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Randogne (Switzerland), 11 August 1982 For many years during the summer, and often in Switzerland, there was a traditional celebration on Chiara Lubich’s name day. On one occasion, after having asked Bishop Acacio to speak, Chiara’s gave a final greeting at the end as a thought for people to take with them. She invites everyone to learn from St Clare of Assisi how to abdicate ourselves completely and let Christ live in us. Chiara Lubich after the Mass on the Feast Day of St. Clare: ... Today is the feast of St. Clare of Assisi. So this morning I read the Bull of Canonization of this great, very great saint of our Church. This Bull should be read because it’s wonderful! I don’t know how many times the word “clarity” was said, “light”, “clarity”, “brilliance”, “lamp”. All this means light, very bright light. But today it was not this aspect that impressed me, as it had on other occasions when I read the Bull of Canonization of St. Clare. Rather it

Sierre, August 22, 1996 Chiara speaks to all the members of “her people”, born from the Gospel, about the challenge of living it. She acts like a mirror in which each one can see themselves: “Have we followed Jesus? That is not enough”. She invites everyone to enter into His way, the way of love, a love which is dynamic, continually growing, that improves always in four characteristic ways (see the Word of Life for August). And she quotes some words on love taken from 365 Thoughts on Love which reinforce her invitation to ”be like the waxing moon”. … I think that all of you who are listening to this thought are living, more or less, the reality of “You, Lord, are my only good”, addressed to Jesus crucified and forsaken, adding “with Mary Desolate”. This is the basis of our spiritual life, so as to continue on profitably with our daily holy journey. In some way, it makes us worthy to follow Jesus. In fact, He wants us to

April 20, 1958 Looking through the issues of Citta’ Nuova magazine, the periodical founded by Chiara Lubich in 1956, right from the very first issue you discover a treasure chest of her writings and spiritual thoughts. There you can truly experience the atmosphere of the day, rapidly conveying facts and news at first hand from the countries in which the Movement was putting down roots. This is what we see in the editorial signed by Chiara (shown by three asterisks) of 20th April 1958 with the headline “Jesus at Expo '58" Writing in an incisive and effective way, the author outlines the impressions she had on visiting the Expo in Brussels in the Spring of that year. She starts by describing the Atomium, the symbol of the atom which “towers over almost all of Brussels and can be seen from many parts of the city. It sets the tone for the Expo, which displays the discoveries and the products of the atomic age”. Chiara had gone to Belgium for Easter Week.

Castelgandolfo, April 29, 1999 On the 29th April 1999, during the global appointment with her ‘family’ spread throughout the world, Chiara gave her most recent experience of her relationship with God, in prayer. The “for You” said to God before each action is demanding, calling for mutual love, first of all, to reach unity, so as always to be able to give Jesus to the world, following in Mary’s footsteps, imitating her, being made into her people. This year we are giving special attention to deepening our relationship with God, and our prayer. It is our duty to live this every day and I too, of course, am doing the same. One day I had proposed, like others I hope, to “pray always”, as Jesus says and wants, by offering every action to him, preceding it with the words “for you”. Through the grace of God, I had been especially faithful to this commitment. So at the end of the day, in speaking with God, I asked him if he was

July 1949 Chiara Lubich tells of the special pact of unity made with Igino Giordani (whom she called ‘Foco’) on the 16th of July 1949, the prelude to her mystical experience that summer.  19. We were living these experiences when Foco arrived in the mountains. 20. Foco, who loved Saint Catherine, had always searched in his life for a virgin he could follow. And now he had the impression that he had found her among us. So one day he proposed to make a vow of obedience to me thinking that by doing so, he would be obeying God. He also added that in this way, we could become saints, like Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal. 21. In that moment, I didn’t understand the reason for the vow of obedience or this unity between two people. At that time the Work of Mary didn't exist and we didn’t speak of vows. Moreover, I didn't share the idea of unity between two people because I felt called to

Rome, April 30, 1960 When the world with its superficiality takes our breath away, and life with its burdens and trials prevail, we feel like giving up. In this moment our hope is born in the One whom “we can hope against all hope” We do not have to look far to find remedies or solutions for the fumes that infect the air we breathe. The gospel is eternal well-being. Also today, those who live for the gospel and act in its name, though they may die and disappear — perhaps ignored by all — live.Because they have loved and forgiven and defended and because they have never given up, they are winners and as such are welcomed into eternal glory. But the gospel should not only be the model of our dying, it should be the daily bread of our life.Walking along the streets of traditionally Catholic cities, you are inclined to question the faith of many. In fact, we know how many, even in a Catholic country like Italy,