I try to imagine what was happening in Cuneo in the days before the national Faith and Light gathering at the end of April. Liliosa, buried under papers and lists, tries to sort through the chaos, to compile final rosters.
"You'll never figure out who we are or how many of us there are!" she groans, struggling to keep pace with the torrent of changes, the pressures, the questions arriving from every direction.
Mario and Betty work alongside a team of helpers: some sketching, some painting, some carving, some gluing and sewing and inventing. They collect what others have made and sent from other cities. The walls of Stella Mattutina become bright and kaleidoscopic, and the exhibition of crafts looks like a small Oriental bazaar where you can find anything at all.
Then there is Lea, who never loses her composure. The task of coordinating meals for 100 people does not rattle her. If a compromise cannot be found between soup and pasta, if pink cannot be made from red sauce and white sauce, she plans for abundance and lets the rest work itself out.
And then there is Mimmo, wrestling with sleeping arrangements for the night. I don't think he can say anymore that miracles are pure fantasy!
It is no fantasy, all those homes that opened their doors. They welcomed and hosted people whose faces they had not known weeks before. Beds multiplied. Families squeezed into smaller spaces to make room for us. People gave up their own bedrooms, surrendered their own comfort, threw themselves into this difficult and beautiful madness—because finding places for 70 people is no small thing. Brothers and sisters, cousins, in-laws, friends...
And the thousand small kindnesses we received. The readiness at every moment to help us, to accommodate us. The smiles.
Why did you do it? Why did we answer your call? What drives us to overcome every kind of difficulty just to have a gathering of joy, of friendship, of exchange, of growth—as we had in Cuneo?
The answer runs deep and touches something that unites us all. I want only to say thank you. Thank you for everything you did. Thank you to all those who contributed in different ways to this gathering. Thank you to everyone who took part—because when I left, I carried with me moments of real significance, and the strength to keep walking together.
Lucia Pennisi, 1979
Echoes from Those Who Were There
I believe that during the Cuneo gathering we truly tried to listen to one another. Whether in the parents' meeting or the young people's meeting, there was a real atmosphere of peace and communion. The Bishop was among us; his presence made us feel even more part of the Church... Let us learn to live more and more with the "little ones": this is our strength.
Patrick Thonon — Brussels
We left on Saturday, April 28, twenty-three of us for Cuneo. We traveled in the sun and arrived at 3:30 with such enthusiasm. Meeting the different groups was meaningful: hearing about their various experiences brought us real joy, because everyone carries out their work with peace and happiness.
Mariangela's meeting with the parents gave us strength too, because it showed us plainly how one can accept suffering with serenity. We are all a little handicapped; but the mentally handicapped person teaches us to welcome everyone without distinction. We wished our whole group had been there to hear her.
The vigil was beautiful. It made us think about how to give more love to the little ones, who should be our most cherished. At Mass we felt deeply united, and we felt ourselves born anew in the love of Christ. The young people's meeting was meaningful, and our dialogue was clear and spontaneous.
The closing celebration was full of joy—singing, dancing, and laughter that would not end.
We feel we must thank everyone for the truly fraternal and loving welcome we received.
M. Teresa Tizzani — Milan
I set out a bit hesitantly, even though everyone was kind to me, especially dear Enrica, who understood many small things about me.
The welcome we received from the people of Cuneo when we arrived was so warm it moved us to tears. Children, young people, parents—all of them warm and attentive, giving the impression they had always known us. That kind of brotherhood ought to last forever.
Meeting people from Milan, Parma, Genoa, and other cities felt so natural. I never would have expected it. The hours passed quickly.
Meetings of confidence, prayer, comic sketches, singing, music, dancing—so much laughter.
This gathering did my dear Liliana so much good, and brought me such joy. For Liliana, being with Lucia and the other girls so easily, seeing her so engaged in the "scenes" they performed—she even took part, went up on stage, played her part spontaneously and happily. It was the first time this has happened.
My heart was filled with joy and peace the whole time. It is a pity the visit was so brief.
I thank Faith and Light for giving me the chance to experience this gathering, this brotherhood I will never forget.
Romana Andrea — Rome
