Visit, Pray, Learn
A team from the Province of A River of Peace—myself (Provincial Coordinator), Angela Grassi (International Vice Coordinator), Father Mauro Santoro (Spiritual Assistant), Daniela Guglietta (from the Kimata Missionary Team), Gianni Muia, Paola Colombo, and Lorenza Bocchi—traveled from December 29 to January 5 to visit Faith and Light communities in the Holy Land. It was an experience blessed by God, rich in fellowship and formation, accompanied by Sister Camelia, who joyfully shared in our visiting, praying, and learning. (...) We witnessed the beauty of the Gospel, the simplicity and joy among us, helping each other speak of Faith and Light and show it to others. Paola and Lorenza, young women with disabilities from our group, were truly happy to have come, and they nourished their faith through visits to holy sites and encounters with people. Such grace in Galilee. Truly an experience guided by Providence. — Liliana GhiringhelliFaithfulness
I have always seen faithfulness as one of the greatest gifts to Faith and Light, and our young people have always shown me what it means. Lately, I've had more than one example of their faithfulness.
I think of Manlio's faithfulness. At Kimata's last assembly, the San Francesco community in Rome couldn't send a full delegation. We asked if Manlio would represent his community, and his "yes" came immediately, as it always does. He also took part in our discernment, with the same pride he carries when he bears his community's banner during our pilgrimages.
I think of Laura's, Daniele's, and Valerio's faithfulness when I asked them to tell students at Loyola University about Faith and Light. They didn't hesitate for a moment. But I think too of so many others—the ones who are always there, the ones you can always count on, the ones who always say "yes" with enthusiasm and joy. They are the ones we should learn from.
— Fabio Bronzini
Two Glasses
The life of our communities is suspended. At least, as I write this. I hope it won't be when you read it. In any case, I want to share a game that a teacher friend of mine invented for her students: the half-full and half-empty glass. She asked everyone to say what they experienced as beautiful and difficult during this time when we're shut in at home. The empty part is, of course, what we're missing; the full part is what we've discovered. Let me give one example from what she collected. It's not from a student but from a teacher. Half-empty glass: walking freely with Nina (who is a dog); hugging friends; having lunch with my parents; picking asparagus; yoga class; traveling; the cinema and theater; having a beer with company. Half-full glass: video calls; my terrace overlooking the sea; cooking for my children; listening to silence; no need to wake up at a set time; understanding who I really miss. Why don't you try this game too? Apply it to your own communities, and in those two glasses put only things from Faith and Light. I think you'll find it fun.
— Vito Giannulo