In the culture of consumerism dominated, the Fokolre movement provides a contrast. This low-term movement associated with the Catholic Church encourages its members to live a simple life focused on unity. Members take a vow of purity, poverty and obedience, choosing to live as a family instead of getting married. Their way of life is the center to give themselves instead of giving it.
In the latest installment of the “CBS Mornings” series “The state of spirituality with Lisa gender,” The lives of single men and women, which are part of the Fokolre movement, were detected. They focus on giving themselves instead of giving themselves.
Clarita Jong, a member of Focolare, described this lifestyle as liberation. “You are free from your own attachments,” he said.
Target for unity
Jong lives in California with Loreta Rauchubar, Jona de Gujman and Regina de Jesus, all part of the Fokolre movement. “We aim for unity,” Jong said.
Women have nothing and only what is necessary to live. They often receive donated clothes, and the movement owns their home. They say that they have chosen to live in a way that shows how Jesus and her mother Mary live.
“We say that instead of the culture of being, we live the culture of giving,” said Roshachubar.
Fokolar History
The Fokolare movement, established by Italian school student Chiara Lubich in the 1940s, was approved by the Catholic Church in the 1960s. Since then, more than 100,000 followers have expanded in more than 180 countries. While many followers are Catholic, people of other religions including Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists also embrace the movement.
Focolare members emphasize that movement is not a creed, and that followers can leave at any time. “In marriage, or in any other vacation, there is sacrifice, you are building a family together,” said Rauchubar. “So, there are commitments in any option you have made, you know? And it is radical. We agree. It is a very radical option.”
Women who live together see themselves as a family. “Being a family for us means that it is love, you know, for each other, at the point of being ready to die for each other, as Jesus did,” Jong explained.
Working in the world
Unlike priests or nuns, Fokolar members work regularly when living their lifestyle. The money they earn go back into the movement and support the needy people. “This is an alternative we make,” Rouchubber said. “That money may probably be used to keep the Fokolre House open in Syria because there is a war. And therefore, one of the reasons is that we set like a budget for ourselves Do … We have a big goal because we have. “
Focolare in harlem
In Harlem, New York, CBS News visited a group of men who also live in a house provided by the Fokolre movement. Michael Morse, who had moved to Harlem House from only one house, was joining three other men who made similar commitments.
“We take the turn of cooking, we clean the house,” Morse said.
Morse, who was raised Catholic in New York City, says he never aspired to the priest, but felt a calling to join Fokolre as a young man. “I think it was the community that really attracted me, not only their appearance, but how they lived,” he said. “This is an option, you know, I know I will not keep my home, my car, but it gives me more freedom … to dedicate myself to God's work and humanity again. “
Morse's parents were also part of Fokolre, and he knew in his 20s that he wanted to follow the path. Although he had relationships in high school and college, his call to God to dedicate his life was strong.
“It has been difficult,” he accepted. “But this is the strength that God gives us and the strength of the community which actually helps us to be firm in our choice.”
Morse believes that he will continue to be part of Fokolre for the rest of his life. “This is my family. This is what I am called,” he said. “I am in it for a long race.”