Tribute to Michel Vandeleene

Michel VANDELEENE, a Belgian focolarino, died near Rome on January 19, 2022 of cardiac arrest. 

Born in Brussels in 1957, he first graduated in psychology and dogmatic theology, before pursuing a doctorate in spiritual theology at the Institute of Spirituality “Teresianum” in Rome.

For twenty years he taught theology, especially to the youth of the Focolare Movement and at Sophia University (Loppiano). He is the author of books on the spirituality of the Focolare, including Croire à l'amour, the fruit of his exchanges with young people. He was the driving force behind the book Essential Writings, composed with Chiara Lubich, a synthesis of the spirituality of unity. He has animated numerous sessions on the spirituality of unity. He is also known in Canada for his visit to the Mariapolis in Quebec in 2017 and for his visit to Toronto and Montreal in 2007 for the presentation of the book Essential Writings and Pensée et Spiritualité by Chiara Lubich.