A woman named Chiara

"THERE is no problem that love cannot solve," Chiara Lubich once said.

Chiara was known as a leading proponent of love and unity. Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh. She had gathered them all to pray and work together.

"That all may be one." This was the prayer of Jesus that this exemplary lay woman made her own and lived out throughout her life. Millions have since sought and trod the path she had opened to all. Millions have gathered as one, in varied times and climes, in many parts of the world, to celebrate and heed the call to oneness.

Chiara, founder and president of the worldwide Focolare Movement, with established communities in 182 countries, passed away last March 14 in her home in Rome. She was 88.

Chiara is the acknowledged spiritual leader of about 5 million-strong Focolare (87,000 members and several million adherents) in five continents, which counts not only Catholics but also other Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and followers of other religions. Many Catholics and non-Catholics from various spiritual, political and civic fields considered her their spiritual mentor.

Chiara was born in 1920 in the Italian city of Trent during the time of Fascism. Her family experienced a difficult life. It was in 1943 that Chiara experienced the divine call that meant dedicating her life entirely to God. She was only 23 years old.

In 1944, while Trent experienced heavy bombing and her relatives escaped to the mountains, Chiara decided to stay and be with suffering humanity. At that time, young women who were drawn to the path she had chosen decided to stay with her.

The Focolare movement (focolare means hearth or family fireside) came to life when Chiara and her friends decided to dedicate their lives to living out what is in the Bible.

After World War II, Chiara met more individuals who co-founded the movement with her, among them, Igino Giordani, a statesman, member of parliament, writer, journalist, a pioneer in ecumenism and a family man. Chiara also met Pasquali Foresi who would become the first focolarino to become a priest. Both Giordani and Foresi are considered to be among Chiara's co-founders.

From 1949 and thereafter, the growing movement gathered regularly in a summer place in the Dolomite mountains. Over the years, new gathering places (called Mariapolis) emerged all over the world. These "mini-cities" became centers of unity.

In 1958 Christians from other traditions began to be drawn into the movement. In the following years, leaders of different religions recognized the unifying work of Chiara. The Focolare believes that cooperation and dialogue of all believers in God are important components of world solidarity and peace. The Focolare is a permanent member of the World Conference on Religion and Peace.

Over the years, specialized movements came to life, among them, the New Humanity and New Families Movement, the Parish Movement, the movements for diocesan priests and for women and men religious, and the Youth for a United World. In 1988, the New Humanity Movement was given NGO status at the United Nations.

Their common goal is the renewal, through the Gospel, of their segment of society. The animators of these movements are core members of the Focolare.

The Focolare runs publishing houses in different parts of the world. Communication, especially with and among the youth, is given prime importance.

Chiara has also contributed to the field of economics through the Economy of Communion, a system of entrepreneurship where the corporate owners use part of the profits for the marginalized sectors of society. This is at work in the Philippines and the countries where the Focolare operates.

Chiara also gave birth to the Political Movement for Unity, which unites politicians from various party lines and ideologies and makes them work for the common good. This has good followings in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and South Korea. Don't ask about the Philippines!

Focolare spirituality took root in the Philippines in 1966 and quickly spread in the Asian region. There are several Focolare centers in the Philippines, the biggest of which is the sprawling Mariapolis in Tagaytay which is like a village unto itself. A fascinating place, I must say.

The Mariapolis in Tagaytay was built in 1978 from the proceeds of the Templeton Prize in Religion which Chiara received in 1977. In 1982, the School of Oriental Religions and School for Priests were added there.

I am not a member of the Focolare but I have several friends who are members and who have enriched my life. I have written a couple of articles about Focolare projects among the poor that are indeed inspiring.

And since March is women's month, here is what Chiara once said about women in the Church.

"Pope John Paul II knows our movement, which is made up of lay people in various forms for consecration-young people, families, people committed to the world, priests, men and women religious. On several occasions he has emphasized the movement's strong Marian features. (I)t is our hope that in the years to come, the movement might retain its Marian identity, not only at a spiritual level but also in its public profile, thereby preserving God's plan for it in as much as He entrusted its conception and development to a woman. One day I plucked up the courage to ask (the Pope) if he thought it possible to have it confirmed in our statutes that the president of the movement should always be a woman.

"He replied with enthusiasm: 'And why not?'"

The Focolare's head, I am told, will always be a woman.

Chiara should be a candidate for beatification.

Hold on a while longer to the afterglow of Easter.