Focolare spirituality is based on 12 tenets, its key points.
Over the years, Chiara Lubich and her closest friends applied these to their daily lives and experienced what each offered. Chiara spoke and wrote extensively about them in her meditations, poems and answers to questions from the global community.
1. God is Love
Choosing God, who is love, as the “ideal” of our lives (see Mt 22:37, 1 Jn 4:8, 16–18)
2. The Will of God
Loving God by doing his will concretely in the circumstances of daily life (Mt 7:21)
3. The Word
Nourishing ourselves with the Word of God, putting it into practice, and sharing the results of living this way
4. Our Neighbor
Loving each neighbor we meet (Mt 22:36–40, Mk 12:28–31)
5. Mutual Love
Making a particular effort with others to live the New Commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15: 12–13)
6. The Eucharist
Nourishing ourselves with the Eucharist, which is a bond of unity with God and with our neighbor
7. The Gift of Unity
Receiving and experiencing the gift of unity for which Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one” (Jn 17:21)
8. Jesus Forsaken
Finding a remedy for every division or disunity in Jesus, who cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and who overcame his trial, saying, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk 23:46)
9. Mary
Reliving Mary, who lost everything at the foot of the cross, being ready to let go of everything and everyone in order to contribute to the unity of people with God and each other
10. The Church as Communion
Living as fully as possible the reality of the Mystical Body and the Church as communion, maintaining unity with the global Church
11. The Holy Spirit
Trusting the Holy Spirit, listening to his “voice” within us so as to receive the fullness of his gifts
12. Jesus in the Midst
Generating the presence of Jesus, like Mary, as he promised, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst” (Mt 18:20). This presence is a point of departure, an ever-present reality, and the ultimate goal of a life of unity.