Amy Uelmen

Focolare: Living a Spirituality of Unity in the United States Amy Uelmen

'So, what do you do?' is a question many people ask about new ecclesial movements such as the Focolare. Focolare: Living a Spirituality of Unity in the United States answers the question by sharing the stories of a diverse array of individuals -- children, teenagers, young adults, married couples, senior citizens, single men and women, sisters, priests, and bishops -- who are part of the movement. Each person has been struck by the same profound realization that inspired the Focolare's founder, Chiara Lubich, during the bombardment of Trent in World War II: God is Love.

Through these personal narratives, one comes to understand the Focolare's essential spiritual and practical values, the various 'vocational paths' its members follow, and its effect on culture, society, and church in the 21st century. The book's concluding chapters examine how a spirituality of unity engages contemporary American cultural questions and values -- happiness, freedom, community, and commitment to the common good in public life.