“This is the most fascinating thing about our time: to penetrate into the highest contemplation and remain mixed with everyone, a man among men.” (Chiara Lubich).
The inspiring spark: building relationships
We are committed to building fraternal relationships between people, nations, religions and cultures through dialogue, joining many others who share this path.
Inspired by Jesus' prayer: “That they all may be one” (Jn 17:21), we propose a spirituality of unity based on reciprocal love, respect for each person and the appreciation of differences as a source of wealth. This spirituality has become a way of life for people of all ages and backgrounds, transforming not only our lives and relationships, but also the social, family and ecclesial environments where we live and work.
Origins and universal vocation
The Focolare Movement was born within the Catholic Church, founded by Chiara Lubich in Trento, Italy, in 1943.
Today, the Focolare is present in 182 countries and has members and collaborators from all Christian denominations, as well as from other religions and even people without religious affiliation. All of them, while maintaining their convictions and faithfulness to their conscience, share the aim and spirit of the Focolare: to build a more united world.
A community spirituality
We are part of a large, global and diverse family, united by the same ideal. Chiara Lubich described this community as a “new people born of the Gospel.” Its true essence cannot be understood in words alone, because it is lived, experienced by sharing it with those who embody it day by day. It is a spirituality that transforms, that invites us to live in communion.
At the heart of the Movement are the small communities known as “focolare”. These are made up of men and women who, immersed in everyday reality, choose to take a decisive step: to leave behind their family, their home and their native land to embrace an ideal. Their life becomes a concrete response to Jesus’ prayer: “That they may all be one”.
Living love in every moment
In our daily relationships, we recognize the unique value of every human being and we try to welcome and accompany each person according to his or her needs. By loving those close to us in a concrete way, we seek to radiate this love to all of humanity.
The commandment of Jesus —“As I have loved you, so you also must love one another” (Jn 13, 34)—encourages us to create authentic bonds in our communities and to grow together, overcoming personal interests.
The spirituality of unity calls us to live in reciprocal love, constantly renewing it. We want every action to be fruitful, contributing to a path of spiritual perfection accessible to all, in any circumstance and according to each person's personal convictions, whether religious or not.
