May/June 2008

In his homily at her funeral March 18, the Vatican’s Secretary of State bade farewell to Chiara at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Following is an excerpt.

Excerpts from articles following Chiara Lubich's passing

As Christians of other churches learned of Chiara Lubich's charism of unity, they saw it as a gift for the whole church. An Anglican priest and a Swiss Reformed Church minister share their perspectives.

Chiara Lubich never separated spiritual from social issues. For her, helping to renew cities with the ideal of unity was a priority.

Chiara always had a soft spot for young people. And she never hesitated to challenge them with a great ideal, encouraging them to put God first and be generous.

From the meeting of Catholic movements with John Paul II at Pentecost 1998 to the meetings with Christian movements and communities in Stuttgart, the Focolare’s commitment to furthering unity among these groups remains significant.

Her adventure of unity began with her openness to God’s gifts. What emerged was a new current of thought and a people who share a lifestyle based on the Gospel.

Though she initially had no intention of founding anything, Chiara Lubich gave life to a vast network of thousands of groups.

Chiara Lubich’s legacy includes her finishing touches on the Focolare’s statutes, which capture the characteristics of her new charism.

A look at Chiara Lubich's extraordinary life through a photo timeline.