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A passion for the Church

 
From the very beginning of the Focolare Movement, members of religious orders saw that the spirituality of unity was something they too could live, whilst remaining faithful to their own particular charism.

Impressions shared by those attending

I found the whole week very helpful, enlightening. From the moment we arrived we felt welcomed immediately and made feel at home. This is family, community at its best… I was greatly impressed by the values Focolare stands for and tries to promote – unity, love, risking taking, all inclusive, reaching out to the forsaken Jesus in others, my pain is all of our pain. David Ryan (Irish Christian Brother)

The welcome, the house, the whole Focolare Centre of Unity, touched me deeply. We feel, we see the family of Chiara, in its simplicity, its familiarity, its depth and its Marian dimension. Yes, I felt welcomed by Mary. I understand this after reflecting on it… After so many years that Mary gave me the charism of Chiara, I know that I do not have to look at myself, but to be always outside myself; that is to say to recognize always, immediately and with joy, all the faces of Jesus Forsaken and to embrace him. Claude Passebon from France (Brothers of St Gabriel)

Where I come from it’s like a desert; after this meeting I feel revived, and I see my situation as a privilege instead of a difficulty. I feel encouraged and more ‘connected’. Sr Susan (Sister of St Joseph of Annecy)

I want to sow the seeds of the Focolare. We are all part of the same thing [after listening to ‘the Passion for the Church’]. Education is needed: education to the fact that we are one. We are all faces of the same Spirit, like a mosaic. Maybe it’s only now that I’m waking up to this. The weakness of one is the weakness of all: for me this is a revelation. Sr Jo (Sister of Mercy)

I went to Castel Gandolfo near Rome and, coming here, I was amazed to find the same atmosphere and harmony. From the ‘Passion for the Church’ I take away the understanding that everything belongs to me, everything is ours and that I must open my mind to everything. Sr Ildico (Augustinian sister)

Hearing Chiara talk like that back in 1966 was very special. God is to be thanked that he has put the whole dimension of the Church into Chiara. The sense of family among us (religious) was straightforward and deep; it amazed me: it is a great grace that the branch of the Religious is able to be a part of the Focolare Movement.Angel (Augustinian and Episcopal Vicar for religious life in the Diocese in Madrid)

I understood more that it is GOD who makes history, our history. Meeting here, in this country, at this moment, was very important. It was nice to discover here a living ecumenism, not something we talk about.José Antonio (Son of Divine Providence and Parish Priest in Spain)

There was a strong sense of Jesus among us: He was the organizer of everything in this family atmosphere. I understood that I must be more open to others – open my horizons. Often I am limited by what I think, what I can do, what I can contribute. From now on I will try to ‘see’ more with my heart. Things come from the heart, from unity. It was a conversion for me.Adrian (Blessed Sacrament Father from Amsterdam)