Every four years, all countries with Faith and Light communities send representatives to the city chosen to host the international gathering. In 1990, the great assembly took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, from August 1 to 9. Fifty-five countries were represented; 184 people attended.
I confess I have asked myself many times why Jean Vanier and Marie Hélène, who founded Faith and Light, consider these international meetings necessary. This year, as coordinator of the Italian groups, I was called to attend myself. And I thought: spend the money on travel abroad, leave my family, struggle for nine days with languages I hardly know—for what? To help whom? For what real reason?
But I went. For nine days we listened to lectures and discussed in small and large groups. We participated in roundtables, celebrations, and parties. We prayed and sang together. The theme for reflection was: "The Growth of Faith and Light and Its Path Toward Unity—among people, among nations, in the Church."
Now that I'm back, I can offer some thoughts.
A Beautiful Encounter
A true, great feast for the eyes. All these people from distant countries, in colorful traditional dress full of meaning and different stories. The Scottish guard that came on Sunday to enliven the picnic on the grass—a great circle of bagpipes, fifes, and drums. Most moving was the Mass in the overflowing cathedral, presided over by the Bishop, with the head of the Presbyterian church beside him, with the mayor and authorities in the front row among the banners of every nation, with beautiful singing in many languages.
A great feast for the eyes and the heart. These people from different nations, who had never met before, felt truly united here in their desire and search for a common goal. They were held closely in the loving embrace of the Edinburgh Faith and Light communities gathered in the cathedral. Adults and children, elderly and young—all were eager to look, to participate, to smile, though carrying in their hearts the difficulties and problems of the people they represent. In everyone's eyes, there was above all wonder. I recognized among them the people I had come to know and love in the days before: there you are, white-haired professor from Africa, and you, citizen of Moscow, and Lucas, young man from Prague, and mothers and fathers, priests, friends, brothers—and I am here too, all of us united by a promise, in a true covenant.
Yes, the gathering was beautiful. But is that alone why we went to Scotland? That cannot be the real reason. If it were, it would only be right for two privileged people to attend.
We Learned So Much
By listening to people of great experience, speaking with remarkable and even wonderful people, exchanging different experiences, praying together as the true people of God gathered from everywhere in the name of one great Master.
Yet I still ask myself: couldn't most of this be done in one's own country—through letters and books, exchanges of experience, individual meetings? Is an international gathering really necessary?
A Great Discovery
When we discover something beautiful and important, we want to tell everyone. In Faith and Light, we have discovered that friendship is not merely a spontaneous feeling. It is above all the fruit of spontaneous impulse joined with will, understanding of circumstances, a sense of justice, and a longing for peace and joy that lives in the heart of every person.
For all of us in Faith and Light, this discovery began the day we chose to respond honestly to a plea for help. Why not tell everyone that following this path can reveal to each person true treasures of truth and grace?
This aspect of the gathering is certainly among the most significant. Perhaps it alone justifies such careful organization.
For the first time this year, some Eastern European countries participated—Poland and Hungary, which already have established Faith and Light groups, and Russia and Czechoslovakia, which are just beginning and are eager to learn everything about our communities. Many African and Far Eastern countries participated, each seeking what might be good and adaptable for their own community meetings.
The gathering, indeed, is always important, whether large or small. It is the means through which friendship can be born, take root gradually, and grow. I heard a coordinator from an African country—Burundi, I think, though I'm not certain—say that of the two monthly meetings they hold, only one includes everyone, including children, because they can only afford refreshments once a month. The second meeting is just for parents and adult friends. It is a problem our country does not face, yet one worth considering.
The Pilgrimage Will Be Our Sign
Perhaps I did not have any dramatic revelation about why we need to gather for an international meeting. But every moment of my time in Scotland confirmed the importance of a movement like Faith and Light and the necessity of being part of it with an open heart, ready for constant conversion. I understood that you cannot do Faith and Light casually, from habit or duty, to give your life purpose, or to be good. We must do it, we must learn together to do Faith and Light with love and passion, as well as patience.
Understanding the meaning of these words and how to put them into practice—that is the journey the international pilgrimage to Lourdes during Holy Week will invite us to make.
The pilgrimage will be our sign: we accept to set out again, together, in search—of new people, new destinations, hope and trust for an Easter morning.
—Lucia Bertolini, 1990
National Coordinator of Faith and Light