“Recognising Oneself, The Statutes: a Path and a Mirror”: Lesson 5

The final lesson of the UPM 2025 course, “Recognising oneself The Statutes: a path and a mirror”, was transmitted on Saturday 10th May and is available to watch here.

Lesson 5 explored the Statutes from several international perspectives, drawing on the insights of canon lawyers and experts.

The key themes and perspectives covered were:

Juridical, Ecclesiological, and Charismatic Reading of the Statutes:
Cristiane Ganda Ribeiro (Brazil), a canon lawyer, discussed how the statutes defined the Work of Mary as a private universal association of pontifical right. She explained its relationship with the Catholic Church and emphasized that the statutes reflected the charism of unity that was central to the Focolare Movement. The Statutes are not merely legal documents but also an expression of the Movement’s spirituality and mission.

Structure of Zones, Branches, and Movements:
Rafael Tagugang (Ivory Coast), a lawyer specializing in canon law and Zone Delegate of Western & Central Africa, examined the parts of the Statutes that pertain to the organization of the Focolare Movement in zones, branches and various movements within it. He underscored the importance of unity and synodality in the structure of the organization and highlighted how the statutes ensured spiritual and operational unity between the central administration and the local zones.

Dialogue with Other Churches and Beliefs:
Elfriede Glaub (Germany), a Canon lawyer and Diocesan Judge, analysed the sections of the statutes that addressed the Focolare Movement’s engagement in dialogue with other Christian churches, ecclesial communities and people of non-religious convictions. She emphasized the inclusion of non-Catholic Christians and followers of other religions within the Work of Mary and the importance of seeking their input in relevant decisions.

In essence, the final lesson of the course, and this summary, emphasized that the Statutes are a vital tool for understanding the Focolare Movement’s identity, structure, and mission. It encouraged engagement with the Statutes to better understand one’s role within the Work of Mary and to contribute to its mission of unity in diversity. The Statutes provide a framework for governance that serves unity and for living out the charism of love in freedom and responsibility.

Lesson on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/74hh3LNoGUw?si=YoBiUyIogmSivxLU

“Recognising Oneself, the Statutes: A Path and a Mirror” Lesson 4

The fourth lesson of the “Recognising Oneself, the Statutes: A Path and a Mirror” course of the Popular Marian University (UPM) took place on 12th April. It covered two topics: “Rules and Freedom” by Tommaso Bertolasi and “Government: at the service of unity” by Elisabetta Scomazzon”.

It can be viewed here

Navigating Governance, Freedom and Rules in the Focolare Movement

These two lessons presented on 12th April explored the relationship between governance, freedom and rules within the Focolare Movement, emphasizing their foundation in love and service.

Tommaso Bertolasi, Researcher in Philosophy at Department of Theology, Philosophy and Human Sciences Sophia University

Tommaso Bertolasi’s contribution delved into the philosophical and even paradoxical relationship between freedom and rules. He began by exploring the contemporary understanding of freedom, drawing on Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of “liquid modernity” and the metaphor of a buffet to illustrate the overwhelming multiplicity of choices in today’s world.

Tommaso argued that unlimited freedom, while seemingly desirable, can lead to anxiety and a sense of being constrained by the very abundance of options. He then transitioned into a discussion of rules, explaining how they emerge from habits and social styles, ultimately serving to guarantee justice and define rights within a community.

In the context of the Focolare Movement, Tommaso emphasized that the Statutes, as a set of rules, are founded on love – a concept that seems paradoxical given the inherently free nature of love. He connected this to the figure of Jesus Forsaken, symbolizing a fragile love that gives itself freely.

Finally, Tommaso offered advice on how to approach the Statutes, advocating for a focus on living mutual love as the key to understanding and embracing the freedom they offer.

Elisabetta Scomazzon, Canon Lawyer, expert on Ecclesial Movements and New Communities in the Church, member of the Focolare’s International Study Centre, “Scuola Abba”.

Elisabetta Scomazzon’s input on Government: at the service of unity, focused on the operational and structural aspects of governance within the Focolare Movement. She began by carefully distinguishing between “government” and “governance,” clarifying that while government refers to the specific activities and roles involved in directing the Movement, governance encompasses the broader philosophy and style of leadership.

Elisabetta emphasized that in the Focolare context, governance is not merely an administrative function but a service rooted in the Movement’s charism – its unique spirit and set of values. She detailed the key governing bodies, such as the General Assembly, the President, the Co-President, the Centre of the Work of Mary and the General Council, explaining their roles in ensuring unity, facilitating communication, and making decisions.

Furthermore, Elisabetta addressed the importance of the General Statutes as the foundational rules that guide these governing bodies and ensure the involvement of all members in the Movement’s life. She also discussed the influence of a decree by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, which provides external guidelines for governance within the Movement.

Both speakers emphasized that in a religious context, rules are founded on love. Scomazzon highlighted how governance in the Focolare Movement is rooted in the charism of love, while Bertolasi discussed how the Statutes are based on mutual love, acknowledging its inherent fragility and the necessity of reciprocal action.

Watch lesson on YouTube:

“Recognising Oneself, the Statutes: A Path and a Mirror” – Lesson 3

Source: Focolare Movement Website, Ireland

The third session of the “Recognising Oneself, the Statutes: A Path and a Mirror” course of the Popular Marian Un

iversity (UPM) took place on 8^th March. It can be viewed on YouTube.

The topic was “Understanding the Statutes of the Focolare Movement: A Journey Through History and Mission”

The two lessons presented, Approaching the Statutes: A Historical Understanding by Lucia Abignente and The Statutes: Inheritance and Prophecy by Adriana Cosseddu, offered complementary insights into the origins, evolution, and significance of these foundational texts.

A Historical Journey of the Statutes

Lucia Abignente’s lesson provided a detailed historical overview of how the Focolare Movement’s Statutes developed over time. She traced the path from the early 1947 Statute of the Focolares of Charity, Apostles of Unity, approved by the Archbishop of Trent, through successive revisions that reflected both the Movement’s growth and its evolving relationship with the Church. These milestones included the significant 1958 draft, where the name Work of Mary first appeared, and the 1962 and 1963 approvals of separate sections for men and women.

The defining moment came in 1964, when Pope Paul VI granted full approval to the Movement, leading to further refinement of its structure. In 1990, after years of dedicated work, the General Statutes were approved, formally recognizing the Focolare as a private, universal association of the faithful. The Statutes were later revised in 2007 to incorporate new developments, including the establishment of Sophia University and updates to the governance structure.

The Statutes as a Living Guide: Inheritance and Prophecy

Adriana Cosseddu’s lesson examined the Statutes through four key dimensions: legacy, identity, relevance, and prophecy. She emphasized that the Statutes are not merely administrative documents but embody the spiritual and practical framework of the Movement.

Legacy – The Statutes encapsulate the gift of unity and mutual love, which Chiara Lubich emphasized as the core of the Movement’s identity. The Premise of the Statutes, signed by Chiara herself, highlights Jesus’ presence among those who live in mutual love, making the Movement’s structure a living reflection of the Gospel.
Identity – The Movement’s diverse composition, embracing people from different vocations, backgrounds, and even religions, is enshrined in the Statutes. The unity of the human family remains a guiding principle, ensuring that the Focolare remains open to all who seek fraternity and peace.
Relevance Today – The Statutes provide a contemporary framework for applying the Movement’s spirituality in today’s world. Each aspect of life—economic sharing, dialogue, service, and even care for creation—is deeply rooted in Gospel values, as reflected in the different colors that symbolize Focolare’s various commitments.
Prophecy – Looking to the future, the Statutes serve as both an identity card and a mission statement. They define unity as the ultimate goal—not just among Christians but among all people. This vision calls for continuous commitment to dialogue, peacebuilding, and engagement with contemporary social challenges.

Conclusion

Together, these lessons provided a rich and profound understanding of the Statutes of the Focolare Movement. From their historical development to their ongoing relevance, they remain both a path and a mirror—a guiding compass for members of the Movement as they strive to bring unity and fraternity to the world. The Statutes are not just a set of regulations but a living testament to a charism that continues to inspire generations.

Texts available here: https://www.universitapopolaremariana.org/en/