Focolare foundress, Chiara Lubich passes away at the age of 88
Press Release March 16, 2008
Thousands of people pay homage to Chiara Lubich
The President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, and the President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Bagnasco have also sent messages.
In a very intense, serene and prayerful atmosphere, thousands of people of all ages continue to pay homage to Chiara Lubich. The funeral parlour is set up in the meeting hall of the Focolare International Center at Rocca di Papa, near Rome. Chiara lies in the middle of the hall surrounded by many flowers. Behind her, there is an icon of Mary with the child Jesus, which had been donated to her by Pope John Paul II.
Among the visiting dignitaries, there was Professor Salvatore Valente, Head of the Pneumology Department, who took care of Chiara in the last 30-40 days of her life at the Gemelli Hospital. He said, “During this period, Chiara has endured and borne all sufferings with serenity and cooperative attitude that was really moving. Usually, suffering is for many people just a painful burden. Instead, for her it was different: she maintained all the while a serene gaze that struck me very much, right up till the moment of her passing away.”
Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity came to Rocca di Papa: “I have had several meetings with Chiara: the latest one was during the Christmas festivities. However, every meeting with her has been an event in my life that has left a very deep impression. Her enthusiasm for the things of God has been contagious to every person she came in contact with.” The cardinal wrote a message to her followers: “Carry on the flame of her charism with great courage. It is an event in the Church, which is not about to finish, rather, it has just begun.” The Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council, Guzmán Carriquiry, also paid a visit to her personally.
Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Saint Egidio expressed with the following words both, his personal impression as well as the one of his community: “Chiara has taught me the dignity of the charism, its value, which is the most precious thing we have.” He added, “Chiara belongs to everyone: she belongs to the Church and to the faithful of other Religions. Chiara belongs to the world, because she belongs to Jesus. Now that she is silent we must learn to listen to her more closely and we can do this only if we are united among ourselves.”
Salvatore Martinez, national coordinator of the Renewal in the Spirit said, “Chiara’s legacy is a legacy of love. This love is marked by a spiritual motherhood to which all of us lay people are grateful.” He dwelt further on Chiara’s testimony “who did not hesitate in front of secularization and of cultural, ideological and religious challenges of today’s society.”
Brother Alois, Prior of the Community of Taizé, successor of Frer Roger, together with two brothers also paused in prayer before Chiara. “At Taizé,” Fr. Alois said, “we give thanks to God for Chiara’s life. She has been a light for us and this light will remain among us.” He recalled “the great esteem and the great love that Fr. Roger had for Chiara.”
Messages from political and religious dignitaries keep coming from all over the world:
The President of Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano defines Chiara Lubich as “one of the most representative figures in the inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. She has been a powerful and clear voice in the contemporary debate. She succeeded to found,” he wrote, “one of the most widely spread Movements in the world, capable of confronting with an open spirit the secular world on the basis of the supremacy of human ideals of solidarity, justice and peace among peoples and nations.”
The telegram signed by the President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Bagnasco and Secretary General, Msgr. Betori, speaks of Chiara’s experience as “an experience of communion which has enriched the life of the Church in Italy and in the world.” It also recalls “with gratitude her testimony’s particular strength that proposes a journey of faith founded on the principle of unity. This unity has been a source of life itineraries marked by the fullness of joy in the Church and in the world.”
Many are the testimonies coming from the founders and presidents of Movements with whom Chiara had been invited by John Paul II in 1998 to foster a spiritual communion among themselves.
The community of Fr. Benzi in the words of his successor, Paul Ramonda, expresses gratitude “for the love to other movements, associations and new communities of which Chiara was a tireless leader in communion.”
Fr. Julian Carron, Fr. Giussani's successor as head of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, in a letter “recalls the long years of friendship with Don Giussani.” He speaks of her charism “born to give life to the Christian event as a light that gives hope.”
A Final Farewell
A message from Pope Benedict XVI:
“I was deeply moved by the news of Chiara’s death, which concludes a long and fruitful life marked by her untiring love for Jesus Forsaken.” So begins the telegram arriving this morning signed by Pope Benedict XVI. “In this hour of painful loss,” the Pope “with affection” assures his spiritual closeness “to her relatives and to the entire Work of Mary – Focolare Movement founded by her, as well as to all who have cherished her constant dedication to communion in the Church, for her work in ecumenical dialogue and the brotherhood of the entire human family.” The Pope thanks the Lord “for the witness of a life spent in heeding the needs of today’s world in complete faithfulness to the Church and to the Pope.” Benedict XVI expressed his wish that “all who have met and known her, and admired the wonders that God has worked through her missionary ardor, follow her footsteps in keeping her charism alive.” The Pope concluded by invoking “the motherly intercession of Mary” and imparting “on everyone” his Apostolic Blessing.
The funeral for Chiara Lubich will take place on Tuesday March 18 at 3 PM at the Roman Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The ceremony will be presided by Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and transmitted live via internet and satellite.
Throughout the morning a continuous flow of people lined up to pay their respects. Viewing, from 4 PM until Saturday evening, will take place at the International Center of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa (Via Frascati 306).
She will be buried in the Chapel of the International Center of the Movement at Rocca di Papa.
In Trent, Mayor Alberto Pacher proclaimed a period of mourning
Chiara Lubich returns to her home in Rocca di Papa
Her health condition worsening
Chiara Lubich returned yesterday evening to her home in Rocca di Papa from the Gemelli Hospital where she was admitted in February due to a serious and declining respiratory failure.
Dr. Salvatore Valente, head of Pneumology at the University Polyclinic, informed us of the following: "Due to her expressed desire, Chiara Lubich was brought home. She continues to receive all the medical and respiratory support needed. Unfortunately her present condition is not responding to the treatment".
Up until yesterday, her personal secretary Eli Folonari was able to update Chiara on the correspondence sent her. This morning Chiara asked to see the men and women focolarini who began the Movement with her in 1943.
Chiara continues to inspire great serenity. For the past two days she confided to those around her that she feels the spiritual presence of Mary. She has lived her whole life in deep communion with Mary. The Focolare Movement founded by Chiara Lubich was officially approved by the Church as the “Work of Mary.”
The entire movement throughout the world, in deep communion and prayer, accompany her at this moment.