Manila – On the 19th of January 2020, members and friends of the Focolare Movement in different parts of Luzon convened at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium for a half-day program to kick-off the year-long celebration of the centennial anniversary of the birth of the Movement’s foundress, Servant of God Chiara Lubich.
- Ding Dalisay and Chun Boc Tay, Zone Directors of the Focolare Movement in the Philippines
Ding Dalisay and Chun Boc Tay, Zone Directors of the Movement in the Philippines, greeted everyone with a message from Maria ‘Emmaus’ Voce, the Movement’s President, “I wish that you remain in this sacred atmosphere of Jesus in the Midst in the life of focolare and in all activities of this year. May 2020 contribute to spread the Ideal even more among the new generations and in the threatened social contexts in need of fraternity and love”. They also invited Ray Asprer, from the Center of the Movement in Rome who was coincidentally in Manila at that time, to say a few words. The three of them highlighted the essence of celebrating Lubich’s birth anniversary with “Celebrate to Meet” as its theme and the opportunity it brings.
Originally, the celebration was to be held in the little town of the Movement in Tagaytay City. However, due to the recent activity of the Taal volcano, the venue was moved to Metro Manila. With this, Engr. Carlito Villaraza explained what happened, what is happening, and what could happen, but all of these, in the context of a God who is Love. Then, two ‘citizens’ of the Focolare’s little town shared their experiences of pain upon leaving the area now covered in gray due to the ashfall and how, in those moments, with their acts of love and that of others, there is a stronger sense of “being a family”, as Lubich exhorted.
- Sharing of experiences from the youth of the Focolare Movement who attended an international youth congress in Trent, Italy.
A group of teenagers also came up on stage to share about their experience when they attended the “Gen 3 Congress” in Trent, Italy, where the Focolare’s founder was born. They shared how they lived during those days and the joy having been able to walk around the city of Trent being in the actual sites which are significant in the life of Chiara such as the church where she prayed for the pair of shoes, the apartment where she stayed together with other young people, and the school where she studied where the teenagers saw Chiara’s report card, as the Filipino delegation shared. For them, one of the most beautiful gifts they received is a cross necklace. They also shared how much fun they had spending time together while it was snowing, something they seemed to have enjoyed very much as one can see in their faces on the photos they were showing, especially that such does not occur in a tropical country like the Philippines.
As an update of what has been happening in Trent, Italy, the first part of the video link-up was shown where viewers were given a tour of Trent especially the expo dedicated to Chiara Lubich.
The morning concluded with the Eucharistic celebration mainly presided by His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila. Concelebrating with him were focolarino priests and other priests who adhere to the Movement.
In his homily, the Cardinal reflected on the child-likeness that is being asked from each one as it was also the Feast of the Sto. Niño (Holy Infant Jesus) that day, an important feast for Filipino Catholics. He invited parents who were present to look at Mary as model in forming and training children as sons and daughters of God. “Let this be our legacy”, he said. He also enjoined everyone to thank God for the gift of Chiara to which he added two English words, “clear light”. Towards the end, he expressed his thanks to the Focolare Movement ever since he was still in the Diocese of Imus and further shared that during trips around the world, he often finds himself meeting its members. “No escape”, he jokingly said, while drawing laughter from the crowd.
- A cheerful moment together with Cardinal Tagle
Before and after the Mass, some representatives of the Movement had a quick moment with the Cardinal where they expressed their gratitude for his presence and assured them of unity and prayers as he soon embarks on a new assignment in the Vatican. It can be remembered that on December of last year, the Holy Father appointed the Cardinal as the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The celebration of Chiara’s birth anniversary in Manila is probably one of the last engagements of His Eminence before he leaves the Philippines.
