I Never Left
I was invited to Fede e Luce in December 1982. The group leader came to see me and said: "There's a group of friends who meet together. We're having a celebration on Sunday. Would you like to come?" I had nothing else to do, so I went. I never left.
Why did I go? To give it a try, because it was a chance to be together and celebrate a little. Why do I stay? Because at Fede e Luce I feel fulfilled. I feel accepted, and I've learned to accept others too. For instance, I'm blind and I struggle to push a young man's wheelchair, but I can offer him friendship by talking with him, by helping him know he's not alone.
by Massimo, San Domenico Savio community, (Cuneo), 1986
A Great Prophecy
I'm Marco from Milan. I've been with Fede e Luce for three years. I came partly because I'm a seminarian, which can carry some negative weight. In fact, I think there's a risk that when we invent relationships among ourselves, we trap them in roles. The role of seminarian or "would-be priest" is expected; the real work is building relationships that go beyond the roles we're asked to play.
Essentially, Fede e Luce is for most of us a spiritual journey; it means following the Lord as he takes this form, inventing this relationship among ourselves.
Using a common and paradoxical image, we might say the seminarian is one who studies God—assuming that's possible. I believe my spiritual journey, and that of others, has been to encounter not the God of books, but the God who stands with the poor, the God who is total dedication to every person and every child. That is not a small thing; it is everything.
I think that to make such a discovery, we must step out of our roles. So when I'm asked to speak as a seminarian, I struggle a bit. I believe this image of God—from the God of books, passing through Fede e Luce, becoming an encountered God—is crucially important for someone like me who will be a priest tomorrow.
Another thing that has troubled me is witnessing the misunderstandings, the closed doors, the slowness of some church leaders. This makes me think deeply. I think it also purifies my faith in a way, especially when I realize that the image of God coming through these intermediaries, these priestly figures, was a God somewhat distant, a God of books. And then I see how precious this journey has been for me because it has given me the real possibility of encountering the God of the small and vulnerable. I believe that walking together with Fede e Luce opens for the future an enormous possibility for those of us who are the church: to give face and voice to the God of tenderness.
I believe this God's face is one of unconditional dedication to every child. This gives me, as it gives Fede e Luce, a great responsibility—the responsibility of those who have encountered this God. For us, this means the responsibility of a great prophecy: the responsibility of those who can place in history that sign of God's unconditional dedication to humanity, which is Jesus.
by Marco Bove, 1986
See also: Rise and Recover Hope by Jean Vanier