Pope Francis will receive the members of the Focolare movement in the Paul VI hall on Saturday at the end of their General Assembly.
Vatican news reporter
At their General Assembly this week, members of the Focolare Movement discussed a number of important issues and elected new leaders.
At the end of their meeting, Pope Francis on Saturday gave a speech of thanks to the outgoing president, Maria Voce, and the newly elected president, Margaret Karram.
He also offered the movement some reflections, to “encourage them on their journey.”
He divided these reflections into three points: the post-Foundress era; the importance of crises and living spirituality with coherence and realism.
Openness and dialogue
Speaking of the post-Foundress period, the Pope noted that twelve years after the death of Chiara Lubich, the movement is called to overcome this “ natural loss and even the decline in numbers in order to remain a living expression of the founding charisma. . “
This, he said, required “a dynamic fidelity, able to interpret the signs and needs of the times and to respond to the new demands of humanity.” Pope Francis added that it is also a matter of “staying true to the original source, striving to reconsider and express it in dialogue with new social and cultural situations.”
This work of renewal, he said, “is all the more fruitful the more it is carried out by harmonizing creativity, wisdom, sensitivity to all and fidelity to the Church.”
The Pope went on to say that “openness to others, whoever they may be, must always be cultivated: the gospel is for everyone, it is a leaven of new humanity in every place and time.”
Faced with problems
However, the Pope also had words of caution, advising against withdrawing into yourself, which, he said, “always leads to defending the institution to the detriment of individuals, and which can also lead to justifying or obscuring forms of abuse.”
Instead, continued Pope Francis, “it is better to be courageous and face problems with parity and truth, always following the directions of the Church.”
A call to new maturity
The Pope turned his attention to the second theme, “the importance of crises,” and pointed out that “every crisis is a call to new maturity; it is a time of the Spirit, which arouses the need to update, without being discouraged by human complexity and its contradictions. “
“It is the duty of those in government, at all levels, to work to address crises in the community and the organization in the best, most constructive way,” he said.
Specifically addressing the spiritual crises of individuals, which bring with them the intimacy of the individual and the sphere of conscience, Pope Francis noted that they must be “ handled with caution by those who do not hold positions of government, at every level, within the movement. . ”
“This is a good rule that applies not only to individuals’ moments of crisis, but in general for their guidance on their spiritual journey,” said the Pope.
Outside and inside
Reflecting on his third point, “live your spirituality with coherence and realism,” Pope Francis said to those in attendance, “the ultimate purpose of your charisma coincides with the purpose that Jesus presented to the Father in his last great prayer: that” all may be one, “knowing that this is the work of the grace of the One and Triune God.” This intention, he explained, “requires a dedication in a twofold perspective: outside and within the movement.”
As far as external action is concerned, the Pope said, “I encourage you … to witness the closeness with brotherly love that overcomes every barrier and reaches every human condition.”
Regarding the commitment within the movement, he continued: “I urge you to promote more and more synodality so that all members, as depositors of the same charisma, share responsibility for and participate in the life of Mary’s Work and his specific goals. “
Turning pain into hope
Finally, the Pope invited those present to imitate their founder Chiara Lubich, always listening to “the cry of Christ’s abandonment on the cross, manifesting the highest degree of love”.
The grace that proceeds, he added, “can arouse in us, who are weak and sinners, generous and sometimes heroic reactions; it is able to transform suffering and even tragedy into a source of light and hope for humanity. In this passage from death to life lies the heart of Christianity and also of your charisma. “