We find ourselves connected in new ways – discovering close neighbours and distant friends, finding new points of dialogue and facing global challenges. How do we build a more united world together?

Our heart, our home, our world

Saturday – Sunday
October 2-3

Mariapolis is an annual gathering organised by the Focolare Movement, whose inspiration comes from Jesus’ prayer ‘That all may be one’ (John 17:21). People from all walks of life and expressions of faith are invited to join and explore a society built on fraternity, peace and justice. There will be moments of reflection, sharing of real life stories and time for relaxation and fun together.

The Mariapolis will be an opportunity to hear about and engage with the many activities that have flourished over this last year – in the field of interfaith dialogue, ecumenism, environmental action and more.

This year, as in 2020, the Mariapolis will be online which means that the whole world can join us. Do join us!

Bookings are now open!  Book here

“Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:4).

Who is the greatest: who is the most powerful? Who is the ‘winner’ in society, in the Church, in politics or in the world of finance? This question runs through relationships, it guides choices and determines strategies. It is the dominant logic to which we may inadvertently resort when trying to ensure positive and efficient outcomes for those around us. Here the Gospel of Matthew presents us with Jesus’ disciples. They have accepted the announcement of the kingdom of heaven and want to know the requirements if they are to be protagonists in the new people of God: ‘Who is the greatest?’ In response, Jesus makes one of his unpredictable gestures: he places a child in the centre of the small crowd. And he accompanies this gesture with unequivocal words:

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus contrasts a competitive and self-sufficient mentality with the weakest and most vulnerable element in society – the person who has no role to boast about or defend and who is totally dependent and spontaneously relies on the help of others. However, this is not an invitation to be passive or to avoid proactive and responsible behaviour; it is a freely taken act of will. Jesus, invites us to ‘become small’, like children and this requires intention and commitment from us if we are to make a decisive change.

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

This is how Focolare founder, Chiara Lubich, describes a child of the Gospel: ‘…the child trustingly abandons themselves to their father and mother: they believe in their love. … Authentic Christians, like children, believe in God’s love and abandon themselves into the arms of their heavenly Father, placing unfailing trust in him. … Children depend on their parents for everything … We too, “children of the Gospel”, depend on the Father for everything: … he knows what we need, even before we ask him, and he gives it to us. The kingdom of God is not a reality to conquer and win but a gift to receive from the hands of the Father.’ Chiara emphasises how a child entrusts themselves totally to their father and learns everything from him. In the same way: ‘The “evangelical child” puts everything in God’s mercy and, forgetting the past, begins a new life every day which is open to the promptings of the Spirit and is always creative. Children cannot learn to speak on their own, they need someone to teach them. The disciple of Jesus … learns everything from the Word of God to the point of speaking and living according to the Gospel.’ Children tend to imitate their parents. ‘So the child of the Gospel … loves everyone because the Father “makes his sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes it rain on the just and on the unjust”. This child is the first to love because the Father loved us when we were still sinners; the child loves gratuitously, without interest because the heavenly Father does so.’ [i]

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

In Colombia, Vicente and his family experienced the challenges of the pandemic, under a very strict quarantine regime. He writes: ‘When the curfew started, daily life changed abruptly. My wife and two older children had to prepare for some university exams; the youngest could not get used to virtual study. No one in the house had time to take care of anyone else. This chaos was on the verge of exploding when I realised it was an opportunity to embody the art of loving in our “new life” according to the Gospel. I set about tidying the kitchen, preparing food and organising meals. I am not an experienced cook, nor precise in my cleaning, but I realised that this would help to reduce the tensions of everyday life. What started out as an act of love for one day multiplied over several months. Other members of the family began to do the cleaning, tidying and put things away whenever they finished their work. Together we saw that the words of the Gospel are true and that creative love suggests how to put everything else in order.’

Letizia Magri

[i] Chiara Lubich Word of Life Oct. 2003

https://soundcloud.com/user-63571203/august-2021

The United Nations together set 17 important goals to accomplish by 2030 to make the world a better place. One of them is ZERO HUNGER, and the United Nations want us Teens4Unity from all over the world to help. Together we can ensure that no one in the world will ever have to suffer hunger.

On Saturday 24th July, 2021, an international virtual meeting was held by Teens4Unity to set up an international committee. Teenagers from different countries were able to share what they have already done for the Zero Hunger challenge and explore new ideas. An amazing opportunity: from Venezuela to Spain, Portugal, Corea, Pakistan, India…

Our Maltese representative was Maya Ungaro, 14 years old, who explained the poverty situation in Malta and shared a video about the various Zero Hunger Challenge activities the local Teens4Unity held over the last couple of years.

Teens4Unity Malta

Presentation of “Dare to Care” project in Malta and highlights of United World activities around the world.

“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well” (Mt. 9:22).

Jesus is walking onwards and is surrounded by the crowds: a desperate father has begged him to come to the aid of his daughter who is dying. While he is on his way, another encounter takes place: a woman who has been suffering from an issue of blood for many years makes her way through the people; her physical condition is serious and, in addition,  it forces her to limit her family and social interaction. The woman does not call out to Jesus, she does not speak, but she comes up behind him and dares to touch the fringe of his garment. She has a very clear idea, ‘If all I do is touch his cloak, I will be healed of this suffering that torments me.’And behold, Jesus turns, looks at her and reassures her: her faith has obtained salvation. Not only physical health: Jesus’ gaze brings about an encounter with God’s love.

“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”

This episode from Matthew’s Gospel opens up an unexpected perspective for us too: God is always on his way towards us, but he also awaits our initiative so that we do not miss our appointment with him. Our journey of faith, although bumpy and marked by mistakes, fragility and disappointments is of great value. He is the Lord of true Life and wants to share this life with all of us, his sons and daughters, who, in his eyes, are rich with a dignity that no circumstances can suppress. For this reason, today Jesus says to us too:

“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”

We can be helped to live this Word by what Focolare founder, Chiara Lubich,  wrote when meditating on this very Gospel passage: ‘Through their faith, men and women clearly demonstrate that they do not rely on themselves but trust in the One who is stronger than them. Jesus calls the woman he has healed ‘daughter’ to show that he really wants to give her not only the gift of physical healing but also the gift of  divine life that can renew her entirely. Jesus, in fact, works miracles so that we can accept the salvation that he brings.  He  embodies  the Father’s gift of forgiveness and when this is communicated to men and women, it transforms them.

How can we live this Word? By showing God our trust in him when we face serious challenges.. Such an attitude certainly does not relieve us of our responsibilities, nor does it dispense us from doing all we can. .. But our faith can be put to the test. We see it clearly in this suffering woman who is able to overcome the obstacle of the crowd that stands between her and the Master (…). We must have faith, then, but  faith that does not doubt in the face of difficulties. And, again, we must show Jesus that we have understood the immense gift that he has brought us, the gift of divine life and  be grateful to him and correspond to it.’ [i]

“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”

This certainty also allows us to bring salvation by tenderly ‘touching’ those who are  suffering, in need, darkness or feeling lost. This is what happened to  a mother from Venezuela who found the courage to forgive: ‘I was feeling desperate for help when I attended a meeting on the Gospel where I heard Jesus’ words: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” [ii], and “Love your enemies.” [iii] Love your enemies. How could I forgive those who had killed my son? But in the meantime a seed had entered into me and the decision to forgive finally prevailed. Now I can truly call myself a “child of God”. Recently I was called to a meeting with my son’s killer who had been caught. It was hard but grace intervened. There was no hatred or rancour in my heart, only great pity and the intention to entrust him to God’s mercy.’

Letizia Magri

[i] Chiara Lubich Word of Life Jul 1997
[ii] Cf. Mt. 5:9
[iii] Cf. Lk. 6:35

https://soundcloud.com/user-63571203/juy-2021

From the sharing of material goods to offering spiritual and emotional support, all efforts seem a drop in the ocean of the Covid-19 tragedy in India. Yet local communities continue to go ahead with faith in God and mutual trust.

“It has been exactly one week since we tested positive. We are not looking up any information on the Internet and we are not allowing ourselves to watch the news or complain about anything. We are taking it one day at a time. Getting better. Your prayers, messages, good wishes and food full of warmth have continued to give us strength and we can feel the closeness and support of each and every one of you. We continue to offer thanks for the smallest blessings we have been given.”

This WhatsApp message shared by a family from the Focolare community in Mumbai has been a ray of hope and courage in these dark times. Not a day goes by without receiving news of the death of colleagues, friends and sometimes even family members. This is in addition to the constant reminders through all the media of collapsing systems and families unable to assure dignity for their sick or deceased loved ones.

With a population of 1.3 billion people, a high rate of cases was expected in India. For a whole year, until last April, the country managed to curb the spread through various measures, from strict lockdowns to contact tracing and mass vaccinations. But now the situation is worsening daily, as the virus mutates in various parts of the country and the public health system struggles to keep up with an unprecedented demand for medicines, oxygen and ventilators.

During the pandemic, the Focolare community has worked tirelessly and relaunched a nationwide communion of goods to show solidarity and offer financial help to those who have lost their jobs or need funds for daily provisions. The Focolare’s Udisha project in India has been able to reach out to nearly 80 families in some of Mumbai’s low-income communities, providing them with food, medicine, school fees, books, house rent, electricity bills, etc. Amidst the raging second wave, some young people continue their work for the #DaretoCare project by serving home-cooked meals to the homeless once a fortnight.

With the aim of saving lives, much of the effort and energy of the Focolare communities is now focused on health care. When an urgent request came from the Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai for oxygen concentrators for their 160-bed Covid ward, the community quickly found sponsors for two machines and is now looking for more.

As the second wave continues to hammer home its full force, the Focolare families have felt the need to support each other more closely and have begun to connect daily to pray together for half an hour, finding much needed support in the pain, helplessness and even loneliness of some. As in the early days of the Movement, when the community in Trent (Italy) discovered that God is Love even in the raging of the Second World War, online prayer with the Indian community is becoming a powerful way of expressing their being one family, all equal and united in God’s love.

Annabel Dsouza from Mumbai, India

The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella paid a private visit yesterday morning, 2 May, to the International Center of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa (Rome).

“I am delighted to be here; thank you for your warm welcome. The Focolare Movement’s contribution to our country, quite apart from the ecclesial dimension, is an advocacy to solidarity, to come together.”

With these words, Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, thanked Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare, for the invitation made in a spirit of friendship to visit the International Center of the Focolare in Rocca di Papa (Rome) this morning.

“The concept of ‘focolare’ [hearth], of forming a family – continued the President in his greeting to those present – is a constant and comprehensive call to build community, to realize that each of us needs the others and that only by working together can positive and acceptable progress be achieved. This contribution is particularly important for our country.”

President Mattarella was also welcomed by Focolare Co-President Jesús Morán, by Maria Voce, former President and the General Council representing the Focolare all over the world.

The President wished, during his visit, to pay homage to the memory of Chiara Lubich and Igino Giordani, who are buried in the chapel at the Centre.

It is a happy coincidence that this visit to the tomb of the Hon. Giordani – who was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Italy and father of the Republic – occurred today, 2nd May 2021, 25 years after the birth of the Politics for Unity Movement. This Movement was founded by Chiara Lubich “so that – in the words of Focolare founder – fraternity should become a political category”. Pope Francis too, at today’s Angelus prayer, recalled this anniversary, wishing all the members of the Politics for Unity Movement “good work in the service of good politics”.

Upon his arrival, President Mattarella went to see the bronze sculpture of the Hon. Igino Giordani, a work by the artist Peter Kostner, which was installed on 18th April, on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of Giordani’s death.

In her greeting, Margaret Karram assured the President that the Focolare will continue to intensify its solidarity initiatives, “extending them to the multitude of people whose lives are deeply affected by the health crisis. The world – she continued – is in desperate need of greater sharing, especially in times like these, and the Focolare’s ideal of the unity can and should make its contribution.”

Then, recalling Chiara Lubich’s appeal to all those who adhere to the spirituality of unity to “be a family”, Margaret Karram concluded by affirming the wish to “follow through with the program that, at the last General Assembly of the Focolare Movement, we gave ourselves for these times, namely: “to embrace the world, listening to the cry of humanity, of creation and of the new generations.”

“The pandemic continues to claim lives and peace is hardly able to establish itself in international relations,” said Jesús Morán, Co-President of the Focolare, in his homily at Mass. “More intense and fervent prayer is needed, but for this to happen Christians need to decide to remain in Christ, in his love, living the commandment of mutual love.”

In his final greeting, President Mattarella said: “Earlier I was kindly shown the chapel with the splendid mosaic behind the altar and the tombs of Chiara Lubich, of Igino Giordani whom I was lucky enough to meet when I was young, and of Father Foresi: all extraordinary figures.”

The President has also described Igino Giordani, in the preface to the recently published biography “Igino Giordani an unarmed hero” (by Alberto Lo Presti, Città Nuova Ed.) as “an inspiriting witness of Christian life.”

Stefania Tanesini

Source: www.focolare.org

Watch video: https://vimeo.com/544252523

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. (1Jn 4:15)

“God is love” is perhaps the most luminous definition of God found in Scripture. It appears only twice and is found in this text which is a letter or perhaps an exhortation that echoes the message of the Fourth Gospel. The author is in fact a disciple who bears witness to the spiritual tradition of the apostle John. He is writing to a first century Christian community which, unfortunately, is already facing a very difficult trial, namely discord and division both in terms of faith and of witness.

God is love: in himself he lives the fullness of communion as Trinity and this love overflows onto his creatures. To those who accept him he gives the power to become his children, [i] with his own DNA, capable of loving. His love is gratuitous and frees us from all fear and timidity. [ii]

In order for the promise of reciprocal communion – we in God and God in us – to be fulfilled, it is essential to “remain” in this same active, dynamic, creative love. This is why Jesus’ disciples were called to love one another, to give their lives and to share their goods with anyone in need. With this love, the community remained united, prophetic and faithful.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

This is a strong and clear proclamation for us too. Nowadays we sometimes feel overwhelmed by unpredictable events that are difficult to control, such as the pandemic or other personal or collective tragedies. We may feel lost and frightened and be tempted to close in on ourselves, to build walls to protect ourselves from those who seem to threaten our security, rather than build bridges to meet each other. Is it possible to continue to believe in God’s love in these circumstances? Is it possible to continue to love?

Josiane from Lebanon was far from her country when she heard about the terrible explosion at the port of Beirut in August 2020. She confided to those who, like her, live the word of life: “I felt pain, anger, anguish, sadness and bewilderment in my heart. I kept asking if all that Lebanon had been through already was not enough? I thought of the neighbourhood where I was born and grew up now razed to the ground; the relatives and friends who were dead, injured or displaced; the buildings, schools and hospitals that I know very well all destroyed. I tried to stay close to my mother and brothers and to answer the many messages from so many other people. I wanted to support them with affection, prayer and by listening to everyone as they spoke of the suffering that had opened up. I wanted to believe – and I DO BELIEVE – that these encounters with those who suffer are a call to respond with the love that God has placed in our hearts.

In spite of the tears, I discovered a light in the actions of many Lebanese people: it was often the younger generation who rose up, looked around and brought help to those in need. I felt a great sense of hope that there are young people who are willing to seriously engage in politics because they are convinced that the solution is the path of true dialogue, of harmony and of discovering that we are brothers and sisters.”

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

Focolare founder, Chiara Lubich, offers us a valuable suggestion to help us live this word of the Gospel “We can no longer separate the cross from glory, we cannot separate the Crucified Lord from the Risen One. They are two aspects of the same mystery of God who is Love.[iii] … Let us try to fulfil what God wants from us, wherever we are: … let us try to love the people around us. If we do this, the effect will be surprising and more than we could hope for: our soul will be filled with peace, love and even pure joy and light. And, enriched by this experience, we will be able to help all our brothers and sisters more effectively to find happiness amidst their tears and to transform all that is troubling them into serenity. In this way we will become instruments of joy for many people, instruments of that happiness for which every human heart yearns.”[iv]

Letizia Magri

https://soundcloud.com/user-63571203/word-of-life-may-2021

The 25th edition of the United World Week (1-9 May 2021) promoted by the young people of the Focolare Movement gets underway. Central event in Brussels (Belgium). David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, will speak.

Covid -19 Vaccine as a global common good, the UN treaty for the prohibition of nuclear weapons,  global strategies to welcome migrants, legality, civil economy and integral ecology will be focal points during  the 25th edition of  United World Week (1-9 May 2021), an international event promoted by the Youth of the Focolare Movement and streamed on the multilingual platform www.unitedworldproject.org.

The main item on the programme of this international event will take place in Brussels from 7th to 9th May. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, will participate in the International Forum.

Care as political action and response to ecological challenges

The “culture of care”, expressed by the slogan #DARETOCARE, is at the heart of this project. It consists of a campaign of awareness and action, in which young people have realized that the road to build a better future lies in the ability and courage to care, also as a political paradigm, understood as a service to every person and in very social sphere.

The first phase of the campaign promoted “care” in our behaviour as citizens and in our political actions; the second phase, which will start with United World Week 2021, will focus on the “care” of the planet and the challenges of integral ecology.

This year’s programme:

May 2: The Politics for Unity Movement, which celebrates its 25th anniversay, proposes an online event during which it will launch “An appeal for a new quality of politics”.

May 7-9: An international Convention streamed from Brussels (Belgium); citizens and politicians will be able to share ideas, discuss and work together in an online agora.

May 7: In a face-to-face meeting with youth, David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, will be the main speaker. Peace, politics, welcoming migrants and ecology will be discussed.

Others scheduled to take part in the United World Week events are: the economists Jeffrey Sachs, Sir Partha Dasgupta and Luigino Bruni; Simone Borg, Professor of Environmental and Resources Law at the University of Malta; Lorna Gold, Professor of Environment, Sustainability and Social Justice, at the National Maynooth University, Ireland; Catherine Belzung, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Tours, France; Pasquale Ferrara, diplomat and ambassador; Giuseppe Gatti, magistrate of the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate; Margaret Karram and Jesús Morán, President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement; Fr. Luigi Ciotti, founder of Libera.

United World Week is an international event promoted by the Focolare youth. Since 1996, it has involved young people and adults, institutions and associations to raise world-wide awareness on the issues of peace and brotherhood and to promote concrete actions and commitments.

Info and contacts: Tamara Pastorelli  (+39)  347 0064403
Focolari Communications Office – Stefania Tanesini – (+39) 338 5658244

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PROGRAMME

May 1

15.00: “May Day at Loppiano“, live from this small town of the Focolare Movement. This is a regular event in which  thousands of young people from all over Italy and also from other parts of the world participate.

21.00: Concert by the Gen Verde international performing arts group.

May 2

From 11.00  to 12.00, in every time zone there will be a virtual “Run4unity”, a non-stop sports relay race with games, challenges, testimonies and commitments, to symbolise a rainbow of unity and peace on earth.

14.00: The Politics for Unity Movement, which celebrates its 25th anniversay,  proposes an online event during which it will launch “An appeal for a new quality of politics”.

May 4

17.00: “Female sport experiences”, with Lucia Castelli, Maddalena Musumeci, Dona Neide, Patricia Furtado, organised by Sportmeet Association.

May 5

16.00: “The Economy of Francesco”,  young people in dialogue with Indian economist Sir Partha Sarathi Dasgupta.

May 6

19.00: Città Nuova (New City) presents “La legalità del Noi al tempo del COVID 19” (The ‘Us’ lawfulness at the time of COVID 19). Giuseppe Gatti, magistrate of the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate, the economist Luigino Bruni, the journalist Gianni Bianco and Fr. Luigi Ciotti, founder of the Libera Association will take part.

May 7

13.00: Youth in dialogue with David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament.

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May 7-9  World Forum #daretocare at Brussels (Belgium)

May 7

12.00 (UTC+1):  “Dare To Care International Convention” from Brussels. In this opening show, set up with collaboration of the Sylvester TV Productions Company, there will be stories, best practices, ideas, inspirations “to dare to care” from all over the world.

13.00: Youth in dialogue with David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament;

14.00: The Economy of Francesco, Policies & Happiness and Care’s proposals

May 8

14.00: “A vaccine for all, a Common Good the whole world needs”, with Jeffrey Sachs, economist and essayist (USA), and Catherine Belzung, psychologist and professor of neuroscience at the University of Tours (France).

21.00: Concert by the Gen Rosso international performing arts group.

May 9

12.00 (UTC+1): “#daretocare for People and the Planet”, presented from Brussels in collaboration with the Sylvester TV Productions Company, will launch the second phase of the #daretocare campaign. It will focus on the challenges of integral ecology, with inspiring experiences and actions from different parts of the world.

15.00: “Care and COP26” with Simone Borg, Professor of Environmental and Resources Law at the University of Malta; Lorna Gold, Professor of Environment, Sustainability and Social Justice at the National University of Maynooth (Ireland); Pasquale Ferrara, Diplomat and Ambassador.