This May/June issue is entirely dedicated to Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, known to everyone simply as “Chiara,” who died on March 14, 2008.

As the articles, comments and
e-mails reached our desk, we were moved at witnessing the profound bond between the authors and Chiara. It was a confirmation that she belongs to everyone.

She was a focolarina, a Catholic, a woman and a lay person, and countless people of different ages, backgrounds and beliefs felt deeply understood by her and hold her as their teacher, inspiration and guide.

We hope this issue will encourage each one of us to work for the fulfillment of God’s plan on the human family: a world united and at peace.

Thank you, Chiara!
By Giulio Meazzini
A farewell to Chiara at St. Paul's Outside the Walls Basilica in Rome

The Soul of Our Sister
By Pope Benedict XVI

Last Testaments
By Paolo Loriga

Interview with Eli Folonari on Chiara's last days