Despite the Covid-19 emergency, several initiatives are being carried out all over the world to celebrate the Centenary of Chiara Lubich. Some took place before lockdowns were mandated, and others were and are being organised online: below is a brief summary.
Africa
On March 15th, the local section of the exhibition “Chiara Lubich City world” was opened in Mariapolis Piero (Kenya). Even though it was not possible to host a public event – with 600 participants expected – individual visits were still allowed – including that of bishop Efesino Salesius Mugambi. In Benin, the priests of the Focolare Movement gathered in Parakou for some days of traninig, prayer, and celebration of the Centenary. In Ivory Coast the Centenary was celebrated on February 8th in Mariapolis Victoria, with many and diverse people attending: Agricans and Europeans, christians and muslims, community and political leaders, representatives of ngos and other civil organisations. In Burundi a one-day event was held in Bujumbura, with the bishop emeritus and the secretary of the aopstolic nuncio attending.
Asia
Masses in remembrance of Chiara Lubich were celebrated across all Southeastern Asia – both in person and online – also meeting buddhist friends when possible. In Hyderabad (India), people remembered Chiara by visiting a community which hosts 50 men and 15 abandoned women and donating essential goods; and in the capital city, New Delhi, the apostolic nuncio celebrated a mass in memory of Chiara. In Japan also members of Rissho Kosei Kai, a buddhist movement friend of the Focolare, celebrated the Centenary.
North America
The Centenary in the United States begun with the visit of Jesùs Moran – copresident of the Focolare Movement – to Mariapolis Luminosa (New York) on January 22nd; where, on March 7th, the local community organised an event aimed at “celebrate Chiara’s life and make her charism known”.
Latin America
In Brasil, an auditorium dedicated to Chiara Lubich was opened in Centro Mariapolis Arnold; and a social centre also entitled to her was inaugurated in Guadalajara (Mexico). Many eucharistic celebrations were held across the Continent, and particolarly at the Sanctuary of the Vigin of Guadalupe, especially dear to Latin Americans.
Europe
In Stockholm (Sweden), where an “open door day” was scheduled at the Focolare on March 14th, many interesting online meetings are being held instead; and also in Oslo (Norway), home to “the northernmost Focolare in the world”. In Russia the Centenary was also celebrated on March 14th with a meeting: the metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Ilarion sent a message to the participants; and the responsible for the St. Egidius Community in Russia, Alessandro Salacone, remembered the friendship between Chiara Lubich and Andrea Riccardi. Several events took place in Central Europe, in particular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: among thoes, the New Year’s reception dedicated to Chiara in Solingen (Germany), the meeting at the “Haus am Dom” in Frankfurt on January 24th, and the mass celebrated by bishop Valerio Lazzeri in Lugano (Switzerland).