Picture Egyptians and Lebanese adapting their dances to the pizzica and tarantella, while a group of Poles and a few Africans suggest other steps. All of it unfolding in gesture and smiles, because English is halting and we understand each other better by looking into each other's eyes than by speaking. "It's ok, it's ok," we repeat, even as half the words escape us, but our hearts warm to one another.
This was one of the moments of celebration at the first world council of Fede e Luce coordinators, which I attended from January 29 to February 2 in Lourdes, alongside Lucia Casella, our international vice coordinator. There, where it all began in 1971, the celebrations for these first forty years of friendship and communion commenced. With such emotion. And the joy of sensing that the same spirit is lived in the world over, within completely different cultures, all seeking to give concrete form to the ecumenical spirit that has always belonged to us.
For the first time since the 2008 reorganization, coordinators from every province of Fede e Luce scattered across eighty countries came together.
In our working groups we shared joys and worries. We recognized the need to bring solidarity to those experiencing serious economic hardship. We discovered the tensions that grip our friends in Egypt, who had to postpone their already well-organized gatherings because of the upheaval in their country (and the pilgrimage was not delayed because of the conflicts themselves, but because no one could have taken part except the very friends of Fede e Luce: what greater testimony to being true messengers of joy?). We reflected on how to help the communities we accompany grow, and took stock of the pilgrimages planned for this year and 2012.
There is a great hall at the Cité de Saint Pierre, pyramid-shaped. We prayed there, sang, listened, talked. Ghislain du Chenè, the international "chief," invited us to reconsider our role, to discern "what bears fruit and what does not, keeping our gaze fixed on what is essential," to grow "in harmony with others," to "live a humble service, taking our inspiration from the example Jesus gave us in washing feet." In short, before setting out toward Loreto, Rome, or San Francesco di Paola, we are called to an "inner pilgrimage, to free the Spirit within us and allow it to bear fruit."
Marie-Hélène Mathieu could not be with us. Corinne Chatain, from the international secretariat, and Martine Guénar, from the Christian Organization for the Handicapped in Lourdes, took her place. It was beautiful to reflect with them on the figure of Bernadette. We knew she was poor and sick, but we had never thought of her as a "fragile person, with difficulties in understanding," as one of our young people. Here, the Immaculate addresses her, saying, "Would you do me the grace of coming here for fifteen days?" She uses the formal "you," a sign of respect. "Bernadette is a grace for Mary, and you who bring the young people of Fede e Luce to Mary and Jesus give them an immense grace!" Martine told us. What a revelation to hear that "the fruits of that encounter at the grotto are us, even today!"
The young people. Yes. How we missed them in those days! We talked, discussed, worked. But the most beautiful memories of this council are tied to Marie Aurelie and little Sam—the only two people with disabilities present: a gentle girl, chilled, in her wheelchair, and a five-year-old boy who is a real burst of explosive charm in a small, fragile body. Marie Aurelie lit the flame at the vigil, representing the Spirit given to each one. "It really is fire," her mother Michèle said through tears, as she held her with all her love. And we felt that fire enter our hearts, warm them, fill them with trust. An immense grace.
Fire was the theme of our days. The council closed on the feast of light. After receiving the banner and a small candle to take to our pilgrimages, we gathered in procession around a great bonfire, outdoors. "In the wake of the joy of the first pilgrims," exhorted our international chaplain, the Peruvian Father Isaac Martinez, "be Messengers of Joy! Thank you for your presence in the world, for the faithfulness of our friends, for the generosity of so many people. Thank you for our unity and harmony. Let the celebrations begin: Alleluia!"
Marie-Hélène sent us a brief letter: "Be messengers of the gift that Jesus entrusted to us through the hands of Mary. May our love call other families, may it awaken new communities so that people with disabilities find their place in the Church and in the world."
To Ghislain goes the final word, as he lit the candle from which we all drew light to carry to our provinces: "There is a heart that beats, and we are all responsible for it. Forty years ago, Jean told us, 'Do all that the Spirit inspires you to do.' We are faithful to that calling! There is still a boat on troubled waters, Jesus sleeps at the bottom, but the Spirit blows across the waters and stills them. It blows on the sail and pushes us out to sea. We are messengers of joy; let us make this fire blaze throughout the world. Let us bring to all the warmth of these encounters: good pilgrimage, Alleluia!"
In that moment, as the bonfire sent sparks dancing this way and that in the Lourdes wind, we felt more united than ever to all our communities. We carry that fire to everyone: north to Galilee and Ukraine, center to Greece, Cyprus, and Croatia, and south to Poland and Slovenia. So we say it to all: Alleluia!
Angelo, Stefano, Carlo, 2011
Coordinators of Un Fiume di Pace, Kimata, and Mari e Vulcani