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Naples, 3 May 1996 Today, this answer to the young people on going against the current appears more relevant than ever, so consonant with the trust Pope Francis places in them: “Young people want to live life to the fullest. Encountering Christ, letting themselves be caught up in and guided by his love, enlarges the horizons of existence, gives it a firm hope which will not disappoint.” (Encyclical Lumen fidei, no. 53) Young people today are rediscovering the idea of going against the current. There is the danger, however, that they revert only to an outward rejection of everything around them.How can we help them understand the true meaning of going against the current? Well, this is good news, I didn’t know that young people are beginning to rediscover the idea of going against the current.You know, young people are fantastic! They always have something new, they always arouse interest because of how they are able to change and this makes them improve.  I think that first of all, you must

Rome, October 25, 1999 Commentary of the Word of Life: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Mt. 5:8). Jesus begins his preaching with the Sermon on the Mount. On a hill near Lake Tiberius, not far from Capernaum, Jesus sat down, as was customary for teachers, and described to the crowds what it means for a human being to be blessed. The word for beatitude, ‘blessed’, had been heard throughout the Old Testament. It spoke of the exaltation of the one who, in the widest variety of ways, fulfilled the Word of the Lord. The beatitudes of Jesus were partly an echo of the ones the disciples already knew. But for the first time they heard that not only were the pure in heart worthy of  going up the hill of the Lord, as the psalmist sang (Ps. 24:4), but they could even see God. What kind of purity could be so sublime as to deserve so much? Jesus would explain it several times during the course

Castel Gandolfo, 3 January 1989 Chiara “rediscovers” the heart and essence of the new commandment and she communicates it to a group of young men religious. She introduces and guides them in the dynamics of living it. Dear young religious, I have to talk about love, about reciprocal love, cornerstone of the spirituality of unity.I have to give you this theme, even if it is a little academic, and it is so. However, I also say from experience that if we sincerely put into practice just one of those things that I will say, a revolution would be born in us and around us. So let’s listen to it with this intention and with this hope. (...) Text Video in italian

Rome, 18 December 1948  At the beginning of December 1948, Chiara and three of her first companions went to live in the house of the married couple Elena and Luigi Alvino. From then Chiara called Mrs Alvino “Frate Jacopa” because of her maternal service and readiness to help everyone. A few days after her arrival, Chiara, with a refined sensibility, confessed to Elena her error in judging some “wealthy” people.My dearest, in Jesus-Infinite Love, This morning I would have run to you as soon as I woke up, if I hadn’t feared to disturb you.I felt that I had to fulfil an act of justice towards Jesus who was speaking so loudly in my heart, scolding me. What I’m going to tell you ... may it remain just between your and my heart. No one else would understand. Yesterday before going to bed and then this morning, I was a little disgusted about myself. I didn’t know exactly why. Examining myself a little, just for a moment, I understood that it

Rome, 10 March 19761 The optimism that  this text reveals is deeply and clearly rooted in Chiara’s daily experience: the divine love that we share works miracles. You have had contacts with many non-Catholic Christians. How do you see them now as compared to before? When a bottle is three quarters full, you can have two different reactions. You can say, "Oh, a quarter is still missing," or you can say, "It is already three-quarters full!"The first expression describes how I used to view my non-Catholic brothers and sisters about 15 years ago, before I began to work for ecumenism with the whole Focolare Movement. The second reaction is one which I have had in my heart during these last years.In fact, I cannot thank God enough for having put me in touch with Christians of the most varied and important denominations.They willingly established with us a relationship of mutual charity in Christ. So living and working with them and, above all, getting to know them better, has given me a

Rome, 13 June 1998 In the many meetings between the Muslim friends of the Focolare and Chiara Lubich, there have been moments of both profound and sincere dialogue. The following are answers she has offered to some of the questions raised.Chiara, we would like to ask you, what has it been like establishing a relationship with the faithful of other religions?Chiara, we would like to ask you, what has it been like establishing a relationship with the faithful of other religions ?  I have always felt very comfortable! Because even if our religions are different we have much in common and this unites us. Our diversity attracts us to one another; it makes us curious about one another. Therefore, I am happy for two reasons: because I come to know new things and I enter into another’s culture; but also because I come to know brothers and sisters who are the same as me insofar as we believe in so many of the same things.The most important thing we have in