"A Mysterious Bond of Love" : Unity and Kenosis in Chiara Lubich's Early Writings
La Mela, Vera LU
(2026)
- Abstract
- The thesis studies the notion of unity in early writings of Chiara Lubich (1920–2008) from a relational perspective through the theoretical lens of self-emptying (kenosis). The notion of unity is central to the spirituality of unity that constitutes the spiritual foundation of the Focolare Movement. By situating the writings of Lubich studied for this thesis in their historical context (1939–1962), the thesis presents her spirituality as a representation of the spiritual renewal of the Ressourcement, while remaining closely anchored in its pre-conciliar origins and in the magisterium of the Catholic Church.
The study is motivated by a tension identified in the scholarship on Lubich and in the primary sources... (More) - The thesis studies the notion of unity in early writings of Chiara Lubich (1920–2008) from a relational perspective through the theoretical lens of self-emptying (kenosis). The notion of unity is central to the spirituality of unity that constitutes the spiritual foundation of the Focolare Movement. By situating the writings of Lubich studied for this thesis in their historical context (1939–1962), the thesis presents her spirituality as a representation of the spiritual renewal of the Ressourcement, while remaining closely anchored in its pre-conciliar origins and in the magisterium of the Catholic Church.
The study is motivated by a tension identified in the scholarship on Lubich and in the primary sources between two interpretations of her model of unity within the faith community: a horizontal understanding grounded in reciprocal love and a vertical understanding shaped by hierarchy and obedience. Through a close reading of the sources, the study identifies kenosis as both a common and a distinctive feature of Lubich’s approaches to unity.
For the analysis of relational dynamics within unity, the study employs the framework of power structures in kenosis developed by Anna Mercedes. This allows the study to approach relational unity and kenosis through the categories of 'power with', 'power for', and 'power over'. The thesis argues that different power structures within the community determine the form of kenosis inherent in Lubich’s approaches to unity. The analysis of unity through these power structures sheds light on Lubich’s understanding of authority, the laity, and gender within the faith community.
Finally, the study discusses the notion of vulnerability as a fundamental dimension of kenosis and obedience within asymmetric power relations. In dialogue with feminist and ecumenical theologians, it engages the notion of vulnerability as a means of discerning constructive forms of kenosis as the foundation for fostering unity within a community. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/f21ce82a-fcee-40e0-8cdb-a62fc65c4b3c
- author
- La Mela, Vera
LU
- supervisor
- opponent
-
- professor De Mey, Peter, KU Leuven
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-04-08
- type
- Thesis
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- unity, kenosis, self-emptying, love, vulnerability, spirituality, gender, theology of laity, power structures, Chiara Lubich
- pages
- 286 pages
- publisher
- Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University
- defense location
- C121, LUX, Helgonavägen 3, Lund
- defense date
- 2026-05-25 14:15:00
- ISBN
- 978-91-90055-84-7
- 978-91-90055-85-4
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- f21ce82a-fcee-40e0-8cdb-a62fc65c4b3c
- date added to LUP
- 2026-04-14 18:44:56
- date last changed
- 2026-04-22 03:20:03
@phdthesis{f21ce82a-fcee-40e0-8cdb-a62fc65c4b3c,
abstract = {{The thesis studies the notion of <i>unity</i> in early writings of Chiara Lubich (1920–2008) from a relational perspective through the theoretical lens of self-emptying (<i>kenosis</i>). The notion of unity is central to the spirituality of unity that constitutes the spiritual foundation of the Focolare Movement. By situating the writings of Lubich studied for this thesis in their historical context (1939–1962), the thesis presents her spirituality as a representation of the spiritual renewal of the <i>Ressourcement</i>, while remaining closely anchored in its pre-conciliar origins and in the magisterium of the Catholic Church. <br/><br/>The study is motivated by a tension identified in the scholarship on Lubich and in the primary sources between two interpretations of her model of unity within the faith community: a horizontal understanding grounded in reciprocal love and a vertical understanding shaped by hierarchy and obedience. Through a close reading of the sources, the study identifies kenosis as both a common and a distinctive feature of Lubich’s approaches to unity. <br/><br/>For the analysis of relational dynamics within unity, the study employs the framework of power structures in kenosis developed by Anna Mercedes. This allows the study to approach relational unity and kenosis through the categories of 'power with', 'power for', and 'power over'. The thesis argues that different <i>power structures </i>within the community determine the form of kenosis inherent in Lubich’s approaches to unity. The analysis of unity through these power structures sheds light on Lubich’s understanding of authority, the laity, and gender within the faith community. <br/><br/>Finally, the study discusses the notion of <i>vulnerability </i>as a fundamental dimension of kenosis and obedience within asymmetric power relations. In dialogue with feminist and ecumenical theologians, it engages the notion of vulnerability as a means of discerning constructive forms of kenosis as the foundation for fostering unity within a community.}},
author = {{La Mela, Vera}},
isbn = {{978-91-90055-84-7}},
keywords = {{unity; kenosis; self-emptying; love; vulnerability; spirituality; gender; theology of laity; power structures; Chiara Lubich}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{04}},
publisher = {{Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University}},
school = {{Lund University}},
title = {{"A Mysterious Bond of Love" : Unity and Kenosis in Chiara Lubich's Early Writings}},
year = {{2026}},
}