Loppiano: Philosophy, Science and Faith

Feb 19, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Benedict XVI has often affirmed that a theology which does not consider the continuous spur of philosophical research and entreaties of science is not a true theology. Based on this conviction, the 2013 edition of the “Renata Borlone, woman in dialogue” award was assigned to the astrophysicist and cosmologist Piero Benvenuti at Loppiano, on Sunday, 17^th February in the main hall of the mini city. He enthralled the audience gathered in the hall as well as those connected via the internet, by illustrating the richness and the need for such a relationship. And this is all the more so if one really wants to know the origin of the universe, which was the topic of the round table in the morning, entitled “In the beginning…”. Besides Prof. Benvenuti, professor of Astrophysics at the University of Padua, the speakers included the theologian Mons. Piero Coda, and the philosopher Prof. Sergio Rondinara of the Sophia University Institute. The scientist stated that science is unable to explain or prove what occurred in time before the “10 – 43 seconds’ instant. To understand the “beginning”, the initial spark that gave origin to the cosmos, we need to venture into different fields: primarily theology and philosophy. The figure of Renata Borlone, after whom the award is named, and a servant of God, was at the centre of the first part of the afternoon. Last September, on the occasion of LoppianoLab, the president of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce, had said, “If the proclamation of the sanctity of someone serves to recognize the primacy of God, then why not”. And those who had known Renata personally were aware how well these words defined her. Hers is a pathway to holiness, which is a witness to “the rapport, the relationship, the synodality, the reciprocity with those around us”, as Maria Voce had further stated. This was followed by the award ceremony of Prof. Piero Benvenuti, who is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture and director of the CISAS (Interdepartmental Centre for Space Studies and Activities). The citation recognised “the constant drive towards the transcendent in his scientific work, the work of diffusion and dissemination of scientific truth as contributions of truth regarding the human person, and the contribution to the dialogue between the natural sciences and Christian theology”. Many congratulatory messages were received on the occasion, among which that of cardinal Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture: “The example of Renata Borlone – he wrote – with her commitment to the service of the brothers and sisters, which was intimately interwoven with her passion for science, is a splendid witness to a possible pathway of personal growth where faith and science are united and not opposed”. Prof. Piero Benvenuti then gave the keynote address entitled: “Is cosmology really needed?”. He explained the foundations of cosmology as a science “accessible to all”, which responds to the natural human aspiration towards the future and the universal, toward the eschaton. And he concluded referring to Renata: “Now that she sees the truth face to face, may she help us to continue on the scientific path with a horizon that is always a little beyond that which our rational pursuit shows us”. The programme ended with a musical tribute offered by some artists as a sublime expression of the infinite beauty enclosed in the universe.

United in the faith that God is Love

Feb 18, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

February 17th is an historic date for the Waldensian Church in Italy. On this day in the year 1848 King Carlo Alberto signed the “Lettere Patenti’ bestowing legal rights on his Waldensian subjects. His decision was welcomed with great enthusiasm and celebrated with bonfires. The tradition of the  “Bonfire of liberty” is still practiced today and has spread to other Protestant Churches in Italy. There are many contacts between the Waldensians and the members of the Focolare Movement in Italy. Here is one experience of a priest focolarino, a Waldensian pastor and their communities recounted by them: “In our city of Turin, mutual understanding between Catholics and Waldensians began more than twenty years ago, when we began meeting one evening a month for Bible reading and common prayer, and this has continued until now. This greatly favoured the work of the Comitato Interfedi that was instituted for the Olympic Games in Turin. Seeing the great harmony that was created, this Committee remained as a permanent municipal organization. The atmosphere at these gatherings has always been very beautiful and in this context we began to talk about doing something together, about a trip to the Holy Land. It was proposed as a “Journey of Prayer and Study” and turned out to be quite a success. Our journey to the Holy Land took place on 1-9 September 2012. Each morning the priest gave a meditation on the spiritual significance of the holy places that we visited and then a Biblical reflection was offered by the pastor. A further explanation was given at each holy site by the Focolare guide who accompanied us. Our wish was: “to go back to the origins, to the times when Christian history began,” to find a unity that goes beyond the divisions that now divide us. Not to deny that these divisions exist, but to live a moment of real communion even in this tormented land. Some significant moments included: the celebration of the Holy Supper by the Waldensians in the presence of Roman Catholics and the Catholic Mass in the presence of the Waldensians, where the presence of Jesus among two or more who are united in his name became a tangible experience (see Mt. 18:20). Back home we met again to share our impressions and experiences. This experience will certainly be repeated, because during our journey we changed from being unknown and a bit suspicious, to becoming brothers and sisters more and more united in our common Baptism, the common Apostolic Creed and especially in our faith in the God who is Love whom we acknowledge together each time we recite the Our Father. Compiled by Centro «Uno»

Syria: praying for a truce

Feb 16, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

“The cannonades and aircraft flyovers make connections difficult. The situation on the ourskirts of Damascus is also becoming more dramatic. Just listen to the repeated cannon shots even at night, to realize that we have not yet gotten to the word peace! Yet, we continue to hope for it. And we pray for it. I heard from Rim who proposed the Time-Out for Peace to his students, most of them Muslims, in a centre where they are staying and learning to be tailors. The other night I telephoned Maryam from Hom, to see if there was any news from there because I hadn’t been able to reach her for some time. She agreed with me that an intervention from God was needed, so that we wouldn’t lose the faith. She has been living in a nearby village where she fled ten months ago. Her parent’s house is gone, but her elderly father doesn’t know, it would be too much for him. Maryam’s son has returned from Raqqa where he had been studying at university, becuase the situation there has also grown worse. She told me that at the end of the month they will have to leave the house they have been renting, and where shall they go? Today I spoke with Luna from Aleppo who informs me that together with Marah, Yasmina and some friends they have put up a small business from their home (marmalade, doilies and such) and they would like to find a way to sell these products. She says: ‘Many people like us are grateful if we receive help in buying bread or a few litres of gas oil for the heating, but we want to work!’ I was immediately reminded of the road blocks and the risk of being robbed, but I assured her that we wouldn’t let the idea fall by the wayside. I’ve known Luna for some time and not surprised by her determination. I aslo know her brother Nader and his family, two splendid and intelligent little boys. Up until two years ago Nader and his father ran one of the most well-known carpentry businesses in the city, with products that were artistically excellent. For nearly six months they’ve been without work. Luna tells me: ‘If we don’t find some other way to support our families, we will also have to go and knock on the door of the churches for help!’ What shameful words they teach in the schools: ‘Si vis pacem para bellum’ (if you want peace prepare for war)! ‘If you want peace prepare human beings’ I would say, human beings who think in terms of brotherhood, justice, sharing of goods, love and true freedom. “The Latin Rite bishop is saying that at least two generations will be needed for the wounds of this war are healed – and that is only if the war ends it quickly. Many here are convinced that the only reason for all of this is economical and political.” “Many would like to do something to put a stop to these senseless and malicious projects. But then there are also those – and they are not few – who joing together to pray not only at twelve o’clock for the Time-Out for peace that was launched by the Focolare Movement. They try to spread the Time-Out among friends and acquaintances during chance meetings and with people of all religions.” fonte: Città Nuova

Emerging Youth Cultures

Feb 15, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Culture dedicated to emerging youth cultures was held in Rome from 6^th to 9^th February. The dicastery’s president Cardinal Ravasi stated that the aim of the meeting was “to listen carefully to the youth issue” that exists in society as well as in the Church, wherein the difficulty in the transmission of the faith is evident.

The importance of this theme was reaffirmed by the Holy Father in his meeting with the participants, where he mentioned that for the Church young people are “an essential and unavoidable point of reference for its pastoral work.” He added that “there are decidedly positive phenomena” such as “the many young volunteers who dedicate their best efforts to others in need“.

Farasoa Bemahazaka

The experience of Fara, a youth of the  Focolare Movement in Madagascar, confirms the pope’s words. She was invited to speak on: “Forms of participation, creativity and voluntary work”. At the age of 16, Fara attended an international meeting of the Youth for a United World, having “Project Africa’ as an on-going activity. With them she experienced that it was possible to live the radicalism of the first Christians even today. Some years later she attended the Gen School at Loppiano in Italy, where she stayed for 10 months, driven by the desire to live her faith with more intensity. During this period, she understood that “each person has something to give, even through many small actions; one gives and receives insofar as one loves. This gives rise to intercultural dialogue, which begins with an interpersonal dialogue because the dialogue is not between cultures but between people of different cultures”.

At present this young African woman is studying Economics and Trade in Florence. It was here that she came in contact with the La Pira International Centre, where she carried out civil service and was able to continue to deepen relationships with and cultures of young people from all over the world. Besides, with other friends, she promoted the Association of African students in Florence that aims to keep alive the awareness of their cultural origins and at the same time promote universal brotherhood. At the beginning of the academic year, a counter was opened to help new students. It offered them assistance in dealing with bureaucratic matters and in facilitating their inclusion in Florence’s social life.

In September 2012, she participated at the Genfest and presently is an active supporter of the United World Project, which would like to show the good that advances and highlight humanity’s slow but unstoppable journey toward universal brotherhood.

Fara has made the words of Chiara Lubich her very own: “Jesus would return today to “die for these people”, to save them from all evils. But Jesus came twenty centuries ago. Now he wants to return through us. Jesus was young: he wants to return especially through young people! “.

50th anniversary of the Focolare in Africa

Feb 11, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

«An extraordinary story, a divine one, which you know well. So many years of faithfulness and commitment from many of you that made that seed grow –sown first in Cameroon. From that seed pieces of humanity renewed by love have blossomed, striving towards the realization of God’s project for the whole large African continent, and beyond». These are some excerpts from the message sent by Maria Voce (Emmaus), the President of the Focolare Movement, to the members of the movement in Africa, who are celebrating this year the 50^th anniversary of the arrival of the Charism of unityin their continent. There were 2000 persons gathered close to Fontem on the 9th February, at Shisong, in the Bamenda Region (North-West of Cameroon) the same place that welcomed the first focolarini who reached on the 12^thFebruary 1963. There were all those who consider themselves as “Chiara’s children”. They had celebrated the Cry Die (the end of mourning) for the founder of the Focolare in January 2009, in that same place. With that event Chiara was solemnly counted among the ancestors, and therefore worthy to be remembered and invoked, because “her ideal of solidarity, spirituality, sharing, and love cannot die”. There were also those who in these years have taken part in the “New Evangelization” action, an integral project started in 2000 by Chiara and the Fon (King) of Fontem, who was the first one to take the commitment, in front of his people, to living the spirit of love and unity that comes from the Gospel. It’s the Fon himself who later on got the other chiefs and noblemen involved. Last Saturday’s event at Shisong started with the Time Out for peace, and continued with the ‘Jubilee celebration prayer’, asking God to strengthen their Faith in Him, keeping in mind the ‘pioneers’ of this adventure (Chiara Lubich, Bishop Julius Peeters and the Fon Defang); to know how to start again with humility to love every neighbour, to walk towards universal fraternity, to increase the fire of charity in every community, in order to be apostles of Jesus’ Testament “That all may be one” (Jn 17,21).   Two of the first focolarini who gave so much of themselves in Africa, Bruna Tomasi and Lucio Dal Soglio, were present through their messages. The reading of their letters and those of others among the protagonists of the beginnings of the focolare (Rosa Calò, Rita Azarian) introduced the documentary: “Focolare, 50 years in Africa”, retracing this journey, interwoven with the experience of Piero Pasolini and Marilen Holzhauser.  For the occasion, a special issue of the African edition of New City was entirely dedicated to cover this topic.   Since the beginning, the Word of God was not merely an object of contemplation, but was instead immediately translated into real choices, in daily life. When the different communities were born, that special atmosphere of family was experienced, a spirit in which it was possible to share even one’s needs. Then many actions were initiated in the continent, including social programmes, schools, and health centres: from the College in Fontem, to nursery schools, primary schools and tuitions programs in Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya; a hospital in Fontem, medical centres in Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ivory Coast; actions against malnutrition; carpentry workshops for the youth in South Africa, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Kenya; an agricultural project in Nigeria.   From the beginning of the ’70s, many African youth discovered “Chiara’s way” and therefore a new lifestyle. Like her, Anne Nyimi Pemba (Congo) and Venant Mbonimpaye (Burundi) left everything to follow Jesus, embarking themselves on this new way of consecrated life in Africa.  They were among the first ones, like Teresina Tumhiriwe, from Uganda, Benedict Menjo and Dominic Nyuyilim from Cameroon. Dominic was present at the Shisong celebration, sharing his own experience. Many have followed them in their footsteps. Mafua Christina, Queen of the Bangwa, and Prof. Martin Nkafu, born in Fontem and lecturer of Philosophy and traditional cultures at the Pontifical Lateran University, were also present. They shared their personal experiences, followed with a array by the new generations – children, teenagers and youth– that showed how much today’s experience is in continuity with the Ideal of brotherhood that took roots 50 years ago. “A people born from the Gospel, capable of witnessing of being family beyond their belonging to different tribes, ethnic groups and peoples,” Maria Voce wrote in her message, with the wish of restarting together from this milestone –that will last for the whole year, with a celebration in Kenya at the Mariapolis Piero on the 19th May, during the Pan-African congress of the Volunteers of God, and other events in various African countries.

The country in difficulty was my own

Feb 9, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

“Always in search of something that would make me truly happy, I had tried everything. Here I have come to see that the happiness I longed for was never to be found in material things. There was another truer and deeper happines still to be discovered.” When Daniele De Patre arrived at the  Pag-Asa Community Centre he began to experience something that would profoundly change his life. The faces of those people and those poor environments, often seen on television, suddenly became tangible.

In Tagaytay, in the Philippines, homes are constructed with only one room, dirt floors and without running water. Families do not have access to community health care services and there are no employment opportunities.

In this rural area many children are left to themselves and often have no legal identity, so that they are excluded from the most basic social services such as education, health care and economic assistance. They are left at the mercy of inhuman work and criminal activities.

With support from Azione per Famiglie Nuove the Pag-Asa Community Centre carries out numerous activities in the fields of health, education, professional training and provides ongoing support for 400 minors. The clinic is equipped to offer medical care for permanently disabled patients, and this is where Daniele was a volunteer worker, and where he came to know of a new theraputic approach, one based on continual interaction and a relationship of mutual exchange between patient and caregiver. While translating the letters that the children had written to their supporters from around the world, Daniele felt that he was drawn into their world. He perceived their joy, the hardships and hopes of these young children, which he then saw face to face when he personally visited the barrios.

Life in Teramo, Italy, where Daniele comes from, was just a distant memory now, as were those 26 years spent in working and going out with his friends. “Seeing situations of such deeply rooted poverty,” he admits, “was hard to accept. But slowly, slowly I also discovered a solidarity and generosity among the people, that the country in difficulty seemed perhaps to be my own because of its indifference, isolation and closed spirit. . .”

“Once,” he tells, “we reached such a muddy barrio that it was impossible to climb the hill wearing our flip flop slippers, so Heero and I left them at the bottom of the hill at the end of the road. When we came back they were gone, but two days later we found them again at the community centre.” Then he countinued, “I’ll never forget that day on which we went to visit one barrio and it was raining so much that we lost our way, but three children then ran up to us under the rain and were so happy to guide us in the right direction. During those months at Tagaytay Daniele found in each act of generosity what he had been searching for: “Life is far more than what can be measured with numbers.”   

Everything he had in his wealthy life in Teramo was free and taken for granted. Here it had to be obtained under much difficulty: food, clothing, medicines and everything else. “I would like to place my stone,” he writes, “into the building of a world in which me and my brothers and sisters can eat the same way, have the same kinds of schools, the same clothing and time for play without having to sit and beg for alms, to have a roof over our heads, and a bed to sleep in at night, so that finally a more just world will not remain forever just a utopian dream.”

Was I born at Vallo or in Romania?

Feb 8, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Claudio, Antoanetta, Marinella, Giorgio

Vallo Torinese

Don Vincenzo

Asia: training in interreligious dialogue

Feb 6, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

“Discovering the Scriptures of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity and how they contribute to peace and harmony” is the title of the course that gathered together 290 members of the Focolare Movement from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Australia and many others from different regions of Thailand. It was a real cross-section of Asia, whose goal was to deepen knowledge of the world’s Great Religions from the East and to be trained for mature dialogue. The meeting was highly anticipated, following the last one that was held in the Focolare’s “Mariapolis Pace” in the Philippines, in 2011. The course was opened by the president of the School of Dialogue with Oriental Religions (SOR), Archbishop of Bangkok, Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithanavanij who stated in his opening remarks: “The different religions consider their scriptures to be sacred in different ways. But there is one thing they have in common, and it is basic: they are all fonts of wisdom.” Competent presenters included: Dr. Seri Phongphit from Bangkok for Theravada Buddhism; Dr. Donald Mitchell for Mahayana Buddhism; Professors Adnane and Mokrani for Islam; Philipp Hu for Confucianism; Stephen Lo for Taoism and Luciano Cura for Hinduism. Bishop Roberto Mallari from the Philippines presented his reflections on the Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini. And as a summary of the main theme of the course, Andrew Recepcion, president of the International Association of Missiologists (IACM), offered an illuminating lesson on the New Evangelisation in Asia, in relation to interreligious dialogue. The fact that the SOR was held for the first time outside the Mariapolis in Tagaytay permitted the participants to immerge themselves in Theravada Buddhism which is typical of Thailand and of the entire South East Asia. The approach toward Buddhism was not limited only to delving into its Scriptures at an academic level, but entered into concrete life, thanks to the experiences of Metta and Beer, two Buddhists who have been in friendship with the Focolare since 1980. Deeply moving were the video clips in which Buddhist monks shared impressions concerning their personal relationships with Chiara Lubich, accompanied by personal experiences which they lived after encountering the ideal of unity. It was inspiring to everyone. Professor Donald Mitchell, who could not be present personally, presented his lesson via Skype, linking the SOR of Bangkok with Purdue University in the United States. The atmosphere of communion enabled participants to understand the lessons not only intellectually, but spiritually as well. Many said that they had understood interreligious dialogue on a much deeper level, as a lifestyle and not as an activity to be carried out. The “SOR 2013” was particularly significant for Asia in this Year of Faith; and interreligious dialogue turned out to be a bridge not only to an understanding of other religions and cultures, but an encouragement to understand one’s own Christian faith. Fr. Vicente Cajilig O.P. underscored how the interreligious dialogue of the Focolare Movement offers concrete answers in different ways to the deliberations of the Federation of Asian Bishop Conferences (FABC). The participants returned to their homelands grateful for the ideal of unity that leads them to live their Scriptures, the Word that makes them discover the “true self”. They left committed once again to living the charism of unity more intensely so that they might be a gift within the Church.

Info

Feb 5, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Aotearoa (i.e. New Zealand)

Feb 4, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

It would be difficult to imagine a more liveable place than Wellington. We are here now in the summer, the sun shining and the temperature ideal. In this city that is considered the windiest in the world after Chicago, the wind is not so impetuous. This weekend there is the Sevens Cup, the country’s main rugby tournament. The spectators use masks for this occasion, and this pleases the photographers. Wellington is truly enchanting in every way. At St. Mary’s College in the capital, just above the Catholic and Anglican cathedrals, more than 200 people of the New Zealand Focolare community have gathered this weekend, coming from the two main islands that comprise the country. They are both non-indigenous and members of the Maori population which is the minority. This is the reason for the name “Aotearoa” (the land of the long white cloud). Unlike Australia where co-existence between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples has presented serious problems, here in New Zealand inter-ethnic relations are much less problematic thanks to the combined efforts of civil and traditional authorities. The country now presents itself as a real example of peaceful co-existence. The visitors from Italy were welcomed by the popular anthem and dance of the karana. Choral refrains were accompanied by loud shouts of challenge and welcome as we have also heard from the best ambassadors of New Zealand, the fabulous All Blacks, the most powerful rugby team on the planet. There was a brief but helpful review of history – done in pictures – sounds, dances and testimonies. All of it enabled both local and guest to value and better understand the story of a diverse but united people that thanks to the Christian presence was able to achieve true social cohesion. It is this that has always allowed them to boast of their enviable quality as a people without enemies, who are able to be accepting of  others. It is quite instructive, no doubt about it, especially in these times when immigration is so common, also here, arriving mostly from Asia. “Welcome home!” the band sings, joining European sounds and local rhythms in a suggestive mix. The brief history of the “populace born from the Gospel” of Chiara Lubich, began with words of the psalm: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Ps. 2:8). And here we are at the anitpodes of Trent, the ultimate limits. The history began with a Dutch man, Evert Tross and a young New Zealander, Terry Gunn, who had made the decision to live according to the Gospel, following the example of the little school teacher from Trent (Chiara Lubich). The history later continued with the opening of a focolare, with the blessing of Archbishop Tom Williams, now cardinal emeritus of Wellington, who came to know the charism of unity in Rome, 1960, during the Roman Olympics. Later this charism spread to several main cities of the country and to many rural regions. Bill Murray, an elder, a senior member of his tribe, the Ngati Apa testified that: “After having known the focolare I changed quite a bit in my life and in my way of being an elder. The love of Jesus is now an integral part of the way I do things. Every judgement and decision is based on the love that I have learned from Chiara.” The current Archbishop of Wellington, John Dew also recognised the importance of the Focolare for New Zealand: “Amidst the current wave of secularisation, the Holy Spirit has bestowed some charisms for making the message of the Gospel ever new. Here in New Zealand I see that the Focolare has understood the people and their needs, and they know how to act with imagination and courage.”   Then Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti offered some words to the community that had gathered from all the cities of New Zealand, from the extreme North of the country to its southernmost tip: “The trips that I’ve taken have allowed me to know the beauties of many peoples. Imagine you, who live in such beautiful country that is so rich in humanity,” the president began. As happened in Australia, here too the influence of secularisation and multiculturalism has had a strong influence. The youths in the audience brought up existential issues such as the existence of God, the salvation brought by Jesus, a person’s freedom to sin, the strength to change oneself, helping those who are without work or a place to live. . . These are the children of Christian families who bring up these topics, once more highlighting the vast horizons of the New Evangelisation. Maria Voce suggested that finding answers means working together, not asserting prefabricated answers. Such answers point to the love of God as a credible answer and to the life of sharing, of unity, as the method for never falling under the weight of such questions. Other topics included the unbelief and the difficulties of educating people in the faith. Here again Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti tried to give encouragement, suggesting the power of unity as an answer, as a united and adequate testimony for these times and situations. There was another demanding topic: “God seems to be irrelevant in the lives of the majority of people. Therefore we tend not to talk about God. We know that the first step is to love our neighbours, but is it enough? Shouldn’t we also talk? Giancarlo Faletti offered his response to this comment: “We should see Jesus in each individual and therefore every person should be loved as if we were speaking with Jesus. This is basic. After we’ve done this, we’ll feel a need to speak to each person in a way that is appropriate to him or to her.” But there’s more: “We have to discern and choose the correct ways of acting, not doing certain things, or even leaving certain situations. Then we need to explain ourselves in some way. We should be able to see in our life a proclamation of Jesus and of God’s love.”   “In the Movement I can somehow see the Church as it should be. What can we do then so that everyone will experience Jesus in the midst (Mt. 18:20)?” asked one of the Movement’s adherent members. Maria Voce offered some thoughts: “John Paul II once asked something similar about the Focolare: “I see the post-Conciliar Church in you.” What can we do then so that all of mankind can experience Jesus in the midst? We don’t know when, but it will happen because Jesus wanted it by asking unity from the Father (Jn. 17:21). But He asks us to help Him to make this dream come true. Our task is to establish small fires in the midst of the human family, small groups of people who are united in the name of Jesus. There might be only two people, but together: in a school, a hospital, a band, even on a cricket team. Two people only, a small fire. But all these small fires at some point will meet up with the other fires. And then the fire will become larger and larger, even though we will never be exactly sure we’re the fire has caught on. One thing is certain: God is at work. Well, let us also collaborate with Him then by lighting these small fires and keeping them burning.” At least for today, Wellington has become the heart of this “populace born from the Gospel”, no longer the last frontier. By Michele Zanzucchi

Men Religious: “Yes, we live the Gospel!”

Feb 3, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The participants from the different religious families were about 150, coming from all over Europe and  as well as from Lebanon, Peru and Brazil. This convention for the men religious, organized by the Focolare Movement, was held at the Mariapolis Center at Castelgandolfo at the same time as the convention for the priests and deacons who take part in the life of the Movement.

Giancarlo Faletti, co-president of the Focolare, who was travelling in those days with Maria Voce to Indonesia and Oceania, made his presence felt with a message, in which he highlighted the important role of the religious for the diffusion of the spirituality of unity in those nations: “Once again, I strongly felt a great and deep sense of gratitude towards our religious, who have brought the Ideal of Unity to these faraway lands, sowing the seed of what, with time, has become the family of the Focolare”.

The program was quite intense: the participants met with some representatives of the Focolare International Centre: with Msgr Piero Coda, Dean of the Sophia University Institute, and Marco Tecilla, the first focolarino. Besides, Father Fabio Ciardi from the Abba School (the Movement’s Studies Centre) and the journalist Paolo Loriga from Città Nuova gave their contribution to the program.

A particularly important moment was the exchange with the new generations. The Youth for a United World presented the United World Project, which was conceived and launched during the Genfest, and is now entering a very dynamic stage.

The project for the Meetings in 2014 generated great interest. Entitled “Yes we live the Gospel”, this global project for the new generations in the consecrated life will take place in various parts of the world. It has three objectives: to make known the charism of unity, to make visible the young face of the consecrated life, and to help experience the beauty of the communion among charisms.

Fr Theo Jansen explained the title, “Yes, we live the Gospel”, as follows: Yes, that is the Yes to the Ideal of unity; We, to emphasize that it is done together, not individually, and finally Gospel: the plurality of charisms that many religious families display by their very existence, charisms that flourish again in the garden of the Church when they are together. Maria Voce gave the participants of the congress a slogan, inspired by a well-known writing from Chiara Lubich, which was in tune with this program: “Look at all the flowers. The other is a flower from our garden.”

University, research, commitment and… a smile

Feb 2, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

A young twenty year-old with a beautiful smile, fresh and simple, that’s how Alejandra Giménez looks. She is studying the second year of Medicine in Asunción, Paraguay, where she lives with her parents and a younger brother. With lots of enthusiasm, Alejandra tells about her commitment at the University, in the scientific and student associations. All these commitments and activities obviously take time from her studies, and she needs to leave out many things she would like to do, but she manages all these because she gives the required time to her spiritual formation. That’s why she meets regularly with the other young people from the Focolare, where she finds all the support she needs. But let’s hear it from her. “I attended a Medicine Conference, in which they discussed about the brain death and organ donation and there I decided to organize an awareness campaign on this subject. I got in touch with the Scientific Society of Medical Students at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción (UNA) and now I have taken up the responsibility of director at the Department of Medical Education. Together with three of my classmates, Eliana Duarte, Aracy Do Nascimento and Lilian Carrera, we studied this topic, and did a scientific research on the awareness and diffusion of organ donation among medical students. This study was selected to represent my University at an important academic meeting in Curitiba, Brazil; and also in September 2013, at an international conference in the United Arab Emirates”. She conducted another research study on the “False alcohol test results” on car drivers. This study deals with common “beliefs” among youngsters, for instance the one that says that using a mouthwash or cough syrup will alter the test results. Road accidents are the major cause of death among the youth in Paraguay, and therefore alcohol, accidents and organ donation are all closely related topics. Alejandra has also been elected to other scientific student associations, and she continued to organize awareness initiatives: one on cardiovascular health, another on breast cancer and on diabetes, to give some examples. Besides all this, she is involved, together with her classmates, in many other projects in the coming year, such as the “Conferences on Research formation for Medical students”. “Of course –she acknowledges–, I do many things and it could be that I won’t be able to accomplish everything, but I prefer to aim high; afterwards, if I am not able to attain all those goals, other classmates will take them ahead”. She has no regrets in spending her energies for others and the smile on her face is a good proof of it!  Source: Ciudad Nueva Uruguay – Paraguay (Dicembre 2012) Our translation.      

Brazil. Fraternity, law and social change

Feb 1, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

A new legal thinking and practical application runs that have succeeded. This is what was presented at the three-day gathering in Mariapolis Ginetta, near to San Paulo, Brazil on January 25-27, 2013. The meeting included 180 lawyers, judges, public judicial ministers, public ministers, public defenders, probation officers, public administration workers, and teachers from all over Brazil.

The numerous experiences that were related corroborated and confirmed the effects of fraternity and its potential. There was the ‘adoption of citizens held without public defence that was carried out in Pernambuco within the framework of criminal law. Here teachers and students offered assistance to detainees who had financial problems. There was the application of alternative penal measures for environmental crimes in the Amazon, through work for the environment that has had the effect of reducing recurrences. There was the work of the core research team of the Centre of Law and Society at the Federal University of Santa Catarina for training in law and the promotion of peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and reconciliation. Family mediation and defence for the weakest members of society, through the interpretation of the law was also achieved.

“Throughout the congress proceedings the many students present were given ample opportunity to voice concerns, questions, discoveries, share experiences and, above all, present their hopes and expectations for a human formation that involves fraternity. At the opening of the congress there was a message from Maria Voce, who is president of the Focolare Movement, a lawyer and among the first supporters of Communion and Law which is an expression of the Focolare’s dialogue with the legal culture. After reminding everyone that “when you live love towards others you respect every law, you interpret the law and you apply it in justice,” she proposed – after decades in which individual rights were held up as the “path to equality” – it was time for a reassessment of our duties since, “without respect for them our relationships are less than correct.” Duties call to mind our responsibility for each other as individuals and as community. This helps to maintain and strengthen the bonds of society.    

In this time of crisis and change fraternity taken as a legal category was shown through the work of the conference to be a lens that highlights and brings about something new. Fraternity involves a turnaround, a reminder to the justice system of the individual human person behind each face. It leads beyond a subjective individual right and opens one to a vision of humankind as “us”. It does not reduce Law to a mere production of norms, but sees it as a tool for healing broken relationships. As Cardinal Odilo Schrerer, Archbishop of San Paulo put it, on the afternoon of the 26th January: [Fraternity is] a proposal of “such great interest, of enormous social importance, crucial for society, culture and civilisation.” He went on to say: “We need to continue digging for the gold so that we can offer this gold to all.”

Those who attended the congress return to their homelands with the mission of spreading the experience they lived here, and the commitments they have made demonstrate this. Other congresses are planned for the University of Santa Caterina and Marilia (SP), in the Brazilia Sergipe Tribunals, in the cities of Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Manaus, as well as the formation of a group of regular gatherings for delving further into the research and praxis.

To find out more: www.comunionediritto.org

Australia: a Church open to new challenges

Jan 31, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Catholics comprise 26% of the population in Australia. Therefore they belong to the most widespread Church of the Christian world that brings together more or less half of the country’s human population. The Conference of Catholic Bishops is comprised of 42 bishops under the guidance of the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis James Hart.

The Australian Church is undergoing many challenges at the moment: growing secularisation (“a real challenge for the civil and religious conscience of the country,” says Bishop Peter Elliott, Auxilliary Bishop of Melbourne); the phenomenon of immigration that brings with it the faithful of other religions (“Our Church is on the way more than any other, because it is mostly comprised of immigrants,” according to the director of Migrant Ministry, Fr. Maurizio Pettena); the accusations being made toward the Catholic Church because of the sexual abuse of minors (“that has removed a lot of credibility from the word of our pastors,” affirms Bob Dixon, director of the centre for studies of the Australian Bishops Conference); because of the teaching of a sexual ethic that the majority of young people do not share (“though there is a strong sensibility, also among non-Catholics for the Christian notion of the human body,” explains Matthew MacDonald, executive officer for Melbourne’s Archdiocesan Office for life, family and marriage.

Some Bishop Friends of the Focolare were invited to the Thomas Carr Center next to the cathedral in Melbourne. This movement is very much loved by the bishops because of its “Marian nature”  Bishop of Sale, Christofer Prowse pointed out.

The meeting had been organised by Bishop Prowse. He recounted his encounter with the Focolare, when he was still a seminarian and had ascertained that the Holy Spirit was working in Chiara Lubich. The fact is that “someone would place the Word of Life under my door . . . Then I came to know the Movement and was able to appreciate it, also for the conciliating character of its ecclesial presence. The Focolari, without ever imposing their intuitions, set in place a great welcome, one based on dialogue and friendship that wins hearts.” He concluded: “I had an extraordinary experience at the Mariapolis on Phillip Island, which very much helped me and strengthened me in the faith. The Holy Spirit works gently but firmly in the Focolare Movement.”

A dozen bishops were present, including Anglican Bishop Phillip Huggins who has known the Focolare since 1990. Archbishop Francesco Kriengsak, moderator of the Bishop Friends of the Focolare and Archbishop of Bangkok, sent a message to the group in which he underscored how “the charism of unity is a great help in bringing ahead the New Evangelisation.”

Bishop Prowse introduced Maria Voce in a climate of simplicity that the Australians know how to create. The Focolare president then presented the Movement’s thought on the New Evangelisation beginning with her recent experience as an auditor at the Synod of Bishops: “The Church has come out poorer in glory and honour following a period of humiliations, but richer of God and therefore more strong.” The Synod particularly focused on the Words of the Gospel that regard love.” And concerning the Synod Fathers desire that the Gospel be brought out of the churches: “I think this has happened in many parts of the world also by the Focolare community, especially because of the presence of Jesus in the midst of His own.”

During the course of the discussion Bishop Elliott told how the spirituality of unity had helped him, especially at the beginning of his ministry, and he asked Maria Voce to say something about Jesus Forsaken and Jesus in the midst. “If you don’t choose Jesus Forsaken you cannot have Jesus in the midst. But when Jesus makes Himself present, the joy arrives as He takes up His dwelling among His friends,” she explained. She was also asked about her trip to Istanbul, “where I experienced that mutual acceptance was possible with the Muslims.” They spoke about the present spreading of the Movement and the frontiers that lie ahead, following the death of the founder. Finally, Giancarlo Faletti offered a reflection on what the Movement proposes to priests and to bishops.

By Michele Zanzucchi

Australia: Evangelising and re-evangelising ourselves

Jan 30, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Australia, a land for the new evangelisation? There are many who believe that it is, because of different reasons. This country is quite multicultural and continues to be so with a recent influx of immigration from Asia; the crisis in the Catholic Church because of the sexual abuse of minors; the persuasive force of consumerism; the presence of youths from around the world and not only children of local families; numerous mixed marriages; the ecumenical and interreligious challenge. The list could go on, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind about the need for an evangelisation in this country as well. But it would have to be first of all a re-evangelisation of the Christian life of the individual.

During the visit of Focolare president Maria Voce and co-president Giancarlo Faletti, the local Focolare community wished to pause and publicly question itself concerning the new frontiers of evangelisation in Australia and its own contribution toward this. Above all by offering “good practices”, small but great witnesses to ecclesial life, work in public office, living with unemployment, commitment in hospitals, rejecting clientelism, education and family life. The simple Gospel lived in a society where competition is encouraged and in which individualism often wins out over altruism and corporate interests over the common good.

Maria Voce spoke before an audience that included professors and journalists, religious leaders and professionals about the cornerstones of the Focolare’s style of evangelisation, which is to live the Gospel in order to continually re-evangelise ourselves, sharing with each other what the Gospel life has brought about in our lives, finding longer moments in which to experience the power of God’s love together. By acting in this way you finally manage to have a deep impact on environments that before could have seemed impenetrable by the Gospel, from parliaments to factories, from sport arenas to charitable institutions. This evangelisation is one that happens outside the church building. One convincing example was offered by Giancarlo Faletti concerning Rome, Italy. In 2000 after Chiara Lubich had been awarded honorary citizenship, she launched a project for the revitalization of urban life, which she called RomaAmor (Rome-Love).

Maria Voce did not try to hide the fear that the Movement felt at the death of its founder. But the fruits of evangelisation that are, after all, nothing more than the life of the Gospel very soon crushed that fear. These fruits demonstrated that focolare spirit still had much to give to today’s society. This was also noticed by many who attended the recent Synod on the New Evangelisation in which many bishops shared with Maria Voce who was an auditor at the Synod, the many Gospel fruits  that they had seen continuing to come forth from the Movement.

Among those present there was also Professor James Bowler, a well-known Australian geologist, who discovered the remains of the oldest human being on the continent known as Mungo Lady and Mungo Man. Surprised by the great turnout, he commented: “It was a moment of great spirituality and openness. The recognition of the other is the right path for a just and coherent social life.” Professor Anne Hunt head of the Theology department at the University of Melbourne underscored “the importance of the presence of the new movements in the new evangelisation, which are able to open unique and original horizons for the faith and for the Catholic Church in fields that are otherwise deserted, especially in the professions and in the media.”

By Michele Zanzucchi

Source: Città Nuova

Visit in Oceania

Jan 28, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The introduced themselves with a short video showing the park near the Sydney Opera House, a room at Wellington, a beach on a Pacific island. Some of the Focolare’s local communities offered dances from their local traditions that exuded the natural radiance of the cultures found in Oceania.

January 26-27 2013: Different cultures, traditions, Churches and religions. Oceania is the most cosmopolitan culture in the world. “The Spot” Hall at the University of Melbourne is a spectacle in itself because of its unique architecture and shiny cubes of light, but also because of the variety of people found in the audience. Everyone was an imigrant here, except for the original natives of the Pacific Islands.

Australia Day. Today is the national holiday but the aboriginal population far more prefers the Sorry Day which is celebrated in May. This is the “day of excuses” that was instituted to recall and repair the wounds inflicted on the local populations by colonialism, especially Australia where the impact was most felt by the aborigines. But it also recalls the paths of reconciliation, like the New Zealand one that has led to the creation of effective organisations of ethnic and cultural harmony. Before Sunday Mass, an aboriginal ceremony is performed that recalls the wairua tapu (mother earth), since she is worthy of honour and respect.

The celebration consists in placing hands on a mound of earth placed in the hollow of a large and welcoming bank. The little children together with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti are invited to place their hands. Then the president of the Focolare receives from the hand of the aboriginal celebrant a wooden blade on which is inscribed a picture of the Australian landscape, the nine territories into which it is divided, according to the cosmogony geography of the Aborigines.

There is the long intense history of the lands of Oceania and there is the history of the local Focolare Movement. And exciting film presented a few moments of this history with the arrival of Rita Muccio in 1967, then the arrival of Maddalena Cariolato, the first locals to welcome the “spirit of Chiara”, individuals and families, youths and the not so young, in Melbourne and Perth. Then there was the “landing” in New Zealand, Wallis and Futuna, New Chaldonia and the Fiji Islands. Some of those people are still living, and some have already “arrived”. Among these are Margaret Linard and New Zealander Terry Gunn. All of them bear witness to having met in the charism of Chiara Lubich the possibility of living the Gospel. With the simplicity and radicalism that characterises this “very new world” coupled with love for neighbour, their lives were changed.

And it was precisely love of neighbour that was the main theme of Maria Voce’s remarks: Just as the three Kings recognized the greatness of the Son of God in a tiny baby boy, so too must we come to recognise Jesus in every neighbour, also beyond appearances. The open discussion that followed immediately took on an existential tone, when a child asked how we can believe in a God we do not see! The youths asked how they were to resist the solicitations of modern society. The elderly discussed their role in the communion among the generations; some brought up questions on how to advance the ecumenical or interreligious dialogue. Serious issues were not avoided, such as the sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church, the growing stress in the cities that impedes progress in holiness, the temptation of consumerism that snuffs out witness to the Gospel, the absence of God in people’s lives, and the courage it takes to bear witness to His love.

Maria Voce ended with a wish: “Australia is a big land, we need to bring her love and unity. Our big family cannot live on memories in a photo album, we need to move forward. Then we’ll be writing a new album.”

By Michele Zanzucchi, correspondent

Voices of priests

Jan 27, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The priests of the Focolare share their experiences during a meeting in Castelgandolfo

“I’m Fr. Carlo, a priest for 22 years in the diocese of Milan. I’ve left this parish community and will soon move to the Focolare’s international school for priests in Loppiano, Italy where I’ll stay for three years or so. In Milan I was often in contact with people, especially children since I was in charge of groups that were preparing them for First Confession and First Holy Communion.

I realized that at the basis of every pastoral endeavour there should be a living love for neighbour, striving to see Jesus in everyone, from the pastor to the Muslim teenager who came to play football at the oratory. I could tell many small stories that demonstrate how these small attentions to each person helped to create a close network of very beautiful relationships, that helped to facilitate many in drawing near to the faith and made the community appealing even to those who were unbelievers. I will share just two episodes.

I got to know Emilio during a chess workshop. His temperament was reserved and he didn’t really fit in with his peer group. To my great surprise at the end of the workshop he asked to join us on a holiday excursion in the mountains. There he began to fit in better with the group of boys, to the point of proving his courage by walking across a rope that was attached to a safety cable at a height of six metres: the “Tibetan Bridge”. His peers encouraged him, chanting his name in chorus and, in the end, he managed to walk the length of the course amid the general applause that gave him much confidence. When he returned home from camp his parents wrote to me saying that they had watched a young boy go off to camp and a young man return.

Then there was Eleonora. She wasn’t baptized. Her parents had preferred to allow her to choose when she was older. She had been invited to catechism classes by the enthusiasm of Maria, a very enterprising classmate who was only ten years old at the time. So Eleonara arrived, accompanied by her mother, who asked the pastor if her daughter could attend catechism classes. About two years later the pastor, seeing her faithfulness to the journey of faith, he decided that the moment had arrived for her Baptism and First Holy Communion, and he entrusted me with preparing her for the Sacraments and with the task of discussing it with her parents, who opened their hearts to me with honesty and candor.

The great day arrived. Eleonora arrived accompanied by family and relatives. We did everything we could to make them feel welcomed. The celebration was simple and very intense. Alongside the godmother were the catechist and friends who had been so important in her journey of faith. When I left the parish a few months ago, her parents wrote me a letter recalling “that unforgettable Sunday in April, the radiant and joyful smile of Eleonora that had illuminated all of us believers and non-believers alike, all who had gathered to celebrate her entrance into the Catholic community. For us it is the indelible image of a faith that goes directly to the heart.”

Loving our neighbours is always a grand adventure, you know how it begins, but you never know where it will lead.

Maria Voce in kangaroo land

Jan 26, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Following the visit to the Focolare communities in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, the visit of Maria Voce and Gicancarlo Faletti now continues in Oceania.

In the first phase of their journey that began on 22 January 2013 and ends on 31 January 2013, several appointments are planned in Melbourne with men and women focolarini for their annual retreat and with who are close to the Focolare in Australia and in the Islands. There there will also be a lively presence of young people  with several acitivities just for them on(26-27 January. Thern there is an encounter with a group of Australian bishops and priests on 20 January.