Riccardi

The Little Town of Araceli (San Paulo), 26th April 1998 In the whole of the youth section of the Focolare Movement, this week is “United World Week”. The text that follows is Chiara Lubich’s message to young people dated 26th April 1998. Dear Youth for a United World, I know that you hoped to receive a message from me that would contribute towards the success of United World Week. What subject have I chosen to speak on? There couldn’t be a better one than your very own goal of achieving a united world. Is it reasonable to talk about a united world? Is it possible to imagine a united world? Can we hope that the attention we give and the energy we use will one day play a significant role in reaching such an objective? Or is it a utopia, something unattainable and fantastical, as some people might think? Many signs today point to the fact that the world is heading towards this goal. First of all, there is the conviction

The Word of Life of January 1999 Chiara Lubich’s reflection on this word, taken from the Book of Revelation, leads us into the heart of the Easter mystery:  Jesus came to share with us his life of love with the Father so that we too can live it. During the month of January, Christians throughout the world join together in prayer and special meetings to celebrate their shared faith. The theme chosen for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is taken from the book of Revelation. Let’s read the entire passage: “See, the home of God is among mortals.He will dwell with them;they will be his people,and God himself will be with them;he will wipe every tear from their eyes.Death will be no more;mourning and crying and pain will be no more,for the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:1-7). This month’s Word of Life is an exhortation: if we want to be part of his people, we must allow him to live among us. But how is this

Manila, 20th January  1997 Chiara Lubich answers (…) Journalist: My name is Cora Dangallo, from Mother of Life Center Publications. I am also a catechist.  "Could we ask you to give a message, through the ladies and gentlemen here in this room, to Christian educators of our day, above all in this country, focussing on how to form the consciences of young people and children, especially our own, please? Chiara: Yes. What I would like to say to everyone is this: Jesus said something that was very important “Do not call anyone ‘teacher’”. What we do in the Movement is to try to live in such a way as to fulfil Jesus’ prayer…, Jesus’ wish when he said “Where two or three are united in my name, I am in their midst”. We rely to a very great extent on the presence of Christ in our midst, for if he is in our midst he is in each one of us. So the first thing a catechist should do is to