The Focolare Movement in Korea

At the beginning of this month the Charismatic and the Focolari Movements had their gatherings in Korea. The Charismatic event was an international gathering of 377 persons from 44 countries. The Focolari was a Korean gathering of 3,000 meeting in Seoul to commemorate their 40th anniversary of beginning in Korea.

Focolare is an Italian word for "hearth," or "family fireside". Chiara Lubich, who died recently founded the movement in Trent, Italy, during the Second World War (1939-1945). Its spirituality focuses on unity among all peoples and religions, drawing inspiration from Jesus' prayer in Saint John's Gospel "that they all may be one."


The aim of the Focolare movement is to live like the early Christian communities . It started in Korea in 1969, Focolare now has about 25,000 members in the country, and this year they have ordained their first Korean Priest for the movement.

The bishop who presided at the Mass mentioned that the movement has done a great deal for unity and has given much warmth to the Catholic Church in Korea. He said " without the Focolare movement would not the Korean church have been the Jewish wedding where the wine ran out?"

There are many movements in the Church and they have done a great deal to invigorate the Church and bring enthusiasm to those who participate; they in turn have been a leaven for the whole community.