… On the 7th of December 1943 I went to church alone. There was a violent storm outside. It really gave me the impression that I had the world against me.
… A small kneeler had been prepared for me before the altar, and I had a tiny missal in my hands. The priest had me pronounce the formula to give myself completely to God forever. I was so happy that I probably didn’t even realize what I was doing, maybe because I was young. However, when I pronounced the formula, I had the impression that a bridge was falling behind me and that I could no longer turn back because now I belonged entirely to God, therefore, I could no longer choose. At this point, a tear fell on the tiny missal.
But my happiness was immense! Do you know why? I was marrying God, and I expected every possible good. It would be fantastic! It would be a divine, extraordinary adventure! I was marrying God! And then we saw that it was really like this.
… What is my advice? I would give this advice to myself: we have only one life. Let’s aim high. Let’s aim high. Let’s risk everything to gain everything. It’s worth it, it’s worth it. … But as far as you are concerned, make this act of generosity: aim high, don’t hold back!
The Seed Funding Program (SFP) seeks to support and encourage meaningful and promising initiatives in different parts of the world for the establishment of local and/or national ecological plans within Focolare communities. Its aim is to transform personal and community lifestyles so as to foster sustainable relationships between people and the planet through ecological and sustainable projects.
With its first launch in 2021–2022, the programme has already funded 15 projects in countries in four continents. Hundreds of young people submitted proposals for the 2025–2026 round. Of these, ten projects were selected: five will be developed in Africa, three in South America, one in the Middle East and one in Asia. For more information on the projects click here.
The Focolare and the environment
Inspired by the example of Pope Francis and encouraged to continue by Pope Leo and other religious leaders for the protection of our common home, the Focolare Movement has also decided, through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, to develop its own EcoPlan with the goal of amplifying, connecting and expanding environmental work within the Movement. In this context, and with the sponsorship of FaithInvest and Mundell & Associates, the micro-financing initiative of the Seed Funding Program was created, promoted by the New Humanity NGO and carried out in collaboration with United World Community and EcoOne, two networks linked to the Focolare, which are committed to promoting environmental awareness and action through dialogue, education, and personal engagement.
The founder of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, believed that by addressing local challenges we cultivate the moral responsibility to face global ones. In 1990, in a letter to Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, President of Rissho Kosei-kai (Tokyo), she wrote: “By now, it has been demonstrated by many serious scientific studies that there is no shortage of technical or economic resources to improve the environment. What is missing is that additional measure of soul, that new love for humanity, which makes us all feel responsible for one another in the common effort to manage the earth’s resources intelligently, justly and with moderation. Let us not forget that God the Creator entrusted the earth to all human beings—not to one nation alone, nor to one group of people.”
When they were led into exile in Babylon, the people of Israel lost everything: their land, their king, their temple and, therefore, the possibility of worshipping their God who had brought them out of Egypt in the past.
But then, the voice of a prophet made an astonishing announcement: it was time to return home. Once again, God would powerfully intervene and lead the Israelites across the desert to Jerusalem, and all the peoples of the earth would witness this miraculous event:
All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Today too, alarming reports fill the news: people are losing their jobs, their health, their security and dignity; the future of young people is particularly at risk because war and poverty caused by climate change is robbing them of their homeland, peace and dignity.
This tragic scenario on a planetary scale takes our breath away and leaves us living beneath a very dark cloud. Who will save us from the destruction of everything we thought we had? There seems to be no basis for hope. Yet the prophet’s announcement is for us too.
All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
God’s word reveals his action in both our personal and collective history and invites us to open our eyes to the signs of his plan of salvation. This is already at work in so many different ways: it can be seen in the commitment of a teacher, the honesty of a business man or woman, the integrity of an administrator, the fidelity of a married couple, the embrace of a child, the tenderness of a nurse, the patience of a grandmother, the courage of those who peacefully oppose crime and the welcome of a community.
All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Christmas is approaching. God’s patient and merciful presence in human history is revealed once again in the disarming innocence of the child Jesus. We can bear witness to this through the choices we make which may be different from many of the current trends in society.
“In a world which may seem paralysed by materialism and selfishness and where strife and the law of the strongest and most unscrupulous prevail, the answer is to love our neighbour. This is the medicine that can bring healing. It is like a wave of divine warmth that radiates and spreads, gradually transforming society by penetrating relationships between individuals and groups.”[1]
Just as at a certain moment the people of Israel set out on their journey, this is the time when we too can take a decisive step to reach out to those who need to experience a gesture of care and closeness: the young and the old, the poor and the migrants, the unemployed and the homeless, the sick and the imprisoned. We must bear witness to the gentle yet powerful presence of God’s love among us.
Today, the boundaries we encounter as we share this good news with others may be geographical such as frontiers or the painful dividing lines of war, but they may also be cultural and existential. Even digital communities, which are often populated by young people, can make an effective contribution to overcoming aggression, loneliness and marginalisation.
As the Congolese poet Henri Boukoulou writes, ‘O divine hope! Behold the desperate cry of the wind wherein the first lines of the most beautiful love poem are etched. And tomorrow, there is hope!!»[2].
Edited by Letizia Magri & the Word of Life Team
[1] C. Lubich, Word of Life May ‘85 iiAA.VV, Anti-Apartheid African Poetry, pub 2003
At the moment, weare experiencing challenges on a global scale. The news of tragic situations affecting our planet conspires to take our breath away and leaves us living under a very dark cloud that blocks our view of a brighter horizon. Hope seems like a fragile commodity, almost a mirage. Itis natural to ask if we can still “hope” for a better future for humanity, or are we doomed to simply resign outselves to the situatation?
In the current circumstances, the thoughts of the German philosopher, Ernst Bloch (1885-1977), may be helpful. He said, “Hope is not a passive illusion but a ‘forward dream’, an active principle that anticipates what is not yet given. It is linked to the idea that the future is not predetermined but is open and flexible.” [1].
This is how each of us “can still hope”, how we can day dream whilst keeping our eyes open. If we look carefully, we may glimpse sight of a new dawn which is gradually awakening. This is already at work in so many different ways: it can be seen in the commitment of a teacher, the honesty of a business man or woman, the integrity of an administrator, the fidelity of a married couple, the embrace of a child, the tenderness of a nurse, the patience of a grandmother, the courage of those who peacefully oppose crime and the welcome offered by a community.
The example of children who have found safety and protection in certain facililities situated in war torn areas speaks even more powerfully of hope. This is evident in the drawings of the young people who have followed the “Save the Children” psychosocial programmes. Their colourful pictures illustrate their hopes of becoming doctors, writers or fashion designers. These safe environments provide a space where they can play, freely express themselves and imagine a future beyond conflict. Their drawings were first shown to the public on World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2025, and testify to the resilience of children in the face of war. [2].
Last but not least, we find hope in millions of people around the world: children, young people, adults and the elderly who, afflicted by serious illnesses, face the challenges that “life” has given them with strength, tenacity and resilience and try to overcome the obstacles they encounter. Such people show incredible courage and their example shows great love for life.
These small, everyday signs remind us that hope is not an illusion, but a real force, the fruit of love that spreads and is capable of transforming society step by step.
Everyone thirsts for hope, both those who are close to us and those who are far away (physically, existentially or culturally). The idea this month invites us not to remain inactive but to take the initiative in bringing hope to those who need it and see no meaning in life. Let us take notice and draw close to them by loving generously and sensitively. There are many who await this and we are called to reach out to them all. As the Congolese poet, Henri Boukoulou, writes, ‘O divine hope! Behold the desperate cry of the wind wherein the first lines of the most beautiful love poem are etched. And tomorrow, there is hope!’ [3].
THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is currently produced by the Focolare Movement’s “Centre for Dialogue with People of Non religious Beliefs”. It is an initiative that began in 2014 in Uruguay to share with non-believing friends the values of the Word of Life, i.e. the phrase from Scripture that members of the Movement strive to put into practice in their daily lives. Currently, THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is translated into 12 languages and distributed in more than 25 countries, with adaptations of the text according to different cultural sensitivities. www. dialogue4unity.focolare.org
From 28th-30th November, the“Restarting the economy”event will take place at the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome, Italy), promoted by The Economy of Francis Foundation (EoF) with the support of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
It is the first time that the EoF Global Event is taking place far from its birthplace in Assisi and without the presence of Pope Francis. , President of the Foundation, views this as a positive evolution: “This is not a sign of distance, but an expansion of our mission. The spirit of Assisi is coming closer to Rome and to the Holy Father, to continue inspiring an economy committed to humanity and creation.” Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino , President of the Foundation, views this as a positive evolution: “This is not a sign of distance, but an expansion of our mission. The spirit of Assisi is coming closer to Rome and to the Holy Father, to continue inspiring an economy committed to humanity and creation.”
The EoF meeting in Assisi, September 2022
Over 600 young people, primarily women, representing 66 countries will attend and will include 80 second level students, alongside seasoned economists, philosophers, entrepreneurs, theologians, artists, and policy makers.
Is, “a sign that the commitment of young people to transform the economy is vibrant and full of potential for the future”, said prof. Luigino Bruni , Vice President of the Foundation and the original architect of the initiative. Then he explained the deeper significance of the theme: “‘Restarting the Economy’ is the EoF’s version of the Jubilee: a return to the original biblical sense with the liberation of today’s slaves (dependencies, usury, miseries), the remission of debts (touching upon the great theme of finance, both good and bad) and the restitution of land (addressing ecology, justice, and the critical challenges facing the Amazon, Africa, and our cities).”
During the event, the 2025 EoF Fraternity Report will be presented. It is the result of work carried out this year and is intended to be published annually: a measurement of the state of fraternity in the world, a concept dear to St. Francis and to Pope Francis. Paolo Santori, Chairman of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee, told us, “The report highlights how fraternity, a moral and social pillar, is also a decisive but still unmeasured economic component. Developing an innovative indicator based on international data, the study analyses the degree of fraternity within and between global economies (…) and invites us to rethink development, cooperation and collective well-being.”
The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development has accompanied the Economy of Francesco from the beginning, recognizing a strong harmony with its mission. Father Avelino Chicoma Bundo Chico, S.J., Head of Office of the Dicastery noted that, “Values such as the centrality of the person, social and ecological justice, solidarity, inclusion and cooperation represent a common ground on which a respectful accompaniment of the movement’s autonomy has been developed, all while supporting its growth and initiatives in recent years.”
Presentation of the event in the Vatican Press Room. From left: Luca Iacovone, Luigino Bruni, Monsignor Domenico Sorrentino, Rita Sacramento Monteiro, Father Avelino Chicoma Bundo Chico and Cristiane Murray .
According to Rita Sacramento Monteiro and Luca Iacovone of the event staff, the program at Castel Gandolfo “will be divided into plenaries featuring international guests such as Sabine Alkire, Jennifer Nedelsky, Paolo Benanti, Massimo Mercati and Stefano Zamagni; thematic workshops; spiritual and creative moments and the EoF Fair, a large exhibition of projects and experiences from within the EoF movement. Particular emphasis will be given to two dedicated sessions: Prophetic Voices for a New Economy, in which young people from different backgrounds will recount experiences of change already underway and Extraordinary Ideas for the Economy of Francesco, a review of short inputs giving voice to business ideas, social initiatives and innovative research, selected through international calls.
