On 7th December 1943, Chiara Lubich had only the sentiments of a beautiful young woman in
love with God to whom she was giving her YES forever. That was all she wanted.
Could she ever have imagined that during the 88 years
of her life, millions of people would follow her and address her simply as
“Chiara”?
For sure, she didn’t imagine that she and her friends
would reach 182 nations and open channels of ecumenical dialogue and that her
spiritual family would welcome in the faithful of other religions and people
without any formal faith. Quite the contrary: she never thought of starting a Movement.
In 1977, while going over her story, she stated: “The
pen doesn’t know what it must write, the brush doesn’t know what it must paint,
and the chisel doesn’t know what it must sculpt. When God takes a creature into
his hands (…), that person doesn’t know what he or she should do. They’re just
an instrument.”
She was a pioneer for her time: in a global society,
she proposed themes and openings that pointed the way towards universal
brotherhood. She respected life and traced out a way of holiness that can be
practiced by anyone.
The Focolare
Movement began with Chiara Lubich (Trent 22nd January, 1920 –
Rocca di Papa 14th March, 2008).
After a few months, the first group of girls had some
500 people of all ages and walks of life following them sharing the ideal of
unity. Soon enough, the Movement spread to various cities in Italy.
The first one was Rome, where Chiara herself moved to
in 1948, followed by Florence, Milan, Syracuse…
In 1956 it spread all over Europe, in 1958 to South
America and in 1961 North America. In 1963 it was Africa’s turn, in 1966 Asia
and in 1967 Australia.
There was no specific plan or blueprint for spreading
the Movement but ‘Someone’ led the way. And the same holds true today.
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