Gianluca: June 11, 1967 – January 25, 1978
The world might say that meeting Gianluca at camp, his passing was a release from suffering, from struggle. But we are left with an emptiness we cannot fill. We wish he could still be here with us—with his difficulties, yes, but also his simplicity, his smile, his joy of running.
You, Lord, chose to hide these things from our eyes until we meet again together in the joy and fullness of the Resurrection.
Thank you, Jesus, for bringing Gianluca into our lives at camp, at the cottage, at our gatherings—for letting us share moments of such uncomplicated joy and simplicity with him. We learned through him that what matters most cannot be seen with the eyes, but only with the heart; and we will go forward now with our hearts first, opening them with the simplicity and clarity of a child.
Gianluca, stay close to us always.
Thank you, Luca, for teaching me how to live—with your smile.