What "INSIEME" meant to all who knew and read it, what it signified, and the effects it created—these things are not easy to explain here. Many of those effects surely remain hidden in the hearts of different people. But I hope that in reading this article, you might feel moved to share your own thoughts and reflections.
For me, at least, it was a "story of life together"—a "meeting between people," a "discovery of a world I didn't know," a "sharing of personal and collective experience." But the truth is, "INSIEME" meant so many different things to each parent, young person, friend, educator, caregiver, and doctor that almost any words risk being unnecessary, inexact, and above all inadequate.
Yet I think I have found a term that describes it more clearly. Since the symbol of Fede e Luce is a small boat with people aboard, I want to call the "INSIEME" bulletin a true "ship's log"—a book left open to the lives within it, one that opened our eyes to a new world, a different world. It held a concentrated collection of contributions from every level, all flowing from the heart.
Each person—parent, young person, brother, child, friend—through writing, telling a story, drawing, or simply sharing a photograph, opened their own heart, their own deepest soul. These were hearts often wounded for a very long time, unheard or even silent. A breach opened up. It gave courage and strength to the shy, to those afraid to take a chance. And from that moment on, without the fear of being judged—one of the greatest dangers in our society—each person found their own space. Each person found their own voice again. And finally, each person had someone to listen.
From a silent voice to a voice with an echo in return.
To be heard and feel heard… you are no longer alone!
"INSIEME" opened a new path, one never before explored. Like a river in flood, it overflowed and wherever it passed, it brought nourishment to every surrounding terrain, even the most parched. It was a gift from heaven.
What did it mean to people, simply to write an article? As I said, it gave them confidence in themselves. It made them feel welcomed and heard. It freed them from loneliness. It made them part of a community, a group of sensitive people all aligned in the same intention and purpose. It worked like a magnet. New friendships formed. People found a place to share the wounds we all carry within us.
We are like magnets…
all drawn toward the same purpose!
Sharing a treasure…
For all these reasons, every piece written, every step taken, every story held within this precious container called "INSIEME" becomes a treasure chest. Hidden? No—hiding it would serve no purpose. It needs to be shared so it can bear fruit. But first of all, it must be protected, because inside are lives, thoughts, memories so intimate, so true, so pure, so simply spontaneous that they deserve to be guarded.
It was a seed planted in soil that bore fruit. It was also a medicine that brought healing—perhaps not the kind we hoped for, but surely the deeper kind, the hidden kind, the kind we call heart and soul.
And so… an invitation to read them!