it right away.” The projects and activities in which those attending are involved are geared towards restoring human dignity among garbage heaps, health and community centres, centres for educational training and assistance, projects for the preservation of indigenous cultures, the promotion of social tourism, centres for the disabled, volunteer programmes in several NGOs and State entities, project administration, homeless shelters, social centres, trade unionists, business directors, politicians. . . The very fact of having all these people together to share their experiences was already very enriching.
The course was focused more on the social interests of the participants and their fields of endeavour rather than academic debates. And it favoured “gathering knowledge that was based on life experiences.”
“I take many tools and ideas with me, which I can apply to social projects in one of the high risk quarters where we are working.” “Expectations were amply met: I’ve attended previous courses and I feel that we are gradually growing in this call to social involvement in our cities.” “Thanks a million! Here we have learned to be in order to return home and do.”
Youth Week– this is the expression Pope Francis used last Sunday, July 21 at the end of the Angelus, when he spoke about the long-awaited meeting for young people atRio de Janeiro. And thus began the week during which there will be meetings, moments of prayer, of celebration….a week full of life! The young people are waiting for Francis, who like them carried his own briefcase to the plane. This week started with a programming until now unprecedented in organizing these events.
An “interreligious meeting for Catholics, Jews and Muslims” was held on Sunday July 21. Two hundred young delegates participated in this meeting promoted by the Local Organizing Committee and hosted by the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) inRio de Janeiro. “We started WYD by aiming at its core: accepting differences” said Josafá Siqueira, the University Rector.
Members of the Focolare Movement are involved in the interreligious dialogue group that meets every month in Rio and that launched this initiative. Victor Gomes, a native of Rio and one of the delagates at the conference related to us: “The participants were divided into small groups where various issues were discussed. Some of those present never did this kind of experience and they were filled with new hope. The leaders of the various religions have shown great interest and brotherhood. They treated each others as equal; there was no one who felt superior to any of the rest.”
Chiara Luce, a girl full of vitality, but, suddenly, she fell gravely ill. And, strangely, moment by moment, a new life full of light began to unfold for her.She was eighteen when she died, yet she had lived to the full.
“It was beautiful to see our generation working and sweating for an ideal of love and solidarity without receiving anything in return . . . And I hope this helps to change the common opinion that teenagers are just lazy and uncaring. Because we’re the living proof that even if we’re young, with love and a bit of will we can accomplish something that’s great, entertaining as well as significant by putting ourselves in the game!”
These were words shared by one of the 120 youths and teenagers (8-17 years of age) from several regions of Lombardy, Italy. On June 15, 2013 he and his peers performed in the Musical “Rays of Light.” The show was thought up and desired by these young members of the Focolare to be a musical rendition, through word and song, of the extraordinary life of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano who was a youth and teenager like them. They wanted the underlying message of her life to be conveyed to as many hearts as possible. The workshop gathered together 70 youths from northern Italy on June 26-30 at Sassello, the city where Chiara Luce was born.
These are some examples of the kaleidoscope of activities that Teens for Unity have been promoting throughout Italy as they take on the most diverse, demanding and also very current issues. There is always one common denominator: to build bridges in the midst of their cities that lead to a more united world. In Tuscany 45 youths between the ages of 9 and 12 “exercised.” They began gradually, first setting in place columns of friendship and true values. . . Then they did the rest. It was a different approach, yes, but often it produced a wealth of unexpected results.
Their impressions express the intensity of the moments they shared: “During a period of much doubting, this experience has been like a trampoline for me to begin again loving and to rediscover the joy there is in loving others freely.” Another says: “Some of my friends were competing with each other to see who could be first at supper. But one boy was exhausted and just couldn’t keep up with everyone else. So I thought of our motto and went back to keep him company.”
In Umbria, Italy, 65 youths went “in search of happiness” with the help of some experts from the field of psychology who explained to them how it has been scientifically proven that loving makes you happy. Longs nature walks, workshops, sporting matches and musical sessions were opportunities to build and share deep friendships.
“Big Bang, an explosion that unites” was the title of another meeting in Calabria, Italy. It involved 150 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16 from Calabria and Sicily. Some of the distinguished guest speakers included the D’Agostino’s, parents of the police officer who was murdered by the mafia.The D’Agostino’s helped raise awareness among the teenagers, of the importance of legality. Meanwhile, on the other side of the peninsula, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, another workshop gathered fifty teenagers beneath a banner containing five slogans: “Always joyful,” “Stay on the ray,” “Love always,” “Begin again,” and “Live the present moment.”
There was “Stop’n Go 3,” the third Teens for Unity Camp in Lazio, Italy, on July 17-21, 2013. Daily activities alternated with moments for solidarity – like visiting a rest home or working on ecological projects – and moments for reflection provided by experts in the field of feelings and emotions, and in the field of dialogue between Christians and Muslims.
Not the usual holiday vacations, then, but 100% love!”affirmed one of the young protagonists. And from Austria to Brazil more new projects and activities are planned or already under way.
A man of great humility, Piergiorgio had a gift for placing himself at the service of others with intelligence, deep listening and understanding.
He passed away on the morning of July 17, 2013, following a brief, serious and unexpected illness. He was surrounded by family members and focolarini.
Born in Turin, Italy, in 1930, he met the Focolare in 1956. Later he attended the first Mariapolises in Fiera di Primiero. In 1957 he married Simonetta and they became one of the first “family focolares.”
They moved to Rome in 1967 when Piergiorgio was asked to work in the Aid to the Church in Need Foundation. From 1987 he was asked by Chiara Lubich to hold various positions of responsibility in different sections of the Movement.
“I thank the Lord for the countless graces I’ve received since my encounter with the ‘Ideal of unity’ until today, and for the time that will remain to me and how I will be able to live it. But the will of God is all that matters, asking Him only, if it is possible, to be able to continue loving until the last moment,” he wrote this spring. “This phase of my life, whether it will be long or short, is full of light and peace, and I try only to live for God, for his Work, for the whole universal Church, in full unity with Pope Francis.” “The important thing is to do only what He has in His Heart and to reach Him.”
A funeral will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 15:00 in the Focolare’s international headquarters in Rocca di Papa, Italy.
In June, in two cities of Slovakia, a book was presented about the life of deceased French entrepreneur of the Economy of Communion (EoC), Francois Neveux.
The first presentation took place on June 12, 2013 in Kosice in the Hall of the Panta Rhei Library, which was not able to contain the large crowd. People came not only from nearby cities but also from Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. The participants had the most varied professional experiences as well. The audience included entrepreneurs and students, the unemployed and public workers. Also present were the local coordinators of the EoC in France,along with the wife of Francoise. In their presentation of him, they described Francois an “entrepreneur of relationships.”
Their testimony, in which they shared great and small experiences from his life, was especially appreciated, because “theories” can be argued and discussed, and different opinions emerge, but a life like that of Francois leaves no room for discussion.
On June 13, 2013 the presentationwas held in the capital city of Bratislava. It was attended by several political leaders who were interested in the EoC. A lively dialogue followed the presentations. One politician remarked: “The philosophy that lies beneath the EoC can help us to write innovative laws, and policies that are new. The EoC is the way.” The event was also covered by the Lux Catholic TV network in Slovakia, which helped in spreading the spirit behind the project.
In the capital of Slovakia there is also an historic business company that has adhered to the EoC. It is called In Vivo. For years it has produced ceramics and is widely known and appreciated for its originality. In Vivo began in 1991 just after the EoC began, based on the inspiration of Chiara Lubich in Brazil that same year.
“The relationships that were built certainly didn’t end with the presentation of a book,” writes Slovak Maja Calfova, “on the contrary, new relationships have begun and old ones have been strengthened,” bringing new energy also to the local EoC commission. One of its members stated: “We feel inside that we can’t rest until the EoC is incarnated in our land and in those around us.”
A book written with the heart. The testimony of one of the first young women from the city of Trent, Italy, who followed Chiara Lubich in a spiritual adventure that has gathered in millions of people. Vittoria Salizzoni(Aletta) was one those first companions along with Dori Zamboni, Graziella De Luca, Silvana Veronesi, Bruna Tomasi, Palmira Frizzera, Gisella and Ginetta Calliari,Natalia Dallapiccola, Giosi Guella, Valeria Ronchetti, Lia Brunet and Marilen Holzauser.
Aletta, as she was popularly known, lived with Chiara at the dawn of the Focolare. Her recollections – some published here for the first time – along with excerpts from talks and presentations, describe the exceptional adventure she lived; also her share for over twenty five years in building the Focolare Movement in the lands of the Middle East.
She shares her memories in a language that is simple and spontaneous not with the intention of sketching a history of the Movement, but with the desire of conveying the courage and vitality that accompanied the events. Now, at the age of 87 when asked how she feels, she responds: “I feel rich. . .”
We publish one excerpt from the book, Aletta racconta. . . una trentina con Chiara Lubich, Citta Nuova’s Per Series, in which she tells of her years in Lebanon during the war (1975-1990).
“In the midst of the hatred and the bombs we believed in the Gospel. In the midst of wounded and dead there was an oasis of people striving to live mutual love and communion of goods not only among themselves, but also with others, with Muslims as well.
There was so much mutual support, a veritable competition in offering flats, for example, and dwelling places to people with nowhere to stay. Many families opened their homes to those who were living in the most dangerous regions. Then there were some who had houses in the mountains or in secure locations, who offered hospitality to the ones who were left homeless.
When food supplies were scarce those who had bread distributed to those who had none; the same with water. The ones who went to collect water for themselves said to the others: “Give us your water containers and we’ll fetch some water for you.” And this meant standing for many hours at a fountain, always fearful that a bombardment could happen at any moment.
There were certainly experiences of loss, but our spiritual support for one another seemed to lead to material assistance as well. Everything grew from there and not like a mutual aid society but as a society in which the Gospel was being lived out.
We were all living in the same conditions, and so the only thing we could do was love, and the war could never prevent us from doing that – on the contrary! You could even say that it was forming us. We felt the continual support of the Focolare and the nearness of Chiara Lubich who followed us from afar, during those very difficult and troubling situations in Lebanon.”
Our educational system has introduced into the world people who no longer understand the society they are living in. This system is destined to destroy our civilization and already it has begun to do so. It is useless to blame the politicians, business people, lawyers… We have given many of our young people the first push to set them on a carrier of criminality. It is our own fault if the streets are full of juvenile delinquents. It is time to mend this madness. It is time to gather together these young people, who are so valuable for society, and feed them from the sources of Life.
If the results are not good – who among us can claim to have no responsibility? We should all examine ourselves and look again at our philosophy of life. Since we reject the teachings of religion it is difficult for us to realize how bad are the worst distortions brought about by secularism. Pushing religion away from our life means reducing culture to erudition, life to technology, science to technical manuals. It means depriving the human spirit of the values of the spirit. It means taking from society its constitutive principles which allow it to cohere and survive, removing from it the criterion of choice between good and evil, along with a sense of responsibility and the awareness of guilt. A culture without God is a culture without the idea of an infallible judge, and so it is one that gives clear and constant sanction to any kind of human act. And a citizen who does not believe and ignores any eternal sanction is easily drawn to abuse his or her neighbour. The person learns how to make a machine and ignores how he or she is made. Such a person knows how the atmosphere can be used, but has no idea what use the soul is.
Educating, forming others for life, is lighting a flame. If we wish to form young people capable of being raised above financial gain and sensual pleasure, we need lift them up with a faith that is superior to material goods and sensuality. The person is raised by a superhuman impulse, not one that creates a superhero, but one that confirms the likeness of God in that human being. This upward urge is called the love of God and of its own nature it expands its love to other people. It generates hunger and thirst for righteousness and the young person, longing for these, brings this hunger to society.
The flame once lit must be fed and the young person should be trained to guard and increase its heat and its light. He or she is in need of an education that does not remain infantile, but takes place in the midst of life and death, which is to say in everything necessary to create a blaze and give light. The light needs to be fed, and what feeds it is many things: words, books, recitals and above all the examples and the witness of experience. This living flame opens us to experience divine grace which urges us to seek out those who suffer most, who are the least able, the weak, the defeated, the scorned, to make up for what they lack with what we can give. It is necessary to strive to act like this, as it is necessary to strive to keep healthy, even when we are sick, indeed precisely because we are sick. We must all work together to bring about a social order of peace and strength, of co-operation and altruism, and we much become promoters of truth.
Igino Giordani, La società cristiana (Rome: Città Nuova, 2010, first pub. by Editrice Salesiana, 1942).
Members and friends of the Focolare representing various denominations were present alongside local clergy and ecumenical officers.
“The ecumenical legacy of the Vatican Council” was the cardinal’s theme, which he delivered not so much as a formal lecture, but as a personal account of his insights into ecumenism.
I
The cardinal began by recognising the contribution of the Focolare spirituality of unity and its ecumenical work, which pre-dated the Council. He spoke of Chiara Lubich as “one of the bright luminaries of our century, of the centuries” and considered her “numbered among the blessed in heaven.”
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor recalled the Council decree on ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, and its bold proclamation that “there is no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart … without inner conversion, newness of attitude and unstinted love.”
He cited suspicion, inertia and impatience as the three enemies of ecumenism. Drawing on his own experience both in his time as a priest and later bishop of Arundel and Brighton, and in latter years as archbishop of Westminster, the cardinal summed up the ecumenical endeavour as something that begins locally from a relationship with those around us believing that “ecumenism is blessed where people are.”
Among the milestones since Vatican II, the cardinal highlighted Pope John Paul II’s visit to Canterbury Cathedral in 1982, which he described as “a beginning of new life, new hope.” The cardinal also cited the importance of Pope Francis’ recent meeting with Archbishop Justin Welby.
The Cardinal concluded his lecture by recalling Pope Francis’ recent address where he urged that bishops might be ‘shepherds for the flock … to tend hope and have sun and light in their hearts’. In recalling the Pope’s words, Cardinal Cormac communicated an optimism reminiscent of the Vatican Council. This was not simply a looking back with nostalgia at the good old days but a looking forward conscious that ‘the work of ecumenism is God’s work’ and our joint task is ‘to communicate God’s love to his people with that same sun and light in our lives’.
Following a question and answer session, Bishop Robin Smith, retired Anglican Bishop of Hertford, offered a vote of thanks reiterating the Cardinal’s affirmation of personal relationships in ecumenism and underlined that it is on these that the future of the Church, not least the unity of the Church, depends.
They come from the most varied backgrounds, lands and cultures: Albania, Ukraine, Georgia, Morocco, Senegal, Romania, Nigeria and Belarus. Like many of their fellow countrymen and women they are leaving behind dramatic situations, as well as their loved ones in the hope of finding work and a better future for their lives.
They have landed in Acquaviva delle Fonti, a town of the Bari province which, like other southern Italian towns, has become the destination or crossing point for many who are dreaming of a better life. The Focolare community here has for some time felt summoned by their presence: “We had it in our hearts,” they write, “to see to it that these many foreigners/immigrants would feel welcomed in our city.” Personal relationships were established, bonds of friendship that overcame barriers and mistrust. “Three years ago,” they say, “we decided to organize a festival that we could all share during the Christmas season, so they could breathe in a bit of family atmosphere instead of the loneliness and marginalization that many unfortunately experience.” Our friendship became deeper and deeper.And now the Christmas festival has become an annual tradition. In what we call the ‘festival of the people’ our friends now feel free enough to extend the invitation to other foreign friends, and we are more than happy to welcome them.”
This year fifty people of all ages and religious backgrounds attended: “The family atmosphere that had been established in previous years was immediately renewed. Spontaneously people began sharing experiences about the journeyand arrival in Italy, putting in common both the sufferings and the joys.”
The proposal to live the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – as a basis uponwhich to build universal brotherhood and as a common point we could all share even amidst the diversity of our religious beliefs was immediately accepted by all because we had already experienced how “mutual love demolishes every distance. At the buffet which was served in the evening, alongside dishes that were prepared by the local community, there were also dishes from a variety of other countries that our friends had prepared. What gave everyone the most joy that evening was certainly the fact that we had experienced what it means to be a family.”
At the end of the evening, Abdul from Senegal invited some people from the community to take part in a prayer meeting in a neighbouring town: “Great was his joy and surprise when he saw us arriving. There were 200 Senegal Muslims there, barefoot and seated on prayer rugs, reading the Koran. Abdul introduced us to his spiritual leader and, then, two days later he was again deeply moved as he thanked us for our visit.”
Another concrete gesture was the opening of a listening booth that is carried ahead by the entire community in order to identify people’s needs and to provide expertise, offering Italian lessons to children and their parents, for example, or assistance in resolvingbureaucratic problems, finding medical treatments, and so on.
“This experience of family,” they conclude, “and the fruits that have grown from it make us certain that a united world is no utopia, but a reality already very much alive amongst us.”
A young Turkish man named Fathi, living in Basel , intoned Surah 134 of the Koran: “And Allah loves the doers of good!” With these words he took everyone right to the heart of the day’s message: love for neighour. Imam Muhammed Tas, also fromBasel, told of his weeklong ski holiday with parish priest Ruedii Beck and two others: “Together we cooked for each other. We saw where it was most comfortable for each other in the apartment, for our prayer. We were like a family where you learn from each other. Thanks to these friends I learned to ski much better. In Autumn we plan to have another holiday together, this time inTurkey.”
Abdul Jabbar Koubaisy, vice-president of the Muslim League in Poland, also expressed his admiration of the following Muslim saying: “Anyone who does not know how to thank God’s creatures will neither be able to thank their Creator.” Paul Lemarie from the Focolare Movement’s International Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue told about a Mariapolis in Macedonia with 35 Catholics, just as many Muslims and a dozen Orthodox Christians. Finally, a young Catholic woman offered her following testimony: “This gathering has deeply changed me. Up until now I only took my own faith into account and refused all the others: atheists, Muslims, even Orthodox Christians. Now I understand: God let’s his Sun rise on everyone.”
The focus of the dialogue on June 23rd in Baar was the experience of community that is already possible when there is respect for the diversity. As a way of delving into this topic Imam Mohammed Tas introduced a video recording of a talk given by Chiara Lubich in 2002 at the congress for Muslim Friends of the Focolare Movement in Castelgandolfo, Italy. “Love is quite an important thing in our religion,” Tas emphasised. “If a person doesn’t love, it means that he or she has a problem in their heart . . . Thirteenth century Muslim poet Yunus Emore, states: ‘I love you for love of the Creator!’ With these words he expresses the deepest love that can exist in a human being.”
And speaking with the words of Chiara Lubich: “What is needed is love for neighbour, that love that you find in many different religious environments, in forms of mercy, benevolence, compassion, or solidarity. Love of neighbour which, for us Christians, isn’t merely a human sentiment, but enriched by a divine spark, is called agape, love of a supernatural origin.”
There followed in the afternoon a period of prayer in different locations according to religions and then group meetings for a deep and enriching sharing on the art of loving, forgiveness and the Golden Rule. Imam Mustafa Oezturk, president of the association that groups the most mosques inSwitzerland, stated in his final remarks: “We’re learning a new grammar here. The traditional one begins with the word “me,” then comes “you” and then, lastly, “him” or “her.” But the grammar of love for neighbor begins with the word “you” and then comes “I” or “me.” And “He” or “She” possess a right that must always be respected; that you only speak well of them.”
“This is an invitation to be with the Pope as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.” “We willingly and joyfully respond to this invitation.” Wherever the Church is, that is where we must be. The WYD broadens your horizons. It changes you and helps you grow in the faith. And so we are strengthened in our daily difficulties: at school, at work, at home and so on. The WYD leaves a permanent mark in the hearts of all the youths who’ve ever attended one, and we are certain that the same will happen here as well.” The speakers are Maria and Leandro, two young people from the Focolare in Rio de Janeiro. They are on location and actively involved in the preparations of this grand world event, but they express a commitment that involves the Focolare in various ways around the world.
What awaits the pilgrims who will be there on July 22-28? There are five main events planned for this pilgrimage:
July 23: The World Youth Day Opening Mass in Copacabana.
July 25: Welcoming Ceremony with the Pope on the shores of Copacabana, first encounter between Pope Francis and the millions of young people from five continents.
July 26: Way of the Cross in Copacabanapresided by the Pope in the main park. The fourteen stations will retrace the path of Jesus with readings based on the great problems of today’s youth.
July 27: Prayer Vigil with the Pope at the Fidei di Guaratiba Campus. Among the fifty artistic groups that will animate this prayer vigil, there will also be the Gen Rosso international band that will present its musical “Streetlight” involving two-hundred youths from the Fazenda da Esperanca and other communities. Gen Rosso has been on tour in Brazil since May 2013: seven cities and more than a thousand youths have been involved on stage, in the presentation of the show to another ten thousand spectators.
July 28: The “sending out” Mass at ten o’clock, celebrated by the Holy Father, marking the end of the World Youth Day and announcing the location of the next WYD.
WYD week will be filled with many other events: the Vocations Fair where the Youth for a United World will also have a stand, along with many others who will be gathered together at the Youth Festival with a variety of presentations expressing their willingness to share the way they live the faith.
Among the more than three-hundred official events, on July 24 there will be a show presentation on “The Life of Chiara Luce,” the young Italian who was recently beatified and is one of the “intercessors” of WYD. The show has been put together by young people from the Focolare in Rio together with friends from other Catholic Movements, other Christian Churches and others who do not know much about Christianity. There is even a young Buddhist girl. They see the show as an opportunity to acquaint the WYD participants with the experience of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano who shortly before dying wrote: “The youth are the future. I can’t run anymore, but I’d like to pass my witness on to them, like in the Olympics. You have only one life, it’s worth it to spend it well.” Cidade Novahas published Franz Coriasco’s book on Chiara Luce (“Dai tettin in giu”) in collaboration with Aid to the Church in Need. Five-hundred-thousand copies will be distributed to the young people at WYD. On July 25 a prayer vigil and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be animated by the young people of the Focolare.
Pope Francis has many other activities scheduled for Brazil besides WYD. Among there is a visit to the Shrine of Aparecida; inauguration of the Integrated Care Campus at São Francisco da Tijuca Hospital, a center specializing in addiction recovery which is one of the main social focuses of the Rio WYD; a visit to a favela in northern Rio with the Varginha Community.
For more information on Gen Rosso in Brazil:
show at Aparecida with young people from the Fazenda da Esperança
Rede Globo (World network) presentation on the “Strong without violence” project
The critical issues of four contents were discussed in a rich exchange of views. The situation in Asia was presented by Andrew Reception, a Filippino who is president of the Association of Catholic Missiologists. In a continent where 52.8% of the world’s population lives and only 13.2% are Christian, the main challenge of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, which is unknown by the majority. This is carried out by means of cultural dialogue, which makes the local Church effectively present in the life of the people, and by means of dialogue with the great Asian religions, and work with the poor in solidarity with their struggle for a world that is more human.
A voice from another continent was heard from Martin Nizigiyimana, a Rwandan priest. He explained the current condition of the Church in Africa from a historical perspective ‘understanding even painful events as a growth crisis, which demands humility and cooperation to take responsibility in history for the kingdom of God in the world.’ In this context the Church is called to serve reconciliation, justice and peace. Africa is known for its problems, but now there is a new way of looking at the continent, suggested by Benedict XVI during the 2009 synod, which sees Africa as ‘an immense spiritual “lung” for humanity that seems to be in the midst of a crisis of faith and hope.’ In support of this there were three significant testimonies from the Focolare Movement in Africa: the work carried out as part of the new evangelization at Fontem in Cameroon, the school for inculturation at Nairobi in Kenya and the witness given by the permanent Mariapolis at Man in the Ivory Coast during the civil war.
From Latin America, linked via Skype from Buenos Aires, José Maria Poirier, the editor of the journal Criterio, offered an understanding of Cardinal Bergoglio before his election as pope: ‘He had a low media profile and was attentive to personal relationships. He was used to being in a position of responsibility and yet he constructed extremely fraternal relationships with both the clergy and laypeople. He had a culture of encounter and hence of dialogue.’ As insights into how his papacy would proceed, Poirier said, ‘Zero tolerance for abuse, clarity on the economy and Vatican finances, a change of style for the Roman Curia, inclination to build pastoral relations between the pope and the world’s bishops, concern for the poor, the people at the bottom of the pile, those who suffer as a result of social unrest.’
There were three interesting voices from European countries: Germany, Spain and Ireland each of with is going through challenging times in Church-State relations, particularly as regards the Roman Catholic Church. Christian Hennecke, head of pastoral mission in the north German diocese of Hildesheim, emphasized the economic difficulties, the need for growth in faith, the fall in numbers for all vocations. But it is precisely in this situation that new and promising ways of being Church are emerging. Hennecke said that among the ways ahead, which are a fruit of shared experience by Catholics and Protestants, there is a move to reinforce the Word of God lived in community.
But what is happening to the Church in Spain? asked Manuel Bru, a journalist and priest from Madrid. He too saw some significant points: the decrease in the Church’s public role, where laws are passed contrary to Roman Catholic doctrine; numerical decline, even among Movements; the abandoning of religious practice by young people and women; the loss of enthusiasm, and a feeling of weariness, among priests. How can the Church in Spain be better served? Bru’s reply was ‘By taking on board the new wave started by Pope Francis and focusing on the primacy of love in action.’
Bishop Brendan Leahy, the recently ordained Bishop of Limerick in Ireland, outlined some issues within the English-speaking world. Reference to the scandals of the last few years was unavoidable: ‘At times in the churches things happen that force us to take stock and move on in ways that we would never have done otherwise. In the present case there has been a discovery of the role of children and young people in the Church, not so much as the object of pastoral action but as rather as actors within the community’s life.’ In the face of a culture that is increasingly secularized there is a degree of polarization with the Roman Catholic Church: there are those who seek to follow the way of dialogue and those who seek to defend the faith from compromise. It is necessary to go beyond ideological outlooks, just a Pope Francis does. His style, the spontaneity of his actions and his freedom in expressing himself are striking even for those who do not go to Church.
These things are challenges, but they are also opportunities, where we can catch sight of ways ahead as we recognize the ‘signs of the times’. History needs to be rethought, therefore, ‘with a view that is grateful to the Holy Spirit who has led the Church throughout the ages,’ as Maria Voce affirmed as she opened the reflections of the two-day conference on 12th and 13th June. Behind the significant changes we are witnessing, the Focolare President invited people to ‘emphasize the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the continuous capacity of the Church to respond to ever fresh challenges.’
In a letter dated June 24, 2013 from the International Christian Organization of Media (ICOM) based in Geneva, Switzerland, it states: “Today we are happy to announce that you have won an Honorable Mention in the category of the International Award for Interreligious Dialogue. The jury took the decision considering the value and the relevance of theme you have submitted. We hope that your efforts and contributions through the more and more challenging world of journalism will help better the humanity worldwide and the environment.” The letter was signed by Jean-Marie Scheerlink of the ICOM directing committee.
The international award for inter-religious dialogue honors and recognizes the services and contributions of a media professional, institute, publisher or publication (including a book) in the field of peace and co-existence among members of various religions and cultures. The award brings to light initiatives of media professionals or their institutions for the peaceful, happy and harmonious co-existence of peoples belonging to all types of religions and opinions. The award encourages the use of media for inter-religious dialogue and harmony by media professionals.
The Focolare New City Magazine writes articles and issues from the perspective of universal fraternity. It is committed to interreligious, ecumenical and cultural dialogues. It features profiles and interviews with people who are making a difference in the field of arts, economics, science, education, medicine and cultural life. It promotes peaceful co-existence, and respect for differences in religious and cultural beliefs. It plays the role of a catalyst in pursuing a peaceful and harmonious society particularly in the Philippine and Asian context. For his entry submission, Aranas submitted two e-book magazines of New City: January 2013 issue with its theme on the fragile peace process in the Southern Philippines in Mindanao (to see articles you may visit: http://newcityph.com/archive/1301/issues.asp); and the June 2012 issue with its theme on dialogue: a call for an education towards a culture of dialogue, one that build bridges and promotes peace: http://newcityph.com/archive/1206/issues.asp
The triennial awards honor outstanding media professionals, publications and institutions worldwide, and recognize their exemplary contributions irrespective of all differences. The international awards enhance and make journalistic and media works more valuable in diverse fields, and acknowledge the efforts of all participating journalists and media professionals as well as their milieu. They help guarantee freedom of expression and freedom of the media at all levels in spite of all types of pressures especially from political, business and religious leaders and authorities. The awards are recognition for lifetime and reference for professionals to consult issues that concern nations, continents and our world. They reconfirm the competence and consolidate the authority of the winners on their domains and topics that are of major relevance and extreme importance in the world affairs.
There were more than 2,000 entries and candidatures worldwide that participated this time. But only 25 winners were chosen for the awards and honorable mentions in eight categories: The Titus Brandsma is won by Anto Akarra (India): the Cardinal Foley for David Lindo (Panama), and honorable mention for Fr François Lespes (France); Jose Rebelo (Portugal);Christopher Lamb (UK): Robert Duncan (USA); Photojournalism: Francis Wong (Hongkong); Interreligious Dialogue : Yassine Mohellebi (Algeria); honorable mention: Andrea Krogmann (Germany): Jose Aranas (Philippines); Women Issues : Roselyne Sachiti (Zimbabwe); honorable mention: Sanga Boureima (Burkina Faso): Aftab Alexander Mughal (Pakistan); Educommunication: Italian Association for Media Education (President: Gianna Cappello, Italy); honorable mention: Franco Montesino (Argentina); Josephat Kioko (Kenya) : Victor Khroul (Russia); Solidarity with refugees: Juan Carlos Giraldo (Colombia): honorable mention: Jean-Baptiste Sourou (Benin): Reji Joseph (India), and Excellence in Journalism: Anne Matho (Cameroun): ;Christian Locka (Cameroun): Damian Avevor (Ghana): Sally Mbilu (Kenya) and Benita Sambu.(Congo DR)
The awards will be conferred to the winners at the World Media Congress to be held, for the first time in Central America, in Panama City, Panama from 29 September to 6 October 2013.
François-Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân (1928-2002) was arrested in 1975, a few weeks after he had been nominated coadjutor bishop of Saigon. He spent 13 years in prison, 9 of which were in solitary confinement. After he was set free he became president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. (http://www.vanthuanobservatory.org/?lang=en) The following lines were written in 1980 in prison, 15 km from Hanoi. They are a kind of ‘spiritual testament’.
Beloved children,
I find I’m at a new stage:
tough, dark, endless. I meet here others who are also pilgrims; I look on them as friends, and on all the things that happen as priceless experiences. Because everything is grace.
In my night, populated by silence and solitude,
I think of each and every one of you, offering you all to God. God has given me the most beautiful moments of my life. Never were my prayers so heart-felt, nor mass so fervent, nor so favourable the chances to be united with God’s love and show love in the midst of hate and sow hope in the midst of despair. You can lose everything materially but, if God remains, you still have everything. God is Love. Love gives me courage to love as God loves.
I have nothing more.
But every day I offer the love of God to all in the heart of Jesus and Mary. I am by your side, caring for you and loving very deeply, because you have a prime place in my heart. I have left a few modest experiences in The Road of Hope. Read my most intimate thoughts in the light of the Word of God and of Vatican II. Meditate, read, work so that your heart may be filled with love and wisdom… Dry tears and cover over the weaknesses that come from circumstances and all that is lacking.
This is my testament,
following the example of Paul VI. ‘My programme is to fulfil the Second Vatican Council.’ Strive to set alight the flame of hope in the places that you live.
Like John XXIII
I consecrate the rest of my life to prayer, to sacrifice, to service. May Jesus, Mary and Joseph strengthen your footsteps along the road of hope. Excerpt: François Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, Vivere le virtù [Living Virtues] (Rome: Città Nuova, 2012), 7-8.
“Today there is a real and urgent need to remember those who have done good. This is the much needed response to a culture that only has a memory for the aggression and negativity of the human person. These are the words of psychotherapist and educator, Michele De Beni who stresses the positive and important influence that educators can have on the development of a personality and its potential.
These issues are dealt with in the book, “Essere educatori” which is edited and published by Citta Nuova and was presented on May 3, 2012 at the University of Bergamo (Italy) – Department of Humanities and Social Sciences – where the figure of Chiara Lubich the educator was remembered and celebrated.
The book traces the unique teaching experience of the young Silvia Lubich (more known as Chiara) and deals with pedagogical issues that are very relevant today: the value of the tradition and innovation, the formation of conscience, the fields being opened by new knowledge, the need for new types of skills, the need for educational renewal, the centrality of the educational relationship, inclusion and dialogue.
The book comes with a DVD titled: “La maestra Silvia non aveva la matita rossa” (Miss Silvia the teacher didn’t have a red pencil) by Donato Chiampi. It contains reminiscences and previously unpublished events from ex-students and colleagues.
From Castello in Val di Sole where Chiara taught during the 1938-1939 school year, Caterina, Carmela, Dolores and Edda recall that in Chiara’s class which was comprised of 42 boys from all five classes, the teacher didn’t limit herself only to didactic activities.. In her class you also learned education, brotherhood and . . . how “to love one another.”
There were also students who were “failing” – theyrecall – but “until they reached the same level as the others, Chiaa would continue to repeat things for them and wait for anyone who was lagging behind. During her last week with us she continued to encourage us to remain united, to help each other, especially the elderly.” When the school year ended, Chiara continued to remain in lively contact with them through notes and letters.
CapuchinFather Contardo Zeni, an ex-student from the Institute for orphans where Chiara taught: “Miss Silvia was truly a mother for us! When she wanted to ask us a question she would say, ‘And you? What do you think? What do you say?’ Then she would respond based on the things you had said. She respected the personality of each boy. I now realize that she saw beyond human appearances, she saw the presence of God in each person. I will never finish thanking God for having allowed me the grace to have known such an exceptional human being.”
Brotherhood and the centrality of the human person are paradigms that should be brought back into the discussion about education. These will be the double tracks along which the international “Learning Fraternity” will move. The gathering will take place on September 8, 2013 in Castel Gandolfo, Italy and will welcome anyone involved in education: families, schools, catechists, group leaders, researchers and students of all ages.
“In my childhood my family instilled Christian values in me but with a specific Franciscan tinge. Thus when I felt that God was calling me to religious life as a Conventual Franciscan, my response was enthusiastic. During my novitiate and theological studies, which I completed near the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi, I was enriched with new awareness of the fundamental aspects of Christian life as incarnated by our Seraphic Father Francis. During those studies I was attracted in a special way by the Eucharist as a fundamental value for us in our Christian life. I considered the Eucharistic celebration to truly be the climax and the source of my Christian life. My study of theology and liturgy had confirmed this conviction.”
My contact with Chiara Lubich’s spirituality enhanced in me the contemplative dimension of my life, because it opened up for me new possibilities in living my union with God. In addition, Chiara helped me rediscover the value of neighbor, that is, my brothers and sisters individually and together – as a ‘gift’ (just as Francis says). This helped me feel more in tune with the Church, my Franciscan community, and my missionary aspirations.
After twelve years of missionary service in Indonesia, “I returned to my native country because I needed to rest and re-charge my spiritual batteries. I was fortunate to be able to go to the Focolare international spirituality center for men religious in Loppiano, near Florence. There, one evening during supper, I had a fierce discussion with another missionary about the value of the liturgy. I came out of the dining room with a troubled heart, and I found it hard to calm down. I felt that there was now a great distance between that brother and me. Then a thought came to my mind: “How can you say that you love God whom you do not see if you do not love the brother that you can see?” Therefore I asked myself: “Is the brother more important than the Liturgy? Yes, my brother is more important than the liturgy.” Before going to bed I went looking for that brother and I asked him to forgive me. I found peace again and our relationship was strengthened. It was on that day that I understood that the ‘liturgy of my brother’ is more important than the Eucharistic Liturgy.”
In June 2012 Fr. Tarcisio returned for the second time from Indonesia after only three more years of missionary service. “This time too I was quite exhausted. I was welcomed again at the spirituality center of religious. In the peaceful little town of Loppiano I gradually regained my physical and spiritual health. Notwithstanding the fact that I was living in that serene environment I kept thinking about the difficulties I would have to face in Indonesia with some of my brothers in community.”
“My provincial superior had invited me to forgive, and I thought that I had done that. However, the root of that suffering remained within me and sometimes I had negative thoughts about that brother and about myself too. Sometimes I felt like the spirituality center; the contrast between the sentiments within me and the environment around me was too strong. It was only after trying to live out the theme of the year which was ‘love of neighbor’, as presented by various Words of Life regarding charity, especially that of seeing Jesus in the other to the point of experiencing union with God, that I felt that my grudges and anger were starting to melt away. I experienced not only a new kind of peace but also a union with God that was truer and more profound. I was full of joy for coming out from that dark tunnel of my relationship with my brother.
Now, whenever I think about that brother, I feel that I have truly forgiven him completely. Not only that, but if God so wills it in the future that I should happen to be together with the same brother, I will do my best to show my gratitude for having been moved by God to journey along this new path of reconciliation to arrive at union with God.”
Around two years ago, in a timespan of about three months, my teeth began to deteriorate in a dramatic way. So I went to a dentist and asked for an estimate of the cost of the work that would have to be done. Heart attack! It was going to cost a good 10,000 Swiss francs. I discussed the decision with my wife and, given the urgency, we decided to accept the doctor’s estimate and proceed with the treatment. The cure lasted a few months and that gave us time to prepare for the important investment. On the second to last visit the dentist informed me that there were further complications and the cost would be raised to a total of 11,280 francs. To stay within the estimate, he proposed that I pay 1000 francs in cash. This proposal by the dentist probably came from his desire to help me save some money, since I’ve been one of his patients for a long time. I asked if I could give an answer at my next appointment, because I wanted to discuss the decision with my wife first. The amount already foreseen was already a lot for us and 1,280 more francs was quite a bit of money. The temptation to save some money was strong! The thought took over in my mind that a part of the money could be used to help someone, or that it could be given to charity and many other such excuses. In the end, however, we decided as Christians that it would be more correct to pay the full amount. As we gave our answer to the dentist, we tried to show love toward him, thanking him for his kindness toward us in order not to embarrass him, explaining to him the reason for our choice. Providence didn’t keep us waiting! Last April as I filled out my declaration of earnings report, I included the dentist’s bill. On June 8th the answer in the “Give and it will be given to you” arrived right on time, with the tax return for the fiscal year 2012. In the summary of the various items: federal, cantonal and communal, I saw that for the fiscal year 2012 my taxes were 1.611,25 francs lower than the year before. When I calculated the difference (1. 611, 25 – 1. 280) I had saved 331, 25 francs!”
10 years ago the children of a class started with their teacher to throw “the cube of love.” Today, 10 years later, doing so are the children of all the classes of Trent. Their “acts of love” published on the municipality’s newspaper reaches the homes of the families in this city. Even this year the appointment for everyone was in Cathedral Square.
Let’s watch the news report with images taken by Paul Holnaider and Donato Chiampi.
On June 14-15, 2013, a group of 48 focolarini from 13 Christian Churches examined some important points of the spirituality of unity in relation to ecumenism. During the meeting we listened the story of Hanneke, a Dutch focolarina from the Reformed Church. “I grew up in a family that belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church. When I was 13 years old my mother passed away and a rather difficult period in my life was begun. None of my family members went to church anymore, but I felt that I didn’t want to leave God. I always kept in contact with the local church community. When I was 21 years old I made the ‘profession of faith,’ which is quitean important step in the Reformed Church. There I committed to give my all for the building up of the Kingdom of God in the Church and in the world. On that day too, just as when I was very young, I felt that God wanted something more from me. In my searching I met the Taize community where I discovered a Christianity that was different from what I had known up until then, one that could be lived together with others. Shortly afterwards, through a colleague at work, I came to know the spirituality of the Focolare. My colleague never spoke about it directly, but I could understand from the way she lived that her life had a very strong spiritual dimI began to visit the focolare in Amsterdam. Once I arrived during a birthday party, something very simple. But there for the first time I experienced that spiritual presence of Jesus, and began to better understand the significance of the words: ‘Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Mt. 18:20). There I saw mutual love being practiced, and I began telling myself: I want to live like this too. At first I didn’t feel the difference between me (from the Reformed Church) and the majority of the others who were Roman Catholics. Only after a few years did I realize that we were different in the way we professed our faith, and many questions began coming to my mind. At times I didn’t feel understood. The key to continuing along this path I found in Jesus Forsaken. I recognized his countenance in the wounds of division between the Churches, in our different way of thinking, and this helped me to go ahead. I was transferred to Eindhoven in the south of Holland where most people are Roman Catholic. On the one hand I experienced great openness and, on the other hand, I learned to express my questions or difficulties when I saw things that didn’t that didn’t click with the mentality of the Reformed Church. This helped me in building truer relationships. Also within the Focolare Movement as a whole there are many of us from the Reformed Church in different vocations and callings. We have had beautiful experiences of coming to know each other, some trips to Rome for example. We also became aware that ecumenism is a journey that is common to us all, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic. For some years Christian leaders from several Churches and movements have been asking how they could give a witness of unity to Holland, rather than one of division. So a committee was set up that was called ‘We choose unity.’ A day of reconciliation among all the Churches was proposed, and 4000 people took part in the event. This work is being carried on today in the Dutch Global Christian Forum. What I find to be very important for Christian unity is listening, listening deeply to others. You really need to be empty of yourself in order to listen. Sometimes you think you know what the other person is trying to say, but first you must hear them out, listen well to what they’re trying to say. It’s living that teaching of St. Paul, putting yourself in the other person’s skin, in order to accelerate unity.”
Chicago April 27 – April 28, 2013. An event organised by the Focolare Movement in Canada and the United States. Copyright Focolare Movement (Rome), All Rights Reserved (more…)
What is happening to the Church today? How are the challenges of passing on the faith to new generations to be tackled, given the scandals that have arisen in several countries and the abandonment of the faith in Europe? How are the vitality and gifts emerging from the lands of Asia and Africa to be appreciated and welcomed?
These are some of the underlying questions that were discussed by the group of experts from the fields of ecclesiology and communications, composed of priests, religious and laity who are active in various environments in different parts of the world (in missiology, ecclesiology, education, new evangelization, youth culture). They gathered together in the middle of June at Castelgandolfo, Italy to identify the challenges both at a universal level and at a local geographical level where they take on different forms in different contexts but, when taken together, can help give a vision of what is being faced by the Church.
The voice of the sociologists cited issues at the macro and micro level which not only the Church but the entire society must take into account: the management of the complexity in the global scene, the new framework for relationships and the creation of social cohesion. The Pentecost 2013 event was given a second look and was seen as a call for the Movements to become involved as the Pope invited them to “go out” and meet the human person where he or she is to be found.
The event promoted by the Gens magazine on ecclesial life was held this third time on June 12-13. Focolare president, Maria Voce offered some opening remarks. She underscored how the “push given by the new Pope to be closer to all people, more sober, more simple,” for the Focolare Movement “should signify a renewed commitment to building up and showing the Church-communion which the charism of unity allows us to live; communion with God and with all humanity: continually going out of ourselves as Pope Francis invited us to, and which we also particularly feel we should do. We must be the Church-communion and present ourselves as such, even outside strictly ecclesial structures.”
Co-president Giancarlo Faletti recalled the “passion for the Church” that had always animated Chiara Lubich especially in the period just after the Second Vatican Council. He invited everyone to continue to recognize the action of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide the People of God.
The challenge of the new generations and education strongly emerged. One example was the recent Plenary Session of the Pontifical Council of Culture on emerging youth cultures, from which the elements that have matured through the active participation of young people, from the language of the younger generations to knowing and understanding the world of the youth for the transmission of the Catholic faith.
“Five words for my Church” was the suggestive title given to a presentation via Skype, by theologian Piero Coda from Sophia University Institute which he heads in the Focolare town of Loppiano, Italy. These five words or concepts “following, People of God, dialogue, spirit and ethos” were presented by him as the lines along which today’s Church will develop.
“In fact, the Holy Spirit is quite capable of generating new energies for responding to the most pressing questions of humankind (. . .) It is the Holy Spirit who brings the Church forward, and at times He does it with rather brusque changes. And we who are not always so pliable have the impression of having to remake everything from scratch. But we should rather look to this road that the Holy Spirit opens in the Church.”
The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
Someone who loves does not just avoid evil. Those who love are open to others, desire what is good, do what is right, giving themselves: to the point of giving their life for the person loved. This is why Paul writes that in love for our neighbour not only is the law observed but the whole law is ‘summed up’.
The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
If the whole law consists in love for our neighbour, we should see the other commandments as means to enlighten and guide us so that, in the intricate situations of life, we can find the way to love others. We need to know how to read God’s intention, God’s will, in the other commandments.
He wants us to be obedient, chaste, mortified, humble, merciful, poor… in order to carry out the commandment of charity better.
The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
We might ask, how is it that the Apostle does not mention love for God? The fact is that love for God and love for our neighbour are not in competition. The one, our love for our neighbour, is the expression of the other, our love for God. Loving God, in fact, means doing God’s will. And God’s will is that we love our neighbour.
The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
How are we to put this word into practice? It is clear: by loving our neighbour, truly loving our neighbour.
This means: giving, but giving without self-interest, to our neighbour. Those who use their neighbour as an instrument to achieve their own ends, even the most spiritual, such as their own sanctification, are not loving. We must love our neighbour, not ourselves.
It is certain, however, that someone who loves in this way really will become a saint, will be ‘perfect like the Father’, because that person will have achieved the very best a human being can achieve. Such a person goes to the heart of God’s will, puts it into practice. Such a person wholly fulfils the law.
And isn’t this the only thing we will be examined on at the end of our lives?
A workshop of dance, percussion, song and theatre. A new show by the Gen Verde Musical Group engages young people in workshops in which they are directly involved with the artists in the staging and performance.
On June 13-15, 2013, forty-eight young people from Tuscany and abroad were welcomed by the town of Loppiano, Italy, which is home to the musical group and Lionello Industrial Park. The young people were invited to be active players in the mounting and performing of the new show.
One young woman from Gen Verde commented: “The artistic disciplines naturally raise you to another level of communication through which deep and unexpected relationships can be born, creating dialogue in an encouraging atmosphere of sharing.”
Other members of the group went on to say: “The joy that was bursting from everyone’s eyes also derived from the discovery that you are able to give much more than you often expect from yourself. The end product was important because it was the result of everyone’s contribution.”
By the end of the day the teenagers had grasped how important it is for each person to be valued and no one excluded, they also grasped the “true” joy of sharing a common message with others.
“The mutual gratitude was unrestrained,” Gen Verde concluded, “It was difficult to leave each other after having had a little taste of what the new concert will be like.”
A travelling exhibit entitled “Chiara Lubich:protagonist of a new age” to commemorate the founder of the Focolare Movement five years following her death.
Some of the exhibition sites include the airport, public market, town hall, the legislative assembly and some charitable organizations. There is also great expectation for the exhibit in Redemption Park just one week before the World Youth Day.
The first exhibit took place on May 13-25, 2013 in the Main Hall of the Central Library at the Catholic Pontifical University of Rio Grande do Sul. The life and work of Chiara Lubich were presented by seven banners that portrayed the origins of the Movement, its first steps and the evolution of the evangelical lifestyle that today is manifested in numerous social activities.
Another banner presented the young people in the Movement. It showed a new generation of youths who are coming up with concrete proposals for the renewal of society, convinced that the daily practice of universal brotherhood will lead to the true human fulfillment that young people are frenetically searching for in so many ways in today’s world.
The family is also key to the transformation of society for the preservation of genuine values that give meaning to life and social relationships.
The exhibit also put on display the Economy of Communion project, which was launched during a visit of Chiara Lubich to Brazil in 1991. The proposal of the project is to operate economically sound companies while simultaneously seeking to combat social inequality and encourage a new business mentality.
From economy to politics. The Movement is also engaged in the field of politics, working to promote the common good by focusing effort on the political dimension of universal brotherhood. It sees politics as a service, which Chiara once described as the “Love of loves.”
Also in the field of social action there is the Family Solidarity Association which helps hundreds of children in one of the poorer quarters on the outskirts of the city. Similar projects have arisen around the world and are a source of great hope to many families that are spiritually and materially deprived.
A video presentation on the history of the Movement was projected on a large screen. There were exhibits displaying projects by individuals and groups of people based on the Golden Rule which is present in nearly all religions.
The exhibit continues in other cultural spots in the city of Porto Alegre, showing the figure of Chiara, “protagonist of a new age” and the implications of her charism of unity in various Church and social environments.
The Committee made up of eight members including the Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical-Lutheran Churches met at the Saint Egidio Community headquarters in Rome on 4thjune, 2013. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss the fruits of the past year and try to understand together the next step to take. As Chiara Lubich liked to say, trying to see “the score written in heaven.”
In many of the 152 cities linked up on 12th May, 2012 a dynamic collaboration among local movements and communities of various Churches took place. In several countries, there is a national Together for Europe committee which acts as a network that continually encourages dialogue.
Andrea Riccardi (founder of the Community of Saint Egidio), quoting Pope Francis, emphasized the responsibility to continue to go out and avoid being self-referential. It is the “culture of encounter” – emphasized Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement also quoting Pope Francis – “the culture of friendship and openness to others that we experience on this journey of communion that gives hope to our continent and beyond.” Returning from a trip to Germany, Maria Voce tells of meetings with important personalities who see Together for Europe as a way of uniting hearts.
Gerhard Pross, YMCA, told, how at the Catholic Academy of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, representatives of the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Catholic Church and other churches met, on the 23rd May, 2013 thanks to the invitation of some movements and communities connected with Together for Europe.
Nikolaus Schneider, Chair of EKD (Evangelical Church in Germany), Archbishop Robert Zollitsch (President of the German Bishops’ Conference), Bishop Gerhard Feige, the regional Evangelical bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan, Serafim, in their speeches. Encouraged an open and intense exchange on ecumenical issues particularly timely for the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and in view of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Some topics emerged:
The return to Christ as the centre point of what unites us, the re-elaboration of our common history at a local and national level that show signs of reconciliation and the importance of raising awareness to the sensitivity of the other Churches.
Rev. Christophe D’Aloisio (SYNDESMOS) presented an interesting vision of some of the Orthodox communities in Europe.
The meeting had a full agenda. Look at the “existential suburbs/outskirts”: this is one of the priorities. On the morning of June 5th, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity met the Steering Committee of Together for Europe: he encouraged their projects.
«We are fine. Greetings from Damascus and Aleppo! At this moment a group of us is at a meeting of young people who have been meeting regularly since the last two months in a parish because they want know more about the Ideal of unity.
Of course, the “night” that has come over the country is getting even darker, we do not know how long we will be able to resist, both in terms of stress and economically. The prices are sky-high, the great majority of people think only of obtaining food because everything else is surplus; and for people who are used to work this is a big slap on the face because they feel that their dignity has been trampled by this war.
In many localities and districts, we live side by side with danger. When we leave the house, we wonder: will we be able to come back home? Then there are two bishops as well as two priests who have been kidnapped, and we know absolutely nothing about them. So we pray unceasingly for them, as well as for the other abducted people.
But in this “night”, we can assure you that there is a very strong light. They are the words of Jesus and the teachings of Chiara Lubich that repeat to us to live the present moment, to love, to remain united and to keep the living spiritual presence of Jesus among us.
And so the miracle happens, and it really amazes us: we live “outside of ourselves”, for the others. We only think of loving, to be continually at peace in the face of resentment or even anger that can be felt in our hearts, to improve relationships among ourselves and with everyone. This helps us to live with a certain normality. It gives us peace and many of us feel that this is our place, because it’s right here where we can bring unity and serenity. This is what people thirst for.
A young man who is doing his military service and works in the office, in a place that is often attacked, told us that during one of the last, very strong attacks, while escaping with his colleagues to go to the shelter, he realized that one of them had been shot and had fallen to the ground. For a moment he doubted: “Should I go back to love this brother or should I continue to run?” In his heart he heard a clear voice telling him: “Don’t be afraid, I’m with you.” He went back, took off his shirt to stop the blood flowing down the leg and under the blows waited for the ambulance to arrive.
In this moment that we feel united to you all, I want to thank for every bit of help that reaches us in various ways and that moves us every time. They are a sign of that family atmosphere that accompanies us always. They are very precious, and they allow us to let Jesus in our neighbour feel that love that each one of you has for Him, to console Him, to give Him the strength to endure and not despair.
If we are here it’s because you and so many others with you are living for us. Therefore a huge thank you, thank you and a special greeting from everyone here, from Syria.»
Maria Voce, on behalf of the thousands of people connected via internet, answered, «We are also here because you live for us, and we continue to be united and bringing everything ahead together, praying and sustaining you in every way we can!»
Anyone who wishes tosend concrete aid to Syria through AMU (Action for a United World), may find the bank coordinates on the website AMU-Syria Emergency.
The Verona, Italian city, had been struck with bad weather, placing waterways in danger of overflowing and flooding. On May 17th while in the basement of his home, Giuseppe was swept away by a mass of mud and water that had built up in the Mezzane Stream, causing it to burst its banks. Along with local civil volunteers and law enforcement workers, many members of the Focolare Movement were also among the first to respond in saving Giuseppe and his wife, Maria Grazia. They had both belonged to the Movement for many years.
This immediate and spontaneous response, shoveling and clearing, was also an expression of gratitude towards Giuseppe, who had given himself out of love for his wife and two daughters, for other families, at work and in the parish.
“His was a life (. . .) given in love. We would like to live this moment in the company of God who is a Mystery of Trinitarian Love. We would allow ourselves to be comforted by His Word of truth.” These words were spoken by Bishop of Verona, Giuseppe Zenti during the funeral Mass at the cathedral on May 21st.
On that day the entire region of Lavagno gathered around Giuseppe and his relatives. Bishop Zenti purposely returned from Rome where he had been working for the Bishops Conference, in order to preside at the Mass that was concelebrated by 14 priests, in the presence of the Prefect of Verona, the President of the Province, the Mayor and numerous representatives from Law Enforcement.
Giuseppe was a generous man, full of love,” Bishop Zenti said in his homily, “his family can testify to this, the parish where he helped out especially as a catechist with his wife and in civil society as well. All of you who have come here in such great number can testify to this. The inspiration behind his life given in love was the Focolare family to which he belonged, whose charism is precisely the concrete actualization, in the ordinariness of life, the Lord’s own command: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ I’m here with you,” the bishop continued, I am also enveloped in the dark silence of the soul, like the one that enveloped Jesus on the Cross: The earth grew dark. . . My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Upon this silence let us allow the Word of God to resound, as a lamp that illuminates our steps before this great mystery for man, especially before the great mystery of death.”
In a letter read by the Prefect, President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano expressed his “nearness and affection to the Maschi family who have been hit with such a great loss. With them, also all the citizens of Lavagno who have suffered loss and damage because of the flood that struck the region.” The same sentiments were expressed in the telegram from the President of the Council of Italian Ministers, Enrico Letta.
On the heels of Pope Francis’ continuing invitation to allow ourselves to be surprised by the love of God that is always new, thirty-two bishop friends of the Focolare from Korea, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Japan, Taiwan and Sri Lanka, gathered to meet in Seoul, Korea on May 22 – 25 in order to immerse themselves in a living experience of the “Church-communion.”
The nations of the Asian continent vary in language, ethnicity, religion and traditions, and the situations being lived by the Church also vary widely. The bishops saw in this variety of forms and situations an opportunity for mutual enrichment: “We gave much time for spiritual communion and getting to know each other,” they write. “It revealed a great wealth of life that is producing many concrete experiences that arise from living the Gospel in many different settings: seminaries, parishes, among the marginalized, the disabled and the poor. Love for Jesus in our brothers and sisters was the motivation that urged us to draw near to our neighbours, seeking to soothe their wounds.”
They also reflected on the New Evangelization. This asks us for a personal conversion and a new proclamation of God’s love to the Asian people through dialogue with the wide range of religious traditions. It also calls for radical openness to those who suffer.
The final Mass concluded with a solemn pact of mutual love and the commitment to love the other’s diocese as one’s own truly seemed to crown the sharing they had experienced. Many of the bishops promised to make better use of the rapid means of communication such as Skype and video-conferences.
Moderator of these gatherings of Bishop Friends of the Focolare, Archbishop of Bangkok, Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij, described how the experiences made in the daily conquests of life created brotherly relationships of deep communion among the participants, allowing them to experience the presence of the Risen Christ among all. This presence gave new joy and strength for taking up the ministry of service in each one’s diocese, with the love of pastors who are near to their flock, following the example shown to us by Pope Francis.
Life, Love, Light, or rather, life, love, light. This trinomial that has been connected to the name of Chiara Luce Badano since the day of her beatification is still running on the Web thanks to a website officially dedicated to the young woman from Sassello (Italy) – www.chiaraluce.org. The site is being visited and appreciated by people of all ages. In recent days the site has been added to with new graphics, content and services.
Among the novelties, the long-awaited section entitled LOVE, which regards the spirituality that Chiara Luce lived, some updates about the projects that are being brought ahead by the Chiara Badano Foundation, the section on “At Sassello” regarding the Centre of Spirituality at La Maddalena, a small hamlet in Sassello, which was the birthplace of Chiara Luce. The “Publications” link provides news editorials, CDs and DVDs. The languages have also increased with the addition of Portuguese. The common denominator of the site is the desire to spread the message of this young witness of the Gospel to “make her bright light shine on the lampstand.”
Chiara Luce is also on Facebook . Her Facebook page is widely appreciated with over 54,000 contacts. But beyond the numbers, the life and depth of Chiara Luce continues to uplift and to spread: “I’m feeling a bit down,” one person writes, “and then you appear with that candid expression on your face and that genuine smile of yours, your eyes filled with love. And like magic my heart is calmed. Thanks.”
For as long as Christian churches and communities have been divided, there are those who have looked for ways to heal the fractures. Callan Slipper offers five ways for Christians to approach one another on the path toward unity. (1) Recognize the need; (2) Start from being united; (3) Proceed one person at a time, with love; (4) Don’t make yourself the measure of truth. Truth is a person. It is Jesus; (5) embrace the cross, and let Jesus’ love transform division. His observations come from years of experience with ecumenists, and his optimism that unity is inevitable is evidence that faith and hope undergird the challenges that abide our daily choice to build Christian unity by the way we love one another. Available from New City Press (NY) (more…)
Stefano Comazzi is responsible for the projects section of the Action for a United World. Recently he visited some of the main localities of Burundi that have been reached by the projects that are being brought ahead in the provinces of Ruyigi, Kayanza and Bujumburu. he was accompanied by the local counterpart of Action for a United Worldt, CASOBU. He recounts:
“In the rural areas of Bujumbura, in the Commune of Mutimbuzi, there is a camp for displaced people called ‘Maramvya’ where one of our projects is underway that provides assistance to families. The displaced families have been forced to move two times in the course of a month, settling first in an area on the outskirts of Bujumbura – a swamp – then on land near to the airport in the Commune of Butirere. The new settlement, however, is farther from the city and more difficult to reach.
For around four months families have been assigned lots upon which they can build their houses. I was able to see that some have already begun to put up a few simple little houses made of mud and straw. But many are lacking the necessary means and the land will be sold at a low price to speculators who are interested in building large Real Estate.
At the time of my arrival a session was being held beneath a large tent, the collection of personal information by a young woman from CASOBU so that families and children could be registered in the Commune and have access to health and educational services.
This registration process is rather complicated because the people passed under the administration of two previous communes. So each individual has to be checked again in order to see if they had been registered previously or not, and the eventual changes made to their documents. This is all done manually and is therefore very tedious and time-consuming.
The water situation, there is only one public distribution point, with only one fountain about half a kilometer from the settlement, I saw a small crowd of women and children there. From what they say, it seems that the queues begin early in the morning at around three o’clock and go on for many hours. We spoke with the mayor and learned that there is a study underway on a project for the entire north region of the city, with adequate pipe diameter and flow rate, and a tank for collecting water right next to the field. Nevertheless, while awaiting the project to be realized, CASOBU will examine other possible short-term solutions that will alleviate at least some of the difficulty of the local population to provide water for itself.
When we let ourselves be stripped of our faith in God, we are subject to the worst possible swindle. But even where we have not been stripped of our faith in God, we have sometimes lost him just the same because we have forgotten him. And we frequently pay the price for these long stretches of forgetfulness, as basically we have forgotten our being human. We are in a house we no longer recognize as our own, and indeed it has become a jail. We are with others, who we no longer see as brothers or sisters, and the link between us is composed of secret mutual exploitation. We go to a school, read the papers, observe what science produces, and the truth has become twisted for us, so that we end up not knowing the object and doubting the subject, and are treated and treat others as mere figments.
This forgetfulness is summed up in our forgetfulness of God. If we recognize God, we become free with respect to the people of this earth. These people then become our brothers and sisters, and the only attitude we owe them is love. Rediscovering the human person, we come back to seeing the person’s dignity. In a person’s limitations we see the greatness, even while realizing the wretchedness. He or she may collapse, but will remain God’s offspring. The wretchedness belongs to the individual, but the greatness of the individual is conferred by One who is greater. This One wants us in our trials to grow as ourselves, to use misfortune to exercise the great virtues, justice, charity, piety; to value death as giving life, financial poverty as giving spiritual richness, to such a point that our heritage should be the heritage of the spirit, and that our dignity does not depend upon our financial condition, but upon our strength of character, our heroic resignation, our victory where, for us and in us, evil leads back to good.
If we pass through wretchedness and become wretched also in our souls, if we react to the negative and become ugly, if we collapse prostrate in despair and utter exhaustion, we foolishly squander our efforts, soiling our tears without dignity, starving our soul. Heroic love transforms pain into joy, our sufferings into tools for spiritual exercises: misfortunes place before each of us the demand for holiness, and, that is, for perfect humanity, made perfect by grace.
Excerpt from Igino Giordani, La rivolta morale [The Moral Revolt], (Rome: Capriotti, 1945)
One well-known rabbi who took part in the meeting promoted by the Focolare and held at the Mariapolis Centre in Castelgandolfo, Rome, explained that the history of mutual understanding between the two religions developed along three levels of interaction.
Level zero in which the members of both religions meet and come to know one another. Level one is a further step in which there is mutual respect and understanding. Fear of being interpolated by the “other” no longer exists.
Dialogue at the second level proposes that the persons involved are disposed that the other – Christian or Jew – has a genuine influence with their own religious convictions and is prepared to allow them* to be positively transformed.
This, of course, does not mean to question the religious identity of each person and even less “syncretism.” This proposal consists in allowing each party to use a spiritual language that allows everyone to come together.
“I must say that I have attended many such interreligious events over the years, but never have I taken part in one like this. It has been rare in my life to see together (as I have seen here) 4 rabbis from different currents of Judaism and a large group of lay experts discussing common themes of dialogue (30 from Argentina, USA, Italy and Uruguay), working with a totally unique methodology.
Usually each participant speaks of one’s own religion, comments on one’s own texts, and cites one’s own authors. Here the Christians commented on Hebrew texts and Hebrews commented on Christian texts. They did not draw on the wealth of ideas of philosophers or theologians who are famous in their fields, but they were rather examinations that focused on the impact these documents had produced on the readers themselves, a spiritual impact, in particular, and of deep substance.
The texts of Hebrew spirituality and texts of the spiritual patrimony that have been left to us by founder of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, were examined through a different lens than usual.
I use a metaphor from the world of cybernetics. It is now known that the web 2.0 will soon open new forms of communication through internet. Dialogue 2.0 is also a step forward. This will mean giving up the securities we’ve acquired until now in order to integrate the same elements as always, but in a new way. This will be more adapted to the building up of newer and deeper forms of interreligious encounter and, ultimately, a more fraternal society. We’ve experienced it during these days.
A group of Focolare volunteers from the Spanish communities recounts: “It seems only yesterday that we began to work with the “Brotherhood with Africa” project. It was in April 2009. To help the project grow we had organized several activities in the region of Murcia, which concluded with a benefit dinner. Now we are holding the fifth edition.”
The project began in Budapest in 2006 during the Volunteersfest, an international event that gathered thousands at the Hungarian capital. The title of the event was “The world is but one country. We are waves upon the same sea, leaves of the same tree, flowers of the same garden.” There a project was launched for promoting academic scholarships for African students from different areas, along with an idea of making one’s own city a place in which the culture of brotherhood shines. One group of volunteers that attended from Aljucer decided to act on the proposal.
“We felt called upon, and in 2007 began to obtain legal status for an association that would help achieve our goal: making Aljucer a place that promotes a culture of brotherhood. Many activities followed, even with other associations, but our main project continues to be the “Brotherhood with Africa” project.” Every year we put up posters. Local businesses help to spread the project by donating products that can be raffled off at the benefit dinner. The monies collected are added to the scholarship fund.
“The benefit dinner is a yearly event that everyone looks forward to. We are joined by new people every year. We never had more than 90 dinner guests before, but this year we had 125 – quite a number for a country like ours which has been hit by so many crises.” During the evening there was a presentation of the project: the number of scholarships thus far, the amount of money that has been collected, the academic areas in which the scholarships have been applied and the experiences of students. Following the presentation there was the gift drawing and conclusion with some local performing artists. Among the artists, for the first time, was Carlos Pinana di Cartagena, a ‘flamenco’ guitarist and professor at the Conservatory of Murcia. Together with four of his students he offered us a fine concert of ‘flamenco’ guitar music.”
“We were happy,” the animators of the event say, “because we believe that these events served a bit in promoting a culture of brotherhood. A culture that makes us equals, that makes us feel that we are brothers and sisters, which is a sufficient reason to work for each other, with each other.”
“As United World Week was being celebrated in Jerusalem, we also held a few activities here in Manila” say the Youth for a United World in the Philippines. The internet link-up with the Holy Land was the launching point for a week filled with events. Ten projects, called ‘fragments of universal brotherhood’ were presented. This took place on May 4th and involved Manila, Baguio and other Philippine cities. The week began with a celebration of unity, called “Bridge”. Everyone, linked up with Jerusalem and with the Youth for a United World from other Philippine cities, then set out for the various projects around the city: from nutrition programs to environmental projects, from hospital visits to projects in favor of the less fortunate. 379 young people signed up from Manila alone. They went to Sulyap ng Pag-asa, a residential center served by the Focolare in the crowded and deprived areas of Quezon City. The Youth for a United World carry out regular activities in favor of nutritional assistance. At the Sinag Hospital, which desires to respond to the invitation of Jesus to love the poorest, they have experienced that by spending their time with the patients, their own problems seemed small. Another activity took place at Boys Town, a home for hundreds of street children, run by the Department of Welfare. There they met children between the ages of 8 and 17. They spent time together, caring, singing and dancing. The Youth for a United World were also invited to share their secret, “the art of loving.” The children in turn offered some of their own songs and dances. The Munting tahanan ng Nazareth is a centre for the physically and mentally handicapped. One Youth for a United World explained: “With our visit, we wanted to share God’s love that is present in all of our hearts, no matter who we are.” Young women who have been victims of abuse live at Marillacc Hills where, for some time, young women of the Focolare have been going to visit them. Because of the trust that has been built, the centre also allowed the young men to take part in the activity. Then there were the ongoing projects in the Bukas Palad (open hands) centres, social projects of the Focolare that were begun to respond to the widespread poverty. With their motto, ‘Freely you have been given, freely must you give,’ they are providing services in the fields of health, education and community building. The young people went to both the Social Centre in Tramo, Pasay and Tambo, Paranaque, and in La Union in the north. In the first centre they took part in an ecological project to clean up a creek, which involved many of the local youths who were also happy to make their quarter a more clean and livable place to live. In the second center in the north of the Philippines they created six workshops, from kitchens to basketball matches involving 55 children. Other activities in the north included an ecological project for cleaning Pagudpud, a popular tourist destination. There was also Fazenda U-Day in Masbate, where people were invited to come with their friends for a few hours of music and experiences on how to live and promote brotherhood. At the conclusion of the week, the young people met again for a day entitled, “Bridge 2.0, a project for unity.” It was the moment, now that the activities were over, to make a commitment for the future. By adding their signatures to a large bulletin board, each one could commit him or herself to be a bridge for a united world. The Philippine Youth for a United world underscored it, borrowing some words from Focolare president, Maria Voce when she spoke to some youths gathered in Loppiano, Italy, on May 1st : “Once you’ve built a bridge, if no one walks over it, it’s useless. The purpose of a bridge is to unite. It’s there inviting you to cross it and meet. Don’t become weary. The bridge is there for this reason. Taking the first step means turning toward the young people around you, those next to you, saying or showing that you are truly disposed to do something for them and with them.”
«I am a doctor specialized in infectious diseases, and I’ve been in contact with HIV positive and AIDS patients for the past 30 years. I deal with this pathology in the hospital where I work in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo.
I learned very early on in life to participate in the transformation of the society I live in. Thus one of the objectives of my life has been to create a new and just society in which the human person is the focus and there is concern for all members of the community. I decided to become a doctor in order to put myself at the service of my brothers and sisters.
When I finished my studies in medicine, I found myself having to face a tremendous challenge: working conditions were increasingly degrading, earnings were negligible. The material earnings for a doctor did not lead to professional conscientiousness and honesty. The only way to survive was to work in international organizations or in private clinics.
Many of my medical colleagues emigrated to Europe or to the United States. At one point I was tempted to do the same. After talking it over with my wife, we decided to stay in our country and accept the situation: poor patients, difficult working conditions, lack of materials and at times, insidious corruption.
I found courage in working together with doctors of the Focolare Movement and others who, like me, had the patient’s well-being at heart.In the beginning we were frightened by the possibility of being infected by the virus: poor hygienic conditions and inadequate healthcare structures did not offer any guarantee. During that period, our country was immersed in a socio-economic and political crisis. We no longer received any international aid. Then the war broke out with the load of dramas that every conflict brings. It was very difficult to treat the patients with AIDS, but we continued and it was really an opportunity to live love in a concrete way.
Our activities concretely focused on the treatment and prevention of AIDS.
With regard to the treatment of AIDS patients, with the help of AMU, we were able to build a complete healthcare facility with a lab for analyses. Furthermore, a treatment program began based on specific medicines, finally available also in Africa and guaranteed to everyone, including the poorest. Everything was the result of recent choices made by the UN to implement strategies aimed at defeating AIDS.
With regard to prevention, a systematic formation program began for educators and advertisement specialists aimed at intervening on the psychological, sociological and moral levels with young people and families, so as to bring about a change of behaviour in the population. The main content of the courses consists in giving complete and correct information on the transmission and prevention of the virus.
In fact, some think that it comes from manipulations of lab tests; others see it as coming from God because of sin, almost like a sort of punishment. These ideas, often linked to the African culture, are very difficult to weed out. This is why we try to go more deeply into the origin of the illness, the effects of the virus on the immune system and the means for preventing AIDS.
Besides the development of productive activities to improve basic nutrition, we also tried to guarantee psycho-social support for the patients and their families».
In this series of inspiring meditations, Chiara Lubich shows us that living in the present is our way to be connected with the unlimited, with eternity.
Suffering can strike anyone at any time – an illness or accident, a separation or divorce, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job. No one would suggest that you should seek out suffering. And, no one would say that you should love suffering. In fact, suffering is not a being and, therefore, cannot be loved. More details Available from New City Press New York(more…)
«The first feast, the first trip, the first appointment, the first dance … one never forget them! We are moved when we remember the first-time events, bringing either a smile to our face, or a tear. This is what I feel when I recollect my first Mariapolis that just ended.
I had received the invitation from a dear friend and despite doubts and uncertainties, I decided to participate. When I reached Esmeraldas – a city inhabited mainly by Afro-Americans, with a special tradition, cuisine, and rhythm – I knew perhaps 10 people of the 350 who were attending the Mariapolis. Therefore I felt a “total outsider”.
I had to share a room with two strangers, praying that they didn’t snore, and then I attended meetings, round tables, moments of interaction with people I’d never seen before… but listening to their experiences, their dreams, the way in which they sought their happiness and that of their neighbours, I too got the necessary confidence to step out of myself and speak about me.
Among the various meditations, the one that impressed me most was a letter that John Paul II had written to Chiara where he invited the members of the Movement to be “apostles of dialogue”. How could we do it? By listening to and opening ourselves up to our neighbour. I remembered my father, who will soon turn 85 and is now without friends because many are already in heaven. I understood that I could be his friend, listening to the things that interested him: I can’t speak with him about the iPad or the Internet, but all the same I can love him and spend more time with him».
The title of Mariapolis read: “The other from me, another me”. A strong experience related to this was the visit to the inmates at the women’s prison, which led to the falling of many prejudices and indifferences, and to the discovery that we always have something to gift: love.
But the Mariapolis was not only about commitment and meditations. I enjoyed, as only on a few occasions in the past, the talent night where everyone displayed their artistic talents. Besides, the Afro mass was wonderful: the exact representation of the joy that exists in our hearts when we participate in a meeting with God.
When I returned to my home town, although I came back with an empty stomach for not having eaten the famous traditional fish-based dishes such as the corviches or the encocado, my heart was completely filled with love. We were told that the Mariapolis really begins when we get back home to our everyday routine. And so I have tried to put into practice what I had learned, particularly trying to see the face of Jesus in the many brothers with whom I interact during the day.
I can confidently say that Esmeraldas was my first Mariapolis, but it will certainly not be the last.
After having spoken in Buddhist temples and at the Harlem mosque, Chiara Lubich was happy to be able to address the Jewish brothers and sisters. She said, “It’s a great joy for me to meet with you today, you who are part of one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. A great joy, because [ …] I’ve never had the lucky chance of meeting in such large numbers those whom I consider, along with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, to be my elder brothers and sisters and to honour and love them as such”. The 150 people present sang Shalom, the song of peace. Everything was done in an atmosphere of ceremonial sacredness, punctuated by the Words of God from the Old Testament and from the awareness of assisting at an event that – as it was said – signified the “closing of an era and the opening of another: that of unity”. In the front, a large chandelier with 7 arms (the menorah) with the candles solemnly lit one by one: the first represented light, the second justice, the third peace, the fourth benevolence, the fifth brotherly love, the sixth harmony. Chiara and the President [of the B’nai B’rith, Dr. Jaime Kopec, editor’s note] were invited to light the seventh one placed at the centre: This is the candle of truth, the seal of God, the heart of life. As soon as it was lit, Chiara turned towards the president and proposed to make a pact of unity in that moment. And he replied: “This is a pact”. Then, in his speech, in which he addressed Chiara as “sister”, the president explained it to everyone as “a pact of loving one another, of faith in looking ahead to the future, of burying centuries of intolerance. It’s not easy, but only the brave undertake difficult ventures”. “Unity is achieved in respecting the diversity”, added Mario Burman [responsible for the B’nai B’rith’s interreligious dialogue, editor’s note]. “A new era begins”. And then directing his gaze towards Chiara, “Chiara, Argentina needs your message”. “I am here”, affirmed Chiara, “with brothers and sisters with whom we share a genuine faith in the one God and we have in common the priceless heritage of the Bible in what we call: the Old Testament. What can we do? What can we consider? If a simple Golden Rule (do unto others what you want done unto yourself) is able to gather us together with the followers of other religions in brotherly love, if not always in God, at least in the faith of a superior Being, what could happen if the Lord began to clarify that it is His will to establish even among us, Jews and Christians, a brotherly relationship? ( …) I was enlightened by many divine truths that fill your Jewish tradition and which we share. Truths that can become the bonding agent between our and your spiritual life. (…) I dreamt in this way to be able to live together these truths and to give a new hope to the world with our deep communion, with our collaboration”. Taken from “The menorah lights – with Chiara Lubich in Argentina and Brazil”, Città Nuova Ed., Roma, 1998, pp. 132,34.
After a pastoral experience as an assistant parish priest that lasted for eleven years, my bishop, before entrusting me with the parish, gave me the opportunity to spend four months in the little town of Loppiano, at the Formation Centre for us diocesan priests. Here I found myself with around twenty priests and seminarians coming from various parts of the world to live an evangelical experience of communion, based on the spirituality of unity. In the beginning, it was not easy among us priests to communicate due to the language barrier. For example, when Yvon from Madagascar arrived, he only spoke French. In order to communicate with him, I had to translate from Italian to English, and then Peter from the US translated from English to French. It was rather laborious, but we did it in a brothers spirit and we understood each other very well. At this school of life, everything is done in harmony: praying, meditating, enriching lessons of theological, biblical, and pastoral care insights in various fields; but also work in the garden, in the kitchen, mopping the floors, translating into various languages, teaching the Italian language, playing football … This opening up to activities other than those typical to priests, and even doing many jobs involving manual labour, as Jesus had done for thirty years in Nazareth, makes this course a true integral school. For example, serving in the canteen on Sundays, together with the religious and the laity who also live this experience, welcoming the numerous visitors to Loppiano with a good lunch, setting the tables and then washing the pots, dishes, etc… a great number of things that one is able to do only together with the others, and with gusto. It’s only a detail of the activities that take place out here, but for me it was all new and it was a beautiful teaching. The fact of working in the carpentry section from Mondays to Fridays, made me appreciate Saturdays and Sundays in a different way, as my people did in the parish. To work in the handicrafts section (painting, smoothing, wood processing), it was necessary to learn to use well one’s senses of sight, hearing and touch; and to proportion muscular strength, otherwise you risk ruining the pieces or the machinery. Handicrafts is a school of attention and delicacy, fundamental characteristics in life, especially in that of a priest. Even daily Mass acquired a different flavour altogether. For example, to offer one’s work at the time of the Offertory is much more concrete when your back hurts from spending the morning bending to hoe the ground or to sandpaper a piece of wood… Besides, dealing with the house work all together has helped me to overcome doing things half-heartedly. There were certain things that I had always done but discussing it with the others and asking their opinions helped me discover that there was a better way to do them. It means that it is not just enough to do good, you need to do it well! I feel very enriched by these few months lived in an “integral school” of life. The manual work made me understand more the life of my people, and what it means to witness one’s faith at the workplace. And I rediscovered the royal priesthood of every Christian that must lie at the basis of my ministerial priesthood. (Article taken from Gen’s – the magazine of ecclesial life)
I come from Brazil, the fifth of a family of six children, two of whom were born from the previous marriage of my father, who was then left a widower. I was just one year old when dad left home, leaving behind my pregnant mother who was unable to take up a job because we children were still quite small. Since we had no close relatives and our father did not contribute to our livelihood, the situation turned critical. Practically we had nothing to eat and many bills to pay! Mum decided to sell some of the furniture in the house to cover the immediate needs and we remained only with the essential things.
Lizomar Dos Santos
One of my acquired step brothers had a grocery store from where mum took what we needed to eat. But since we couldn’t pay him, he came one day and took away the fridge. For the same reasons they first cut off our electricity supply and then also the gas. For years we lived using oil lamps and cooking with firewood. Often some neighbours helped us out with whatever little they had. Meanwhile, our father had three other children with another woman. For us it was really hard not to receive his love, but mum always taught to respect him as our father. Whenever we saw him she’d tell us: “That’s your father. Go to him to ask for his blessing”. I worked as a street vendor till I was eighteen. Often I hid myself when I saw a friend, because I felt ashamed. I have also worked as a farmhand and a bricklayer. Then, in 2000, I was summoned to work as a volunteer at the Ministry of Justice where, seeing my commitment, they employed me at the Tribunal Secretariat. I even managed to complete my studies and graduate in Arts. One day, a friend invited me to a meeting of the Focolare Movement to which he belonged. Out there I discovered that Jesus, who had suffered and experienced the abandonment on the cross, could give meaning to my own personal sufferings and to those of my family. I believed that everything could have a meaning, and that my pain had served to make me a more humane person, sensitive to the sufferings of others. This discovery led me and leads me to a personal encounter with God, to whom I decided to dedicate my life, serving my brothers and sisters on the way of the Focolare. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————— Video: meeting of the movements, associations and lay groups, in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis.. Introduction: Songs and testimonies (Contains the testimony of Lizomar Dos Santo)
“I teach the Italian language in the northern suburbs of Paris, a disadvantaged area in socio-economical terms, with a multicultural student population. There’s rampant drug peddling. Normally, teachers at the beginning of their careers come out here, and then, having gained points, ask for a transfer to less demanding schools. I could have done so too, but I decided to stay – I’m out here since twelve years – to give the children the same quality of teaching as the best schools in Paris.
It was tough in the beginning. I was insulted by the students and once they even wrecked my car with kicks. Not knowing how to react, I was on the defensive … Then gradually I learnt to accept my pupils, even through a dialogue with their families, with the certainty that school is also the place to have positive experiences that further human development. Many of my colleagues arrive unprepared into this reality: some have a nervous breakdown, others continuously send students to face the council of discipline. I try to support them.
What’s important is to help children deal with their aggressiveness and remain calm in the classroom. It takes time to communicate in an appropriate manner, to let them know that I respect them, and at the same time, setting limits, always giving special attention to those who, through an unruly behaviour, express their difficulties. I’m reminded of S. who has five siblings, one of whom is physically challenged. Since the mother works throughout the day, he needs to take care of him. He’s unmotivated at school. He knows that I’m close to him to help him overcome his grief, and to encourage him to give his best.
One of my objectives is to appreciate everyone’s participation. I set the rules at the beginning of the year. For example, no one has the right to ridicule the others. Gradually an atmosphere of respect is established, wherein each one is free to speak up. Preparing a good lesson depends on me, but also on them if they actively involve themselves.
From a didactic point of view, the interdisciplinary cultural projects are of primary importance.
They conclude each year with a school trip funded, besides the appropriate bodies (Municipality, General Council, Banks), by small self-financing activities.
It is a beautiful experience of fraternity for the boys to come out from their own environments that condition, judges and marginalizes them. They almost become different people and their positive potential comes forth. For example, Y is passive and characterless in class. Speaking with him I discovered that the teachers and his father for years told him that he was a good for nothing and he ended up believing them. He displayed a hatred for history in the classroom but while in Sicily he displayed sensitiveness to artistic beauty: has been fascinated by Greek theatre in Taormina and the Roman aqueduct in Syracuse.
I don’t know if what I do will have a positive result. I’ve learnt not to expect immediate results. Even when a boy doesn’t change, the most important thing is to continue to believe in him, without delving on what is not going right, but to recognise all the positive aspects that he possesses, thereby appreciating him and giving him a sense of gratification.
And then I have a good relationship with many colleagues. It’s important to listen, talk, and share experiences.
The same holds true while giving a sense of direction. To someone who wanted to become a chef I said: “You are lucky to have clear ideas. It’s rare. Be ambitious, and aim to obtain a good training”. He was accepted in one of the best culinary schools in Paris. Giving me the news has added: “I’ll create some recipes and one of them will be a tiramisù dedicated to you”.
“We reached Mariapolis Piero (Nairobi, Kenya) on the 10 May morning, and were welcomed as only the Africans know how: with smiles and hugs without reserve for all! This is because they place the person at the centre of their days, and we discovered this through their lives, and the stories of their tribes that were presented during the School of Inculturation. It was enriching to enter into all these cultures and to discover commonalities and things which distinguish them. Besides those who had come from the sub-Saharan Africa countries, there were around fifteen young people from countries neighbouring Kenya: Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, as well as Madagascar, Zambia, Angola, Malawi … two from South America who are living for a period of time at the small town, and 5 of us: me, Chiara, Giulia, Aurelio and Paula. They explained to us how the project was conceived and two activities were proposed: to reach the Samburu people in the Savannah and to live with them for 4 days, interviewing them and learning about their roots and understanding their cultural heritage; to help out at the various nutritional centres in Madare, in the slums of Nairobi, and at Njabini, a village 2600 meters above sea level. A group comprising 8 of us decided to take up the second activity. One the first day we were welcomed in a chapel made of tin sheet, which functioned as a Nutritional Centre by day and as a Temple of God in the evening. The reality of the slums was quite overwhelming. There’s a situation of absolute poverty, of a social degradation that’s quite inhuman, and yet the dignity of the person is elevated, it does not give up and clings to that one certainty: God is Love. Some Italian sisters, who have been missionaries to Madare since the seventies, affirmed the strong faith that was present, and how this leads to mutual help. The person responsible for the nutrition centre herself was born and grew up in the slums. Now, having embraced the spirituality of unity, she started this activity wherein, besides ensuring a minimum education and two square meals a day, she teaches children the art of loving through the dice of love. On reaching home these children lightened up the entire family, challenging one other to a competition of love, which even made life spiritually fuller. The following day we went to Njabini. After 3 hours of travel, we were greeted by a family composed of mama Julia, papa Joseph, Mary, Absunta and Anthony. They belong to the Kikuyu tribe. We stayed with them for 3 days, helping out in the household chores, in the fields, and with the cattle. On the last evening, during a moment of sharing, I felt that this had now become my family, and I have no longer felt a “mzungu” (white) in their midst! And mama Julia confided in us: “Before you arrived I thought I have four children. Now I feel I have 8 more! “. It doesn’t feel like I’ve returned home because I believe that the trips are one-way. Something in me has changed forever: I’m enriched with a culture diametrically opposite to mine, and more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of my way of living. One thing’s for sure, I’ve made the “Ubuntu” philosophy my life philosophy: I can realize myself as a person only in the moment I enter into a relationship with the Other and I place him or her at the centre of my life. Which, after all, refers to that love of brother preached by Someone more than two thousand years ago and which our Chiara has always reminded us of. (Elena D. Italy) (Elena D. – Italy)
A man of great humility, Piergiorgio had a gift for placing himself at the service of others with intelligence, deep listening and understanding.
Aletta, as she was popularly known, lived with Chiara at the dawn of the Focolare. Her recollections – some published here for the first time – along with excerpts from talks and presentations, describe the exceptional adventure she lived; also her share for over twenty five years in building the Focolare Movement in the lands of the Middle East.
There was so much mutual support, a veritable competition in offering flats, for example, and dwelling places to people with nowhere to stay. Many families opened their homes to those who were living in the most dangerous regions. Then there were some who had houses in the mountains or in secure locations, who offered hospitality to the ones who were left homeless.
From Castello in Val di Sole where Chiara taught during the 1938-1939 school year, Caterina, Carmela, Dolores and Edda recall that in Chiara’s class which was comprised of 42 boys from all five classes, the teacher didn’t limit herself only to didactic activities.. In her class you also learned education, brotherhood and . . . how “to love one another.”
Around two years ago, in a timespan of about three months, my teeth began to deteriorate in a dramatic way. So I went to a dentist and asked for an estimate of the cost of the work that would have to be done. Heart attack! It was going to cost a good 10,000 Swiss francs. I discussed the decision with my wife and, given the urgency, we decided to accept the doctor’s estimate and proceed with the treatment. The cure lasted a few months and that gave us time to prepare for the important investment. On the second to last visit the dentist informed me that there were further complications and the cost would be raised to a total of 11,280 francs. To stay within the estimate, he proposed that I pay 1000 francs in cash. This proposal by the dentist probably came from his desire to help me save some money, since I’ve been one of his patients for a long time. I asked if I could give an answer at my next appointment, because I wanted to discuss the decision with my wife first. The amount already foreseen was already a lot for us and 1,280 more francs was quite a bit of money. The temptation to save some money was strong! The thought took over in my mind that a part of the money could be used to help someone, or that it could be given to charity and many other such excuses. In the end, however, we decided as Christians that it would be more correct to pay the full amount. As we gave our answer to the dentist, we tried to show love toward him, thanking him for his kindness toward us in order not to embarrass him, explaining to him the reason for our choice. Providence didn’t keep us waiting! Last April as I filled out my declaration of earnings report, I included the dentist’s bill. On June 8th the answer in the “
On June 14-15, 2013, a group of 48 focolarini from 13 Christian Churches examined some important points of the spirituality of unity in relation to ecumenism. During the meeting we listened the story of Hanneke, a Dutch focolarina from the Reformed Church. “I grew up in a family that belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church. When I was 13 years old my mother passed away and a rather difficult period in my life was begun. None of my family members went to church anymore, but I felt that I didn’t want to leave God. I always kept in contact with the local church community. When I was 21 years old I made the ‘profession of faith,’ which is quite an important step in the Reformed Church. There I committed to give my all for the building up of the Kingdom of God in the Church and in the world. On that day too, just as when I was very young, I felt that God wanted something more from me. In my searching I met the Taize community where I discovered a Christianity that was different from what I had known up until then, one that could be lived together with others. Shortly afterwards, through a colleague at work, I came to know the spirituality of the Focolare. My colleague never spoke about it directly, but I could understand from the way she lived that her life had a very strong spiritual dimI began to visit the focolare in Amsterdam. Once I arrived during a birthday party, something very simple. But there for the first time I experienced that spiritual presence of Jesus, and began to better understand the significance of the words: ‘Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Mt. 18:20). There I saw mutual love being practiced, and I began telling myself: I want to live like this too. At first I didn’t feel the difference between me (from the Reformed Church) and the majority of the others who were Roman Catholics. Only after a few years did I realize that we were different in the way we professed our faith, and many questions began coming to my mind. At times I didn’t feel understood. The key to continuing along this path I found in Jesus Forsaken. I recognized his countenance in the wounds of division between the Churches, in our different way of thinking, and this helped me to go ahead. I was transferred to Eindhoven in the south of Holland where most people are Roman Catholic. On the one hand I experienced great openness and, on the other hand, I learned to express my questions or difficulties when I saw things that didn’t that didn’t click with the mentality of the Reformed Church. This helped me in building truer relationships. Also within the Focolare Movement as a whole there are many of us from the Reformed Church in different vocations and callings. We have had beautiful experiences of coming to know each other, some trips to Rome for example. We also became aware that ecumenism is a journey that is common to us all, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic. For some years Christian leaders from several Churches and movements have been asking how they could give a witness of unity to Holland, rather than one of division. So a committee was set up that was called ‘We choose unity.’ A 
What is happening to the Church today? How are the challenges of passing on the faith to new generations to be tackled, given the scandals that have arisen in several countries and the abandonment of the faith in Europe? How are the vitality and gifts emerging from the lands of Asia and Africa to be appreciated and welcomed?
The event promoted by the Gens magazine on ecclesial life was held this third time on June 12-13. Focolare president, 
“Five words for my Church” was the suggestive title given to a presentation via Skype, by theologian Piero Coda from Sophia University Institute which he heads in the Focolare town of 
Stefano Comazzi is responsible for the projects section of the 
The water situation, there is only one public distribution point, with only one fountain about half a kilometer from the settlement, I saw a small crowd of women and children there. From what they say, it seems that the queues begin early in the morning at around three o’clock and go on for many hours. We spoke with the mayor and learned that there is a study underway on a project for the entire north region of the city, with adequate pipe diameter and flow rate, and a tank for collecting water right next to the field. Nevertheless, while awaiting the project to be realized, CASOBU will examine other possible short-term solutions that will alleviate at least some of the difficulty of the local population to provide water for itself.
One well-known rabbi who took part in the meeting promoted by the Focolare and held at the Mariapolis Centre in Castelgandolfo, Rome, explained that the history of mutual understanding between the two religions developed along three levels of interaction.
They went to Sulyap ng Pag-asa, a residential center served by the Focolare in the crowded and deprived areas of Quezon City. The Youth for a United World carry out regular activities in favor of nutritional assistance. At the Sinag Hospital, which desires to respond to the invitation of Jesus to love the poorest, they have experienced that by spending their time with the patients, their own problems seemed small. Another activity took place at Boys Town, a home for hundreds of street children, run by the Department of Welfare. There they met children between the ages of 8 and 17. They spent time together, caring, singing and dancing. The Youth for a United World were also invited to share their secret, “the art of loving.” The children in turn offered some of their own songs and dances. The Munting tahanan ng Nazareth is a centre for the physically and mentally handicapped. One Youth for a United World explained: “With our visit, we wanted to share God’s love that is present in all of our hearts, no matter who we are.” Young women who have been victims of abuse live at Marillacc Hills where, for some time, young women of the Focolare have been going to visit them. Because of the trust that has been built, the centre also allowed the young men to take part in the activity. 
«I am a doctor specialized in infectious diseases, and I’ve been in contact with HIV positive and AIDS patients for the past 30 years. I deal with this pathology in the hospital where I work in Kinshasa, the capital of 
When I returned to my home town, although I came back with an empty stomach for not having eaten the famous traditional fish-based dishes such as the corviches or the encocado, my heart was completely filled with love. We were told that the Mariapolis really begins when we get back home to our everyday routine. And so I have tried to put into practice what I had learned, particularly trying to see the face of Jesus in the many brothers with whom I interact during the day.
After having spoken in Buddhist temples and at the Harlem mosque, 
After a pastoral experience as an assistant parish priest that lasted for eleven years, my bishop, before entrusting me with the parish, gave me the opportunity to spend four months in the little town of 
This opening up to activities other than those typical to priests, and even doing many jobs involving manual labour, as Jesus had done for thirty years in Nazareth, makes this course a true integral school.
I come from Brazil, the fifth of a family of six children, two of whom were born from the previous marriage of my father, who was then left a widower. I was just one year old when dad left home, leaving behind my pregnant mother who was unable to take up a job because we children were still quite small. Since we had no close relatives and our father did not contribute to our livelihood, the situation turned critical. Practically we had nothing to eat and many bills to pay! Mum decided to sell some of the furniture in the house to cover the immediate needs and we remained only with the essential things. 
Video: meeting of the movements, associations and lay groups, in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis.. Introduction: Songs and testimonies
“I teach the Italian language in the northern suburbs of Paris, a disadvantaged area in socio-economical terms, with a multicultural student population. There’s rampant drug peddling. Normally, teachers at the beginning of their careers come out here, and then, having gained points, ask for a transfer to less demanding schools. I could have done so too, but I decided to stay – I’m out here since twelve years – to give the children the same quality of teaching as the best schools in Paris.
