On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 1st, 1978, the city of Parma welcomed Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche and Faith and Light. He had been invited by Parma's Bishop, Monsignor Amilcare Pasini (who would later join us on pilgrimage to Assisi).
The invitation, which had been circulated for some time in parishes and throughout the city, carried the theme: "The disabled challenge Christians in Parma."
This visit was part of the preparation for a conference on "Evangelization and Human Promotion" scheduled for Parma in April.
Don Francesco had organized every detail. The entire Fede e Luce group mobilized for the occasion.
Jean Vanier's two lectures drew a large crowd—people from all walks of diocesan and municipal life who cared deeply about the subject.
At five o'clock in the bishop's residence, then at nine that evening in the parish of Santo Spirito, Jean spoke of how he came to share life with Raphael and Philip, the first two members of L'Arche. He traced the major turning points of a spiritual journey that led him, across many countries, to live among people rejected by society.
The Fede e Luce group in Parma had longed for this visit. With everyone's help, it left a deep mark on the city.
Representatives had come from Rome, Milan, Cuneo, and even Forlì. What joy to be together and to thank the Lord for that day.
We pray that the small seed planted in Parma on March 1st will bear much fruit—in Parma, in Italy, and everywhere.