Chiara Lubich: Essential Teachings on Unity
About the book
Chiara Lubich: Essential Teachings on Unity, speaks to a new generation of believers who are upset with both the hypocrisies that too often undermine rigid fundamentalisms and the vapid spiritualities, both light and dark, that arise with expanding influence on and offline. New seekers of wisdom, whether they are home-schooling moms focused on providing solid food to their children or Gen Zers trying to locate the escape hatch from the hyperdigitalization of life, will be enlightened by these short and practical excerpts. We selected material, new and old, that could offer guidance for daily life. These excerpts can help to get individuals and groups to move beyond the hurtful polarizations of the culture wars while being centered on the living truths of Christian and Catholic faith.
The chapter headings suggest the new, fresh presentation of Chiara’s spirituality of unity:
- Origins and Trajectories
- Going to God Together
- Spirituality of Communion: Living Jesus Within
- Spirituality of Communion: Living Jesus in Relationships
The excerpts in this volume come from a variety of published writings, especially from the authoritative English-language collection of her principal texts, Essential Writings. Some unpublished material from the Paradise ‘49 experience as well as from the Focolare database of unpublished documents.
This volume will appeal to those new to Chiara’s spirituality as well as to those who already are familiar with it. Chiara Lubich: Essential Teachings on Unity offers an indispensable resource for anyone who curious about the spirituality of communion that Chiara inspired.
Endorsements
As a Catholic laywoman and founder of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich offers a compelling vision of dialogue and communion drawn from the mystery of Jesus Forsaken, Mary Desolate, and the Eucharist. Far from being a mere historical account, this volume is a powerful invitation to a spirituality dedicated to building ‘a world united in the variety of peoples,’ offering a much-needed blueprint for healing and hope in our divided world.
Chiara Lubich’s communal spirituality offers a powerful antidote to the fragmentation of our times. Her vision of ‘Christ forsaken’ in all division is that pearl of great price that makes unity possible, even with our enemies. As a Baptist theologian, I was thrilled to discover her.
A timely collection of meditations from one of the greatest laywomen of the twentieth century. The message of unity is needed today in an era of polarization and self-righteousness, but Chiara Lubich understands that more is needed than exhortations to be nice to one another. She puts forward a vision and a practice of uniting by rising above our selves, and letting God be our unity.
Casarella and Masters embarked on an almost impossible task: summarizing, unifying, and making accessible one of the most influential, charismatic, and prolific contemporary spiritual leaders of our time. An extraordinary woman mystic, writer, and cultural force, Lubich’s life and work are truly inspirational. This book is exceptional and has the potential to transform your life, just as it did mine.
