A professor at the Faculty of Economics in Chile, Prof.
Medina began research on the philosophy of
economics. A book on the philosopher Hegel, written
by Piero Coda, led him to Sophia after attending several
conferences in Europe. Living in Loppiano with his wife
out of necessity, discoveries began to unfold.
Loppiano? Definitely not. It wasn’t in Carlos’ plans, much less Paula’s.
Carlos Medina is a professor at the Faculty of Economics at the University of
Valparaíso, Chile. He holds a degree in Economics from Santiago, Chile, and a Ph.D.
in Philosophy from Granada, Spain. His work is divided between teaching and post-
doctoral research in the philosophy of economics. After participating in several
conferences in Europe, something new emerged. “I was studying the German philosopher Hegel when I came across Piero Coda’s
book The Negative and the Trinity: Hypotheses on Hegel. That’s where I found the
content I was searching for,” Carlos recalls.
He enthusiastically writes to the Sophia professor. His wife, Paula, tempers his
excitement: “You’ll see, he won’t reply.” It’s 2018. Yet Prof. Coda does respond and
proposes a meeting at Sophia.
In September, Carlos meets Coda. The exchange of ideas from the book published by
Città Nuova captivates the Chilean professor. They meet again the following year, and
once again, it’s a highly fruitful experience.
“This is how I came to know the philosophical and metaphysical ideas of the
Focolare Movement. But not Loppiano—I stayed in a hotel and only went up to
Sophia for my meetings.”
In 2023, the possibility of a one-year stay opened up, thanks to a scholarship. Paula, however, was not enthusiastic about leaving. The pandemic had taken her
grandfather. “He was like a father to me. Losing him was a profound pain. My faith,
even my belief in eternal life, was shaken, leading to a spiritual crisis. In the end, the
proposal to leave seemed like a way to help me move forward.”
So, in May 2023, the family arrived in Figline, near Loppiano, in temporary
accommodation while searching for a permanent home. With them was their son,
Carlito.
“But what a struggle it was to find a place to rent for just a year, and how much
bureaucracy we had to navigate! Thankfully, a professor from Sophia and some
residents of the little town helped us,” Carlos recounts. “All my theoretical knowledge
of the Focolare Movement became tangible through their concrete, timely, and
generous help.”
An apartment designated for families of the Loreto School became available and was
offered to them.
“Without realizing it,” the Medinas explain, “we began to get to know the families of
the Loreto School, their experiences, and the little town itself. So many discoveries!”
Paula felt a desire to join the program for families, while Carlos doubted he could
manage it alongside his demanding work at Sophia. But in the end, they both enrolled.
Paula reflects: “The Loreto School marked a turning point in my life. I truly felt that
God loves me, embraces me, and the generosity of the families brought so many
meaningful experiences.”
She looks at Carlos: “We also grew as a couple, learning to talk, listen to each other,
and better understand our relationship with one another and with Carlito.”
Her husband nods: “Modern couples are fragile, but we are now stronger.” Then, he
broadens his perspective: “Societies are becoming increasingly individualistic, but here
I’ve found a deeply communal way of life. What a beautiful surprise! In Loppiano, one
experiences unity and fraternity as a concrete manifestation of the spirit of the Focolare
Movement.”
So much so that: “Loppiano is a true laboratory for a better society. It allows us to
see and live how society could be if it were ordered according to God’s plan.”
At the end of August, they will return to Viña del Mar, their city 120 km from the capital.
Paula’s eyes glisten with emotion. “I’m taking with me the faith I have now. I’ve grown
spiritually. This is the first time I’ve lived a communal experience with the dimension of
mutual love in daily life, alongside families from all over the world.”
She admits: “There’s a bit of apprehension about returning to our previous
environment, but I’ve gained tools here to love. And we’ll quickly connect with the
people of the Movement in Chile. I feel a responsibility to witness through our lives what
we’ve experienced here.”