A Possible Influence of the Focolare Movement on the Genesis of Clemente Rebora’s Hymn “Il gran grido”?

Abstract

Starting from historical data that prove the existence of a connection between the Rosminian priest Clemente Rebora and the first members of the Focolare Movement, the essay intends to verify if Chiara Lubich’s spirituality influenced the genesis of Il gran grido, a poetical composition by Rebora. Through the reconstruction of the genesis of the text, the analysis of the poet’s letters and, finally, a comparison between the lyric by Rebora and the writings of the founder of the Focolare Movement, the essay brings to light new historical intersections between the poet-priest and the first members of the movement and interesting spiritual consonances between Rebora and Lubich.