One of Us

Rarely do you hear young people speak about Chiara Lubich as someone from another generation. Just the opposite. Perhaps it was her dynamic vision as she looked toward the future, her contagious enthusiasm in the face of challenges, or simply a spontaneous connection between them. I’ve often heard them say things like, “She’s one of us,” “She understands us,” or, “She speaks our language, and no one knows how to help us like she does.”

In my office, I have a faded photo of a group of orphans with their teacher, Chiara. The poverty of the children is striking. Yet, even more so is the smile on each of their faces. They have nothing, but the love of the person watching over the class brings them to look at the future with serenity and calm. It is a sign, a symbol that education rests not so much on a given program or structure, but rather in what is of greatest value: authentic relationships.

Even in the turbulent years of the 1960s, Chiara continued to walk with the youth. She saw in them the spark that would later become the foundation for the second generation of the movement, the Gen, who would carry on this revolution that was already spreading around the world. She ardently challenged them with revolutionary undertones, like “Youth around the World: Unite!” It marked the beginning of a frank, open and on-going dialogue that would span more than four decades and later come to include young adults, teenagers and the very young.

One memory remains particularly etched in my mind: we were at Rome’s Flaminio Stadium for World Youth Day 2000. With a slightly unsteady step, but with arms outstretched as if to embrace the tens of thousands of exuberant youth that were present that day, Chiara crossed the field towards the stage, welcomed by an overwhelming applause. She spoke to them in a way that was straightforward, challenging each of them—a challenge profoundly rooted in the life of the Gospel.

Chiara never let herself be taken by the pessimism that sometimes pervades our times. She always recognized and helped everyone see the immense value of young people, their enthusiasm, their idealism and their energy, sharing with them even the most profound elements of the movement’s spirituality.

At a time when others spoke about growing problems in education, Chiara’s way of teaching was something natural and unique. She often emphasized the importance of having a profound relationship with young people. For her, preconceived notions were non-existent. The youth felt her trust as she urged them to go out to help other young people around them. The inevitable divides that could have existed among generations were overcome through dialogue and a mutual recognition of the other’s gifts.

But I would be remiss if I mentioned only the large gatherings that have been held throughout these years. Thousands of letters would reach Chiara—from pre-schoolers who needed help writing sentences, to college students who had just defended their theses for graduation. And to each of these letters Chiara would respond, whether answering their questions or writing them a simple phrase that would help each of them understand that they were not alone in facing what lies ahead.

And then there were the personal encounters. Last January, a group of teenagers wanted to spend a few moments with her alone and Chiara, despite her weakened health and limited strength, welcomed them and listened. They even returned a few days later to sing to her under her window and bring her gifts for her birthday.

Chiara never measured what she gave. Often she did it in silence, in an unassuming fashion with those who most needed her help. Her simplicity brought many to open up and share what was deepest in their souls. And relationships continued even with those who later grew and traveled along different life paths. “I really have to say a personal thank you,” confided a friend whose life later took a different turn from my own, “for what she gave to me. It’s something that never leaves you.”

During the last four years, having suspended trips and public appearances, many youth did not had the chance to meet her in person. But the youth continued to feel close to her, perhaps through a blog, a video clip or a book, or by participating in one of the events that multiplied throughout the world after she had started them years before.

“I knew that I could always count on her,” affirms Louise from Germany. “I could write her what I was thinking, and I was sure that she would answer.”

“When I was looking for something great to do with my life, something beautiful and real,” commented Lakis from Greece, “I found this woman who had a giant charism. I never met her personally, but my life changed completely by coming in contact with her writings, her joy and the reciprocal love of those who follow her, my life was completely changed.”

“The light that she spread in the world,” commented Gioia, “reached me in far-away Korea. She offered wisdom that helps us love one another, giving us the answer when faced with every suffering.”

“We would be people walking around lost,” said Diego and Miguel, two brothers from Mexico, “but instead we’ve come to experience the joy of following Jesus. She gave us an example of radicality, of Christianity for our century.”

Immaculée from Rwanda concurred, “I feel like she knows every part of me. I feel her presence next to me. She lives in my heart, and I live in hers.”

From Santa Cruz, California, Kristin exclaims, “Because of Chiara and the way of life she’s shown us, I’ve become what I am now. Even my world vision has turned around.”

Stronger than death is the conviction that Chiara’s life must continue. Amy from New York comments, “With her life, Chiara sang a song of love to God. She is a gift from God, and now it’s up to us to bring her life and her love to the whole world.”

Chiarelle and Gesuina of Los Angeles conclude, “We can only go forward in order to honor her life. Only in unity can we keep her love and God’s Love alive.”

“Today marks a new beginning, a new chapter in this divine adventure,” Maria from California agrees. “We are a family, and Chiara is even more present. I want to keep going with stronger commitment.”

The lives and the words of young people validate a story that Chiara once shared with them: “Before you were born, before there was the second generation, I was in the mountains in Switzerland. It was night time and I was walking along a path. The sky was beautiful. As I looked up, I saw the Milky Way filled with stars, tiny stars, tiny but an infinite number of them. And I understood from within—Jesus himself made me understand—that all of you were these stars, the second generation that will remain and continue for years to come.”

Francesco Châtel, educator, author and writer for Città Nuova, is currently co-director of the international Focolare school of formation in Loppiano, Italy.

By Francesco Châtel