I Took a Leap Into Darkness Toward Light
Even before I knew Cottolengo, I carried within me a desire to live alongside disabled people. While I was studying at the Orthofrenic Teacher Training School, I had to complete a certain number of internship hours. Even then, it seemed like too little to spend time only at school with disabled students, so I would visit them, help them with their homework, in their homes or institutions. Some of them even came to my house.
But it wasn't enough. I felt I had to do something more.
I began asking myself, with growing intensity, what the meaning of my life was, whether I was truly called to marry. I continued my journey, deepening my prayer, daily attendance at Mass, silence, and all the rest. I found a spiritual director who introduced me to a House of Prayer. I visited it more and more often, until I went to live there for a year, because I sensed the Lord's call to that way of life. After more than a year, while I was in adoration before the Eucharist, a question arose in me: "Why don't you do a year of volunteer service at Cottolengo?" And so, overcoming considerable resistance within myself, I left to live that year as a journey of faith and love. About six months in, I found myself reading some writings of Saint Cottolengo, and with joy and wonder I discovered this figure of holiness. I realized, too, that within me the search for God—the thirst for Him—was growing ever stronger, along with the desire and need to love Him in poor people and those in need of help. Then I understood that the Lord was calling me to become a Sister of Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo. After wrestling with many doubts, I trusted in God. I took a leap into darkness toward light, and began my formation journey.
I would like to close with words from Saint Cottolengo himself: "Be at peace and do not be afraid; WE ARE ALL children of a good Father, who thinks of us far more than we think of Him."
To all of you at "Shadows and Light," I say thank you for your presence.
Sister Maria
I Love Those Who Love Me
At the residence in Casal Lumbroso, there are many boys and girls who use a language I don't understand.
Each gesture stands for a letter, or with just a few movements they communicate with each other.
When I see people using that kind of language, I am amazed, because it's a new way to communicate and be understood.
I listen to this language, and I realize I'm like them too: I have a handicap of my own. For years and years, someone took advantage of me, made fun of me, because I wasn't as capable as others. I want to be treated like everyone else, but I'm stubborn and shy.
These young people need to be understood and protected; those with Down syndrome and other conditions too. There's a remedy for almost everything, and it troubles me a bit because I'm alone.
I don't listen to anyone, and I'm always stuck in my loneliness.
Don't take me to a psychologist, because that's just money thrown away!
It saddens me that I can't hold onto friendships, but if you know me, you'll learn to understand that I love—really love—all those who care for me.
I belong to the Faith and Light group "Archipelago."
Giovanni Grossi Archipelago - Rome
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What a Marvelous Tonic
We came home after a week of intensive care in Milan, because Manuel's lung had stopped working. Exhausted, as anyone would be after a week of sandwiches and coffee, sleeping in a chair, and counting rosary beads while praying our big guy would make it through again.
Among the mountain of mail, bills to pay, paperwork to file with the regional and provincial offices, out comes a copy of Shadows and Light. Everything else can wait. We devour your magazine.
It's a rush of extreme feelings: sadness for Fausta and worry about Carla's future, joy seeing Angela's schoolmates in those color photos, the sense of what Aimone's mother will feel when she reads his story. "God, how big Armando has gotten!" And that photo on the back page—Piero, who has flown to heaven—it brings tears to our eyes.
It's as if life in our house stops for half an hour: three heads bent over your pages, questions, answers, remarks, clumsy attempts to keep pace with each other's reading. And when Valentina's latest episode pulls us back to reality, we feel we have extra strength to carry on.
That's the instant effect of this remarkable tonic called Shadows and Light.
We're waiting for another dose. Thank you.
Flora, Daniela, Manu
I Found It Compelling
I have read your fine magazine carefully for many years, and it almost always engages me with the sensitivity of the themes it treats.
For the first time, I want to write to tell you that I found the article by Lucia Bertolini in the latest issue very compelling.
I especially appreciated her attempt to shed light on the complex "expectations of friendship and affection" that I believe inevitably form in the delicate relationship between a person facing difficulties, whether grave or less so, and someone who wishes to help them.
Francesco