We have said before that this bulletin exists to keep alive the bonds among all of us, so that little by little we become, "together," one thing. This issue is dedicated especially to children and young people who are most profoundly different, most difficult to reach. Those for whom science stands most helpless: it cannot even name what illness strikes them; it cannot heal them, cannot counsel their parents. Those whom the special centers struggle to accept. Those whose teachers do not know where to begin. Those who, on the surface, appear "normal." Those whose families have no idea how to support them, understand them, educate them—or often, how to keep them at home.
What then? Blame them? What fault is theirs? Grow angry? Turn our rage on God? The temptation is strong.
Father Michel tried to gather in a prayer the suffering that some among us endure. Their suffering deserves silence, not foolish words: "they don't know how to raise him... they never accepted him... it's because they give him everything..."
Some things you have to live through to understand. We cannot say this too often. Some situations demand experience before you can offer advice or consolation.
What then?
What I am trying to propose here may seem like very little. And as always, I will be asked: why doesn't the State take care of this?
I do not mean to worry over the criticism that may come our way. In any case, constructive criticism and objections are welcome.
Some True Acts of Charity
I ask, on behalf of parents who love their child dearly, for some true acts of charity. I will not mince words: true charity springs from authentic love, from deep understanding, from a sense of responsibility and solidarity.
Those who want to grasp this will grasp it: we need someone—ideally someone with a little training—to step forward and offer an afternoon or a morning to spend time with these young people. For some, it will mean beginning to establish contact, loving them, drawing on all the patience and listening we can muster. Then, perhaps, taking them to play, doing some simple exercises with them, taking them for a walk, playing as they want to play, not as we want them to. Learning to enter simply into the "music of their being," as Jean Vanier says.
It is not easy. I know that. But I also know that to speak of friendship, Christian love, the goodness of God who loves us—sometimes that rings hollow if we brothers and sisters do not demonstrate through our deeds that what we preach is true. If we do not live the Gospel we proclaim as good news, those most in need may stop believing us altogether.
— Mariangela Bertolini, 1976
A Prayer by Michel Charpentier
Oh, that you would tear open the heavens and come down! — Isaiah 63:19
How like the cry of my own heart, O God,
is the cry of the prophet...
Why do you not act, Lord?
Why this silence? Why this absence?
Could you not make an effort?
We cannot even count on you!
Why do you not straighten this twisted body?
Why do you not heal this sick mind?
Why do you let your friends suffer and die?
What use are you?...
Come on, Lord, answer! Do something!
At least grow angry! But act!
But Jesus answered not a word — Luke 23:9; Mark 15:5
Forgive me, O God: I am like Satan, who wants to use you and demands a miracle.
— Matthew 4:1–11
Forgive me, O God: I am like Herod, who wants to make you obey.
— Luke 23:6–12
Forgive me, O God: I am like those who understood nothing and said, "Let him come down from the cross!"
— Mark 15:32
Forgive me, O God: I am like Job, who argues with you.
But like him, at last, I want to say:
"See, I am vile...
— Job 40:4–5
I lay my hand upon my mouth.
I have spoken once...
But I will say no more.
I have uttered things too wonderful for me,
which I did not understand."
— Job 40:4–5
O God, I wanted COMMUNICATION
You offer me COMMUNION
— Michel Charpentier, 1976