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Rocca di Papa, February 28, 1991 Dearest all, In the last conference call we transmit¬ted about a month ago, against the background of the war which had just ex¬ploded in the Gulf, we left one another in the hope of seeing a different panorama, one that would offer us better news.And today, precisely today, the much-awaited news has arrived: the war has ended. … Text Video in italian

Rome, August 10, 1990 Commentary of the Word of Life: Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law (Rom. 13:8).1 In the preceding verses (Rom. 13:1-7) Paul refers to what we owe the civil authorities (obedience, respect, paying taxes etc.). He stresses that this debt should also be paid in a spirit of love. Of course, such a debt is easily understood, all the more so because if we neglect it, we are penalized by law. On this basis, Paul goes on to speak of another debt, one that’s a bit more difficult to understand. It is our debt, following the instructions Jesus left us, towards every neighbour. It is mutual love in its various expressions: generosity, thoughtfulness, trust, mutual esteem, sincerity and so on (see Rom. 12, 9-12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. This Word of Life emphasizes two things. In the first place, love

Castel Gandolfo, 18 February 1999 Dearest all,In speaking to the almost one thousand focolarini who were gathered at Castel Gandolfo for their Christmas meeting, I said that I would have announced a “pearl”.What kind of pearl was it? (...) Text Video in italian

Rome, 1969 Who is the Christian? An answer from Chiara. Hope is a great virtue. Why are we sometimes not completely happy? Why do sufferings, tears and worries obscure us? Because we lack hope. On second thoughts and in giving even a fleeting and panoramic glance at the Gospel, it seems that hope is its style in the confident waiting of the divine promises which are treasured in the very Gospel. We need this virtue now, lived with perseverance, so as to renew our Christian life and give it the transparent smile of evangelical children. «The God of hope,» 1 this is the way St. Paul called the Lord. Yes, it is truly so. May the true and only God «fill you with all joy and peace» 2: the two things that are lacking in the world and the gift which Christians should give it. 1 Rm 15, 13. 2 Rm 15, 13. (see Knowing How to Lose, New City Press, London 1981, p.31) Text  

Rocca di Papa, 4 June 1987 Demanding questions and answers full of hope. (by Tavares Manoel – Vatican Radio Brazilian Program). Chiara, in what way does Mary help Christians, especially the youth, to fully respond to their vocation? Chiara: One of the problems today for Christians, which means all lay people, is that they don’t know how to reconcile their spiritual life with life in the midst of the world, with being in the midst of the world (...) Transcription Audio in italian

Trent, late 1943 – early 1944 Chiara, who was from Trent, inspired the souls of these young women who read her letters, which she signed using her simple Third Order name, Suor Chiara (Sister Clare). “God,” she writes, “Here is where the adventure begins.” “The word that God wanted me to express was himself: God.”  This letter is a luminous documentation of it. Ave Maria! My Dearest Sisters,I would like to be next to each one of you, speaking with my heart in my hand, with the delicateness of God, telling you in words that cut to the depths of the soul what is taking place in my heart. Sister, beautiful soul, also for you the Almighty has marked out a plan of love.You too can live for something great in life. Believe it: God is in you!Your soul in grace is a focal centre for the Holy Spirit, the God who sanctifies.Look inside you, search for God, your God, who lives in you.Oh, if you only knew whom you have