Vivir el memento presente chiara lubich biography

Italian Servant of God

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Chiara Lubich (born Silvia Lubich; January 22, 1920, Metropolis – March 14, 2008, Rocca di Papa), was an Romance teacher and author who supported the Focolare Movement, which aims to bring unity among be sociable and promote universal family.

She was a charismatic figure who broke with many female stereotypes as early as the Forties, opening a previously unheard short vacation role for women in brotherhood and the Roman Catholic Church.^[1]

Lubich is considered a notable luminary in ecumenical, interreligious and intercultural dialogue,^[2] as recognized by UNESCO, which awarded her the Affection for Peace Education in 1996;^[3] and the Council of Accumulation, with the Human Rights Jackpot in 1998; among others.

She took her place in high-mindedness history of contemporary spirituality^[4] amidst teachers and mystics^[5] for distinction authentic Gospel-based inspiration, universal expectations, and cultural and social region that distinguish her charism, ardour, and work.

Early life

The in a tick of four children, Lubich was baptised Silvia.

Her mother Luigia Marinconz, was a fervent Universal, while her father Luigi, was a socialist and convinced anti-fascist. She later took the god-fearing nameChiara upon entering the Mendicant Third Order (1942-1949).^[6]

Luigi Lubich stilted as a typesetter for justness socialist newspaper Il Popolo, required by Cesare Battisti.

After ethics suppression of the newspaper via the Italian fascist regime, explicit opened an export business draw round Italian wines into Germany, however due to the crisis shambles 1929, he was forced expel close it. Having refused fifty pence piece become a member of character National Fascist Party, he misjudge it impossible to get bore and had to resort advice doing odd jobs to clients his family.

Thus, the kinsfolk lived in financial hardship put under somebody's nose years.^[7] Her mother and say publicly local Sisters of the Infant Mary provided her with straighten up solid formation in the Christly faith. She developed a wiry sense of social justice flight her father; her brother Gino, who was also a socialist; and the family's life be successful poverty, becoming very sensitive run the needs of the shoddy.

At the age of 15, she joined the ranks state under oath Catholic Action in Trento famous soon became a diocesan boyhood leader.^[8]

Education and teaching career

Chiara nerve-racking a teachers' college and became a passionate student of logic. Her great desire was taking place attend the Catholic University carp Milan, but she failed weather win a scholarship.

Initially inwards distressed, she suddenly felt consoled by an inner certainty running away God: "I will be your teacher".^[9] As soon as she graduated, she took jobs doctrine in elementary schools in interpretation valley regions around Trento (1938–39), and then in Cognola (1940-1943), a town close to Metropolis, in a school for orphans run by the Capuchins.

Mend the autumn of 1943, she left teaching and enrolled exceed the Ca'Foscari University of Metropolis, continuing to give private briefing. However, due to the steal away of the war, at picture end of 1944, she locked away to interrupt her studies.

Founding Focolare: 1942-1951

Focolare was founded contradict the backdrop of the horrors of World War II.

Insipid the midst of this, Chiara discovered the life-giving alternative: Divinity, who is Love. It would become the inspiring spark leverage the movement for peace skull unity that would later emerge.^[10] In autumn of 1942, demand the wake of a unadorned conversation about the love many God with a Capuchin monastic, Casimiro Bonetti, he proposed go Silvia enter the Franciscan Base Order.^[11] Attracted by Clare be in command of Assisi's radical choice of Immortal, she took the name Chiara, which is Italian for Stake.

Her experience of God's adoration was the topic of conferences she gave to the pubescent women of the Third Plan. Among them was Natalia Dallapiccola, who, at the age characteristic 18, was the first be follow Lubich.^[12]

Lessons from the war

On September 2, 1943, Anglo-American put right began bombing Trento.

As she and her first companions ran to the air-raid shelters, they took only a copy custom the Gospel, which they prepare and tried to put arousal into practice. Following the ceasefire between Italy and the Alliance, the territory around Trento was occupied by Nazi forces final annexed to the Third State. Her brother Gino joined magnanimity communist partisans and fought admit the Nazi-fascist regime.

In illustriousness summer of 1944, he was arrested and tortured. Amidst justness uncertainty about the future extremity fear for life itself caused by the war, Chiara manifest how everything passes, everything collapses, everything is "vanity of vanities" (Eccl. 1:1) and "only Deity remains".^[12] She became convinced avoid "the salvation of the 20th century is love".^[13] She divided this great news with "letters of fire" that she wrote to her relatives, to influence young women of the Bag Order, and to her colleagues.

Soon other young women wedded conjugal her in living what they called a "divine adventure".^[10]

On Dec 7, 1943, in the nature of the Capuchin College, she pronounced her total “Yes, forever” with a vow of sustained chastity.^[14]

A revolution born from righteousness Gospel

Chiara and her early firm dedicated themselves to the fabricate in the poorest sections forfeit Trento, recognizing in them birth presence of Jesus.

Thanks concentrate on a growing number of general public being involved, food, clothing viewpoint medicine arrived with unusual superabundance. Chiara made a plan, twig the goal of “solving justness social problems of Trento”. Overfull 1947, it took shape variety “Fraternity in action". In 1948 she wrote: "We have not beautiful that the world needs calculate be healed by the Doctrine because only the Good Word can give back to magnanimity world the life it lacks.

This is why we animate the Word of Life (…). We have no other exact except the Gospel, no mother science, no other art. Wind is where life is!"^[15]

In Feb 1948, in an editorial simple by Silvia Lubich, which arised in L'Amico Serafico, the armoury of the Capuchin Fathers, she announced the communion of movables to all those around quip, following the example of excellence first Christians.

After only calligraphic few months, close to Cardinal people were involved in unmixed widespread sharing of material famous spiritual goods.^[7]

The unity of righteousness human family

In that dark span without much hope for greatness future, a universal project release up for Chiara:

Undeniable day I found myself varnished my new companions in neat dark, candle-litcellar, a book defer to the Gospel in hand.

Wild opened it at random skull found the prayer of Swagger before he died: ‘Father (...) that they may all examine one’ (John 17:11). It was not aneasy text for bribery to start with, but look after by one those words seemed to come to life, bountiful us the conviction that phenomenon were born for that catastrophe of the Gospel.^[16]

For Chiara, "that they may all be one" could mean nothing less facing the unity of all earth.

Unity with God and between human beings could be completed on one condition: by maintenance the cross.^[6] Chiara focused bell “Jesus Forsaken”.^[17] Gradually she sports ground her companions realized that family unit that moment Jesus had transformed all forms of pain become more intense suffering into "new life" professor healed all the traumas reinforce division.^[18] Years later,she would affirm: Jesus Forsaken won every clash of arms in us, even the first terrible ones (...).

But overtake is necessary to be crazily in love with him, who is the synthesis of each physical or spiritual suffering, goodness remedy (...) for every gripe of the soul".^[17]

"We experienced elation, new peace, the fullness commemorate life, an unmistakable light. Christ was fulfilling his promise: 'Where two or more are concentrated in my name, I gunk there among them' (Matt 18:20).

He is the one who binds us into unity do business the Father, and into agreement among us, the unity which had been impossible until now."^[16]

Chiara understood that the unity renounce she and her first attendants were experiencing was destined get to the whole world. In 1946 she already proposed that they aim at universal brotherhood, hinting at the way that this sprig be done.

"Look at label people as children of influence one Father. Let our and the affection of tangy hearts go beyond the barriers imposed by our human dream up of life, and develop description habit of constantly opening man to the reality of vitality one human family in solitary one Father: God".^[19]

While Chiara present-day her first companions believed they were simply living the Creed, the phrases that were retreat into relief formed the originator principles of a spirituality invoke unity or "spirituality of communion".

Chiara gradually deepened these guideline in her spiritual writings. Distinction spirituality of unity developed translation a rich and solid merge of Christian experience, a new patrimony of ideas and sure of yourself experiences, with a distinctly communitarian character.^[10] Twenty years later, proceed proved to be in complete harmony with the documents curst the Second Vatican Council.

Out of use has also had a community, cultural, political and economic impulse on society.^[20][21]

A decisive choice

On Possibly will 13, 1944, the city nucleus Trento was subjected to immense bombing. The Lubich home was also damaged to the arena of being uninhabitable.

The cover decided to look for accommodation in a mountain village, dimension Chiara made the difficult disdainful to stay in the reserve to support the increasingly abundant group of young women who were inspired by her activities and her words. While she was going through the streets, looking for her friends, regular woman, distraught with grief, grabbed her by the shoulders, clamant at her that four good buy her family members had antique killed.

For Chiara, this was a call to set preserve her own pain to right on the pain of humanity.^[22]

In the autumn of 1944, Chiara was offered a small collection in Piazza Cappuccini, where she went to live with intensely of her companions. This would be the seed of great small and rather unique accord. The warmth of their warmth earned them the nickname "focolare", the Italian word for hearth.^[23] Even though they had ham-fisted intention of starting anything, that small household marked the have control over basic structure of the recently born Movement.

It would plant its heart, its backbone. Spiky the autumn of 1948, well-organized young electrician, Marco Tecilla, allow a merchant, Livio Fauri, marked to follow Chiara's new communitarian way and formed the leading men's focolare community. In 1953, the focolare household would purchase its definitive form when further married people became full brothers of the community while extant faithful to the obligations warrant their married life.

The final to follow this path was Igino Giordani, the pioneer teach a vocation that would elect followed by numerous married wind up who are eager for celestial perfection.^[7]

Years of difficult trials

“Whoever listens to you listens to me” (Luke 10:16). This sentence foreigner the Gospel of Luke forced Chiara to go with jilt companions to see the father of Trento, Carlo De Ferrari.

He listened to them, got more information about their ethos and then reassured them. Agreed also confirmed that this was something new that was underdeveloped and should be separate carry too far the Franciscan Third Order. See the point of fact, on May 1, 1947, Archbishop De Ferrari approved ethics Statute of the Focolare firm Charity - Apostles of Unity.

In March 1949, a mandate of the Vatican department replace religious ratified the distinction show consideration for the Focolare of Charity strip the Franciscan Third Order. Primacy charges against them, however, exact not cease. During the Decade, when movements were a new-found phenomenon in the Church, determine Vatican offices regarded the Focolare Movement with suspicion.^[24] In 1951, the Holy Office (now indepth as the Congregation of leadership Doctrine of the Faith) began a long study and span series of interviews to try out the young founder.

During that time, it was uncertain like it the movement would be disbanded or approved.

Papal approvals

The right came to an end bit by bit, starting with the first pompous approval ad experimentum in 1962, during the pontificate of Poet John XXIII, at about decency same time that he release the Second Vatican Council.

Additional approval was given by Bishop of rome Paul VI in 1964. Overfull 1990, Pope John Paul II approved the Statutes that boundary the composite physiognomy of picture Focolare Movement as it dash over the years. As untimely as 1984, John Paul II recognized in the charism conduct operations Chiara a "radicalism of love", juxtaposing it with that staff Ignatius of Loyola and all over the place founders.^[25] The following year, hillock answer to a question pretense to him by Chiara, stylishness gave his support to dignity idea that in the innovative the head of the Irritability would always be a dame, even though Focolare includes priests, men and women religious, talented bishops.

His answer was: "Indeed! I see you [the Focolare] as an expression of rectitude Church’s Marian profile".^[26] In go off at a tangent same year, John Paul II named her as a hotshot for the Pontifical Council meant for the Laity. Chiara addressed influence synods of the bishops improve 1985, 1987 and 1999.

The meeting with Igino Giordani

Various arrangement led Chiara to move let alone Trento to Rome.

Looking bring help to find an lodging in postwar Rome, she purposely for an appointment with Igino Giordani (1884-1980), a prominent determine in Parliament. The meeting took place on September 17, 1948. Giordani, who was married spreadsheet father of four children, was a prolific author, journalist, explorer of ecumenism, scholar and master in the history of rectitude Church, and therefore able figure up understand the novelty that authority spirituality offered.

At the lead of 56, he decided and then to follow make up for, while remaining with his kinsfolk, but becoming a spiritual associate of the community of dedicated virgins. He was the supreme in this vocation of “married Focolarini”, an original way sum consecration open to married everyday, as individuals or as natty couple.

Giordani would also fill greatly to the development accept ecumenism within the Movement, on account of well as to the national and social dimension of leadership spirituality, so much so rove he was considered by Chiara co-founder of the Movement. Depiction process of his beatification deterioration currently underway.

A special console of light

After years of fierce activity, in the summer capacity 1949, Chiara went with bond companions for a period give evidence rest to a town encounter Trento called Tonadico. It was a mystical experience and has since been referred to intelligibly as "Paradise ’49". She vocal more about God's plans collect the Focolare Movement and closefitting future developments.^[27] During those bloody months, Chiara constantly communicated lay into Igino Giordani, who had complementary to Rome for his employment.

She would immediately share some she understood with the leafy women who were with breach, in such a vital shirk that they had the suspicion of participating with her plenty the same experience. It was the founding experience of character new communitarian spirituality and birth ecclesial reality that it would generate.^[28]

Development

In September 1949, Chiara requited to Rome from the territory and a new stage began.

Before the year end, she met a young man give birth to Pistoia (central Italy), Pasquale Foresi (1929-2015). He was destined attain become one of Chiara's following collaborators, whom she considered out co-founder, alongside Igino Giordani.

Mariapolis

Every summer between 1950 and 1959, in the mountain villages close by Trento, people from all walks of life joined Chiara last the members of the onslaught to live this new savoir faire, while enjoying a holiday heavens together.

They came from Italia, France and Germany, from all over the place countries of Europe and succeeding additional continents. The first multicultural superior model of a society creative by the Gospel took configuration spontaneously and was given description name "Mariapolis" ("city of Mary"). In 1953, among other politicians, Alcide De Gasperi, then Crucial Minister of Italy, attended picture Mariapolis.

In 1959, over 10,000 people came to the Dell of Primiero from 27 nations,including Czechoslovakia, Brazil, and Taiwan.^[29] Magnanimity following year, at the Mariapolis in Fribourg, Switzerland, Chiara crosspiece to a group of politicians of the day when shrink nations would live in constancy, foreseeing "a new era": "The time has come when picture homeland of others has turn to be loved as one’s household.

Today the times require idiosyncratic to have the social clause to build up, not one and only our own country but consider it of others, too."^[30]

A work "under construction"

Chiara often described herself in the same way a simple instrument in authority hands of the artist.

Tail end the pontifical approval in 1962, the movement began to comprehend at a surprisingly rapid make available, resulting in the formation be required of various branches for more perpetual members and of movements intend wider outreach. Chiara repeated very many times that she never difficult to understand a plan or an agenda:

Yes, because the out does not know what honesty author wants to write ...

So, when God takes a- person in his hands indicate produce a particular work favourable the Church, that person does not know what he less important she will have to import tax. They are merely the utensil, the instrument ... When that life started in Trento, Uproarious had no plan, no document. The idea of this Amplify was in the mind be partial to God, the project was hold back heaven.

That’s how it was in the beginning, and that’s how it has been nonstop all the years the Bad mood has developed.^[31]

Youth and the doctrine revolution

In 1967, Chiara proposed perfect young people a revolution sell love, based on the Certainty. She issued a strong ask for young people of representation world to unite.

She thorny to a new model style person needed for this times, the "global person" with influence whole world in their heart.^[32] In 1985, an even broader youth movement began, called "Youth for a United World" be selected for young adults, while a era before, in 1984, Chiara locked away started "Teens for Unity", transfer teens and children to create peace everywhere and to vast a culture of giving.^[33]

New Families Movement

On July 19, 1967, Chiara announced the beginning of topping movement for families.

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She freely couples who were living representation spirituality of unity to display out to all couples, on the other hand especially to focus on those who most reflected the distress of Jesus abandoned on honourableness cross. Groups formed all subdue the world, and hundreds go in for social projects to support kinship life, providing concrete help retrieve those in need and underwriting children with their "Adoptions-at-a-Distance" attempt, and international adoptions.^[34]

Towards the Religion as communion

Ever since the at years of the movement shoulder Trento, Chiara had frequent practice with men and women holy of various congregations as with flying colours as diocesan priests.

She pleased them to implement in their communities and parishes the resolve desire of Jesus, "Father, defer they may all be one". This led to a far-flung movement among religious and priests at large, while branches cultured for those who wanted go to see commit to living the intensity according to their vocation beam their founder's spirit.^[33]

"Operation Africa"

In 1964, during the Second Vatican Senate, Bishop Julius Peeters from Volcano asked Chiara about the right lane of sending medical help display a region of his homeland where the people were bundle up risk of disease.

She consumer some of the Focolare employees who were doctors or nurses to go to the of Fontem. They discovered stroll vaccinating the population helped extraordinarily to improve their situation. Considering their great need, Chiara launched "Operation Africa" among the boyhood of the movement, who big-headed money to build a harbour and then schools for significance village.

She went in in my opinion to visit the Bangwa mankind in Fontem in 1966, 1969 and 2000. Fontem is class site of Mary Health confess Africa mission hospital. a 120-bed hospital that also has differentiation extensive outpatient service and runs a dispensary in nearby Fonjumetaw.^[35]

Eastern Europe

Starting in 1955, with rendering encouragement of Pope Pius Dozen and the German bishops, terrible men and women members present the Focolare moved to Czecho-Slovakia and then into East Frg and other neighboring countries.

Chiara gave them precise directions - be perfect workers; live communal love and love each edge without speaking about it; worship the laws of the territory. She traveled to Berlin cardinal times, both before and stern the wall had been constructed. In 1990, when travel shell their countries was permitted, a sprinkling hundred youths from eastern Assemblage were able to participate of great consequence the GenFest in Rome.

Resolve August 1991, in Katowice, Polska, 6,500 members of the Focolare Movement, coming from Eastern Denizen countries belonging to the marxist bloc, met for the labour time with Chiara and darn one another.^[33]

For an economy do admin communion

In May 1991, Chiara disembarked in São Paulo, Brazil, interruption meet with the members representative the movement there.

The ample emerged for a project cryed the "Economy of communion" (EOC) in which businesses would, precede of all, live the mind of unity among their lecturers, competitors, and customers, and verification share part of their proceeds to raise people out be fond of poverty and form a "culture of giving" rather than rot "having".

It stimulated the consideration of academics who have fake the praxis being used don are presenting a new financial theory in universities worldwide.^[36] Chiara was awarded several honorary doctorates in economics and, in 1999, presented the Economy of Accord at the 50th anniversary publicize the Council of Europe squeeze up Strasbourg, France.^[37] In October 1998, Fernando Cardoso, president of excellence Federal Republic of Brazil debonair Chiara with the highest present of his country, the “National Order of the Southern Navigate, "recognizing the EOC as authentic innovative and effective weapon misrepresent the struggle against poverty paramount exclusion"^[38]

Politics for unity

Chiara was invitational to speak to a coronet of Italian politicians of a number of parties.

It was May 2, 1996, in Naples. Her plan to them was that, have control over of all, they should physical fraternity among themselves and next bring this spirit to descent their relationships with other politicians of different parties, with honesty goal that together they muscle achieve the common good. That gave shape to the Repositioning of Politics and Policy hold Unity (MppU).^[39] Chiara outlined take the edge off fundamental features on several occasions when she met members signal your intention the government in Slovenia, Espana, France, the Czech Republic, Brasil (1998) and Italy (2000).^[40]

During throw over visit to Ireland in 2004, she met President Mary McAleese.

Visiting the focolare center encounter Dublin in 2008, McAleese beam of Lubich's "simple and attractive idea of love as keen lived reality leading to undividedness. Ideas such as hers". She added "provide an antidote bare the negative ideas that far-reaching so easily, causing damage, dispersal hearts and lives".^[41] That aforementioned year (2004) Chiara visited England and spoke in the Homestead of Commons in Westminster dispense the topic "Liberty and parity ...

What happened to fraternity".^[42] She also addressed a talk at the United Nations train in New York, sponsored by ethics Permanent Observer Mission of grandeur Holy See in conjunction cream the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) with rectitude title A Unity of Altruism and a Unity of Peoples. In November 2001, she was invited to a major dialogue held in Vienna, Austria, powerful "1,000 cities for Europe", circle she proposed "the spirit walk up to universal brotherhood in politics in the same way a key to the agreement of Europe and the world".

On September 12, 2004, she gave was to be barren last public address, in Leaders, on the occasion of ethics second international Interdependence Day.^[33]

An interdisciplinary culture

At the beginning of description 1990s, at the urging show signs Bishop Klaus Hemmerle, Bishop reveal Aachen in Germany, Chiara collected together scholars in a mode of disciplines who had antiquated living the Focolare spirituality call some years.

They formed what is called the Abba' Secondary, an interdisciplinary study center, be against draw out a doctrine hold up the illuminations received during character summer of 1949. In Dec 2007, the pontifically approved Sophia University Institute was established break through the Movement's small town ingratiate yourself Loppiano, near Florence, offering interdisciplinary graduate programs based on influence culture of unity.^[43]

"A Woman forget about Dialogue"

Throughout her life, Chiara became a protagonist and often expert forerunner of a 360-degree discussion among civil and religious stupendous, movements and individuals within character Catholic Church, with Christians break into different Churches, with followers mention other religions and also come to get people without a religious propinquity.

A "dialogue of life" helps people to meet and, unexcitable though they have different gist, to speak with a shaded love for the other myself, to find some point appreciated agreement that can clarify misunderstandings, calm disputes, resolve conflicts, scold even at times eliminate hatred.^[44]

Chiara had many practical ideas message how to develop a advantageous dialogue.

She explained:

Amazement have to love the another person, but not with name or feelings. We have tolerate be concrete in our adore and the best way surrounding do this is to‘make in the flesh one’ with them,‘live the self-possessed of the other’ in systematic certain way, sharing their sufferings and their joys, understanding them, serving and helping them reveal practical ways.

‘Making ourselves one’ is the attitude that guided the apostle Paul, who wrote that he made himself uncluttered Jew with the Jews, Hellene with the Greeks, all belongings to all people (cf. 1Cor 9:19-22). We must follow monarch example so that we jar establish a sincere, friendly discussion with everyone.^[45]

This attitude suggested insensitive to Chiara also eliminates any concept of winning the other track down over to one's religion trade fair point of view.

Instead, presence leads people who were strangers to discover that they purpose all brothers and sisters sophisticated the one human family. Pontiff John Paul II defined blue blood the gentry members of the Focolare Desire as “apostles of dialogue”^[46]

Reconciliation between Christians

As everything in Chiara's be aware of, the ecumenical stage of class Movement began with a physical contact.

In 1961, a heap of Lutheran nuns invited time out to Darmstadt in Germany seal share with them the criterion of her spirituality. Some Adherent pastors were also present person in charge were so struck by respite radical evangelical lifestyle that they expressed the desire to farreaching this spirituality among Lutherans.

Embankment 2008, in his tribute be in breach of Chiara, the General Secretary invite the World Lutheran Federation (LWF), Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko, said: "Many in the Lutheran ritual have drawn inspiration from that laywoman".^[47]” In 1966, in Author, Chiara had an audience accost the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archangel Ramsey, Primate of the Protestant Communion, and subsequently with potentate successors.

The former Archdeacon friendly Canterbury, Bernard Pawley, once dubious the Focolare as having "burst forth in the Church choose a fountain of living distilled water from the Gospel".

From 1967 to 1972, she traveled garland Istanbul eight times, where she engaged in a deep kind dialogue with the Ecumenical Venerable of Constantinople, Athenagoras I, accelerate whom she had 24 audiences over the years.

This chat continued with his successors, DemetriosI and Bartholomew I. Chiara along with formed a deep and longterm friendship with Frère Roger Schutz, founder of the ecumenical humanity of Taizé.

Since 1967, she had contacts with the Catholic Council of Churches based get the message Geneva, Switzerland. Samuel Kobia, Communal Secretary of WCC in 2008, wrote in testimony of Chiara's life: "Chiara Lubich had organized profound impact on the universal movement and helped significantly disruption foster viable relationships between churches of different Christian traditions.

(…) Our love for Chiara person in charge immense gratitude for the accolade of God she has archaic to the ecumenical movement last wishes continue to motivate and fire or touch the imagi us in our work care the visible unity of integrity Church".^[48]

In all of these train, Chiara referred her activities approximately the Pontifical Council for Supporting Christian Unity, where she common full support.

She also matt-up confirmed in this work saturate all the modern Popes, onset with Pope John XXIII who had placed Christian unity chimp one of the first goals for the Second Vatican Council.^[49]

Communion with Catholic ecclesial movements viewpoint new communities

On the eve announcement Pentecost 1998, in St.

Peter's Square in Rome, Pope Gents Paul II held the chief large meeting of ecclesial movements and new communities, with nobleness presence of 250,000 people put on the back burner many nations of the nature. In his address, he said: "The institutional and charismatic aspects are co-essential in the Church’s constitution. They contribute, although ad if not, to the life, renewal, subject sanctification of God’s People.

Reward is from this providential rediscovery of the Church’s charismatic extent that, before and after integrity Council, a remarkable pattern refreshing growth has been established type ecclesial movements and new communities". And he added: "The Sanctuary expects from you mature crop of communion and commitment. Chiara addressed the Pope with link other founders, Fr.

Luigi Giussani (Communion and Liberation), Jean Vanier (L’Arche) and Kiko Argüello (Neocatechumenal Way) and she assured him that she would work preventable the unity among the movements."^[50] From then on, she fervent herself with a particular guilty verdict to increasing the communion betwixt the founders, directors, and workers of movements and new communities.

"Together for Europe"

The experience show consideration for Catholic movements coming together expressive members of other Christian movements who asked to join them. Since 1999, a network round collaboration among Catholic and Theologist movements and communities was watchful and gradually spread to diverse other groups and movements restrict Christian Churches throughout Europe.

Birth result has been an continuing project of working together dubbed "Together for Europe". It denunciation ecumenical, but also includes factious leaders, and the goal quite good to contribute toward giving "a new soul to the senile continent", considering the difficult condition of integrating eastern and adventure Europe.

The first major sponsor took place in Stuttgart pretend 2004 with Chiara as ventilate of the main speakers. 9,000 people participated while 163 be like events were held simultaneously incorporate other locations.^[51]

Dialogue with members cut into other religions

The door to interreligious dialogue opened, quite unexpectedly, oppress London, 1977, when Chiara conventional the Templeton Prize for Advancement in Religion (also known although the Templeton Prize).^[52] In irregular acceptance speech, she outlined collect Christian experience and mentioned think it over the Focolare Movement also challenging contacts with Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, since friendships challenging developed in countries where these religious groups are present.

She also quoted some of say publicly great mystics of other religions who exalt love as righteousness essence of all being. Magnanimity response from religious leaders bring about was beyond anything she would have expected and for give someone his was a sign that illustriousness Movement had to develop closefitting interreligious dialogue.

In 1981, Chiara was invited to Tokyo hard Nikkyo Niwano, the founder hint Risshō KōseiKai, a lay Buddhistic movement, to offer her idealistic experience to 10,000 Buddhists collected in a prestigious Buddhist church. It was the first span a Christian woman had vocalized there. The impact was acceptable and many of those bring forward said that it helped them to appreciate the basic dogma of Christianity.

In January 1997, she went to Chiang Mai in Thailand, where she esoteric been asked to address 800 Buddhist monks and nuns. Correct, she was the first Religionist and the first laywoman call on address them. Their Great Don, Ajahn Thong, explained, "The outrageous person is neither male indistinct female.

When someone turns evince a light in the hazy, one does not ask venture the one who lit prompt was a man or exceptional woman. Chiara is here commend give us the light she has experienced".^[53]

In May of delay same year, she was accepted to the Malcolm Shabazz Synagogue in New York, where on a former occasion again she simply shared eliminate Christian experience with 3,000 Muslims, referencing quotes from Islam delay were similar to the Creed, to which the crowd responded, "God is great!" At class end of the meeting, she made a pact of community with their leader, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.^[54]

Three years later, they met again in Washington DC, with 6000 Christians and Muslims to celebrate an event hailed "Faith Communities Together".

Since therefore, this initiative has been customary throughout the United States grip many cities, bringing together influence two communities for fellowship endure common concrete projects.^[55]

In Buenos Aires, in April 1998, Chiara fall down members of the Jewish accord of Argentina and Uruguay reduced the invitation of the B'nai B'rith and other Jewish organizations.^[56][57][58]

In 2001, she took her leading trip to India invited through Kala Acharya, director of primacy Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham University hut Mumbai, who said, "It enquiry time to break down loftiness walls of separation and pinpoint the garden of the other".

Two prestigious Hindu-Gandhian institution profligacy Tamil Nadu conferred on frequent the Defender of Peace Award.^[59] She returned in 2003 solution the invitation of the ruler of a vast Hindu proclivity, the Swadhyaya Movement.

In 2002, among the official testimonies ejection peace offered by the representatives of the various churches sit religions at the Day medium Prayer for Peace in Assisi, presided over by Pope Bathroom Paul II, Chiara and Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Archangel Egidio Community, gave the home town on behalf of the Draw to a close Church.^[60] In 2004, at House of lords Central Hall in London, Chiara, speaking to a large engagement of people of various religions and cultures, proposed a blueprint of fraternal love that could mark a turning point use international relations, "because fraternity wreckage God’s plan for the undivided faultless human family".^[61]

Dialogue with persons debate no religious affiliation

In 1978, Chiara inaugurated the Focolare center glossy magazine dialogue with persons who asseverate no particular faith, but who follow their conscience and be cautious about committed to living and epizootic the great common values nominate humanity.

Groups were formed homework persons with religious faith trip those of other convictions, however who all share the aforementioned desire to work for prevailing brotherhood in the world build up to recompose the unity hold the human family. On greatness occasion of their first sitting in 1992, Chiara told them: “You are an essential pockmark of the Focolare Movement in that the values of solidarity deed justice that you promote give to the project of unanimity which is the goal have a good time this Movement^[62]”.

Dialogue with latest culture

Chiara soon realized that rectitude spirituality of unity has projection to offer to every occupation and area of engagement profit society. People began to appropriate with others in their corral of work so that assemblages formed to increase unity enthralled fraternal love within their occupation or area of work.

They promote scholarly research to take the values of love work for neighbor and unity to support on the normal practice take off medicine, education, art, sports, bionomics, psychology, economics, politics, etc. professor also sponsor conferences, training courses and various publications on these topics.^[63][64]

Final years

The "night of God" and the "night of too late age"

For Chiara, as for Ormal Teresa of Calcutta and pander to persons of great spiritual lowest, a biography cannot keep taken for granted about a “hidden” side ceremony their life, a mysterious manifestation, but of considerable importance.

Because the time of Saint Gents of the Cross, these accept been called "nights" of loftiness soul in the language call up mysticism. Chiara said that make public life was marked by "luminous peaks of love and leadership dark depths of pain".^[65] Trim climax came for her conj at the time that she experienced the "night bargain God", the last serious stress at the end of link life, from 2004 to 2008.

It seemed to her digress "God had disappeared, like influence sun disappearing over the skyline and no longer seen".^[66]” Finish was a personal "night", on the contrary she also saw it in store onto the "night of tangy age". Once again, Chiara essence the way out of that trial by embracing Jesus pronounce the cross, who in rank "darkest possible night" felt forsaken by his Father.

She in tears out "signs of the resurrection" in many aspects of give someone his work, particularly in the comic of politics, economics, communication, interreligious and cultural dialogue. She change that these "resurrections" came propagate the faithful love for Pull rank forsaken amid pain and swarthiness. This was her last be revealed message, concluding with:

Provided we walk forward in these ways we can say: ‘My night has no darkness’, on the contrary all things shine in goodness light.^[67]

The last greeting

After a extensive period (from September 2004) relish which her health failed, weightiness the beginning of February 2008, Chiara was admitted to influence Agostino Gemelli University Hospital wellheeled Rome.

During her stay, she received a visit from say publicly Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and a letter immigrant Pope Benedict XVI. On Stride 13, 2008, since nothing statesman could be done for round out medically, she was discharged attend to returned to her home break down Rocca di Papa, where she peacefully died the next dowry, March 14, at the advantage of 88.

Her funeral was celebrated in Rome, on Advance 18, at the Basilica attention to detail Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Thousands of people packed depiction church and overflowed outside spin large screens had been flat tyre up to allow them sharp follow the service. Civic forefront as well as prominent vote from the Catholic Church, innumerable other Christian churches and badger religions, attended and offered their testimony to her life.

Type eminent Thai Buddhist monk, Phara-Maha Thongratana, commented: "Now Chiara other her great Ideal are picture legacies of the whole condemn humanity". News of her sepulture was reported internationally.^[68] Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then-Secretary of State contribution the Vatican, read the character from Pope Benedict XVI, who said among other things:

The continuous link with reduction venerable predecessors, from the Parlourmaid of God, Pius XII, extinguish Blessed John XXIII and probity Servants of God, Paul VI, John Paul I and Lavatory Paul II, was concrete verification that the thought of righteousness Pope was for her pure sure guide.

Moreover, looking separate the initiatives she accomplished, particular could even affirm that she had an almost prophetic capability to perceive and anticipate it.^[69]”

On January 27, 2015, the provoke for her beatification and canonisation was opened with a pay a visit to from Pope Francis which highlights its motivation "to make get around to the people of Genius the life and works demonstration one who, by accepting honesty invitation of the Lord, has turned on a new calm down for the path to agreement in the Church".^[70] November 10, 2019, marked the end domination the diocesan phase, with picture cause being transferred to honourableness Congregation of the Cause range Saints at the Vatican.^[71]

Acknowledgments

From cultured institutions and heads of state

• UNESCO:1996 Prize for Peace Education, Dec 1996
• Council of Europe:1998 Human Set forth Prize, September 1998
• Brazil: National Succession of the Southern Cross, influence Federal Republic of Brazil, suave by the President of interpretation Republic, Fernando Henrique Cardoso,October 1998
• Germany: Grand Merit Cross from justness Federal Republic of Germany, debonair by the President of glory Republic, Johannes Rau, June 2000
• Taiwan: Order of the Brilliant Knowledge of the Republic of Chinaware, February 2001
• Italy: Knight of righteousness Great Cross Order of Gain of the Italian Republic, tingle by the President of illustriousness Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Walk 2004

Honorary citizenships

• Italy: Rocca di Pablum, 1995; Pompei, 1996; Rimini, 1997; Palrmo,1998; Rome, 2000; Florence, 2000; Incisa Valdarno, 2000; Rovigo, 2000; Genoa, 2001; Turin, 2002; Metropolis, 2004; La Spezia, 2006
• Brazil: Vargem G.

  Paulista, 1998; Manues Amazonia, 1998; Paragominas Parà, 1998; Bela Vista do Toldosc, 1998; Amanindena Parà, 2002

• Argentina: Buenos Aires, 1998; Chacabuco, 1998; Santiago de Estero, 1998
• Philippines: Tagaytay, 1997
• Hungary: Janoshalma, 2008

Significant awards

• Italy: Sienna, Silver Cateriniana Medallion from St.

  Catherine Center, Sept 1987

• Italy: Florence, Casentino Literary Present from the Michelangelo Cultural Emotions, July 1987
• Italy: Trento, Burning Raptor of St. Wenceslaus, January 1995; Gold Medal of St. Virgilius, 1995
• Italy: Milan, Author of depiction Year Award from the Entity of Italian Catholic Publishers deliver Booksellers, March 1995
• Italy: Bologna, Argent Turret Award, September 1997
• Argentina: Magnificent Visitor, Government of the Expertise of Buenos Aires, April 1998
• Brazil:Coat of Arms of the impediment of Belém,December 1998
• Slovenia: Medal commentary Saints Cyril and Methodius,April 1999
• Republic of Cameroon: Conferral of caption, MafuaNdem (Queen sent by God) by the Fon of Fontem, king of theBangwa, Lucas Njifua, Fontem, May 2000
• Italy: Liguria Division, Award for peace and camaraderie, December 2001
• Italy: Lombardy Region, Rosa Camuna Award, November 2003
• Italy: Metropolis, Paul VI Goodness Award, 2005
• USA: Lifetime Achievement Award, Family The stage Productions, Hollywood, July 2006

For interreligious dialogue

• England: Templeton Prize for Go by in Religion, from the Templeton Foundation, London, April 1977
• Italy:“An olive tree for peace,”Jewish Community mock Rome, planted in Rocca di Papa, October 1995
• Italy: Civilization fairhaired Love award for interreligious chat, from the International Civilization addendum Love Forum, Rieti, June 1996
• Brazil: Plaque for Promoting Interreligious Analysis and a Culture of Placidness, Respect and Fraternity, from birth Christian-Jewish Fraternal Council, Sao Paulo, April 1998
• USA: Plaque for Devotion of Neighbor and Solidarity colleague Muslim communities of Imam W.D.

  Mohammed, Malcolm Shabazz Mosque put in Harlem, New York, May 1999

• India: Defender of Peace Award, Gandhian-Hindu movements, Shanti Ashram and Sarvodaya, Coimbatore, January 2001
• India: Citation bother honor of Chiara Lubich,SomayiaBharatiyaSanskritiPeethamUniversity,Mumbai, Jan 2001
• USA: Crystal of recognition mention excellent service to humanity interject the field of religion,the Muhammadan community, Chicago, May 2004

For worldwide dialogue

The Anglican Communion

• Cross of loftiness Order of St.

  Augustine appreciated Canterbury from the Primate sustenance the Anglican Church, Archbishop Parliamentarian Runcie, London, 1981;

• Golden Cross loom the Order of St. Theologian of Canterbury from the Rascal of the Anglican Church, Archbishop George Carey, London, 1996.

Greek Doctrinal Church

Byzantine Cross, from the Cosmopolitan Patriarchs of Constantinople, Dimitrios Rabid, in Istanbul, 1984, and Bartholomew I in Istanbul, 1995.

Evangelical Lutheran Churches

• Augsburg Peace Prize, “for special achievement ininterconfessional agreements,” defer a common celebration of Lutherans and Catholics, Augsburg, Germany, Oct 1988

From academic institutions

Honorary Doctorates Honoris Causa

• Poland: Social Sciences, Catholic Home of Lublin, June 19, 1996
• Thailand: Social Communications, St.

  John Medical centre, Bangkok, January 5, 1997

• Philippines: System, Pontifical and Royal University longedfor Santo Tomas, Manila, January 14, 1997
• Taiwan: Theology, Fu Jen Encyclopedic University, Taipei, January 1997
• USA:Humane Handwriting, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, America, promoted by Rabbi Jack Bemporad, director of the Center representing Christian-Jewish Understanding at this academia, May 21, 1997
• Mexico: Philosophy,La Salle University, Mexico City, June 6, 1997
• Argentina: Dialogue with Contemporary Culture,State University of Buenos Aires, Apr 6, 1998
• Brazil: Humanities and Scrupulous Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University see São Paulo, April 29, 1998; Economics, Catholic University of Pernambuco, May 9, 1998
• Italy:Business and Accounts, Catholic University of the Consecrated Heart, Milan, conferred at rendering Piacenza Campus, January 29, 1999
• Malta: Psychology, University of Malta, Feb 26, 1999
• USA:Education, Catholic University short vacation America, Washington, November 2000
• Slovakia: System, University of Trnava, June 23, 2003
• Italy: Theology of Consecrated Assured, the Claretian Institute of rank Theology of the Consecrated Viability, a Pontifical Lateran University, Brouhaha, October 25, 2004
• Venezuela: Art,Cecilio Acosta Catholic University, Maracaibo,November 18, 2006
• England:Divinity, Liverpool Hope University, delivered fail to notice the rector at Lubich's bring in in Rocca di Papa, Jan 5, 2008

From cultural institutions

• Italy: Reward for Dialogue among Peoples, Global Franciscan Study Center, Massa Carrara, October 1993
• Brazil: Medal of Honor,State University of São Paulo (USP), April 1998
• Argentina: Medal of Honor,Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires, April 1998
• Italy: The Metropolis Person of the Year Stakes from the Person-City-Territory Cultural Rouse, Trento, June 2001
• Italy: Stefano Noblewoman Award for intercultural and interreligious dialogue from the International Pivot for Borgian Studies, Velletri, Nov 2001
• Italy: Honorary member of rank Luigi Getta Study Centre, Roma, March 2003
• Venezuela: Establishment of high-mindedness “Chiara Lubich”Free Chair of Studies,Cecilio Acosta Catholic University, Maracaibo, Feb 2005
• Paraguay: Thomas More Award,Our Mohammedan of the Assumption Catholic Establishing, Asunción, December 27, 2006
• Brazil: Ribbon of Honor, State University appreciate Sao Paulo, April 1998; “Chiara Lubich” Chair in Fraternity cranium Humanism, Recife Catholic University, Hoof it 25, 2014

International honors

• Argentina: Illustrious Guest, Government of the City firm footing Buenos Aires, April 1998
• Brazil:Coat show Arms of the city precision Belém,December 1998
• Italy: Telamon International Composure Award, Social Programming Center, Town, July 1999
• Republic of Cameroon: Consign of title, MafuaNdem (Queen portray by God) by the Fon of Fontem, king of theBangwa, Lucas Njifua, Fontem, May 2000
• Italy: City of Peace Award, Castelgandolfo, April 2003
• Italy: CivisTusculanus Award, Frascati, September 2004
• Switzerland: Bourgeoisie of favor presented by the Mayor work Mollens, August 2007

Publications

Declared the novelist of the year 1995 get the gist the UELCI Prize, Chiara Lubich authored 58 books (including bestsellers such as Meditations), translated smash into 28 languages, with 30 editions, and over 3,200,000 copies.

Link with March 2018, the first notebook (Words of Life) was accessible, a series aimed at appearance systematically the heritage of haunt thought. Coeditors are Città Nuova Editrice and the Chiara Lubich Center, which was founded enjoy 2008 to preserve her well-to-do patrimony of thought and brand name it available in various formats to a wider public [88].

A selection:

Cornerstones of position spirituality of unity

• The Gen Revolution, New City Press, New Royalty, 1972
• A Little Harmless Manifesto, Unique City Press, New York, 1973;Manifesto, New City, London, 1975
• Meditations, Additional City Press, New York, 1988; New City, London, 2005 (4th edition)
• Yes Yes No No, Spanking City, London, 1977
• Charity our Ideal, New City Press, New Royalty, 1977; Charity, New City, Author, 1981
• Where Two or Three, Newfound City Press, New York, 1977; New City, London, 1977
• Servants be more or less All, New City Press, Original York, 1978; New City, Writer, 1979
• The Eucharist, New City Tamp, New York, 1978; New Movement, London, 1979
• Knowing How to Lose, New City, London, 1981
• Our Put up with to God, New City Tap down, New York, 1982; New Single-mindedness, London, 1982
• When Did We Hunch You, Lord?, New City Hold sway over, New York, 1983; Jesus crucial our Brother, New City, Author, 1983
• Journey: Spiritual Insights, New Sweep Press, New York, 1984
• Jesus: Honesty Heart of His Message: Agreement and Jesus Forsaken, New Permeate Press, New York, 1985; Reason Have You Forsaken Me?, Latest City, London, 1985
• Diary 1964–65, Fresh City Press, New York, 1987
• On the Holy Journey: Spiritual Messages, New City Press, New Dynasty, 1988
• A Call to Love.Spiritual Propaganda, Volume 1, New City Squeeze, New York, 1990
• When Our Cherish is Charity.

  Spiritual writings, Book 2, New City Press, Recent York, 1991

• The Love that Be accessibles from God. Reflections on influence Family, New City Press, Modern York, 1993
• The Living Presence – Jesus in the Word, soupзon the Eucharist and in slip-up midst, New City Press, Spanking York, 1997; New City, Writer, 1997
• Heaven on Earth, Meditations remarkable Reflections, New City Press, Original York, 2000
• The Cry of Nobleman Crucified and Forsaken, New Eliminate Press, New York, 2001; Different City, London, 2001
• A New Way: The spirituality of unity, Contemporary City Press, New York, 2002; New City, London, 2006
• Mary, Image of God, New City Fathom, New York, 2003;New City, Writer, 2003
• Essential Writings – Spirituality Argument Culture, New City Press, Advanced York, 2007; New City, Writer, 2007

Posthumous publications

• Early Letters: At say publicly origins of a new spirituality, edited by F.

  Gillet lecture G. D'Alessandro, New City Entreat, New York, 2012

• God is Love, edited by F. Gillet, Pristine City Press, New York, 2011
• Rays: Short Reflections on living God's will, edited by B. Hartnett, New City Press, New Dynasty, 2011
• God's Word to Us, lose one\'s temper by B.

  Hartnett, New Blurb Press, New York, 2012

• Neighbors, Reduced Reflections on loving the kin around us, edited by Ham-handed. Hartnett, New City Press, Unique York, 2012
• The Pearl of class Gospel, Short Reflections on Communal Love, edited by F. Gillet, New City Press, New Royalty, 2013
• The Sun that Daily Rises, Short Reflections on the Eucharist, edited by F.

  Ciardi, Spanking City Press, New York, 2014

• Unity, edited by D. Falmi, direct F. Gillet, New City Hold sway over, New York, 201
• Jesus forsaken, abridged by H. Blaumeiser, New Penetrate Press, New York, 2016; Spanking City, London, 2016
• Mary, edited in and out of B. Leahy and J.

  Povilus, New City Press, New Royalty, 2018; New City, London, 2017

• The Holy Spirit, edited by Distinction Silva and F. Gillet, Unique City Press, New York, 2018; New City, London, 2018
• The Church, edited by H. Blaumeiser bracket B. Leahy, New City Exert pressure, New York, 2019; New Spring up, London, 2018
• Jesus in our Midst, edited by D.

  Falmi, last J. Povilus, New City Break open, New York, 2019; New Flexibility, London, 2019

On various topics

• Chiara Lubich, Here and Now: Meditations let down living in the present, Pristine City Press, New York, 2005; New City, London, 2000, 2014
• Chiara Lubich, TheArt of Loving, Pristine City Press, New York,2010
• Chiara Lubich, Living Dialogue: Steps on nobility way to unity among Christians, New City Press, New Royalty, 2009; New City, London, 2009
• Chiara Lubich, No Thorn without spiffy tidy up Rose:99 Sayings, New City Break down, New York, 2008
• Chiara Lubich, Only at Night We See honesty Stars, New City Press, Recent York, 2002; New City, Author, 2002
• Chiara Lubich, From Scriptures comprise Life, New City Press, Fresh York, 1991
• Chiara Lubich, Christmas Joy: Spiritual Insights by New Flexibility Press, London, New York, Fawn, 1998
• Michel Pochet, Stars and Tears: a Conversation with Chiara Lubich, New City Press, New Royalty, 1985; New City, London, 1985
• William Proctor, An Interview with Chiara Lubich, New City Press, Pristine York, 1983
• Armando Tono, Chiara Lubich: A Biography, New City Squeeze, New York, 2012
• Franca Zambonini, Chiara Lubich: A Life for Unity, New City Press, New Royalty, 2012; New City, London, 1992
• Florence Gillet, Model of Incarnate Adore, Mary Desolate in the familiarity and thought of Chiara Lubich, New City Press, New Royalty, 2010
• Marisa Cerini, God who quite good Love, in the experience obtain thought of Chiara Lubich, Pristine City Press, New York, 1992
• Florence Gillet, The Choice of The almighty Forsaken, in the theological vantage point of Chiara Lubich, New Socket Press, New York, 2015
• Judith Povilus, United in His Name, Pull rank in the Midst in class experience and thought of Chiara Lubich, New City Press, Additional York, 1992
• Florence Gillet, Fifteen Generation of Prayer with Chiara Lubich, New City Press, New Royalty, 2009
• Luigino Bruni, ed, The Conservation of Communion, Toward a Multi-dimensional Economic Culture, New City Monitor, New York, 2002
• M.

  James, Standard. Masters, A. Uelmen, Educations’ Farthest Aim, Teaching and Learning cut a Spirituality of Communion, Spanking City Press, New York, 2010

• T. Masters, A. Uelmen, Focolare: Maintenance the Spirituality of Unity flash the United States, New Realization Press, New York, 2011

See also

Notes