On December 7, 1943 in Trent (Italy) Chiara Lubich uttered her yes to God. A yes that, over time, multiplies, giving rise to a large family – the Focolare Movement – composed of individuals from different continents, ages, cultures and vocations.
It wasn’t a vow, it was a “flight.” A bold flight like that of Charles Lindbergh when, for the first time, he flew over the Atlantic without stopping. “Have you found your vocation?” the priest had asked her, seeing her return radiant from the sanctuary of Loreto, which houses the home of Nazareth. “Yes,” she replied simply. “Are you getting married?” “No.” “Are you going to the convent?” “No.” “Do you remain a virgin in the world?” “No.” The bewildered priest had no other alternatives to propose. So what then? It was a fourth way, the one that Chiara Lubich saw ahead of her. What was it? She didn’t know well either; it was a new path that needed to be traveled with audacity and courage.
A few years pass. She feels a voice inside her asking, “Give yourself entirely to me.” How? Where? It doesn’t matter; one just has to respond to that voice. The mere thought of giving herself entirely to God fills her with joy. “If you go this way, you won’t have your own family,” the priest insinuates, “you won’t have children, you’ll be alone in life…”. Alone? As long as there is a tabernacle on earth, Chiara tells herself, I will never be alone. Didn’t Jesus promise a hundred mothers, a hundred brothers and sisters, a hundred children to those who abandon everything to follow him? But at that moment, Chiara doesn’t think about what she would leave behind or what she would receive in return. She only knows that she wants to marry God. Nothing less!
The priest realizes that, although this girl is only 23 years old, she could embark on such a bold flight: she is truly determined and knows what she wants. He schedules a meeting with her in the chapel of the small hill. However, he advises her, “You will spend the night in prayer,” almost like a vigil of arms, as was customary back then. In her small room, Chiara takes the family crucifix, kisses it, and begins to talk to it. Shortly afterward, her breath condenses on the image of Jesus, and she falls asleep…
Early in the morning, she wears her finest dress. The poor—Chiara included—always have a dress for the celebration. Outside, the storm rages, as if someone wants to deter her from such a daring step. She faces the wind and rain with determination. In the little church, she is once again enveloped in silence. The Mass, the communion, her complete, total “yes,” forever. A tear, aware that a bridge collapses behind her, she could no longer turn back. But ahead lies her entire life. She has married God and can expect everything from Him. It was December 7, 1943.
It has been 80 years. Chiara Lubich did not remain alone. The Bridegroom made her travel with Him, throwing open the doors of Paradise and making her a participant in its beauties, as she would later exclaim: “My sweetest Bridegroom, Heaven is too beautiful, and You, like a divine Lover, after Mystic Nuptials…, show me Your possessions that are mine! (…) My God, but why? Why to me so much? Why so much Light and so much Love?” Chiara did not remain alone. Around her, a large family was born, consisting of men and women from all continents, of all vocations, with diverse cultures and religions. Her fruitful “yes,” because God never allows Himself to be outdone in generosity.
After 80 years, that “yes” has multiplied and still resonates today in a thousand ways. Storms rage, the future appears uncertain, the “flight” may seem like a leap into the unknown, fear paralyzes… Yet that voice continues to make itself heard in many, sometimes faint, sometimes strong: “Give yourself entirely to me, give everything to me…”. How? Each person discovers it slowly, but every calling immediately requires a generous yes. It can be a hesitant and timid yes or a determined one, a very small or a very big yes… As long as it is a yes, sincere, authentic… This way, God continues to be present in the world and to build His history that will blossom into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Padre Fabio Ciardi, OMI