14 March 2026 marks the eighteenth anniversary of the passing of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, who died in 2008.
In the message read during her funeral at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Benedict XVI (1) described her as a “woman of intrepid faith, a gentle messenger of hope and peace.” In his homily, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (2) highlighted her ability to embody a “prophecy for a new era”, uniting diverse cultures and religions under the banner of Gospel love.
The events planned around the world to honour Chiara Lubich aim not so much to be a formal celebration but an occasion to illustrate the witness that she gave. She clearly expressed her wish to be remembered not for her works, but as the “Spouse of Jesus Forsaken”, the key to achieving unity by recognising Christ’s countenance in others and in life’s circumstances.
From the 1940s in Trento onwards, throughout her life, Chiara urged her followers to live out the universal values of the Gospel by putting the “Word of Life” into practice; this was a spiritual and profoundly human journey towards the goal of “that they all may be one” (John 17:21).
Chiara set in motion an abundance of life and vitality that did not end with her passing.
redazioneweb@centrochiaralubich.org
1 Message from the Holy Father Benedict XVI on the occasion of the funeral of Chiara Lubich, March 18, 2008.
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2008/03/18/0194/00447.html
2 Homily by His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/card-bertone/2008/documents/rc_seg-st_20080318_chiara-lubich_it.html
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