Chiara Lubich

Prof. Mark G. Borg, writes:
On March 14, Chiara Lubich concluded her earthly journey. This must have saddened not only her numerous followers all over the world and the millions who have been touched by her work, but also the multitudinous others who admired the person and the movement she founded.

I am in no way connected with her movement or the work that this does in the community. I am a veritable outsider. What motivated me to write this appreciation was the wish to share some of the insights I gained into the person and her opera as a result of having been entrusted with preparing the oration on the occasion of the conferment of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature on her by the University of Malta in February, 1999.

Chiara Lubich was a dynamic but unimposing, determined but soft-spoken, founder of the Focolare Movement (officially approved by the Church as the 'Work of Mary'). The Movement has grown into a worldwide ecumenical family numbering in tens of thousands of committed members and over five million friends and adherents across 182 countries. Chiara was a very special woman, a formidable woman by any standard.

"I'm just an ordinary person like anyone else!" is how she liked to describe herself. Baptised Silvia, she was born to working-class parents in Trent. Her father worked at the print-works of the socialist newspaper il Popolo; her mother, who worked as a typesetter, was a deeply devout Catholic. Herein perhaps lay the beginnings of the philosophical underpinning of Chiara's momentous work - the bringing together of two philosophical forces: socialist ideals and Christian ideals expressed in a Catholic tradition.

Tremendous and overwhelming events in the history of humankind are often brought into perspective by the outpour of simple but generous and magnanimous gestures from the humblest examples of the human race. In the midst of the spiritual, human and material destruction brought about by the World War II, a light (a focolare) was in the making. The spark that enlightened and inspired Chiara's inner heart steadily became brighter and brighter. Although Chiara insisted that she and her followers never had any intention of founding a movement, that all they wanted was to live the Christian Gospel to the full, what was set in motion in those dark days in Trent would surpass all expectations and furthest dreams.

Not unlike the fireplace, the Focolare Movement has proved a veritable beacon to all those who want to rediscover and live the Christian Gospels. It brought together within it members from all over the world irrespective of religious beliefs or affiliations. As one biographer remarks, the focolarine were initially seen as 'fire-bearers'. Not only were they aflame with their ideal but they could also bring love and solace where there was none. Moved by a profound love of Jesus Christ the focolarini, live in mainstream society - this is how they strive to devote their lives as witnesses of the Gospel message and true Christian charity.

Chiara's own words sums up why her Movement has been so successful in its work and in attaining its goals: the secret of the Movement's success "resides in a new orientation, a new style of life adopted by millions of people who draw inspiration from Christian principles but who also accept similar values present in other religions and cultures. In a world that needs to find or consolidate peace, this new style of life brings the needed peace and unity. It is a new, current and modern spirituality, the spirituality of unity".

In its striving to achieve unity among all people, Chiara and her Movement reached out to others. First to those who adhere to the Catholic tradition, then also to those who profess different traditions within the same religion, to those who come from different traditions, and finally to those who have no religious convictions. These four dialogues represent the Movement's outreach to others in the name, and for the sake, of attaining unity among all people. Chiara herself describes it as "an instrument destined to bring unity and peace on our planet in our time".

Chiara Lubich was the architect of great changes in the lives of multitudes of people across the globe. Not only has her work inspired others to do great deeds but to do so in an unobtrusive and quiet manner. Chiara's life was one dedicated to the promotion of the Gospel message; a life spent in the services of others. Many share my conviction that her work will continue through her Movement.