Focolare Movement
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The Focolare Movement is an international organization that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brotherhood. Founded in
Trent Trent may refer to: Places Italy * Trento in northern Italy, site of the Council of Trent United Kingdom * Trent, Dorset, England, United Kingdom Germany * Trent, Germany, a municipality on the island of Rügen United States * Trent, California, ...
, northern
Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, in 1943 by
Chiara Lubich Chiara Lubich (born Silvia Lubich; January 22, 1920, Trento – March 14, 2008, Rocca di Papa), was an Italian teacher and author who founded the Focolare Movement, which aims to bring unity among people and promote universal family. She was a c ...
as a Catholic movement, it remains largely
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
but has strong links to the major
Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
denominations and other
religion Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatural, ...
s, or in some cases with the non-religious. The Focolare Movement operates in 180 nations and has over 140,440 members. The word "Focolare" is Italian for "hearth" or "family fireside". While Focolare is the common sobriquet given to this organisation, its official name when approved in 1990 as an International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right, was "Work of Mary".


Beginnings

In the Northern Italian city of Trent in 1943, in the climate of violence and hatred of the Second World War, the young elementary school teacher Chiara Lubich saw God's love as the only antidote when civil life was crumbling around her. With her Bible in hand while sheltering during air raids, she felt deeply Jesus' desire "that they all may be one." A group sharing her vision joined in helping those in the shelters and in the poorest parts of town, and numbers grew. In 1948, the journalist Igino Giordani, a member of Parliament and pioneer of ecumenism, joined the group, bringing his ideal of social unity. Another co-founder was Fr. Pasquale Foresi with his theological background, and founder of New City Press in 1964. Focolare initially spread in Italy and Europe, then worldwide: South America (1958), North America (1961), Africa (1963), Asia (1966), and Australia (1967).


Focolare towns

After 1949, summer vacations together in
Fiera di Primiero Fiera di Primiero (german: Primör) was a ''comune'' (municipality) in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about east of Trento. It was merged with Siror, Tonadico and Transacqua on January 1, 2016, to f ...
in the
Dolomite Mountains The Dolomites ( it, Dolomiti ; Ladin: ''Dolomites''; german: Dolomiten ; vec, Dołomiti : fur, Dolomitis), also known as the Dolomite Mountains, Dolomite Alps or Dolomitic Alps, are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy. They form par ...
led to the desire to share – materially, culturally, and spiritually. Numbers increased for these retreats, including priests and religious with a variety of spiritualities, and by 1955 this gathering took on the name "Mariapolis", a model of peace for the world under
Mother Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...
's patronage. In 1962 Chiara's visit to the
Benedictine , image = Medalla San Benito.PNG , caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal , abbreviation = OSB , formation = , motto = (English: 'Pray and Work') , foun ...
Einsiedeln Abbey Einsiedeln Abbey (german: Kloster Einsiedeln) is a Benedictine Catholic monastery in the village of Einsiedeln in the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, in recognition of Meinrad of Einsiedeln, a he ...
in Switzerland made her dream of permanent towns of brother/sisterhood, "simple houses, workplaces, schools – just like an ordinary town." In 1964 Loppiano, the first permanent Mariapolis was built on land donated by Vincenzo Folonari, near
Florence Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,083 inhabitants in 2016, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.Bilancio demografico an ...
. It has grown to include 900 people of worldwide origins and diverse occupations, married and single, priests and religious, who work and study together and strive to live in exemplary Christian charity. Each year an average of 40,000 visitors pass through Loppiano. According to the movement twenty four other such towns have sprung up worldwide. Some have specific emphases: ''ecumenism'' (Ottmaring, Germany;
Welwyn Garden City Welwyn Garden City ( ) is a town in Hertfordshire, England, north of London. It was the second garden city in England (founded 1920) and one of the first new towns (designated 1948). It is unique in being both a garden city and a new town and ...
, Great Britain); ''ecology'' (
Rotselaar Rotselaar () is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish-Brabant, near the convergence of the Demer and the Dijle. Since January 1, 1977 the municipality comprises the towns of Rotselaar proper, Werchter and Wezemaal. On January ...
, Belgium); ''interreligious dialogue'' (
Tagaytay Tagaytay, officially the City of Tagaytay ( fil, Lungsod ng Tagaytay), is a 2nd class component city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,330 people. It is one of the country's most pop ...
, Philippines); ''multi-ethnic harmony'' (Luminosa, New York; Križevci, Croatia); or ''inculturation'' (
Fontem Fontem is one the three subdivisions of Lebialem division located in the South West Region of Cameroon. It is west of Dschang. It is made up of three Fondoms namely Lebang, Essoh Attah Njoagwi ( Fotabong III) it has as sub divisional headquarte ...
, Cameroon; Kenya; Ivory Coast). In these towns religious and cultural differences are respected, to exemplify Jesus' dream: "Father, may they all be one, as you and I are one."


Development

The president of the Focolare Movement, who is always a lay woman, is Maria Voce, first elected in 2008. The chief goals of the movement are: to cooperate in the consolidation of unity in the Christian world, with individuals and groups, movements, and associations; to contribute to full communion with Christians of different churches; and to work towards universal brother/sisterhood of all peoples, regardless of religious beliefs. The movement has branched out to address a variety of groups including families, youth, and different religions. Special projects have sprung up within the movement, such as the "Abba" school, ''Young People for a United World'' (now
Youth for a United World Youth for a United World (Y4UW) (formerly Young People for a United World or YPUW (''Giovani Per Un Mondo Unito'') is a group of young people of different races, cultures and beliefs committed to living for a United World. Y4UW was first launched i ...
), Teens4unity, Economy of Communion (involving 800 companies), evangelism within small cities, social work, the Igino Giordani Centre, and 27 publishing houses. Pope Francis in praising Economy of Communion called on it to change "the rules of the game of the socio-economic system." John L. Allen Jr. has observed that it is hard to "pick a fight with a ''focolarino''. ...They tend to be open, ego-free, and just relentlessly nice." Focolare has 140,440 members in more than 180 countries. People more broadly involved in the movement are estimated by the Vatican at 4.5 million.


Renewal

At a reorganizational meeting in 2014 newly elected council members had an average age 16 years younger than that of the previous council, and the 30 council members came from 20 different countries. In Pope Francis' address to the reorganizational meeting, he said: "The Work of Mary, that everyone knows as the Focolare movement, was a little seed in the Catholic Church’s womb, that in the course of the years has brought to life a tree which now extends its branches in all the expressions of the Christian family and also among members of different religions and among many who cultivate justice and solidarity together with the search for truth." Francis went on to describe elements of the movement as contemplation, going out to engage in dialogue and formation of youth. Of contemplation he said: “We need to contemplate God and the beauty of his love,” keeping in mind that “to contemplate means to live together with brothers and sisters, breaking with them the bread of communion and fraternity,” since “contemplation that leaves people outside is a lie, it is narcissism.”


Publications

New City Press, established in 1964, is the official publishing house for the Focolare movement, publishing books, periodicals, and e-books. Among its publications are the ''Spirituality of Unity'' series, featuring the works of founder
Chiara Lubich Chiara Lubich (born Silvia Lubich; January 22, 1920, Trento – March 14, 2008, Rocca di Papa), was an Italian teacher and author who founded the Focolare Movement, which aims to bring unity among people and promote universal family. She was a c ...
, and ''Understanding the Scriptures'', Bible commentaries by scholars such as
Daniel J. Harrington Daniel J. Harrington, S.J. (July 19, 1940February 7, 2014), was an American academic and Jesuit priest who served as professor of New Testament and chair of the Biblical Studies department at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (for ...
, Dianne Bergant, Robert Karris, and Ronald Witherup. NCP publications include: the academic journal ''Sophia'' twice a year; three quarterlies – ''Gen's'' on ecclesial commitment as well as ''New Humanity,'' and ''Unity and Charisms''; the bimonthly ''Teens'' for children; and the monthly periodicals ''Città Nuova'' (published in 38 different national or regional formats; known as ''New City'' in the UK, and as ''Living City'' in the US) with opinion and dialogue, ''Big Smart Kids'' including inserts for educators, and ''Gospel of the Day.'' Focolare also produces ''Economy of Communion'' quarterly and website.


Members proposed for Sainthood


Blesseds

*
Chiara Badano Chiara Badano (October 29, 1971 – October 7, 1990) was a young Italian teenager who is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. At age nine she joined the Focolare Movement and received the nickname "Luce" (light) by the founder Chiar ...
uce– (1971–1990), Young Layperson of the Diocese of Aqui Terme; Member (Italy)


Venerables

* Jerzy Ciesielski – (1929–1970), Married Layperson of Archdiocese of Kraków; Member (Poland-Egypt) * Maria Orsola Bussone – (1954–1970), Young Layperson of Archdiocese of Turin; Member (Italy) * Daniela Zanetta – (1962–1986), Young Layperson of the Diocese of Novara; Member (Italy); declared "Venerable": 23 March 2017 *
Nguyễn Văn Thuận Phanxicô Xaviê Nguyễn Văn Thuận or Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận (; 17 April 1928 – 16 September 2002), was a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. He was a nephew of South Vietnam's first president, Ngô Đình Diệm, an ...
– (1928–2002), Bishop of Nha Trang; Cardinal; Associate (Vietnam-Italy)


Servants of God

*
Chiara Lubich Chiara Lubich (born Silvia Lubich; January 22, 1920, Trento – March 14, 2008, Rocca di Papa), was an Italian teacher and author who founded the Focolare Movement, which aims to bring unity among people and promote universal family. She was a c ...
ilvia– (1920–2008), Layperson of the Diocese of Frascati; Founder of the Focolare Movement * Igino Giordani
oco Oco ( eu, Oko) is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_mott ...
– (1894–1980), Married Layperson of the Diocese of Frascati; Cofounder (Italy) * Albertina Violi Zirondoli – (1901–1972), Married Layperson of the Diocese of Fiesole; Consecrated Member (Italy) * Alberto Michelotti – (1958–1980), Young Layperson of the Archdiocese of Genoa; Member (Italy) * Carlo Grisolia ir– (1960–1980), Young Layperson of the Archdiocese of Genoa; Member (Italy) * Maria Cecilia Perrin de Buide – (1957–1985), Married Layperson of the Archdiocese of Bahia Blanca; Member (Argentina) * Margarita Bavosi uminosa– (1941–1985), Layperson of the Archdiocese of Madrid; Consecrated Member (Argentina-Italy) * Renata Borlone – (1930–1990), Layperson of the Diocese of Fiesole; Consecrated Member (Italy) * – (1968–1991), Young Layperson of the Diocese of Bari-Bitonto; Associate; Martyr (Italy) * Dario Porta – (1930–1996), Priest of the Diocese of Parma; Member (Italy) * Manuel Pascual Perrin – (1925–2000), Married Layperson of the Archdiocese of Bahia Blanca; Member (Argentina) * – (1918–2001), Layperson of the Diocese of Osasco; Consecrated Member (Italy-Brazil) * Domenico Antonio Mangano – (1938–2001), Married Layperson of the Diocese of Albano; Member of the Volunteers of God – Focolare Movement (Italy)


References


External links


Living City Magazine
magazine published by the Focolare
Pag-asa Social Center Foundation Inc
one of the social expressions of the Focolare {{Authority control Organizations established in 1943 International associations of the faithful