No Small Gift
International FAITH AND LIGHT Retreat
My decision to attend the FAITH AND LIGHT retreat led by Jean Vanier came from a simple desire: to draw closer to the heart of the movement's message. I had no other agenda, at least not at first. The presence of Jean, Marie Hélène, the team that prepared the retreat, and all the participants created an immediate atmosphere of communion. Through each stage we were offered—encountering suffering, poverty, forgiveness, communion, and the gift of self—each of us found ourselves in silence and listening, held in that rare space where transformation becomes possible.
I realized I was not there to learn how to organize a retreat. A retreat is not like other gatherings. Whoever "organizes" one must first have been transformed by their own encounter with Jesus—so transformed that they allow Him to guide them, through His presence, in creating the conditions for each person to meet Him in the most direct and consoling way.
This is what I received from those who conceived and prepared this retreat, including all the practical and logistical work (Fausto and his team). Though we at Faith and Light often use the word "small," this gift is anything but small.
We deepened our understanding of personal poverty—that poverty of heart which allows Jesus to draw near to us, to transform painful paths into paths of peace and communion.
As we walked this path, discovering that we are not the teachers, we will be shown what matters most for our communities, for all those who will be invited—not by us, but by Him—to share in this sacred encounter with Jesus that is the retreat.
Adriana Duci
The Community Grows
Faith and Light Around the World
This year, the international council gathered in Bruges, Belgium, for our annual meeting. The prayers of the entire Faith and Light family sustained us greatly, and I'm pleased to share some of what we accomplished.
First, wonderful news: Ukraine is now officially recognized as part of the international Faith and Light family! Zenia, the coordinator there, wrote to request this recognition and included a remarkable observation. "There are visible signs of change in our community and in our hearts: we have moved from passivity, mistrust, and depression to joy, openness, trust, and a stronger sense of unity." Her words renew hope for all our communities.
Globally, we face two opposite challenges. On one hand, we see remarkable growth in some regions—the Atlantic Europe area now has 332 communities, and Asia continues to welcome new countries regularly. On the other hand, in the Coral Sea and northeastern Australia, some communities stand completely isolated on distant islands. How do we support and form them from so far away? We thank God that even when we cannot always visit by boat, we remain united through prayer. We do the same for countries caught in tragic violence—Sierra Leone, the former Zaire. Please, speak of these needs in your communities. Together, we can pray for the Lord's peace.
Maureen O'Reilly (International Coordinator)