 This Movement, which promotes the
ideals of unity and universal brotherhood, was born in the midst of the hatred and
violence of the Second World War. In Trent, in 1943, Chiara
Lubich, together with her first companions, re-discovered the Gospel. They began
to put it into practice in their daily lives, focussing on the poorest areas in their
city. Their life as individuals and as a group took a quantum leap forward. That initial
group of young women very soon became a movement which spread firstly throughout Italy,
then Europe, and then throughout the world.
A new current of spirituality based
on the Gospel sprang forth - the spirituality of unity
- giving rise to a movement of spiritual and social renewal which is markedly
communitarian in nature
While taking its inspiration from the Gospel, this
spirituality also highlights values commonly shared by other faiths and cultures. It has
generated a new lifestyle which responds to the widespread need for a life of
authenticity. It contributes towards peace and unity in the world: prejudices crumble, the
seeds of truth and love contained in various cultures and religions are seen as reciprocal
enrichment, new horizons open up in the field of politics, economics, art and culture
Through living this spirituality in various social and
cultural spheres, many opportunities for fruitful dialogues
have opened up in the Catholic world, thus
contributing to the unity among individuals, groups, movements and associations; with Christians of different denominations in order to
work together for full communion; with believers of different faiths; with people
of no religious conviction.
Through these dialogues, the Focolare Movement works with many others towards the unity of the human family.
The Movement has 18 different branches focussing on
families, young people, children of all ages, priests, men and women religious of various
congregations, and even Bishops.
Over the years, several specialised areas have emerged: in
the cultural sphere, the Abba School, for
the elaboration of a renewed culture; in the sphere of the economy,
the economy of communion project involving more than 700 businesses. There are also a
number of "little towns" of
witness, social welfare programs and activities,
publishing houses and magazines.
The Focolare Movement forms part of the phenomenon of the blossoming of
ecclesial movements which Pope John Paul II defined as "the
Holy Spirit's response to the dramatic challenges of the close of this millennium".
It was first approved by the Holy See in 1962, and its successive developments were
approved in 1990.
Various awards were given to
Chiara Lubich by the Orthodox Church, by the Anglican and Lutheran Churches,
by representatives of other religions and by a number of international
organisations. |
Its origins