A River of Peace – North
Our provincial delegation—myself, Sister Camelia della Galilea, and Father Mauro—attended the great international assembly knowing we carried the hopes and presence of all our communities to this event. At the same time, communities across Lombardy, Piedmont, the Aosta Valley, and the Veneto were preparing their summer camps (see page 24). These are precious moments for our communities. Vacation time stretches the days, and our relationships deepen—almost enchanted. Of course, the challenges never disappear: fragilities must be met with care, diets observed, water fears faced, some activities possible and others not. But we face it all together.
As the days unfold, stories emerge—of the past year, of fears and joys, of dreams we carry in our hearts. Prayer finds its place again in our rhythm, shared with our brothers and sisters. And the presence of another person—their freely given closeness, whether a young person, parent, or friend—fills my life and transforms me. For one week, we become a community in the most intense sense, a shared life. And this closeness makes Jesus the center of everything, turning simple moments—a shared coffee—from ordinary into extraordinary because they are lived together. Every year the miracle renews itself, filling our common life with fresh strength. Happy camps to all.
Liliana Ghiringhelli
Kimata – Center
Kimata is a captivating province: four countries (Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Albania), three languages (Italian, Greek, and Albanian), three Christian traditions (Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant communities in Albania), two religions (Christians and Muslim members of the Albanian community—Sunni and Bektashi). So many diverse communities, and countless people, many of them with remarkable stories.
This past month I've witnessed the beauty of our province in different ways: in Kormakitis, in the occupied zone of Cyprus, where a small community is taking root (the only one in that part of the country); in Beirut, where Francesco from Perugia and Maria from Nicosia and I shared an experience of fraternity made of work, laughter, and mutual care, feeling ourselves part of an extended family—first with the other Italians, then with all the other provinces around the world; in Fano, where the presence of young people from all four of our countries gave our formation gathering an international dimension.
This year marks the end of my term as Provincial Coordinator. My wish for whoever takes my place is to throw caution to the wind and to savor what proves itself, day after day, to be one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
Fabio Bronzini
Sea and Volcanoes – South
A wick. A small pile of wax. These are humble objects, but we chose them to tell you about the last three months in Sea and Volcanoes because our team used them as witnesses to an important transition we've awaited for years: Gianni Guerra, a beloved friend of our Bari communities whom many of you know (he is currently on mission abroad and sends warm greetings from the Baltic Sea to all our readers!), has stepped down as vice-coordinator of Puglia and Basilicata. He has entrusted the role to Filomena Rosa, a friend from Potenza, and Vincenzo Tateo, a friend from Monopoli.
So the flame that Gianni kept burning for nearly eight years has split in two. And though these two new vice-coordinators worried that carrying the light alone would be too much—that they were only a wick and a pile of wax—we are certain that together they will illuminate the path of our communities. October brought joy to Campania as well: on the 7th, a new community was born in Grumo Nevano, near Frattaminore, just outside Naples. This group, after a difficult season, has found harmony and now joins Faith and Light fully.
Vito Giannulo