Rome, 24 of February 2010

Our long and rich journey around Asia with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti has come to an end. Therefore, also our Diary on the “Focolare Asian Tour” is coming to an end. Sharing this experience has overwhelmed us with joy. Through it we were given the opportunity –that many had desired- to take part of this journey, which went beyond all expectations.

We would like to express our gratitude to all our readers and to all those who have actively participated with their comments.

The journey started off with a “speedy interview” to Maria Voce on her way to the airport of Rome. Hence, we would like to close with her words. More precisely, with the answer she gave to the last question she was asked before leaving Asia:

“Your Asian tour is almost over. During this journey you have met many different peoples. Could you tell us what was your experience in this countries?”

“What feels real and alive in me is: having met so  many peoples and their great diversities. Having seen how colorful this continent is. Having met people living in a Christian context -such as the Philippines-, and others living as a small Christian minority in a context were other religions prevail.  Having met very discreet and reserved people as well as people who hug you as soon as they meet you.

“The different ways of expressing their feelings show the deep cultural, ethnic, traditional differences due to history. Before this variety, discovering we really are brothers and sisters is a surprise. Thus, it makes us rediscover we are all sons and daughters of Chiara.

“I return home feeling deeply grateful to God. I feel like I was able to discover so many treasures and of having my hands full. I have a renewed security that a united human family is possible. Because I saw it. I saw it started. Maybe I will see it completed in Heaven. However, it is a road of no return.

“We leave with our hearts overflowed with joy. We leave believing that God’s love will lead us to unity and that we will all be one.

Finally, I leave with this great happiness of having this “mother” who is watching over us. Because I imagine Chiara being very happy up there looking down on all her children -together with all those who were among us before and that are now in Heaven. Lets just think of Guido Mirti (Cengia) or the many missionaries, men and women  -that you may or may not have met-  whom together with Chiara crossed these lands and are now blowing for this fire to radiate”.

In 300 -representing the Focolare community- from all over the Country met with the President of the Movement.They arrived to Lahore -one of the historic cities of Pakistan- from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Faisalabad and Hyderabad and from other smaller cities. They even arrived from the far south, Karachi -20 hours away by train.

The three hundred representatives of the community of the Movement of Pakistan had never met all together before.

This exception was due to an appointment they had been waiting for a long time: Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti’s visit. It was the first time a President and a co-president of the Focolare Movement visited Pakistan.  Chiara Lubich had to go in the year 2002 while in an Asian tour. However, after the Twin Towers attack the visit had been cancelled.  Since then, the community of the Movement -which arrived to Pakistan in 1965-  kept dreaming this day. Dream that, finally, now has come true.

The president and co-president were welcomed with a garland of flowers, dances, songs and loving hearts.  Hugs here are a way to express warm-hearted greetings. Many were the hugs given and the pictures taken. Also the Catholic Church welcomed them warmly through the bishop Lawrence Saldanha, his auxiliary and the bishops of Islamabad-Rawalpindi and of Faisalaba. Later that day, they celebrated Mass.

The highest moment of  those two days together was the dialog with the two guests. The questions asked mirrored the reality of the country and highlighted the crucial issues they have to tackle.  Much importance was given to the condition of women, to the meaning of pain amid tensions and the security that only faith in God-Love can give to a country lacking of security.

The nice pictures taken with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti will witness the emotions of those days and tell future generations that even though it was a long wait it was worthwhile.

Paolo Lòriga

Bangkok, 20th of February 2010

Leaving is somehow like dying. This is what people commonly say in Italy and in many other countries.

Maybe also here. Anyhow, at noon the sky had turned gray and even dark here and there. It seemed like it was about to rain. It had never happened during the whole three weeks spent in Thailand. This was the longest stay of Maria Voce in an Asian country during her journey around the continent.

Rain seemed impending. However, when it was time to leave for the airport the clouds disappeared.  And the sky became the perfect frame to the joy of the Focolare community who had come to show its gratitude and love to Maria Voce.

She had been booked a private room at the airport. But it was nice to see how the room was invaded by the enthusiasm of well dressed men and women and many youngsters. They came dressed up in their best colorful clothes: emerald green, candy pink . The President welcomed everybody. She took pictures with all those (meaning everybody) who wanted a picture with her. Even the well know Buddhist monk called Luce Ardente was present.

Pictures, handshakes, hugs, last minute shared thoughts. These goodbye’s -done with no rush at every appointment- amazed and filled with admiration this proud and sensitive people. 

Soon it was boarding time. Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti were accompanied by everybody until where it was aloud – followed by the curiosity of the many travelers and the staff of the airport.  

A final “Grazie” [Thank you!] made almost the whole airport turn towards the small group. Here too, saying goodbye is almost like dying.  But we will think about this tomorrow. Today we must celebrate.

After a five hours flight the president and the co-president of the Focolare Movement arrived to Lahore, Pakistan. A city with eight million inhabitants. Very close to the Indian border. While waiting at the gate, an unexpected gift: Bishop Lawrence Saldanha -president of the bishops conference of Pakistan- was on the same flight. They had some time to talk. Tomorrow they will meet again.

Paolo Lòriga

Rocca di Papa, February 18, 2010

During these days, the journey of the President of the Focolare in Asia has brought the life of the ideal of unity on this continent into the spotlight. You who were a witness of the beginnings, can you tell us how it all began? Where are the roots of the spread of the evangelical life inspired by the charism of unity?

I followed the journey of Maria Voce in Asia with the greatest of interest, interest and joy.

Few names of people and places leave me indifferent, having lived in Asia for 43 years and having, therefore, seen the growth and the development of the Movement.

From January, 1966 with Guido Mirti and three other Focolarini, we began in Manila, at the invitation of the cardinal, Rufine Santos. Then together with the first Filipinos, through their generous efforts, money and prayers, the life of the Gospel, the Ideal of Unity was spread throughout all Asia. I must say that everywhere – such as in Manila, where Father Taschner, still living, brought the “word of life” to thousands of people – there were almost always priests and nuns opening the way for us. And the path was continued in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan… all the way to Indonesia.

What were the principal stages in those years and what were the most difficult moments, and the most beautiful ones?

The principal steps were the visits of Chiara in 1981 and in 1997. With her the interreligious dialogue was given an impetus that has been carried forward to the fruits of today. The Movement was strengthened: the small city of Tagaytay was born… There are now in various countries of Asia many thousands of people who live the spirituality of unity, that has been accepted as an answer to the enormous problems also of this continent.

Moments of joy, many. Many difficulties, also. The most painful moment: in March 2008, the news that Chiara was “going,” in a certain sense, leaving us… It was nighttime, I was together with others in Jakarta, truly at the ultimate point of Asia. All around it was flooding…

In closing, a word of comment about this long journey…

Today Maria Voce has taken all Chiara left her, with serenity, courage, humility, the fruit of unity. This visit confirmed to thousands of people how much the plants born from the seeds sown by Chiara have grown in these lands. We were already certain of this, and this has been confirmed for us.

The website editors

Giacca e cravatta, nonostante il caldo in strada. Abiti curati per le signore. Il minimo indispensabile per una serata che si preannuncia speciale.

L’appuntamento è di riguardo. Per di più, al 23° piano, con una vista niente male su una Bangkok notturna ma con nessuna intenzione di dormire.

L’hotel Arnoma è di classe. Tutto ancora brilla pur al termine di una giornata. Eleganza e sobrietà negli arredi mostrano un gusto raffinato. La cena di gala è in onore della presidente e del co-presidente dei Focolari. Gli invitati sono un centinaio di persone del movimento e un buon numero di vescovi che hanno partecipato al convegno dei giorni scorsi. Tra loro, il card. Vlk e l’arcivescovo di Bangkok, mons. Francesco Saverio Kriengsak.

Nella stessa sala esclusiva fu invitata per una cena Chiara Lubich nel gennaio 1997. Lì espresse un  sogno, toccata da questa terra e da questa gente: il sorgere di una cittadella. L’albergo ospitò successivamente il complesso musicale Gen Rosso, con cantanti, musicisti e tecnici. Senza alcuna spesa.

I coniugi Leesawadtrakul – dr. Somsak e khunying Pattana – sono i  proprietari dell’Arnoma, del grattacielo che lo ospita, di qualche altro hotel e, in particolare, di acciaierie. Sono cristiani molto generosi, che hanno fondato un’associazione di uomini e donne d’affari cattolici.

Il rito delle foto come antipasto e poi una cena a buffet con il meglio della cucina thai. Doverosa l’attenzione, per quanti venuti dall’Italia, nell’evitare, tra le prelibatezze, quei piatti-bomba con peperoncino in dosi orientali.

“Ringraziamo Dio che ci ha fatto stare insieme anche stasera”, ha esordito Maria Voce al termine della gradita, gradevole (e gustosa) serata. Dietro le sue spalle campeggiava la scritta: Un grazie infinito. “Stiamo costatando il dono del centuplo evangelico con questa cena di qualità – ha proseguito –. E il centuplo è sottolineato anche dal numero delle persone convenute. Con la vostra presenza in questi giorni avete favorito l’incontro vitale del centro del movimento con l’Asia”.

Un auspicio, infine, che lascia balenare un impegno, quasi un progetto: “Il resto del mondo ha bisogno di vedere l’Asia con gli occhi vostri. Grazie di questa esperienza vissuta insieme”.

Paolo Lòriga

Saraburi, February 16, 2010

Journey into the future. Roundtrip. Direction north, leaving Bangkok. Near the autostrada, the site of Saint John’s University, where Chiara Lubich was awarded an honorary doctorate in Science of Social Communications in 1997. We skirt the old international airport and continue for 90 miles until we arrive at the small locality of Saraburi.

A landscape of rolling hills, the vegetation luxuriant. We leave the autostrada and immediately enter a spacious, well-tended area. The property is divided into large lots, some construction is underway, but it is only a glimpse of what is yet to be.

A short, dirt lane brings us to a future project of the Focolare in this region: a small, Thai city, as was in the dreams of the founder. A banner displays a welcome to Maria Voce and to Giancarlo Faletti. Colored flags and some kites add a crown to the joy of those experiencing a memorable day, long awaited.

The thirty-four acres of ground are the gift of a Catholic family. Nature salutes us with colorful flowers, and a small lake with fish and shrimp in shallow waters because of the dry season, while beyond, higher up, trees with long trunks generously offer their shade.  Exactly here is planned a welcoming center for Buddhist monks, an expression of the growing collaboration between the Focolare and the monks who are their friends.

The triumph of nature is also assured for the future. The property, in fact, borders a national park, where various species of animals live, including deer and wild boar. At the center of a meadow the president is shown a sort of treasure map, a sketch of the planned small city: here the church – indicated by an extended arm – there the meeting hall and so on.

Through the eyes of faith – that here is solid – the illustrator depicts the features of a tree. In reality, now there is only a seed. At present there are two single story houses with brown roofs. A present sustained by a indomitable group of people, including a couple of German volunteers. A Focolarina who works here admits: It is like the papaya. Without tears it doesn’t grow.”

“The adventure is also pleasing to me,” Maria Voce acknowledges, “but it has to become a commitment and then also love. And in the love you don’t have to lose the sense of the adventure.” So, forward all. “Thailand and the neighboring countries constitute a diverse reality, beautiful and precious in the Focolare world. Together you can put yourself at the service of all these peoples. This richness makes us see that the hour of the small city has arrived.”

You can imagine, or rather, on the contrary, you cannot imagine the joy of those present. By reason that, to the already historical and consolidated Philippine small city of Tagaytay, will come now a second center for Asia, with the same purpose as a center of training and of testimony, as well as interreligious dialogue, as Chiara Lubich had outlined.

“Everything is yet to be developed, but as of now this place can be a magnet for many,” the President said in encouragement. “If Jesus lives in your midst, he will attract them.”

Paolo Lòriga

Looking at Inculturation and the New Evangelization

Bangkok, 12 February 2010

Following a busy schedule of engagements for the President of the Focolare Movement here in Thailand, today was meant to have been a day of rest. It didn’t turn out that way however. Although there weren’t any official meetings, it was still a ‘working’ rest day which proved to be very important.

Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti spent the whole day with the Directors of the Focolare Movement in Asia and the two General Councillors for the continent at the last of the plenary meetings.

The day provided a unique opportunity to look back over the past 40 days of the tour to evaluate the whole experience in some way.  They recalled various stages of the trip and remembered particular events that had taken place in each country, discovering the ‘golden thread that the Holy Spirit was spinning,’ as someone put it.

At the invitation of different religious leaders Chiara had visited Asia a number of times to speak about her own experience of faith, and these occasions had opened up a dialogue with the Great Religions in these countries resulting in ideas and hopes that were well ahead of their time.

During this trip, the President has encountered a thriving Focolare Movement, a movement  in dialogue with various aspects of inculturation and the new evangelization and one which has developed strong relationships with members of different religions.

Asia is a great gift for the Movement and for the globalized world as a whole and our not-so-secret wish is that we all participate in everything and that these peoples’ gifts  strengthen and illuminate the path towards the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer ‘that all may be one’ on a global scale.

Paolo Loriga

The streets, packed with fast-moving traffic stirring up the dust and carbon dioxide that remains suspended in the hot humid air, are lined with stalls selling clothes, drinks and fruit at ridiculously low prices (for those with strong currencies). Portions of chicken, small fish and hotdogs are cooked on small charcoal stoves, and meat and vegetables seem to be fried continuously. At any time of the day or night you can grab a bite to eat at the small tables under the colourful sunshades.

Over 250 focolarini took part in what was a deeply spiritual meeting. This was the second of such meetings, the first one having been held in Tagatay in the Philippines, for another group of focolarini from Asia. Three days of beautiful meetings, enriched by meditations on the theme of the year – God is Love, updates on the life of the communities from the twelve countries present and an in-depth study on the encyclical Charitas in Veritate.

The high point of the meeting was the last afternoon spent in dialogue with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. A wide range of topics was covered from new evangelization to inculturation and from inter-religious dialogue to the new generations.

As is the custom on these occasions in the Focolare, the visit finished with an evening of songs, dances and artistic contributions showing the cultural richness of the different countries present and embellished by their splendid National costumes. Some of the sketches were so funny they had the audience on the verge of tears. Almost another inundation!

Paolo Lòriga

The Congress of Bishops, friends of the Focolare Movement, begins in Bangkok. ‘Communicating God Love. The new evangelization today.’

Bangkok, 9-12 February

The new bishop of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan has just being ordained. His Diocese reaches as far as the borders of Afghanistan – where pastoral visits are often high risk.

Mons Anthony Ruffin will be participating for the first time at the periodic meeting of Bishops, friends of the Focolare Movement, in the Far East.

Last year in was held  in Macao and this year it is being held in Bangkok in Thailand. The meeting starts on the 9th of February and continues until the 12th.

The thirty bishops will reflect on the theme ‘To communicate God who is Love – new evangelization today’, and will look at two areas in particular: on one hand the challenge of the encyclical Caritas in Veritate and the need of communication in this age of globalization and on the other Inter-religious dialogue in the light of God who is Love.

Paolo Loriga

Bangkok, 7 February 2010

At the end of two days spent together in Bangkok with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, Chun and Elena express everyone’s wish – ‘Let’s build three tents … to be able to continue listening to you.’ They had both shared many things about their lives in an extensive interview on Saturday afternoon.

There were 850 people listening to them, representing the Focolare communities from over 15 countries in South East Asia, from India to Indonesia, to Cambodia. Children, young people and adults dressed in colourful traditional costumes and hats of every shape present each country through dance and song. There were Buddhists – including monks, with Luce Ardente in the front row – Muslims and Hindus. Cardinal Vlk from Prague was also there, with Bishop Thomas Dabre from India, and Bishop Rufin Anthony from Pakistan, who had arrived early for the meeting of Asian Bishop Friends of the Focolare which will be held here over the next few days.

There were about ten Hindus from India: ‘We are so grateful to have been able to participate in this Christian gathering with such a high international profile. We have really felt part of the family. The movement includes us fully.’

The average age of this group of Focolare people gathered in the centre of Bangkok was quite young. It was like a dream come through for everyone to be able to see, greet, and listen to the new president – and even to be ‘immortalised’ in a photograph with her and the co-president. The ritual is ‘celebrated’ during the interval, in a festive yet orderly manner, with a photograph taken on the stage of each group. Each time there is a volley of clicks, coming not just from a few but a whole multitude of cameras!

The pictures in the presentations show the natural and artistic beauty of the different countries, whilst the stories tell the conviction, daring and commitment of those who have embraced the charism of unity. You can see the thirst for the infinite ingrained in these peoples and their sensitivity to the sacred that transpires also in the big and small challenges of everyday life.

‘The time is more than right’ Thuy, who works as a secretary and comes from Vietnam, makes clear, ‘ to bring Jesus’ culture to our lands and no people can claim to have it already. If we live with the Teacher amongst us, he will open the way for us to assimilate the charism of unity here in Asia.’

The final afternoon is dedicated to a question and answer session with the illustrious guests – twenty questions on many different themes, from young people to inculturation. The final question plunges us all into the heart of this spiritual family. It concerns Chiara Lubich  – since her departure there is a profound and widespread sensation that heaven and earth have never been so close together. The hall listens carefully. Maria Voce’s answer sets a golden seal on the entire encounter.

‘I was very touched by Maria and Giancarlo’s message,’ Anthony Tan, an engineer with the giant computer firm HP in Singapore, explains. ‘Each one of us must become more authentically Jesus, as Chiara did, to take evangelisation ahead in our daily lives.’

On Sunday the Gospel told of Peter’s miraculous catch of fish after Jesus’ invitation to cast his nets. It is a metaphor for the people in the hall and sounds like an invitation directed to each one of us.