Pope Francis instituted this day on July 25 to highlight the vocation of the elderly, which is ‘keeping the roots, transmitting faith to the young and taking care of the little ones’. For the occasion, we collected some experiences of grandparents and grandchildren that bear witness to the love between generations.

It is a partnership of perfect fellowship, which requires from us great faith in God’s love for his children. This mutual trust works miracles. We will see that, where we cannot do anything, Someone else has been at work, who has done immensely better than we could.

In June 1944, Chiara Lubich found herself alone in Trent after her family had fled to the mountains following the bombing of 13th May that had half destroyed their home. Chiara had stayed in the city to follow the young women who were following her ideal. The letters of that period were the first bond among the emerging community of the Movement.

After the audience of the Focolare General  Assembly with Pope Francis what lies ahead for the Focolare Movement. In this Link up we take stock with Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare and Jesús Morán, co-president.

Seeking love and fleeing from pain: this is an almost natural mechanism of human existence. With the message of the cross, however, Christianity teaches that true and deep love passes through pain. Whoever understands the cross well – says Chiara Lubich in the following text – finds in it a key to the fullness of life.

Exceptionally, the film “Chiara Lubich – L’amore vince tutto” can be seen on RaiPlay anywhere in the world at the same time as the film is broadcast.

Suffering, any kind of suffering, is a reality that people naturally reject and try to avoid at all costs. Yet it is part of human life. Integrating it into our existence is a pathway we must follow towards a life that is fulfilled. Chiara Lubich accepted suffering as a sign or like a “bell” calling her to an encounter with God.

Suffering teaches wisdom. This is the belief expressed by Chiara Lubich in the following reflection. We should approach those who suffer not only with compassion, but with an attitude of reverence and listening.

In the spirituality of unity a person not only seeks God in the depths of their own soul, but discovers His presence in the space that opens up when two or more people love one another in the spirit of the Gospel. The image that Chiara Lubich uses to describe this reality is that of a castle: not an interior castle, but an exterior one.