The pilgrimage to Assisi held moments worth remembering, moments whose meaning will stay with us always.
What struck me most was the joy. We talk often about help, generosity, commitment—but joy itself seems almost forbidden to families in our situation. We see the difficulties, which are real; we feel the weight of anxiety, suffering, isolation. To break free from that darkness, to realize that we can still be at peace, can still celebrate together—to understand that each of us, small as an ant, can do great things by living humbly and lovingly—this is to find courage, calm, trust, and hope. This is to discover or live faith in God's love.
In Assisi I lived those moments with my whole heart, and they remain there still. The images stay vivid: the flutter of colored scarves, the smiles of so many young people, each with their own struggles, the music, the games, the tenderness and care of the volunteers. I lived in the world of the deepest emotions and feelings. Raffaella (mother, Langhirano)
Since I returned home, every morning a song from Assisi plays in my head. I sing it gladly. The churches of Saint Francis and Saint Clare were beautiful. One moment struck me deeply: a mother asking Cardinal Martini about "after us"—perhaps because it touches my own heart.
Santina Bizziato (mother, Conselve)
«We had joyful days with dancing and music. We met Jean Vanier, who spoke to us about the struggles of the most vulnerable young people. We celebrated Maria Elena's eighteenth birthday with a wonderful cake. On the last day we visited the Church of San Francesco, where we saw his vestments and his tomb».
(Massimo)
«Sunday evening I went to the vigil in the Basilica of San Francesco. Francis said to Clare: Go in peace! Then he took off his clothes. Then the lights went out in the basilica. The spectacle: Go in peace!
Monday morning I went to San Francesco's tomb and brought a candle. Then I bought a book about Assisi. Then I said goodbye to the Russians. Cardinal Martini came to the sports center and said in his homily: greetings to Fede e Luce. Titti, Angelo, Cristina, and Valentina went to greet Jean Vanier. It was organized pretty well. Really well».
(Stefano)
«Assisi, I saw San Francesco and Santa Chiara. I saw celebration: Corno lungo (the Alpine horn played by Fr. Klaus, from Switzerland). Michela, first good, then she pulled Alessandra's hair».
(Giacomo)
...Thinking back on Assisi, even though I knew almost no one outside our group and there were about 1200 people there, for the first time I felt like a friend to everyone. I was in harmony not only with myself but with everyone around me. I felt the bond that held us together, the presence of something greater that brought us there, that guided every moment we shared despite the confusion and the rough edges.
One moment stands out. Saturday afternoon, as I approached the entrance to the sports center—hesitant about something so new, a bit overwhelmed by the crowd—a tall man with white hair and the air of someone who knew what he was doing passed me going the other way. The space was tight. To avoid bumping me, he reached out and grasped my arm firmly and warmly, as if he'd known me all his life. He wanted to push me forward. The gesture itself might seem ordinary, but what I felt in that moment changed me. It was as if he were saying: «Be brave. Don't be afraid. You're young. Throw yourself in. Take the leap. Trust»...
Monica (Fidenza)
A wonderful experience, though it was hard for me to sit still when I'm always moving. The masses and celebrations filled me with joy and emotion. Jean Vanier spoke words of comfort to all of us. He gave us hope, he gave us peace to live well each day.
Giancarla Fortin (mother, Conselve)
It was a good experience to realize we weren't alone—not just us from Conselve. We breathed in a sense of being part of something worldwide. The messages were important, the celebrations, the simple songs that brought peace and joy reminded us of the presence of the little ones. Still, we felt we missed sharing more fully with the other groups already walking this path.
A friend from Conselve