Search results for "genfest" | Movimento dei Focolari

Nomadelfia and the law of fraternity

Apr 23, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Nomadelfia rises amid the hills of Mediterranean countryside, south of Tuscany (Grosseto, Italy). There are 300 inhabitants who have chosen the evangelical law of fraternity as their “rule.” This explains its name, a neologism concocted by the combination of the Greek terms nomos and adelphia that mean “brotherhood is law.” “We want to demonstrate that the Gospel can be lived on a social scale, by giving oneself entirely to the others and implementing those principles of justice and fraternity which we chose to abide by, on a path of the sharing of faith and life,” recounted Francesco Matterazzo, current president of the community. The town is structured into 12 family groups, composed of about 25-30 people. They have a communion of goods, there is private property, and money does not circulate. Work is taken as an act of love for the other and the families are willing to foster children. For the Catholic Church, Nomadelfia is a parish composed of families, single laity and priests who share an experience that recalls that of the first communities of the faithful, precisely a stone’s throw from the Etruscan-Roman town of Roselle, an ancient Episcopal seat. Its origin, however, comes from Northern Italy, from the city of Carpi.

It was there that around the 1930s, Fr Zeno Saltini started to gather abandoned children and raise them as sons, thus founding the Work of the Little Apostles. Soon other priests joined him, and also Irene, a young student who offered to act as mother to those children. With the approval of the Bishop, Fr. Zeno entrusted the smaller children to her, launching a new consecration path in the Church, that of the “mothers by vocation.” With the end of the war, also many families joined up with Fr. Zeno, who were willing to gather the war orphans and raise them as their very own. On 14 February 1948, the entire community approved the text of a Charter, which was signed at the altar: so the Work of the Little Apostles became Nomadelfia. After a series of adventurous trials, the “Nomadelfians” found a home suitable for the development of the community in the city of Grosseto, in an estate donated by the daughter of a renowned Italian businessman. “Our mission today has not changed,” explains Francesco Matterazzo. “In an ever more connected world that develops new instruments for communication and unity, there are other coexisting realities that deny the dignity of the other and build walls… this is why I think that the proposal of a path of brother is important for mankind more than ever! Here in Nomadelfia, families, priests and singles can share a daily more suited to humanity’s natural aspirations for superior values like love, friendship, prayer and contemplation, and socially richer due to the variety of experiences and range of ages.”

22 April 2018: Official visit to the international centre of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa (Rome). ©CSC Audiovisivi

It is a community open to the world, and open in sharing the path with other charisms, as testified to by the experience underway with the Focolare Movement: “I hope – he continued – that the road we are taking together can be a real witness to the Church, not only because of our shared anticipation of Pope Francis’ visit and our young people’s participation in the May 1st Genfest, but in many ways, including our common work on the project for a Prophetic Economy. The Lord has sown many flowers in this meadow which is the world, and many charisms. I believe we should seek all ways of working together, since this enriches the gift which each one is for humanity.” To underline the words of Mr Materazzo, on Sunday 22 April, a lively delegation of “Nomadelfians” composed of the heads of the town, adults and numerous children visited the Centre of the Focolare Movement. A joyful moment in a truly family atmosphere.

Walking through the Judean desert

Mar 26, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

United World: Let’s Show It!

Mar 23, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Michelle Sopala

When I think back on the Genfest 1995, I can’t only think of the event, itself, although who could forget the dances, the faces, the excitement, the event and the very strong experiences of the participants. In fact, before all the excitement of those two days at the Palaeur in Rome, my thoughts go back to the intense experience of unity built during the months and especially the weeks before the event. I can’t really remember the details, but every time we got together to prepare for it, the result was a deeper and stronger union with God. Strange, I know, but before beginning the concrete stuff, I remember we always tried to put everything into perspective: we weren’t doing this just for fun (although fun, it was!), but we were doing it because we believed it could be a contribution to the united world that we all dreamed of… a world where all relationships were based on mutual love and respect, and could overcome all divisions. Then we got to work, trying not the sway from the goal. First, the ideas. Then came the song, the dance, the rap… Each little piece was born from giving our ideas, losing them, trying to be full of love and empty of ourselves in order to really understand the others. That took sweat, energy, pain…, but for some reason it filled us with a special joy and happiness. We gave our all, but ready to lose it all. And that was the deal, because as much as we were working, we didn’t even know if the piece would be chosen by the central organizing committee in Rome or not. And even if chosen, we knew it could be cancelled up to the last minute. But, with that said, full-speed ahead! And now for the Genfest, itself! Even though it was a life-changing event in all its aspects, I can’t hide it: for me the highlight was the meeting with Chiara. I don’t know if the other 12 thousand young people in the arena felt the same, but I felt like Chiara was talking to me, and me alone. When Noel asked her the final question, «Chiara, from the bottom of your heart, what would you like to say to us young people?», her answer rang out like a war-call that still rings in my ears. With a super-astute intuition and understanding of what the young heart yearns for, she quoted St. Catherine who had told her disciples not to be satisfied with small things because “God wants them big!”. «You, young people – she said, with a conviction that went straight to the heart – don’t be satisfied with crumbs… with small joys… but aim high and seek the fullness of joy: that joy that comes from living out unity!» Hmm. For better or for worse, that’s been my experience ever since. “Unity”? A deep word that I’m still discovering after these 23 years. But that “fullness of joy”? Yep! I’ve found it! Oh! …and by the way, our performance was chosen. Take a look. Hope you like it! Michelle Sopala

https://youtu.be/LX6rNkyGjoE

The voice of the youth

Mar 5, 2018 | Non categorizzato

2_Stella_Marilene_Nishimwe_e_Nelson_Vanegas

Nelson Vanegas and Stella Marilene Nishimwe

It will be a week of work to get to know the reality of kids and youths of the world, their ambitions, hopes, fears, expectations, and to hear what they have to say. It will be a moment of sharing which will be channeled, with all the other contributions received, into the ”Instrumentum laboris” in view of the Synod in October, defined by Pope Francis “not about, but of the youth.” “In this pre-synod Meeting– explained Card. Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod – we will try to better understand what they think of themselves and of the adults, how they live the faith and what difficulties they encounter as Christians, how they plan their life and what problems they meet in discerning their vocation, how they see the Church today, and how they would like it to be.” There will be Catholics, other Christian faiths and other religions, delegates of associations and movements, but also agnostics, or people coming from situations of unease like jail or drug dependency. Stella Marilene, 24 and Nelson, 29, of the Focolare Movement will also participate in the works (together with a girl from Paraguay, Noemi Sánchez). While anxiously waiting for that day, we met them at the Gen International centre, where all are working intensely for the world events of 2018: besides the Synod of October, also the Genfest in Manila in July. What is the situation of the youth in your country? “In Salvador.” answered Nelson, “the general situation of the youth differs from inside and outside the cities. Life outside is more difficult, services are lacking, and education is guaranteed only up to the compulsory education. Despite this the youth have huge aspirations and greater determination to make their dreams come true.” Marilene explained: “In Burundi we are undergoing a serious political crisis. Unemployment is sky high and also is uncertainty for the future. The youths often leave the country to seek other prospects elsewhere.” At the meeting, they say, they will carry out the role of facilitators of the linguistics groups in Spanish and French. “It will be our chance to do our part, a small contribution – Nelson added – but we shall do it with all our hearts.” And Marilene: “Through the synod’s official site (www.synod2018.va) and the social network connected, all the youths will be able to let their voice be heard and send proposals, as also those who cannot participate directly.” Speaking about communication, beyond the fears with which adults often regard the youths, as to the risk of detaching themselves from “reality” and immersing themselves in a virtual hub, what does communication mean for you? “Times have changed–Nelson answered – we are immersed in technology which effectively helps to bridge distances. But we have to try to make it possibly more humane. Cell phones and tablets draw people closer but communicating “face to face” with those who we really see before us is another thing altogether. In this sense we, the youth, can take the first step.” Marilene added: “For authentic communication we have to think of “what” we communicate.” In his message for the youth day, which will end the pre-synod Meeting, Pope Francis mentioned the “fears” of the youth. “Often the youths are scared of going forward, to make choices from which they cannot turn back. “Personally,” Marilene explained, “I try to live God’s will in the present moment. Each one has his own story, and I entrust myself to Him.” Nelsno continued: “In such a materialistic world, often the message the adults pass to the youths concerns studying, working, earning, or buying a nice house. The dialogue between the first and second generation is important, but it should not destroy one’s dreams. Together, our energy and their wisdom can do a lot.” Being listened to means taking up some responsibilities. “It is a big responsibility to speak out for the youth. It’s an opportunity offered by the Church which wants to dialogue with all, and not only with the Catholics. It’s here that we Gen can offer our experience, because we have already started to walk together, with Christians of other faiths and also with agnostics. This is why I would call all the youths, also from afar, to participate! Let’s make our voice be heard.” Chiara Favotti