Everyone in the house was up early that morning of February 20, 2016—Day 1 of the weekend celebration of the Focolare’s 50th anniversary in Asia and Oceania. The sun was up high, promising a perfect day in Tagaytay City, Philippines, where the event was to be held.
Finding myself in Wim Hall, in Terra Moy, Mariapolis Peace, I began to notice how everything seemed inspired: the huge picture of a smiling Chiara; the montage of historical snapshots that framed the stage; overhead, white and gold paper tendrils—representing the light of the Charism of Unity and the golden thread that weaves us all together—rustled with the breeze; fifty hand-crafted bamboo ornaments shaped like water drops and festooned with ferns and flowers—one for each year of the golden jubilee—reminded of the challenge to be flexible and creative in loving, like the bamboo that bends but does not break. Everything spoke of love.
People started filling up the seats. There were more than 1,300 people from various countries around the world. It was no random crowd, as people hugged and greeted one another—even after so many years apart, for some. The atmosphere was that of a big reunited family, so diverse and yet so closely-knitted. The excitement that had been building up for months was palpable.
The growth of the movement’s communities throughout Asia and Oceania was highlighted by reminiscences of members and families who had met the movement in the early times in various countries in Asia. Take Christina Lee from Korea, a focolarina now based in Seoul. She recounted her experiences, from her first meeting in Seoul in 1967, up to her returnthere last year, after spending years in Manila, Tokyo, and Rome, capping it all by expressing her joy in giving witness to the charism of Chiara Lubich wherever she was needed.
Monastic and lay Buddhist movements that have developed close friendships with the Focolare also took part in the celebration. The Buddhist monk Phramaha Thongratana Thavorn (called “Luce Ardente” by Chiara Lubich and who calls himself a ”son of Mama Chiara”) and his companions were present.
Sharing a moving experience after meeting the Spirituality of Unity, Luce Ardente reflected, ”Though I am a Buddhist monk… I understood that Buddhism and the Focolare Movement have many things in common. Chiara is a Christian but she also contains Buddhism inside her; whereas I am a Buddhist monk, but I have Christianity inside me.”
A representative of the Rissho Kosei Kai (RKK) Japanese Buddhist lay movement was present to read the message of congratulations and solidarity from their president Nichiko Niwano, expressing the wish that the bonds of friendship cultivated for more than 36 years ago between the Focolare and RKK may remain for eternity. ”With our common goal to build a world replete with love and compassion, let us join hands and hereafter continue to pursue that goal together,” he said.
One Heritage
There was no shortage of talents showcased, a communion of gifts from different groups, cultures, and generations. Kicking off the festivities was an Opening Salvo with cultural dances that traced the Ideal spreading across Asia and Oceania, and concluding it, a multi-cultural performance expressing the joy and splendor of unity.
Classic and modern tunes rendered by the Gen Giallo, Gen Gloria, and youth bands made up the soundtrack of the festivities, entertaining the crowd.
Tributes were given to the pioneering men and women focolarini whom Chiara had sent to Asia, particularly to the late Fr. Guido Mirti, better known as Cengia, and Giovanna Vernuccio and Silvio Daneo who were both present.
Members of the movement who had passed on were also remembered in the list of Heavenly Mariapolites.
One Goal: Ut Omnes [That All May Be One]
A final artistic performance from the youth told the life story of the Movement, its inspiration and adventures in Asia and Oceania, shouting from the rooftops the goal of a united world, and looking forward to having this revolution of love brought ahead by the next generation.
As the program drew to a close, in the gathering shadows at Wim Hall, everyone held a light—symbolic of the light of the Ideal in each one’s life—and danced with joy and optimism to the next 50 years and more, until Jesus’ prayer ”That all may be one” is realized.
Tired but happy on the second and last day, I realized that the past weeks of arduous preparation had passed like a blur. I took a bite from my piece of the Jubilee cake, a nutty red velvet fondant, relishing its sweetness, and that of a successful work of unity, which will pass on to history, leaving only one thing that does not pass: God who is love, Who remains in every moment and in every action rendered eternal by people who love one another.
