In the official communication from the Focolare’s International Center in Rome, it is written: “Celebrate to meet” is the theme, inspiring the most varied events that will take place in 2020.

“Celebrate” because Chiara Lubich will be remembered to give many people the opportunity to get to know the message she lived to the full.

The Centenary Celebration was officially opened last December 7, 2019, in Trent, the birthplace of Chiara Lubich. But why December 7 and not January 22, Chiara’s birthday, or March 14, Chiara’s death anniversary?

It was on December 7, 1943, that young Silvia Lubich, alone and in a simple private ceremony, consecrated her life to God. Inspired by the radical choice made by Chiara (Clare) of Assisi to choose only God, she too, on the occasion of her “wedding” chose God, as the only reason for her life. And to mark this new “birth,” she chose the name “Chiara.”

By giving herself completely to God, the foundation stone was laid. Later, this date was chosen as the symbolic birth of the Focolare Movement. Michele Vandeleene, the curator of Chiara’s spiritual writings, explains why there is no better date to launch the birth centenary of Chiara: “With the name ‘God,’ Chiara’s divine adventure began, and with it, that of the Focolare Movement. ‘God’ is what 7th December means to Chiara Lubich.”

Together with the Focolare Movement spread all over the world, the more than 20 international editions of New City, starting this January, will echo this worldwide centenary celebration to assist in making known and spreading Chiara’s ever timely message of unity and universal brotherhood, and with it, God’s marvelous plan for her and the Movement! As Chiara underlined on several occasions: “I have never made plans… The musical score is in heaven, we try to play the music on earth.”