Aug 27, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
An illness 
My husband has been ill for two years now because of a brain tumour. At times he complains because objects fall from his hands. I made an agreement with my daughters to never make him feel that something strange has happened. Many times, upon discreetly observing how they treat their father with care, and aware of the sacrifices and many renunciations they undertake to help the family, I see that they are more mature for their age. We are undergoing as a family, a period we have never experienced before. Despite the inexpressible suffering weighing on us, we feel a great serenity. (B.S. – Poland) The old man There was no more food in the house. I took a bag of cornmeal and 1,000 francs: half for transportation and the other half for the mill. I hailed the first taxi that came by. Beside the taxi driver, an old man was profoundly asleep. I noticed that the taxi driver was trying to slip the man’s wallet from his bag, so when I arrived at my destination I said: «This is my father, and he has to get off with me.» The driver continued to say that this was not where the man wanted to go, but due to my insistence, said he would let the man get off for 1,000 francs. I gave it to him immediately, and taking the bag, I helped the old man, still asleep, get off. Over here it occurs often that taxi drivers drug people in order to rob them. The old man awoke when I poured water over his head. He looked for his bag and checked if all his money was there. He said to me: “You saved my life”, and gave me 5,000 francs. I looked for a taxi driver I trusted who accompanied him safe and sound to his village. (M.A. – Cameroon) Trendy pants My classmates made fun of me because I didn’t have trendy clothes. I have a big family and we live in the countryside. One day I helped a classmate who was having a hard time with math and we became friends. Another day the others started to joke about my pants and he defended me. From that time on, all this stopped. We need to be at least two to be able to fight wrong ideas. In a short time we all became friends, and when they had to choose the class leader, they chose me. (E.C. – Italy) The beggar In my community we pray daily to God to bless our food, and help us to share it with those in need. At lunch time the usual beggar knocked on the door and we had nothing but cornmeal porridge for lunch and dinner. We did not have any money either, so I told the beggar that we did not have anything. When I sat down for lunch, I had no appetite. After a while, a phrase came to my mind, “Give and you will be given.” So I gathered what we had and gave it to the beggar who was still waiting. Not long after that, someone knocked on the door. A girl was there holding a big plate of cornmeal porridge saying: «This is from mama». It’s incredible how God is so punctual. (Sister Madeleine – Burkina Faso)
Aug 16, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
One person attending the Mariapolis in Astorga for the first time described it as a “heart to heart meeting.” It was just one of the many similar Mariapolises that are underway or have already taken place across Europe and in many other lands. The Mariapolis of August 2-6 was a peaceful “invasion” of the town by 800 people from several parts of Spain, but also from France, Italy, Germany and Brazil. During excursions to monuments and museums, at Mass celebrated in the Gothic Cathedral, or during the evening concerts with all types of music – the streets were crowded with people from the Mariapolis. And the local citizens of Astorga whose curiosity had been aroused by the fraternal spirit of those people, responded in kind. One woman stopped a girl who was walking down the street to thank her for the presence of such a joyful group in their city. The balance between periods of relaxation, formation, dialogue, listening to testimonies and play was much appreciated. It was a good mix that contributed to the objectives of the Mariapolis: to favour an encounter with oneself, God, and others. One participant observed: “It wasn’t a crescendo that began at a one level and then progressed in quality or intensity. Each day was full, complete, and totally valuable in itself.” Amongst the activities for children and teens were several marches in the city, with stops in certain streets and squares where activities were held. The Astorga Mariapolis was also on Facebook, a virtual meeting spot for both the participants and for those who could not physically attend. Many contributed photos that can still be accessed online. Some of the comments: https://www.facebook.com/mariapolisastorga2015 “This is my first Mariapolis,” Cati writes. “These days were filled with brotherhood, love and unity. My family and I thank everyone who made this wonderful event possible;” “I’m still on my way home towards Toledo,” writes Paco. “I take the opportunity to thank everyone for these past few days. I have to say that it was a Mariapolis filled with graces.” A project was proposed that would bring the Mariapolis spirit into daily life: “We’re all Mediterranean” to help inform European citizens on the drama of immigration that is taking place in our common Mediterranean Sea, from southern borders, from disadvantaged and war-torn lands, in search for better living conditions. This project, which is in harmony with the theme of this year’s Mariapolis (“Paths that meet”) involves a collection of signatures to petition the European Union for a significant change in migration policy. On the last day of the Mariapolis when the participants were asked for their evaluation of the event, everyone said they were satisfied, especially with regard to the way they felt welcomed from the moment they arrived, even those who were attending for the first time. The town of Astorga built to a human scale and with such a pleasant climate, combined so many features that helped facilitate the coming together which was the goal of the Mariapolis. For this reason the organisers of the Mariapolis write: “the Focolare Movement expresses its warm gratitude to the Diocese and Town Administration for their exquisite collaboration.”
Aug 12, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Federico with his Dad
Aug 6, 2015 | Senza categoria
Extracts from Chiara Lubich’s editorial dated 20 April 1958 in which she colourfully describes her impressions of Expo ’58 held in Brussels. She visited it during springtime of that year while she was in Belgium for Holy Week. The Focolare Movement had just started to go beyond the Italian Alps and to reach the heart of Europe. Evidently that visit had a profound effect on her: “On 17 April 1958, the International Exhibition in Brussels was opened. […] It’s something truly colossal! […] The most prominent nations from all five continents are competing to show off their foremost talents. […] Seeing these most amazing structures and ever new styles, one discovers the brilliant new ideas of our century, whether in shapes that are graceful or bold, narrow, transparent or sturdy; sometimes in the form of a cube or a sphere or a cylinder, with expressions of folklore and of religion too. They are real masterpieces, unknown to most of us until now, and each one bears the hallmark of its people, of its tradition, of its own taste. […] The pavilion that drew our attention in a special way however was the one set up by the Holy See. It stands almost opposite the Soviet pavilion and next to the American one. Its name is “Civitas Dei” (City of God). At its heart there is a church which is simple and harmonious in style, maybe because it is so rich in content; it is very elegant and extremely modern. […] Underneath this stands an altar where Mass will be continuously celebrated. […] So it is the living Jesus, who continues to sacrifice himself for everyone, and the word of truth of a King who is not of this world, which are the riches put on show in Brussels by the “City of God”, whereas nearby, among other things there are an atomic ice-breaker, Sputnik II and a huge statue of Lenin that fill the Soviet Pavilion. A blow up theatre and many expressions of modern art and folklore fill the American Pavilion. Yes, Jesus is at the Brussels Exhibition, just as one day Jesus was at the marriage-feast at Cana. The Son of Man does not disdain to get involved in all human activities, and through the harmonious peal of the bells he will give a reminder of what is eternal and divine to all those who gather there, to exalt the talents of all the peoples He created. It is Jesus who dies on the altar for everyone, also for those who don’t care about him, who are perhaps filled with pride in their knowledge and their discoveries, or who may even fight against him. It is Jesus who still teaches the Truth through those of whom he said: “Whoever listens to you listens to me”. These are the gifts and the “produce” of the Catholic Church which continues Him. Jesus in the Eucharist is the fruit of the Church, just as in the past Jesus of Nazareth was the fruit of the most pure womb of the Virgin Mary. And there at Expo ‘58 as in every church of ours, Jesus will try to quench people’s thirst for light, love, courage and strength. Jesus makes himself known, or rather he shows his tangible love. He offers himself to save people there too, where everything speaks of atomic energy, technology, inventions, and newness. He is the greatest new thing, the eternal discovery who is never discovered. He is the One who will remain, even when in future centuries no one will remember much about the exhibition in Brussels, just as no one today knows the names of the couple married at Cana. He is there so as not to let us down, so as to fill the emptiness that will be created in many people – despite the “showing off” of the most beautiful treasures of our day – when they experience the vanity of everything, even of all that is great, but is not rooted in God. Chiara Lubich Read more: Chiara Lubich Center
Aug 3, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Baobab is one of many refugees welcoming centers, near the Tiburtina train station. It welcomes some 400 young Eritrean, Somali and Sudanese Christians and Muslims. “There’s a warm, happy chaotic and rather anarchical volunteer service – says S. – everyone goes, sees what is needed, helps, calls friends . . . And it works just fine! With the consent of the people in charge of the Food Bank of Rome, together with a young woman who coordinates the volunteers from the Baobab Centre, we went to Fiano Romano and packed twenty tons of excellent food (pasta, sugar, canned meats, 600 yogurts, cases of oil, 120 pineapples, 30 cases of fresh fish and nectarines, 100 pieces of parmesan cheese, and much more). By ten o’clock it was already 40°C (104°F)! We got to the centre at around 13:00, where we found at least 500 quite organised and patient Eritrean youngsters, all of them from those notorious boats that we see on the television news. The temperature was at least 42°C by then. In the span of ten minutes or so, the children formed a queue, and began to unload an overpacked van. Not a single yogurt or drink was taken, and everything was carefully placed in its proper place. Then they all entered the queue for lunch. I was also served a plate, which I was happy to share with them. The welcome centre does not only focus on assistance, but especially on involving and integrating the refugees. This ensures that the individual dignity of each person will be respected and that each of them is welcomed and accepted. Many of them then contact relatives and friends in other European countries. The long line of Roman citizens who bring all sorts of help is constant and also quite moving. So much assistance arrives that we often take boxes of supplies to other assistance centres. As I was there shaking hands and meeting people, the first baby was born to a young refugee woman who had been taken in by the centre. She had just arrived from the hospital, 20 days old. Doctors, nurses, volunteers all gathered around her for a smile, hoping to get a glimpse of her face. It showed how life goes on. I returned home more tired and sweaty than I ever have before. . . but in my heart and soul there was a unique and quite special joy, such tangible serenity, the true recompense for a small gesture toward those beautiful people whom everyone is calling “refugees”. . . At the end of the month we’re already planning on taking another load of supplies. Moreover, through a friend whose family runs five supermarkets, we were able to organize regular food pick-ups of products whose expiration dates would soon expire but could be consumed within a few days at the welcome centre. I thank the Eritrean refugees and volunteers at the Baobab Camp for having given me the opportunity to live a truly beautiful and precious moment, which I am sure will happen again in the coming days and in the future. I feel so privileged, and I truly am!” (S.D. Italy)
Jun 15, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Live streaming of funeral 18 June (3.30 pm Italian time): http://live.dev.focolare.org
Pasquale Foresi with Chiara Lubich
My husband has been ill for two years now because of a brain tumour. At times he complains because objects fall from his hands. I made an agreement with my daughters to never make him feel that something strange has happened. Many times, upon discreetly observing how they treat their father with care, and aware of the sacrifices and many renunciations they undertake to help the family, I see that they are more mature for their age. We are undergoing as a family, a period we have never experienced before. Despite the inexpressible suffering weighing on us, we feel a great serenity. (B.S. – Poland) The old man There was no more food in the house. I took a bag of cornmeal and 1,000 francs: half for transportation and the other half for the mill. I hailed the first taxi that came by. Beside the taxi driver, an old man was profoundly asleep. I noticed that the taxi driver was trying to slip the man’s wallet from his bag, so when I arrived at my destination I said: «This is my father, and he has to get off with me.» The driver continued to say that this was not where the man wanted to go, but due to my insistence, said he would let the man get off for 1,000 francs. I gave it to him immediately, and taking the bag, I helped the old man, still asleep, get off. Over here it occurs often that taxi drivers drug people in order to rob them. The old man awoke when I poured water over his head. He looked for his bag and checked if all his money was there. He said to me: “You saved my life”, and gave me 5,000 francs. I looked for a taxi driver I trusted who accompanied him safe and sound to his village. (M.A. – Cameroon) 
Trendy pants My classmates made fun of me because I didn’t have trendy clothes. I have a big family and we live in the countryside. One day I helped a classmate who was having a hard time with math and we became friends. Another day the others started to joke about my pants and he defended me. From that time on, all this stopped. We need to be at least two to be able to fight wrong ideas. In a short time we all became friends, and when they had to choose the class leader, they chose me. (E.C. – Italy) The beggar In my community we pray daily to God to bless our food, and help us to share it with those in need. At lunch time the usual beggar knocked on the door and we had nothing but cornmeal porridge for lunch and dinner. We did not have any money either, so I told the beggar that we did not have anything. When I sat down for lunch, I had no appetite. After a while, a phrase came to my mind, “Give and you will be given.” So I gathered what we had and gave it to the beggar who was still waiting. Not long after that, someone knocked on the door. A girl was there holding a big plate of cornmeal porridge saying: «This is from mama». It’s incredible how God is so punctual. (Sister Madeleine – Burkina Faso)
