Philippines: Focolare launches book by foundress

Focolare means "hearth" or "family fireside" in Italian. It draws inspiration from Jesus' prayer "that they all may be one."

MANILA (UCAN) - Friends and members of the Focolare Movement commemorated the first death anniversary its foundress by launching a book of her writings in Manila.

Chiara Lubich, an Italian lay Catholic, died on March 14 last year at the age 88. She was then serving as president of the movement she founded with friends in Trent, Italy, during the Second World War.

Focolare means "hearth" or "family fireside" in Italian. Its spirituality focuses on unity and dialogue among all people and draws inspiration from Jesus' prayer in Saint John's Gospel "that they all may be one." Blessed Pope John XXIII approved the movement in 1962.

Lubich has written more than 50 books that have been published in 29 languages.

The pontifical University of Santo Tomas (UST) on March 14 hosted the launch of the book, "Essential Writings: Spirituality, Dialogue, Culture," which contains excerpts from Lubich's spiritual writings and speeches.

About 600 Focolare members and friends, including Buddhists and Muslims, gathered at the UST Medicine Auditorium for the event. Some participants also shared how Lubich and her movement impacted their lives, the Church and the world.

Father Rolando de la Rosa, UST rector, noted that Lubich was the first laywoman to receive an honorary doctorate in sacred theology from the university in 1997.

Another speaker, theologian Father Antonio Lambino, said Lubich's writings offer fresh insights into the spirituality of unity in the context of current realities confronting people of various faiths today.

Henrietta de Villa, former Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, challenged Philippine women to "read the signs of the times and promote unity in the country and family." The head of the National Movement for Free Elections also said getting actively involved in next year's national election is one way women can emulate Lubich.

Economist Sonny Coloma discussed the Focolare's "Economy of Communion" (EoC), which emphasizes the spirit of giving and sharing in business and economics. He said EoC provides a spiritual framework for just compensation, co-responsibility, stewardship and practice of Christian values in business, enterprise and industry.

On the sidelines of the event, Focolare member Father Jeronimo Perez, spiritual director at St. Augustine Seminary in Tagaytay City, said the Philippine Church needs the spirituality of unity "very much." He added that it is precisely this unity which the Focolare is promoting among Church leaders and political groups, and within families.

Lay Focolare member Orlando Tiongco recalled the first Focolare gathering he attended with his wife in 1976 when he "realized the close relationship between his life and the Gospel."

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He said he grew to respect Church authorities and became more active in Church affairs through the Focolare's "New Parish Movement" that promotes unity and living Gospel values within a parish.

Among guests at the book launch was Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines. The day before, he led a Mass at the Manila cathedral to commemorate Lubich's death anniversary.

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Republished by Catholic Online with permission of the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News), the world's largest Asian church news agency (www.ucanews.com).