Yesterday I watched a film about a pilgrimage—"Faith and Light"—to Lourdes in 1971.
The film made me think about a lot of things. First, I really understood how important the issue of handicapped children is, and what that pilgrimage meant for them—being together with other children and teenagers who were more fortunate than they were.
One moment struck me most of all. During Mass, one of the boys was serving as an altar boy. I watched him with his eyes closed and his hands clasped together. That meant something: with his small mind, he understood that in that moment, the Lord was near him.
I learned something else from the film too: it doesn't take much to give these young people moments of happiness. Those of us who are more fortunate should all work together to give them that little bit.
Anna, 13 years old
I woke up this morning and heard someone crying. It was Chicca—she thought it was time for school. So I ran to her room and grabbed her tape recorder, turned it on, and put it near her head. She smiled at me, then started listening to the music. After a while Mom put her in the playpen and she started playing in her own way.
My friends think I'm unlucky to have a sister like her. But I'm really happy she's like this, because in heaven she'll be very close to God.
Giovanni, 8 years old