Chiara Lubich, Founder of the Worldwide Foccolare Movement, Has Died
14 Mar 08 2008

Chiara Lubich, founder of the worldwide Foccolare movement has died.She died last night at the movement’s headquarters in Rocca di Papa, south of Rome after a long illness, she was 88 years old.

Born in Trent, she was deeply marked by the destruction and violence of World War II. It was during this period that together with a small group of friends, she realized God is the only ideal worth living for.

On December 7, 1943 Chiara solemnly pronounced her yes to God forever in the church of the Capuchin Friars in Trent. She was alone. She was 23 years old. The beginnings of the Movement are traditionally marked by this date.In little more than 60 years, from the experience of living the Gospel on a daily basis, a current of spirituality has come to life, which has given rise to a movement of spiritual and social renewal of worldwide dimensions, with the words of John’s Gospel as it’s guiding principal “That all may be one”. link image