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Woman's Work: Story of the Focolare Movement and Its Founder
THE STORY OF THE FOCOLARE MOVEMENT AND ITS FOUNDER
236 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1996
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September 25, 2024
AN EXCELLENT TELLING OF THE STORY OF THE WOMAN WHO FOUNDED THE FOCOLARE MOVEMENT
Chiara Lubich (1920-2008) was an Italian Catholic activist, and leader/founder of the Focolare Movement, an international organization that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brotherhood; she was awarded the Templeton Prize for progress in religion in 1977. Author Jim Gallagher "is the first biographer to be given exclusive access to this unassuming visionary"; he has also written books such as 'Hearing His Voice: discovering the will of God,' 'Padre Pio: The Pierced Priest,' 'Why Me?: One Woman's Fight for Justice and Dignity,' etc.,
He notes in the first chapter of this 1997 book, "The 'first stirrings of the movement' which Chiara referred to were the beginnings of what would become known as the Focolare Movement, the largest organized lay movement in the Church today. But then, in 1943, she had no idea of a 'movement,' let alone a name for one." (Pg. 2)
He points out, "The Italian word 'Focolare' is normally translated as 'hearth' or 'fireside.' The Focolarine, then, were seen as 'fire-bearers.' The people could see that these young girls were aflame with their Ideal, the love of God, and seemed to communicate this wherever they went." (Pg. 41)
He explains, "This is something Chiara insists on... right from the start. Whatever was happening at the centre of the Movement, or whatever spiritual experiences or 'lights' she received on particular subjects or Gospel phrases, all of this had to be shared with all the others. Both the Bishop and her confessor had told her that she was the possessor of a charism, so she knew that these extraordinary insights and graces were not meant just for her but also for the up-building of the whole community... It continues to this day. She has an all-consuming desire to make sure that there is constant communication between the Centre of the Movement near Rome and all the houses of the Focolarini in 198 countries." (Pg. 73)
He observes, "Today about a third of the Movement's membership in England is Anglican, and they have an Anglican Bishop Guardian... In May 1971 Chiara returned once more to England to meet in London with Anglicans who were part of the Movement and to discuss their way forward. Over the years Chiara and her companions who have been charged with the interdenominational aspect of the Work have had to seek a 'legal' framework within their statutes in Catholic Canon Law for the non-Catholic members. A solution was finally reached which allowed members of other churches to be fully integrated into the life of the Movement. They would be described in official Church documents as 'associate members.'" (Pg. 127)
He also says, "There are also Jewish and Muslim Folarini. In June 1996 the Mariapolis Centre at Castelgandalfano hosted the first international congress of Jewish Friends of the Focolare. Participants came from al around the world and, what was most striking, even for them, from every Jewish tradition." (Pg. 175)
For anyone wanting an introduction to Chiara Lubich or the Focolare Movement, this book will be of great value.
Chiara Lubich (1920-2008) was an Italian Catholic activist, and leader/founder of the Focolare Movement, an international organization that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brotherhood; she was awarded the Templeton Prize for progress in religion in 1977. Author Jim Gallagher "is the first biographer to be given exclusive access to this unassuming visionary"; he has also written books such as 'Hearing His Voice: discovering the will of God,' 'Padre Pio: The Pierced Priest,' 'Why Me?: One Woman's Fight for Justice and Dignity,' etc.,
He notes in the first chapter of this 1997 book, "The 'first stirrings of the movement' which Chiara referred to were the beginnings of what would become known as the Focolare Movement, the largest organized lay movement in the Church today. But then, in 1943, she had no idea of a 'movement,' let alone a name for one." (Pg. 2)
He points out, "The Italian word 'Focolare' is normally translated as 'hearth' or 'fireside.' The Focolarine, then, were seen as 'fire-bearers.' The people could see that these young girls were aflame with their Ideal, the love of God, and seemed to communicate this wherever they went." (Pg. 41)
He explains, "This is something Chiara insists on... right from the start. Whatever was happening at the centre of the Movement, or whatever spiritual experiences or 'lights' she received on particular subjects or Gospel phrases, all of this had to be shared with all the others. Both the Bishop and her confessor had told her that she was the possessor of a charism, so she knew that these extraordinary insights and graces were not meant just for her but also for the up-building of the whole community... It continues to this day. She has an all-consuming desire to make sure that there is constant communication between the Centre of the Movement near Rome and all the houses of the Focolarini in 198 countries." (Pg. 73)
He observes, "Today about a third of the Movement's membership in England is Anglican, and they have an Anglican Bishop Guardian... In May 1971 Chiara returned once more to England to meet in London with Anglicans who were part of the Movement and to discuss their way forward. Over the years Chiara and her companions who have been charged with the interdenominational aspect of the Work have had to seek a 'legal' framework within their statutes in Catholic Canon Law for the non-Catholic members. A solution was finally reached which allowed members of other churches to be fully integrated into the life of the Movement. They would be described in official Church documents as 'associate members.'" (Pg. 127)
He also says, "There are also Jewish and Muslim Folarini. In June 1996 the Mariapolis Centre at Castelgandalfano hosted the first international congress of Jewish Friends of the Focolare. Participants came from al around the world and, what was most striking, even for them, from every Jewish tradition." (Pg. 175)
For anyone wanting an introduction to Chiara Lubich or the Focolare Movement, this book will be of great value.
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