Yesterday, the 14th of March, I took part in a mass at St. Andrew’s Church in Tseung Kwan O. The mass was dedicated to the commemoration of the late Chiara Lubich who passed away a year ago and was presided over by Bishop John Tong with more than a dozen other priests co-celebrating.

Chiara Lubich was born on the 22nd of January 1920 and died on the 14th of March 2008. A few days before her death, she asked the doctor to let her go home so that she could meet more of her friends for the last time. To me, this was a courageous decision that showed her concern and love for others.

She made her last will as early as the 8th December 1975. There was one paragraph in which she wrote: “… What kind of legacy would we want to leave to our successors? Undoubtedly, we would still choose to leave them the same wish that Jesus had: love and unity with one another so that Jesus would make His presence in our midst.

It is only by invoking the presence of Christ in every aspect of life where the “Movement” is taking place can we be sure that all will develop well. Whether it is a large organization or a small one, the presence of Jesus in a group means He will continue to be our teacher, leader, father and head.

He is the only one who knows how to implement the Opera di Maria*.

Several months after the death of Chiara Lubich, a successor was chosen among the younger generation of the movement. May God bless this project of the Holy Mother’s, making it an effective instrument of the Holy Spirit.

* “Opera di Maria” is the registered name of the Focolare Movement in the Church.