Love Heals Family Wounds

Last March, in Loppiano near Florence, Italy and in Castel Gandolfo, Rome, the Focolare’s New Families Movement celebrated its 50th Anniversary. That day, March 14, also coincided with the 9th Anniversary of Chiara’s death. In Loppiano, from March 9 – 11, 2017, the 3-day meeting was entitled Being a Family: Roots and Wings – a research study at the Sophia University; March 10 – 12, 2017: Family Highlights – “From Chiara Lubich, A Light for the Family”

In Castel Gandolfo from March 13 – 17, 2017: School of Formation – New Families Movement and simultaneously on March 13 – 18, 2017: First School for the Delegates of Focolare Families entitled “Journeying together with Him, towards “That all may be one.”
This get together of families from all over the world, from different cultural, religious, and political beliefs and situations, gives one the impression that it is possible to become only one family. The encounters and moments of sharing that took place paved the way to understand how love can heal the wounds and sufferings in those families facing huge challenges. There is a need to continue with these kind of gatherings – in local communities, in parishes, in national and international venues – to prepare families to become faithful despite the many difficulties and challenges of the modern world.

Floro and Tess Flores, Pasig City, Metro Manila

The Foundation

The School dealt with topics which seemed familiar to us, but in reality they were an eye opener or we can even say, they called for a conversion from us, especially in the way we dialogue as a couple. Although we had been married for 42 years, and are part of the New Families and ourselves form a Focolare Family, we could have done better, for in reality, there are still many areas we have to improve on in this respect. Many other times, we take things for granted, forgetting to communicate with tenderness – not necessarily in words but also in actions. We thank God that He is still giving us time to work on this.

Through Focolare Co-President Jesus Moran who spoke on Pope Francis’ encyclical Amoris Laetitia, we understood the great design of God on the family in the world, and how we, as a family, have such wealth we can bear witness to and share with the other families. However, we have to move forward, trying to overcome the difficulties and dark moments, and rely very much on the grace of the sacrament of matrimony, and on Jesus himself present among us, as this is the only way to become a credible witness to other families. What impressed us strongly was the great importance of our life of prayer and union with God individually and as a couple, since this is the foundation of our being and of everything we do.

Fer and Erly Erasmo, Tagaytay City, Cavite

The Role of New Families

With over a thousand families from around the world, we had the grace to participate in a multi-event, celebrating life’s journeys, illuminated by the spirituality of unity. The 3-day event in Loppiano, Italy, March 10-12, 2017, dealt with the different stages married people go through, the challenges of families in the world today, and how
the New Families Movement responds to them through concrete actions. Also, the importance of parents having a creative mind-set in educating children today was highlighted – parents should remember that to love is to educate, and to educate is to transform.

Fifty years ago Chiara Lubich launched the New Families Movement. In a special way, she had entrusted to this Movement the world’s families, engaged couples, and families in difficulties, as well as widows and the orphans. She felt strongly that the charism of unity, passing through the love for Jesus Forsaken, could inspire these various family life stages and that amid life’s challenges, families can still feel that God is Love and that He loves us all immensely. Participating in this event, we realized how true Chiara Lubich’s were then, and are even more so today.

Fred and Agnes Santos,Sta. Rosa, Laguna