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From Chiara Lubich's diaryRocca di Papa, 10 may 1991 An extraordinary communicator, Chiara Lubich never kept for herself the spiritual enlightenments, the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, the ever new confirmation of the relevance of the Word of God. Her life was an open book that everyone can read.With regard to holiness, Chiara did not keep to herself her inner experiences, efforts and intentions but she communicated them, as if to form a “system of spiritual pulleys that will hold up the world.” In her journey towards holiness she aimed at what is essential, what is in full accordance with the New Testament (“Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” Mt 5:48. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification,” 1 Thess 4:3) and anticipating what the Second Vatican Council will define as the universal call to holiness (cf. LG 39-42). Her charism places emphasis on love as the way of perfection, a love that is gift. It’s this aspect of gift and “gift for others” that stands out

Castel Gandolfo, 4 April 1997 An ecumenism of the people originated by mutual love ... Veronica: I’m an Anglican focolarina from Great Britain. Dearest Chiara, ... could you speak to us of the contribution that we can give to the full unification of the Churches? Chiara: She asks about our specific contribution to the unification of the Churches. Our contribution should be seen in the framework of the whole field of ecumenism. We know that there is the dialogue of charity, which is very important, which probably goes back to the times of Athenagoras, when Pope Paul went to Athenagoras and Athenagoras went to Pope Paul. The dialogue of charity helps us to feel that we are brothers and sisters and that we help one another.Then we pray together, which is a dialogue with God, a dialogue that passes through God, and this too is very important especially in January when we have the week of prayer for Christian unity.In addition, you all know that there is the theological dialogue which

Frascati, 2 May 1982 Peace in the world also depends on me… Jesus says: "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Mt. 5:9). Today with all these tensions between East and West, tensions between races, in certain countries between rich and poor, wars and terrorism and one thing and another, we have to be people who bring peace. Where should we begin? With, ourselves, with ourselves. When we realize that something is upsetting us, we should put peace there, because we don’t know the consequences. If we allow that particular thing explode within us, then we are already a centre of tension. Then, in our families, offices and schools, we have to be peacemakers, bring peace, because we can't imagine the consequences this way of acting will have – like a stone thrown into water – we can’t know the good effects. Who knows what would have happened if we hadn't really acted as peacemakers.  Chiara Lubich Text Video in italian

Christmas 1973 Christmas is a celebration of the family.But where was the most extraordinary family born, but in a cave in Bethlehem? It is there, with the birth of a baby, that it started. It is there that, for the first time, in the hearts of Mary and Joseph love was released for a third member: the God made man.   The family: it is a word that contains an immense meaning: rich, profound, sublime and simple, and above all real.Either the family exists, or it does not.The atmosphere of a family is an atmosphere of under¬standing, of calm relaxation, one of unity, mutual love, peace that affects the mem¬bers in the whole of their being.My wish this Christmas would be that one word be branded in letters of fire on our souls: family.A family, whose members starting with a supernatural vision, seeing Jesus in others, end with the most down-to-earth and simple expressions typical of family life. A family whose members do not have a heart of stone but a heart

Rome, 1970 When Pope Paul VI gave his commentary on the Creed, he made two affirmations that found a special echo in our hearts and gave ancient truths a new resonance. He defined God as: ‘He is Who is and he is Love.’1 . Among the characteristics of Christ he recalled that ‘He has given us his new com¬mandment, to love one another as he has loved us.’2 . Before the Council, although these truths had always existed, it was clear to the people above all that God is he who is, and that Jesus has saved us. Now the word love, which denotes the essence of God, and the commandment of love which sums up Christ's desires, further clarify these pivots of our faith.Not only that, but this more explicit definition of who God is, and the Christian people's resulting faith in this definition could be the keynote for the beginning of a general renewal in the life of the Church.It is one thing in fact to know we can

Rome, (Città Nuova) 25 November 1988 Commentary of the Word of Life: Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise(Lk 3:11). These words are taken from the preaching of John the Baptist. The evangelist Luke recounts that publicans were among the crowds that went to the River Jordan to be baptized. Because of their profession as tax collectors for the Roman authorities, they were considered public sinners. There were also soldiers among the crowds. Since they were coming from a pagan background, they were held to be 'far from God.' Luke points, however, to the good will of these persons, as their question to John the Baptist shows: What can we do to bring about the conversion necessary to meet the Messiah? Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. This exhortation, with its very concrete recommendations, is the answer that John the Baptist gives to these people of good will.