Chiara lubich biography

By Robin Gomes

Wednesday marked the 10 anniversary of the death of Chiara Lubich, the charismatic Italian Catholic lay woman who founded the worldwide Focolare Movement for spiritual and social renewal, in order to build a more united world based on respect and esteem for diversity. 

Chiara Lubich passed away on 14 March, 2008, at the movement’s headquarters at Rocca di Papa, near Rome, following a long illness.

Consecrated to God

She was born Silvia Lubich in Trent, northern Italy, on 22 January, 1920.  During World War II, while bombs were raining down on her home town, the 23-year old Lubich had a powerful religious experience, which led her to consecrate herself to God. 

On 7 December 1943, she changed her name to Chiara, after St.Clare of Assisi.  This date is considered the beginning of the Focolare movement.

Through the Focolare (small communities of lay volunteers) she helped contr