Focolare Movement

Plans made for a Center for Spirituality and Studies in Jerusalem in the place where, according to tradition, Jesus pronounced his “priestly prayer for unity”

Dec 12, 2003

The Focolare Movement celebrates its 60th year/2

 During the Focolare Movement’s 60th anniversary, plans for the building of a Center for Spirituality and Studies in Jerusalem are moving ahead. It aims to be a sign of unity, as it will rise beside the stone stairway where – according to tradition – Jesus invoked the Father for unity on the First Holy Thursday of history. For this anniversary celebration, the members of the Movement all over the world contributed to a fund for the realization of said project. The contract was signed in November with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who thereby conceded to the Focolare Movement the permanent use of a piece of land adjacent to this “stairway”. It marks the fulfilment of a dream of almost 50 years ago, when in 1956 Chiara Lubich visited the Holy Land for the first time. In that very page of the Gospel of Jesus’ prayer for unity, read in a bomb shelter during World War II, Chiara and her first companions discovered their reason for being. The Focolare Movement has been present in the Holy Land for 25 years, with focolare centers in Jerusalem and Haifa, committed to promoting peace.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

In April 1984, the Jubilee of the Youth was celebrated, a few days before the conclusion of the extraordinary Jubilee of the Redemption. There were 300 thousand young people present. Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, held a catechesis on joy for the young people gathered in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran on the 12th of April. Here is an excerpt of her talk.

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

On 3rd July 2025, Paolo Rovea, an Italian doctor and married focolarino, completed his earthly life. Following his passing, many messages arrived from all over the world, coming together to form a unique and very rich mosaic, just like Paolo himself.

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

The parable of the good Samaritan teaches us not only to draw close, touching the wounds of those around us and breaking down the walls of prejudice, but through this Word we come to understand the art of compassion and the infinite mercy with which God embraces us, cares for us and leaves us free to abandon ourselves to his love.