With Gratitude
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THANK YOU POPE FRANCIS
It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the return to the house of the Father of our beloved Pope Francis. Together with the whole Church, we give him back to God, filled with gratitude for the extraordinary example and gift of love that he has been for every person and every people.
There have been many moments, throughout his entire pontificate, in which the Holy Father has been a close and loving shepherd also for the Focolare Movement. He has always welcomed us and has guided us to witness to the Gospel with courage and in a radical way.
We have lived many moments with him, which we will never forget In one of them we remember his words to the General Assembly of the Focolare, when he received us in audience in 2021:
‘Always listen to Christ’s cry of abandonment on the cross, which manifests the highest measure of love. The grace that comes from this, is capable of inspiring in us, who are weak and sinners, generous and sometimes heroic responses. It is capable of transforming suffering and even tragedy into a source of light and hope for humanity’.
Finally, I cannot fail to testify also to the Pope’s love and personal concern for me, for the sufferings of my people in the Holy Land, and my immense gratitude for having invited me to participate in the Synod on Synodality, where he himself opened the doors of the Synodal Church that is now starting to take its steps throughout the world.
Together with the entire Focolare Movement in the world, I unite myself to the prayer of the universal Church and of all men and women of good will, certain that Our Lady ‘Salus Populi Romani’, (Mary, Health of the Roman People) to whom he was so devoted, will welcome him into heaven with open arms.
Margaret Karram
A sign of unity
This year 2025 the feast of Easter
is celebrated on the same day by all Christian Churches.
Margaret Karram, the President of the Focolare sends her wishes for this feast
together with those of some representatives of various Churches..
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Photo @ Pixabay
A path that unites us
An Easter of hope but above all, an Easter to be lived together. In this year 2025, which marks 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, Christian Churches will celebrate Easter on the same day: Sunday, 20th April.
This is a wonderful coincidence that calls all Christians to take a decisive step toward unity—a call to rediscover ourselves as united in plurality.
In an age marked by divisions on every front and especially at this time that brings us closer to the mystery of the Resurrection, we would like to share what Chiara Lubich said in Palermo in 1998 about “A Spirituality for Dialogues”, specifically an “ecumenical spirituality.”
It is a direct invitation to respond to the call of mutual love, not as individuals, but together. It is an opportunity to look upon the Jesus Forsaken on the cross as a light which, even in the ultimate sacrifice, not only leads us but becomes the sure pathway along which we can take our steps.
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Photo: © Carlos Mana – CSC audiovisivi
Jubilee: Young peopple, families and holiness
According to the calendar of major events for the Jubilee of Hope 2025, the Jubilee for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly will take place from 30th May- 1st June and the Jubilee for Young People will take place from 28th July-3rd August. These will be two major events that will bring thousands of people from all over the world to Rome.
For the occasion, the Focolare Movement is offering several itineraries to provide opportunities to get to know more about the spirituality of unity and the lives of some witnesses of hope. In particular, a multi-stop tour for young people has been created around Italy entitled Youth and Holiness. We interviewed Paola Torelli and Lais Alexandre Pessoa from the Movement’s Youth Centres to find out more.
Let’s start with the Youth Jubilee: where did the idea of the “Young People and Holiness” tour come from?
The Youth Jubilee is a unique opportunity to set out on a journey, both physically in Rome and in other jubilee locations around the world. This journey is not just about visiting places, but above all it is an experience of encounter with God and with many witnesses of hope, whose lives can help us grow in faith and hope. Hence the idea of Young People and Holiness, a journey in the company of some witnesses of hope, for all the young people participating in the Jubilee at the end of July.
What is the Focolare Movement offering?
Several stops around Italy are planned:
- Sassello (Genoa) to encounter the testimony of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano. (fondazione@chiarabadano.org)
- Vallo Torinese (Turin) to learn about the Servant of God Maria Orsola Bussone. (associazione.cmo@mariaorsola.it)
- Genoa to get to know more about two friends Alberto Michelotti and Carlo Grisolia, now servants of God (info@albertoecarlo.it)
- Loppiano (Florence), the international little town of the Focolare, to meet some of today’s witnesses of hope.(accoglienza@loppiano.it)
- Assisi to discover the life and witness of saint Carlo Acutis, who will be canonised on 27th April 2025 as part of the Jubilee of Adolescents. (Youth Hospitality Program)
- Rome for a journey in stages based on the four key words of the Jubilee: Pilgrimage and Profession of Faith, Holy Door, Hope, Reconciliation. The route will follow the traditional itinerary of the Seven Churches, accompanied by a spiritual guideline.
- 4th August, visit to the International Centre of the Focolare (Rocca di Papa). Visitors can take a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of the charism of unity and the life story of the founder Chiara Lubich, whose body is buried there. (accoglienza@focolare.org)
Can you choose only one stage or is it one complete journey that includes all the stops?
The proposed stages are independent, each group or person can choose which ones to participate in or, if possible, follow the entire route. Contact details are provided for each stop regarding programs and visits.
Are there any other initiatives for young people?
Every month, at the Focolare Meeting Point in Rome there is a gathering entitled Call to one hope – Young people on the Journey. Together with some other Movements and Associations, we offer a chance to nurture and strengthen “hope” through shared testimonies, reflection, silence, and prayer. It’s an experience of mutual discovery. Preparing these events together with the other Movements and Associations helps us grow and become ever more the Church.
Let’s move on now to the Jubilee for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly at the end of May: what does Focolare propose?
There will be two events on Friday, 30th May. They are interactive routes to deepen the Jubilee of Hope, designed for families with children and young people up to the age of 12, They include reflections and games suitable for that age group. The first will take place at the Focolare International Centre where participants can visit several significant places, such as the house where Chiara Lubich lived and the chapel where she is buried, together with the co-founders of the Movement. The second event will take place in Rome in several churches and significant places, starting from the Focolare Meeting Point.
For more information click here or write to: sgmu@focolare.org.
Lorenzo Russo
Photo: Città di Sassello (Italia) ©Davide Papalini