What is the Focolare?

 

The Focolare or, "The'Work of Mary," began in 1943 in Trent Italy and is entrusted by the Holy Spirit with the charism of unity. Numerous people throughout the last 70 years have gathered around this charism and its spirituality to bring a new force and a new understanding of communion in the Church and beyond. The importance of unity at this time in our world and the Church is of utmost importance.

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For an ideal as vast as unity, the request from Jesus to his Father “May they all be one” (Jn 17, 21), the boundaries could be nothing other than the furthest corners of the earth. Right from the outset the embryonic Movement was far sighted. No-one at that time could have imagined that the dream of reaching the ends of the earth would be accomplished so quickly. There was no specific plan or blueprint for spreading a Movement but they followed the way lead by ‘Jesus.'

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Today the spirituality of the Focolae is present in 182 countries. It has approximately 2 million adherents and people who are sympathetic to its goals – the majority being Roman Catholic. There is a growing number of non- Catholics from 350 churches and ecclesial communities. Individuals, families, parishes and diocese benefit from the presence of the Charism of unity.

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The opportunity to learn about one aspect of this Charism of Unity presents itself to you in the way "The Art of Loving"  is applied in family life.