Is It Possible Today to Give Witness to Faith

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C O M M U N I O N A N D L I B E R A T I O N I N T E R N A T I O N A L M A G A Z I N E 5 1 0 2 10

VOL. 17 L I T T E R A E C O M M U N I O N I S

THE CLOWN EFFECT Is it possible today to give witness to faith without ending up like the clown described years ago by Joseph Ratzinger? How? Content102015_Layout 2 09/11/15 12.53 Pagina 2

CONTENTS November, 2015 Vol.17 - No. 10

Close up Communion and Liberation International Magazine - Vol. 17 CLOSE TO THOSE Editorial Office: Via Porpora, 127 - 20131 Milano WHO ARE FAR AWAY Tel. ++39(02)28174400 Fax ++39(02)28174401 A day in the suburbs of London with Fr. José “Pepe” E-mail: [email protected] Clavería to see how in this ultra-secularized society faith Internet: www.tracesonline.org can once again be credible (and attractive) even for “pagans.” Editor (direttore responsabile):

Davide Perillo

Vice-editor:

Paola Bergamini

Editorial Assistant:

Anna Leonardi Editorial Getting Back in the Game 3

From New York, NY:

Holly Peterson

Graphic Design: G&C, Milano Letters Edited by Paola Bergamini 4

Davide Cestari, Lucia Crimi

Photo: Gettyimages: cover, 20-21;

Osservatore Romano: 14-19 Close up London Close to Those Who Are Far Away by Luca Fiore 6

Publishers (editore):

Società Coop. Edit. Nuovo Mondo

Via Porpora, 127 - 20131 Milano Synod Interview Beyond the Media Buzz by Davide Perillo 14

Reg. Tribunale di Milano n°. 740

- 28 ottobre 1998

Iscrizione nel Registro degli Operatori di Comunicazione n. 6.147 CL life Uganda “Whether I Laugh Or Cry, I Want to Be Here” by Alessandra Stoppa 20 © Fraternità di Comunione e Liberazione for the texts by Luigi Giussani and Julián Carrón

LUIGI GIUSSANI In American Protestant Theology, Luigi the context of spiritual life and American Giussani traces the history culture. He also displays full respect for the of the most meaningful theological religious depth from which Protestantism expressions and the cultural significance of was born and where it can reach, and American Protestantism, from its origins expresses great admiration for its most in seventeenth-century prominent thinkers and spiritual leaders, Puritanism to the 1950s. including Jonathan Edwards, Horace Bushnell, Walter Rauschenbusch, Reinhold Giussani clarifies and assesses elements of Niebuhr, and Paul Tillich. Protestantism, such as the democratic approach to Church-State relations, “The Further testament to Giussani’s Great Awakening” Calvinism and clear-minded and comprehensive

1 9 7 Trinitarianism, and liberalism. His rich knowledge of Christianity, American references and analytical descriptions Protestant Theology makes the reconstruct an overview of the development work of a master theologian available in 7 3 5 4 0 of a religion that has great importance in English for the first time. 0 : 1 -

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EDITORIAL

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME

any of our readers will have already guessed the inspiration for this cover. Others may not, because they weren’t present and haven’t read the text of that meeting last month (CL’s Beginning Day in Italy), in which Fr. Julián Carrón surprised those present by reading a page from then-Cardinal Ratzinger’s Introduction to Christianity. It was the “story of the clown” used by Søren Kierkegaard. A fire suddenly breaks out at a circus. The owner sends the clown, already dressed for the show, to the nearby town to ask for help. The residents think it’s a gimmick to draw the people to the show. The more he yells, cries, and begs, the more they laugh. Until the flames reach the town... MThis, Ratzinger said, is more or less the same risk that Christians run: the harder we try to speak about faith to men and women today, the more we appear strange, eccentric, and incomprehensible. The words spoken are true, unchallengeable, and even sacred. But they fall on ground that cannot absorb them; they seem otherworldly, unbelievable. Often, it’s not because of the world’s ill will or prejudice against them. It’s because they build on evidences that are no longer perceived as such, as the appeal to reason is undergoing an “odd darkening of the mind,” (to use another expression from Benedict XVI). Thus, we are put in front of a crucial question: How can the faith be credible–and interesting–once again today?

Deep down, it’s the same question presented by the Synod on the Family, which ended recently. Not by chance, the themes of the two rounds of consultations to which Pope Francis called the Church were “pastoral challenges” (in October 2014) and “the vocation and the mission of the family,” from last month. It’s a recurring theme, dramatically incarnated in one of the most vital and precious realities in the life of men and women (the family): How can we live and propose the beauty of marriage, the captivating challenge of “forever,” in a confused and in- dividualistic world, where even the most basic evidences (man and woman, father and mother) are no longer universally recognized? These days, it’s very striking to reread a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus speaks about the indissolubility of marriage, something written in human nature (“for your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so”). The response of the disciples is also striking in its blunt spontaneity: “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” Better not to. Which is to say: what you propose is unthinkable. It’s impossible; it’s incompatible with the way we’re made. It is part of the clown’s act, we could say, because it’s the same objection we see today. What overpowered their objections? What opened them up to a horizon of possibility where that life–that new morality–was not only possible, but even desirable?

This Traces speaks to that question. Or better, it seeks to demonstrate the response. To show how it can happen, when it happens; how Christianity can become interesting again, how it can become relevant again for those who thought the game was already over. It happens among the residents of a London suburb and to a physician–who is also an an entrepreneur–in the U.S., or wherever men and women are living today. The method that puts us back in the game is always the same: an encounter with a human reality (a person, a companionship) that fascinates and attracts us simply because their way of life (not just their words, but how they live) is fuller, more beautiful: more human. And it opens up prospects that we hadn’t even imagined were possible. An encounter and a companionship. Just like the disciples; it’s the same thing. It doesn’t happen because we speak about Christ or say the right things (which, of course, need to be said). It happens because He is here, now. And because we can live with Him.

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LETTERS

THE PAIN OF THAT GIRL to the clinic? She told me that her LON THE SUBWAEY TTboyfriend had calledE her that morning R This summer I had to study while he was having a beer with for a remedial exam. Obviously, some friends and told her to go to I really did not feel like doing it at all. the clinic that afternoon because he It was a Friday afternoon and I was did not want the baby. I wondered returning from a day of studying in how it could have been possible to the library. I had to wait for the talk about this by phone. I told her subway for almost fifteen minutes. it seemed terrible to me and she When it finally arrived, I entered and agreed. I told her about homes that sat down in a seat at the end of the welcome and care for unwed mothers, car. It was one of those days when, if about people who welcome them you see someone you know, you don’t in, about the Movement. I saw that want to say hello, so you do everything the more I spoke, the calmer she be- not to look at them so that they don’t came. But I still saw that pain. We look at you. That’s how I felt about arrived at a stop and she got up and everyone. I had my headphones on me. She told me her name, and, look- ran out. But suddenly, she turned, and all I could think about was getting ing at me, started to tell me what had and got back on. She looked at me, home. But all of a sudden, something happened to her. She said she was hugged me and said, “I am going happened. I turned my head a little very sad because she was on her way home. I know that this child that I and saw a girl crying at the other end to an abortion clinic. I asked her if am carrying is my boyfriend’s, but of the car. She wasn’t crying like when she wanted to keep the baby. She said he is also mine and I love him with you are held back in school or some- yes, but that would cause her many all my heart. Thank you.” Then she thing not that important happens: difficulties. I asked her why, if she left. I stood there not knowing what she was crying in pain, with so much wanted to have the baby, she was to do. What had just happened? Who pain. In that moment I was completely going to the clinic. She looked at me was that girl? Who am I to change unnerved and I thought about going and, without speaking, began to cry. the mind of a stranger? I am sure of over to her. But what could a girl like I saw that she was afraid; afraid of one thing: this is truly the Mystery, me do, talking with a person who being abandoned, of being humiliated, something that I cannot understand. was so sad, a girl who didn’t even of being mistreated by her boyfriend The happiness I now feel for having know her? I turned up the volume for wanting to keep the baby, afraid accompanied her in those minutes on the music and turned my head of other things that might happen. is incredible. away. But I could not be so mean When she had finally calmed down, Signed letter and petty to avoid the pain of that she said she was afraid and did not girl. Then something moved me to want to lose her boyfriend. I asked THE REASON WHY I NEED THE get up, and the closer I got, the more her if she thought that after the abor- CERTAINTY OF FR. IBRAHIM I was afraid and overcome by question she would feel relieved for having In Lima on Sunday, October tions. What would I say to her? What a weight lifted from her. Without 4th, we had a public event about could have happened? In the end, I hesitating, she answered that she the Christians persecuted around the sat next to her and the only thing would regret it and that she already world. I saw the video with the witness that came to me was to introduce loved her baby and had begun to un- of Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh, and since myself. I told her my name and that derstand what the love of a mother is then I have had this desire for the I had seen her from where I was and what sacrifice it requires. If she entire world to see it. What impressed sitting and that something had moved was so sure, then why was she going me is the fact that I was not only lis-

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Email: [email protected] Write to Traces editorial office, Via Porpora 127, 20131 Milan, Italy

ERS AN “F” IN THE GRADEBOOK “I SAW THAT YOU CARE ABOUT US”

y beginning has been quite complicated, had given to me to deepen my relationship with Msince this is the third consecutive year that I Him. One morning I tested a boy who had not have changed schools. I teach in a middle school in studied. He started arguing, saying that he had a small school district; only one class per grade level worked and that he was used to memorizing and and with very few students who are comfortable in repeating what was written in the textbook. Previously, their deeply rooted habits. The relationship with I would have been upset with him, telling him that colleagues had a rough start. The great majority of all he deserved was a failing grade. This time, instead, the teachers are tired and un- I explained to this boy that he motivated. Concerning the stu- didn’t have to just repeat infor- dents: I find myself in front of mation, but that he had to un- immature classes with serious derstand what he was saying. I didactical problems. Everything was not satisfied with this ex- seemed to work against me, planation, even if correct, and against my idea of school, against in the end I decided to challenge my idea of life; I was totally fo- him. I told him that if he was cused on my thoughts, and was up to undertaking a journey thus getting upset with students and to learn, he had to trust me and colleagues. The Beginning Day came and I was by accepting the failing grade, and had to start struck by the first point of the lesson, and by the working. Otherwise, I would give him a passing fact that the circumstances determine my witness. grade but he would not have learned a thing. After The following Monday I entered the classroom a moment of silence, the boy stood up and told me asking Christ to give me the grace to change my he accepted the failing grade and was willing to take gaze and to love reality. In this way, little by little, the path I had indicated because“I have seen that and with effort, I started to see my students and my you care about us and about our good.” colleagues as travel companions that the Mystery Augusto, Cassino (Italy)

tening to his story, but I was partici- others telling me they would be there. tians, and how they invited us to see pating in the life of the Church and The day of the presentation, however, them, not as “poor them,” but as in what God is asking of us. As soon no one could make it. Obviously, this people responding to the circum- as the flyers for the event were available, made me very sad, but while I was stances. I was struck by how those I sent them to all my friends and listening I realized that I was there people had a clear and living reason other people I have met over the for myself. I needed to see again the for their existence and the reason years through work, or on other oc- certainty of that friar and of the other why they are present in those places. casions. Everyone responded and witnesses. What impressed me about This is for me the beauty of Christi- thanked me, some saying that they this presentation was how they stated anity. I desire this. would not be able to attend, and the facts regarding persecuted Chris- Daniela, Lima (Peru)

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CLOSEPR IMUO PIPANO

A day in the suburbs of London with Fr. JOSÉ “PEPE” CLAVERÍA to see how in this ultra- secularized society faith can once again be credible (and attractive) even for “pagans.”

BY LUCA FIORE

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oe says in no uncertain terms, “They think you’re nuts when you say you’re active in a parish, that you believe in God and you’re trying to eZducate your children in a Christian way.” She is a young mother, seated in the parish office at St. Edmund Campion in Maidenhead, a suburb of one hundred thousand souls in the countryside outside London, near Windsor. The priest, a Spaniard who is a member of the Fraternity of Saint Charles Borromeo, is José Clavería, but everyone calls him “Fa- ther Pepe.” Zoe’s mother is Catholic, but Zoe married a non-religious man in the Anglican Church. As a girl she had a negative experience of the Church, but today she has drawn closer again, partly because of her children, who attend the Catholic school across the street from Fr. Pepe’s parish. “The children come home and have to do their religion homework and are starting to ask questions that I don’t know how to answer. So I thought I should part; he knows he may fail to find he is getting around quite a bit: know something more.” the way to make himself understood, “The next free evening I have is in a In ultra-secularized England, as as “they think you’re nuts.” Yet, he month.” At 9:30 he celebrates daily we could say about all of the West does not give up his attempt to Mass, attended by a few mothers today, there is a thirst for meaning bring people what he holds dearest. and some retirees who meet after- that is directly proportional to the wards for a cup of tea in the parish distrust of the Church. “Anyone A CUP OF TEA. A day in the life of the hall. Some stay on for a game of who tries to preach the faith amid Maidenhead parish priest begins at bridge, but tomorrow there is an people... can really feel like a clown,” 8:00 in the elementary school court- excursion along the Thames. At as Ratzinger wrote in 1968, in the yard. He drives the dark gray Volk- lunch, Fr. Pepe is invited to the passage from Introduction to Chris- swagen past the clusters of little red home of Daniela, one of the school tianity cited by Julián Carrón at brick houses. The English autumn mothers, along with her two-year- CL’s Beginning Day (see Traces colors glisten in the light rain. Lon- old daughter Pippa, who has Down 9/2015). The clown in question is don is close enough for people to Syndrome and has spent all her the one depicted in Kierkegaard’s work there, but far away enough young life in and out of hospitals. famous story: the circus outside a for life here to feel on a human “These months have been very hard village caught fire and the director scale. The children scurry along in for them and we have seen a lot of sent the clown, in costume and ready their gray uniforms while parents each other in this period.” Daniela for the performance, to run to the push strollers, those in a hurry wav- seems peaceful, even as she delicately village for help. The inhabitants, ing hellos, others stopping to chat. adjusts the small tube positioned however, think this to be a publicity Fr. Pepe knows almost half of them. in her daughter’s nose. stunt and simply laugh and applaud. Since his arrival in 2013 he has As chaplain for the diocesan pro- Fr. Pepe has no intention of putting visited over two hundred parish- gram for New Evangelization, Fr. on a clown’s nose and playing the ioners’ homes. In this period, too, Pepe spends the afternoon organ-

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IN THE MIDST OF LIFE. From the left, Sam and her son; Fr. Pepe at the nursery school in front of St. Edmund’s parish.

izing the activities entrusted to him by the Bishop of Portsmouth. In the evening Fr. Pepe will meet with a “I married a Catholic woman and couple of friends from London who promised to educate our children will introduce him to a priest who is in the Catholic faith, so I went to Mass going through a period of crisis. with my family; but at a certain point SIMPLICITY. There is so much work, I wondered if it wasn’t a bit hypocritical but what can really open the breach among the people of Maidenhead? to go to a gesture I didn’t believe in. What wins them over? A good answer Robert Thompson. I had to learn more about it.” comes from 23-year-old Sam, the mother of a 2-year-old boy. She has a blue butterfly tattoo on her right wrist. She is the babysitter spoken about on the Beginning Day: “I asked someone to whom he can ask his parish. An unmarried couple asked to become a member of the parish questions.” Sam is not baptized. She for Baptism for their child conceived because some of my clients are mem- had her child out of wedlock. She in vitro. Fr. Pepe was struck by the bers. I’d never seen such openness has never been part of a Christian woman’s tears when, rather than and warmth and I wanted this for community. And yet, for Fr. Pepe hearing, “You are living in sin,” she myself and my son. I want him to that young woman is marked by her was told, “God has never lost sight have someone he can turn to during simplicity. of you.” He recounts another difficult times, as happened for me, Another story recounted at the episode, from a Sunday Mass. In someone he can talk to about himself, Beginning Day comes from this his homily he said that the human »

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» heart is not moved by rules and ethical regulations, but by an at- traction. “After Mass two people came up to me and asked if I had really refused Baptism for moral reasons. They hadn’t understood a word I said! We are so used to re- ducing everything to ethics that it seems strange when someone does- n’t, so after a minute they stopped listening, thinking that they already understood everything. It is difficult to break through this crust, but I keep trying, never justifying im- morality, but emphasizing the ex- ceptional fact of Christ. Without this, of course our witness looks ridiculous.”

DOES IT WORK OR NOT? Fr. Pepe ob- serves that it is no coincidence that empiricism was born in England. “The English are this way. They ask, ‘Does it work or not?’” Many become Catholic simply for this reason. They say, “There is a lot I don’t know. I don’t understand everything, but staying with all of you I feel better.” And it seems to be “working” for a Catholic, and who accepted Fr. Pepe’s therapist, and what’s more, it’s free.” little School of Community group invitation after attending an Alpha And another: “Here I’ve found the of “pagans,” as the Spanish priest Course, a course in “Christian liter- answer to that emptiness I was trying jokingly calls them. They have been acy” for non-believers. “I have the to fill with homeopathy and psy- meeting on Wednesday evenings for impression that many Catholics going chological techniques.” almost a year to read the books of to Church do not find what we non- Fr. Giussani. There is Rob, co-owner Catholics are finding by coming AWESTRUCK BY BEAUTY. Anna has two of an imported foods business, who here.” Pete, a store manager, grew children: Maggie, 12, and Martha, has never had any religious education. closer to the faith after the death of 15. The eldest has begun meeting He married a woman from the Do- his grandmother, who, when he was with the Student Youth group that minican Republic, and one day Fr. young, had insisted that he receive a gathers with Fr. Pepe once a month. Pepe visited his home and invited Catholic education (he was baptized There are 35 young people, many him to the School of Community. Anglican). “I began to wonder why from London, 5 or 6 from Maiden- “I began coming because I wanted she cared so much about it. I wanted head. Martha is enthusiastic. When to understand more about this Jesus. to rediscover what was so important she returned from the summer va- Am I Catholic? I think I’m becoming to her.” Petra, who has always been cation she told her mother, “If I Catholic...” There is Andrea, a Slo- a Catholic, says that until now she were an adult I would join CL. What vakian, baptized as a child but raised had never realized how Christ could are you waiting for?” For Anna, it without an education in the faith. truly be important to her life. Simi- all began when Fr. Pepe asked her She married a Mexican and, she too larly, Anna, not technically a “pagan,” to host the group of “pagans” in began asking herself certain questions says it is surprising to see that every- her home. She accepted, yet during because of her children’s school. one has the same questions. Someone the meeting stayed in the kitchen, Then there is Robert, whose wife is says, “It’s better than going to an pricking up her ears to hear what

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MEETING THE OTHER. Left, Fr. Pepe with some mothers of the school outside his parish; and the Wednesday evening School of Community with the baptized and unbaptized.

they were talking about. “I was awestruck by the beauty of an evening of singing organized in the “I, too, am a ‘pagan,’ even if I was parish. It was an atmosphere that baptized Anglican and attended I’d never experienced. It made me really curious.” For her, raised in Catholic schools. After the death an English Catholic family, faith of my grandmother, who truly cared had always been a private matter. that I be educated in the faith, She started attending School of Community. The friendship grew I drew closer. But I am here and when she unexpectedly found Pete Cleeton. for myself, not for exterior reasons.” herself without work, she started lending a hand at the parish. “I never would’ve thought that the one unpaid job I’d ever had would be the one that gave me the greatest herself anymore. “What’s happening problems. I go to their homes. If professional satisfaction.” In these contemporaneously to me and my you don’t know who you’re dealing days, for example, she is helping Fr. daughter is incredible.” with, it’s impossible to enter into Pepe organize a trip to Calais, the Asked how it is possible not to a relationship with them on a deep port on the French coast of the end up like Kierkegaard’s clown, level. I too have to engage just as I Channel from where thousands of Fr. Pepe responds, “I try to take an am, without hiding my vulnera- illegal immigrants are trying to reach interest in the people I meet, to bility and my questions. If I need Great Britain. Anna doesn’t recognize understand their lives and their help, I ask for it. I think that »

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TESTIMONIES

“I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE CERTAIN DESIRES”

He already had a negative opinion of the Church: “No liking, no interest.” What enabled him to change his mind? BRAD STUART, an American physician, explains the change that set him back on the journey.

by Mattia Ferraresi

rad Stuart grew up in a home “sounded decidedly too Catholic FROM NEW YORK TO RIMINI. Brad Stuart in Pennsylvania where “dis- for my tastes.” But in the end he ac- and Elvira Parravicini at the last Meeting. Bcussing religion was practically cepted. prohibited.” On Sunday his mother His reluctance dissolved suddenly went to Church but his father did when he saw The Beautiful Road, ing capacity for synthesis–a rare not want her to bring the children. In the video made for the 60th anniver- gift in a world dominated by frag- California, where he moved to study sary of the Movement. Those faces, mented analysis–and a brilliant ca- medicine, he found a spiritually fertile those stories of people changed by reer as a physician, which is far environment, steeped in eastern re- an encounter stirred something in from over. He chose the profession ligiosity, and “something opened in- him. He searches at length for syn- motivated by great ideals. How- side me,” he recounts. onyms to adequately summarize ever, in time they crumbled under A journey of research, a bridge what happened. “I would say that it the pressure of a medical system built toward a horizon was like an experience which reduces everything to diag- of meaning, an inspira- of re-awakening, as if nosis and treatment, when instead tion made even more at a certain point it be- everyone seeks healing–something urgent by the harsh en- “I don’t have to came clear for me that much deeper and more compli- counter with suffering what I’d been search- cated. In many cases, he said at the in hospital wards. “Our make an effort, I ing for all my life not Meeting in Rimini, to treat a person program of studies can just bandon only existed, but was “all you need is a very intelligent does not prepare us to attainable.” monkey.” But healing is something face pain and so we myself. American He was persuaded by altogether different. don’t talk about it: we culture teaches the new humanity of In Rimini he took a further step, censure it.” Far off on the people he encoun- which he described in many ways the horizon of his heart us exactly the tered, not by convinc- from different angles, finally collect- a point of arrival stood opposite.” ing arguments. He was ing everything into this summary: “I out vaguely, but there forced to re-examine was a seeker, and now I am on the was no way to reach it. the prejudices he held side of those who have found some- about the Church, thing,” a possible point of departure. Point of departure. His opinion of which had multiplied over time. “What Giussani taught me is that in- the Catholic Church was typical of “What blew me away about Gius- side of us there is already a clue of a one formed by reading the newspa- sani was that the point of departure response to our questions, whether pers. “I had very little liking for the of experience is not the definition of we know it or not. This should be Church. For what I knew of its dog- God, but of man, his spirit, his soul, said to everyone.” mas and teachings, I didn’t care for as I would call it, even if he would it and it didn’t interest me,” he says. say the heart. On this level I was in- The sacredness of the heart. His So when neonatologist Elvira Par- credibly fascinated by the Movement wife, Barbara, returned from the ravicini proposed that he speak at and the people I encountered. To be meeting in Rimini a different the New York Encounter about his honest, though, if I had to say what woman. “Her heart was opened and program for caring for the elderly at could respond to this need we all she was even more changed than I home rather than in the hospital, he have, the words elude me…” was,” he said. In the attempt to de- refused because that initiative Stuart, 66, has a mind with a strik- cipher what he experienced he

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CLOSE UP

» the place where an incisive tes- Another striking story is that of timony can happen is in the context the homeless Algerian man Fr. Pepe of a shared life.” hosted for a month in his home. “When I heard the Pope’s words VISIBLE AND DESIRABLE. Thus, the encouraging us to offer hospitality, first factor is a real involvement in I tried to understand how it could the life of people, but this is not be possible. I looked around and the only one. “People are won over asked parishioners if they would be by visible things. By now, the parish willing to host someone. The invi- is in pretty bad condition in terms tation went unanswered. Then I of the furnishings and the beauty heard about this man who’d been of the common spaces. I proposed found sleeping under a tree. He a project to make them a bit more stayed with me; he slept in my beautiful, but a number of people house. During the day he helped in opposed it. So, I began by spiffing the parish. I even had him cook for up my own office, cleaning, repaint- the School of Community. The ing and hanging nice pictures on parishioners saw that it was possible. the walls. Now when people come They loosened up. Now, after me, a in they say, ‘It’s beautiful!’ When family will host him. Who knows, they see, they are won over.” Visi- maybe this is a beginning that will often uses the adjective “incredi- bility. When a beau- lead to the birth of ble,” not because it is not credible, but “at times,” he continues, “you tiful thing begins to Caritas in the parish.” happen to meet people who desire be seen, it begins to Fr. Pepe has no fear to live according to a great ideal and be desirable. Some- of these “bad times,” to care for their soul, but they seem thing like this hap- “Here I’ve found which from a certain to lack the strength to do it, and in pened when one of the answer to point of view, he says, the end the world crushes them, the “old guard” is simpler. Those far flattens them. Or rather, at times we that emptiness ourselves are the ones who reject parishioners who had I was trying to away are so far away the sacredness of our heart. Instead, been observing the ac- fill with that they are returning. the people I met are ‘strong enough’ tions of the new “Certainly, today very to live this way, and what strikes me parish priest entered psychological sad things happen as is that a life of this kind is possible. the Church on a Sat- techniques.” the result of deep sec- It is the same thing that I noted observing Pope Francis during his trip urday morning and ularization. And yet to America, even if I am not a be- saw 35 teens between paradoxically, people liever. And to think that I thought I the ages of 13 and 17 have fewer prejudices was the only one to have certain de- praying the Psalms together. The because by now they know nothing sires!” man went to Fr. Pepe and confessed, about Christianity. And those who To explain what has changed in “I’ve never seen anything like it in come to the Church begin to flour- him in this passage from seeking to finding, Stuart uses the word 40 years. Maybe you are right.” ish. It’s very beautiful, above all for “trust.” “When I am with the friends Pete, one of the Wednesday evening me, because in them I see Christ of the Movement, I feel that I can “pagans,” says that by now their truly at work. Even if they are at- abandon myself. I don’t have to weekly appointment has become tempts, very feeble beginnings that make an effort, or be strong, or his regular evening off. A big fellow could end up in nothing, they aren’t strive to reach something; I can just abandon myself. American culture whose physique du rôle resembles nothing; they’re something. I’m teaches us exactly the opposite: more that of a hooligan than of a called to look at that something everything depends on our effort. It sacristan, often turns down invita- and follow it.” Follow it? Why? “I is a great change of attitude that I tions for a Wednesday evening at follow what an Other is doing in have noted in myself.” From trust to the pub with his colleagues. “Sorry, them. God gives them to me and faith, the existential step cannot be this evening I have a meeting at the their testimony is an opportunity measured or sounded. “I would put it this way: now I trust the heart, and parish.” His colleagues look at him for my conversion. It’s an opportu- for the rest, I am on a journey.” with amazement and respect. nity for me.”

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BEYOND THE MEDIA BUZZ The Assembly of Bishops on the Family has concluded. As we await the Pope’s decisions, PAOLO PEZZI, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God at Moscow tells us about the frank dialogue happened in the Synod Hall.

BY DAVIDE PERILLO

hree hundred and eighty- of two years, after the extraordinary eight interventions, 54 hours Synod in October 2014). “For now” in assembly, and another 36 because the next word belongs to minor circle meetings. All to Pope Francis. come up with the 94 para- Francis opened the discussion a gTraphs of the Relatio that, for now, year ago, asking the Fathers to engage concludes the work of the Synod on with “parrhesia and humility,” in the Family (the second in the course other words, speaking frankly and »

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» listening attentively. He followed carries in it new challenges even for “The Synod the matter with care (including the what has always been the building complement of his weekly catechesis block of society (and, for many reasons, experience also made dedicated to the family). He closed it, of the Church). temporarily, with his words on October Archbishop Paolo Pezzi, 55 years us better realize that 24, when he reiterated that the signif- old and archbishop of Mother of God icance of such a gathering was not at Moscow since 2007, was one of the the true defenders of “about settling all the issues having to fathers called by the Pope to participate doctrine are not do with the family,” but about having in both Synods. Are you happy about attempted to “see them in the light of how it went? “Yes. Personally, I was those who uphold its the Gospel [...], bringing the joy of very struck by the attention the Pope hope without falling into an easy rep- wanted to give to this topic. And I letter, but its spirit; etition of what is obvious or has already was amazed at the incredible amount been said.” And now, almost certainly, of reflection–we could even say of not ideas but people; he is preparing to write a document judgment–which took place during not formulae but the based on the suggestions that he will this time.” glean from the final report. Included gratuitousness of are the paragraphs and thousands of Enough to get to the bottom of the words leaked out by newspapers and topic? God’s love and online media around the world about In terms of the quantity of work, Communion for the divorced and thought and reflection, I’d say yes. forgiveness.” civilly remarried. It’s been the topic of What may have been a little lacking Pope Francis debate for months, with references to was a more organic synthesis in the “conservatives” and “progressives,” final propositions offered to the Holy the “rigorous” and the “more open,” Father, which are articulate and Bergoglians and anti-Bergoglians. And thoughtful. But I don’t think you In your opinion, which topics could then there was that paragraph in the could demand that, in the final hours have been developed further in Relatio that passed by a hair, with just of such complex work. We will have depth? one vote over the two-thirds threshold a chance to see the fruits of the Synod The two primary dimensions of the (178 votes, and the quorum for ap- in the future. First of all in a document theme–the vocation and mission of proval was 177). It points back to a that, I hope, the Holy Father will the family–were brought to light. key word already used by St. John write, along the line of those already However, in some ways we may have Paul II in Familiaris Consortio, one of published, each to be treasured. run the risk of taking too much for the foundational texts of pastoral care granted. For example: the question for families: “discernment.” Are you thinking of anything in par- of what makes the family a vocation, Pope John Paul II had written, “Pas- ticular? and what gives it this foundation, tors must know that, for the sake of I’m thinking of Evangelii Gaudium, wasn’t discussed much. If we take it truth, they are obliged to exercise where he spoke in such a brilliant seriously, it’s a very powerful expres- careful discernment of situations.” It’s way about the beauty and “gusto” of sion. When we speak of vocation “the task of priests and bishops to ac- mission. Or, of the recent motu proprio we’re of course talking about family company those affected along the path on marriage in which he demonstrated or about consecrated life. The other of discernment according to Church an objective capacity to simplify a aspect is mission: What does it mean teaching,” as the recent Synod high- thorny topic. In the coming months, that the family is a missionary sub- lighted, also focusing on “the person’s I’m looking forward to a document ject–therefore first and foremost a well-formed conscience.” No changes from the Pope that will follow in that positive and proactive reality, and to doctrine (which is nevertheless im- direction; helping us to perceive the only later an entity in crisis or under possible), but a forceful challenge about fruits of the Synod even more deeply, attack from multiple directions, as the role of responsibility: that of pastors coming to a synthesis and simplifi- the Pope has also insisted more than and those who follow them. In addition cation of what today, using a name once? It’s not that it wasn’t discussed to the realization that reality is in- kind of meant to be catchy, they’re at all, but perhaps these two points creasingly intricate and complex, and calling the “Gospel of the family.” deserved to be less taken for granted.

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because of the solutions suggested, but because unfortunately they didn’t manage to render the fullness and complexity of the dialogue.

What is your take on it? A positive one. The Fathers sought to go deeper into a practice that is often already in place; to boost the awareness of pastors–first of all we bishops, as well as priests–of how important it is to care for, welcome, and listen to the people who find themselves in this situation. Also, of working with them through the internal forum–more simply, in Confession–so to evaluate case by case.

What do you think about this importance given to discernment and the conscience? On the one hand it seems realistic. It asks you to face the challenge of how things are in reality; perhaps different than we would like: imperfect and without everything And which issues do you think were What is the second? perfectly in order, but taken for what covered well? The difficulties of families who do it is in all its complexity. On the other Two stand out. The first was formation, not fully enjoy the sacramentality of hand, though, some people fear that though I prefer to speak about edu- marriage. Those who, for various rea- everything will become arbitrary. cation. It was discussed at length. sons, have difficulties living this vo- Again, this discernment is often al- And I thought that was an encouraging cation, and are in a way crippled be- ready there in practice; the facts have consequence of a step in the awareness cause of it. They struggle to radiate, already called for it. It wasn’t that that the family is a vocation. If it is, to demonstrate the entire missionary something particularly new was said. then just as someone who is conse- force of the vocation. We talked about How to promote it and what direction crated goes through a period of veri- that a lot. It’s a broad question, which to take is another question. This is fication of their vocation to virginity, is not just about those divorced and another area that could now use an of discernment and a deeper under- civilly remarried. It’s possible that intervention from the Holy Father, standing–a time when they can pre- the final result didn’t totally live up to help clarify. The Synod doesn’t pare to take on the promises, respon- to all the effort put forth to move in make doctrinal decisions, nor does sibilities, and “gusto” that vocation this direction, but the work done was it give life to new pastoral practices brings to your life–those who are very positive. on its own; it gives suggestions, of- about to start a family could use a fering the Pope some recommenda- time to prepare themselves. When I What do you mean “didn’t live up” tions on what seem like the direction celebrate a wedding, I always tell the to it? to take. Then, there’s another factor couple: look, this isn’t the point of Those paragraphs may not have man- that we spoke about a great deal arrival; it’s the starting point... There aged to fully capture, in a clear way, all inside, but little was said externally. were many people who tried to go the richness of the discussion. It’s un- deeper into the content and the derstandable because it was one of Which was? method of formation for marriage: the most contentious issues addressed. The irreplaceable role of community. how to structure it, what topics to Maybe this was the reason that a group In the Synod Hall I felt a strong call cover, etc. of the Fathers voted “no”; not so much to pay attention to this factor. It’s »

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» a critical element of the Christian life. And it’s even more important to be able to truly bring to life this oft- cited value of welcome, to be able to accompany. Welcoming is not an abstract concept; you participate in Christian life only by belonging to the life of a community. A person finds companionship for his or her IN THE HALL. Right, Archbishop Paolo own life within a companionship Pezzi during a session of the Synod. guided toward destiny.

Another objection that has been facing reality as it comes to meet Does that apply to those farthest made, at times even in an explosive me. And the reason, deep down, is from the Church? way: Wouldn’t moving away from the ultimate weakness of our identity. Of course. In fact, paradoxically, those the codification of rules toward eval- What Fr. Giussani said in his last in- who are farthest away have a chance uating “case by case” run the risk of terview comes to mind: the Church to appreciate this mercy even more. confusing the faithful? has abandoned the world, and vice Undoubtedly, that is a possibility. I versa, because we were ashamed of Which were the interventions that hope that it won’t happen, but it will Christ. We are lacking the certainty struck you the most? greatly depend on the seriousness in our identity. There were two, though I can’t say and charity of we bishops and priests. whose they were. They started from Look, after the Council certain prac- Don’t you think that by continuing concrete situations, without gener- tices took a strange turn, but it was to just look at the negative side of alizing, rather perceiving the infinite because of a number of forced inter- things, of “what’s missing,” as the love for men and women in concrete pretations. This Synod will have the Pope said, you end up missing an examples. I can’t get into the details, same challenge: the result is very opportunity? Sometimes, for today’s but those who spoke in this way much in the hands and the care of men and women, it’s precisely the were open to give their lives not to the Church’s shepherds. realization that something’s “not resolve a problem, but to embrace quite right” and that you can’t fix it the man or woman who posed the The Pope had asked the Fathers to with just new rules, that re-opens question. “speak honestly,” and they did. At the door to really becoming inter- times to the point of voting differ- ested in Christ... This also indicates a certain method ently on various issues. Why did this It’s what amazes me every time I for a pastor... cause a stir, almost fear, for so many enter the confessional. What’s missing, Definitely. Beginning with experience people? As if the very act of con- the realization that something’s not is always entirely different than ar- fronting some new challenges that right, coming to see, in one way or guing theology in an abstract way. reality has brought us put the truth another, one’s sins are truly the road of the faith into question... that makes a person more aware of All things considered, what did you I see two risks, diametrically opposed the gift of mercy that we receive, and learn from the Synod? but maybe two faces of the same by which we are embraced. It’s a Not to be in a rush to form an idea coin. The first is the exasperated little like the Pope said to CL on about something. Especially in the retreat to a truth that becomes an March 7th: often sin becomes the work in groups. After many inter- abstract rule. The other is the opposite place of our greatest experience of ventions I started to think: maybe I position: avoiding getting ones hands mercy. What we need is not to be don’t agree, but it’s helping me to dirty, not really looking at the question, afraid of it, and instead learn to see understand with a particular problem and in a way “anesthetizing” it with the positive side. It’s not the lack that there is another element to keep a new norm that, deep down, doesn’t itself that is positive, but the fact that in mind... Life is a little bigger than involve me; it’s no longer a problem this “hole” can make you pay more our definitions. I’m happy to have for me. It seems to me they have the attention to the mercy that comes to been opened again to this newness. same origin, a kind of timidity in meet you. (@dperillo14)

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CL LIFE “WHETHER I LAUGH OR CRY, I WANT TO BE HERE”

“I am Fr. Giussani,” says Arnold, a boy from Kampala. Why? We report here the first stop on a journey among the communities of Africa, on the eve of Pope Francis’ visit, to recount the experience of the Movement in one of the youngest countries in the world, where, between slums and schools, a people is re-awakening.

BY ALESSANDRA STOPPA

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ne of the countries Pope Francis will visit on his up- coming journey is Uganda, which along with Niger can claim the title for the Oyoungest population in the world: 78% of Ugandans are under the age of 30, and the average age is 15.5 years (in Italy it is 44.5 years). On average, each woman gives birth to six children. But being born is not enough for living, says Michelle, more with her eyes than with her words. She lives near the slum of mud walls and sheet metal roofs of Kireka, an area of the capital city. Twenty-two years old, with delicate features, she is seated proudly at her desk on the ground floor of the Luigi Giussani Primary School, where she works as the secre- tary. “This is where I want to be, whether I laugh or cry, I want to be here.” “Here” is the journey of the of my life: there was someone who When Rose met Fr. Tiboni she asked Movement. This article describes a bit was describing my heart, so that I him, “If God became flesh, does that of the three days spent visiting the CL could be happy. Since then, I have also have to do with my flesh?” It community of Kampala, a small been truly living: another life entered seemed to her like the most revolu- group of people who are like water into mine.” tionary thing in the world. Today, boiling in a pot where, if it is not one many years later, she still feels the same person it is another who awakens and MOTHER BECAUSE DAUGHTER. Rose is wonder. “I want to participate in the reawakens the person close by. right. Listening to the words of Michelle reawakening of the women of the One morning Michelle was sitting and the other kids who have begun Meeting Point and of these kids: they where she is now, demoralized and the experience of the Movement, one have discovered that they have some- bored, thinking she was incapable of wonders who whispers certain things thing of value, that this value has a truly living. A teacher entered the in their ears. “I listen to them and I name, Jesus, and that He always looks building and Michelle automatically know that Christ is there.” Rose Bus- upon them. I also want to live under pulled out the classroom key and held ingye is the mother of everyone here, this gaze.” it out for her, as was the routine every young and old, because she lives as a There is no set framework in this day. “No, I don’t want the keys.” “Ah, daughter: “I follow the Mystery of community, not because of disorder what do you want?” “I want to be like God who happens.” In 1992, this 47- or nonconformity, but because it is a you. Bring me with you.” The teacher year-old member of the Memores Do- life and it is unity: from the gratitude was asking about “that meeting” mini and nurse started the International of the women, who dance on their Michelle attended every week, the Meeting Point, dedicated to women past of pain, to the freshness of their School of Community. At that moment, suffering from AIDS, the poor, and children, for whom the Luigi Giussani Michelle understood: “Jesus was choos- orphaned children and youth. Primary School and High School were ing me, and He found no obstacle in It all started with a seed planted in created. Here it is evident that the my boredom and my wretchedness.” the early ‘70s in Kitgum, in northern Movement is one thing only: Christ This was like her own first encounter Uganda, when some doctors in CL who embraces you. And the embrace with CL: “It was the biggest surprise met the Colombian Fr. Pietro Tiboni. is a circle: from the children it spreads

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charism, how good they are.” Period. “But Carrón kept pointing to them; maybe there was something to be learned from them. Now I see: they are so moved that they carry me along with them.” Rose holds in her hand a sheet of paper with the names of the women, a sum in shillings written next to each name, and in the heading the words “Contribution for prastanity.” “Prastanity?” she had asked Ketty as she handed her the list. But they understood each other right away: it was MOTHERS AND CHILDREN. the common fund for the Fraternity. Clockwise, the kids of the The women heard the announcement Luigi Giussani High School with Matteo Severgnini; a at the Spiritual Exercises about donating moment during a Community to the Common Fund, and right away hike; the Frigerio family in gathered the money. That day Rose Paimol; Arnold and Marvine at the guitar; Rose Busingye; stood watching them as they set off the women of the for home. None of them took a boda International Meeting Point. boda, the motorcycle-taxi which four can squeeze into; none took a matatu, to the mothers who take care of these police when there is no room at Rose’s the small busses where passengers are kids, kids who fall in love with life and Welcoming House, a home for aban- packed in like sardines: they headed Jesus, who study, who are passionate, doned and HIV-positive children. They home on foot, because they’d given who read Traces to them (many of the already have many children and many their shillings to the Common Fund. women are illiterate), who participate problems, but “if there is room for 5, “You don’t give what you don’t in the Movement, and transmit every- there is room for 6,” they say. They have,” is a common expression here. thing they learn. laugh, and when they laugh they end “If you are not moved, you cannot Françoise, Michelle’s mother, was a up singing, and singing and dancing communicate anything,” notes Matteo member of a cult. She watched what are one and the same. One day a Severgnini, known to everyone as Seve, was happening with her daughter and woman arrived whose chin was burned didactics coordinator for the two today she is “the newest born of the from huffing gasoline. “I was worried,” schools, who has been here in mission International Meeting Point.” She had says Rose, but they had already prepared for three years. “In the beginning I grave health problems and never left a place for her and were passed from illusion to the house, but now, elegant and shy, taking turns caring for her.” anger,” from his initial en- she lets herself be drawn by the rhythm This is charitable work in THE POPE’S thusiasm to solve the prob- of the drums and ankle bells. “I even its origin, gratitude that be- VISIT lems, to his disappointment began playing soccer,” she laughs, “becomes gratuitousness. Pope Francis’ when nothing changed. cause I’ve met the goodness and beauty “Every day I am outdone Apostolic “One day Rose told me, of God.” by everyone.” Alberto Re- journey will take ‘There’s no need for some- possi has been in Kampala place November one to manage the school; th th THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. There are no for a year, working for AVSI 25 -27 what’s needed is someone He will visit: labels here. Nobody has said, “Now at the Meeting Point. Before Kenya, Uganda, who lives their vocation.’ we’ll go do charitable work.” The coming here he had some- and Central For three months I didn’t women already do it. They welcome what underestimated “Rose’s African say another word.” Instead into their homes (and their homes women,” thinking, “They’re Republic. of talking about things, he are shacks) the children sent by the sick but happy, they live the looked at them. “If you »

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» stay in silence and listen, you understand much more.” Like “that time”: one night when someone marked up the school with the fire extinguisher. Usually an assembly is held to accuse the guilty party, but instead Seve asked the boy why he did it, proposed that they pay for the damage together, and gave the boy the responsibility for the fire extinguishers. “It turned everything upside down, first for me. My colleagues asked me why I had done this, and I asked myself as well. From then on, we began to truly work together, with a real question, not an idea to impose.”

MICHAEL’S CHALK. When the new high Kireka Road hosts 560 students, many looks at the young people on the big school was inaugurated, Arnold, 17, of whom walk as long as two hours to lawn in front of the school, enthusias- speaking in front of the students, par- get there, and remain until the evening tically participating in a lesson of cul- ents, representatives of the local au- to take advantage of the light, because tural dance: “I didn’t know that every- thorities, and diplomats, said, “I am at home there is no electricity. The thing has value, even the smallest thing. Fr. Giussani.” People were stunned. first thing that all of them tell you is, A piece of chalk fell on the floor and I He went on firmly, “Giussani finished “The teachers don’t beat us.” walked on it.” When he saw Seve pick his road and tells me, ‘Arnold, if you In the wild and dusty traffic of the it up, a world opened up in front of want to be happy, you have to walk capital, there are many signs for schools, him. He said very seriously, “I didn’t where I walked.’ It’s my turn.” In the written in paint, most of them rusted. know I had value.” CL meeting at school, Arnold and his International policies push for educa- Arnold, Marvine, and the other stu- inseparable buddy Marvine began to tion, and the government highly favors dents, meet every Monday for School be interested in things, to play and the private sector. There is a saying: of Community. There is 20-year-old sing (the community has a marvelous spare the rod and spoil the child, but Grace, who says, “My life has had choir), to write songs (almost all of the watchword is “inculcate.” “At the meaning since 2013.” It is moving to them love songs), in a place where job interview, when they told me there see her sing songs of the Movement young people only hear about sex; was no beating, I laughed,” recounts that she learned right away, and to see where true affection is a taboo subject. Michael Kawuki, who now is the Prin- how certain, how transparent she is. Today the style is the ‘talking com- cipal. “For me, the rod was the only “I didn’t care about anything. Then pound,’ so the school walls are plastered way to teach. Here, I am the one who one day someone told me, ‘You have with warning posters: “Behave your- is learning everything from my col- something great in your heart.’” A self,” “If you get pregnant, you’ll be leagues and the students.” This is short time ago her father died. “When suspended,” “AIDS kills.” unimaginable in a country where edit happened, I understood that Christ “The Movement gave me eyes,” con- ucation is anonymous, the distance wanted me to depend on Him. Every tinues Arnold: “I looked at things but between students and teacher is an morning I wake up to see His gaze.” I didn’t see them, like the beauty of abyss, and not just because of the Manuel is a young man, perfect in his this school, different from all the others. numbers (there are classes of 150 stu- school uniform. He is HIV-positive. I used to say, yes, it’s beautiful. So? I dents), but because the student is con- During a doctor’s visit at the hospital didn’t think it was for me.” This mod- sidered inferior and asking questions he stared at the doctor examining him ern, orange building on the hill along is considered insubordination. Michael and thought, “You can know everything

22 No 10 2015 Africa_Uganda 09/11/15 14.54 Pagina 23

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screen windows, Francesco and Sara This is the same reason “Rose’s are setting the table. They have been women” deeply enjoy themselves, in Uganda for 8 years, and have 2 even when something adverse hap- children. Francesco Frigerio is an pens, as it did on the last day of an engineer and is building a shrine in excursion, when a violent rainstorm Paimol, in honor of two martyrs kept them cooped up for two hours from this small northern town. It in a broken down minibus in the was 1918 and Daudi and Gildo were middle of the savannah. The endless 16 and 14 years old, like the kids in roads of red earth, the waterfalls of the High School. They had been sent the Nile, and the emerald green hills to open a catechism center, and for that make up Uganda, the Pearl of this they were murdered. “For a Africa; and they, as beautiful and builder, doing a shrine is the best,” powerful as this nature. “We already he recounts, “but even just fixing a have everything,” says Agnes. “We bathroom is taking on the same only need an education.” PRESENCE AND CARE. Above, an excursion to the Nile, and the Antonetti family. value for me. I don’t take it for grant- Left, the Luigi Giussani Primary School. ed. I had fallen into the trap of think- FROM THE HILL. Here where educating ing of myself in terms of what I do, is not even considered a job, the about me, but you can never see what but in the companionship of the method born of the charism is reach- it means to be loved.” Movement, I have rediscovered that ing more and more people. In front The world of international cooper- my value is being the Francesco the of the prisons of the capital is the ation would have us believe that people Lord wants me to be.” His wife Luigi Giussani Permanent Center for essentially need family and empower- speaks about a journey full of falling Education, which the government ment. “Instead, what they need is to and getting up again. “You live in a has officially recognized as a higher be loved. You discover it in your own endless tunnel of days, then some- education institute. With training life, because you want to change the thing happens that wakes you up.” founded on The Risk of Education, world, and instead, you change,” says Like an encounter at school, things in ten years they have served over Marco Trevisan, who coordinates dis- you’ve heard over and over again, 20,000 people, Catholics and Muslims, tance adoptions for AVSI (supporting suddenly “gave me back myself. But people from Africa to Myanmar.... 4,180 children). A graduate of a tech- you don’t decide it sitting at your “We also form young farmers, parents, nical-industrial high school, he has desk, you have to get involved in a social workers, and NGO employees,” worked in Africa for 28 years. “It seems life.” recounts the director, Mauro Giaco- like yesterday! Here life is fast, because Manolita is also at dinner, she, with mazzi, here since 2007. “People first it always demands your presence. In her husband Stefano Antonetti and of all need to rediscover themselves.” these years I have discovered that if their 5 children has lived in Uganda It is early morning. Rose’s jeep you say yes, you see things about for 15 years. “Before, the community slowly makes its way down the hill yourself that you would never have and the initiatives and all the rest where she lives with Lina Bonetti, imagined.” were beautiful things, yes, but they who works for AVSI. We can see far didn’t have anything to do with me.” off in front of us Lake Victoria, which ON THE NILE. It is almost evening. She had always been in the Move- is as big as the Lombardy Region, Outside the houses there are torn up ment, yet felt as if there was no and the immense city, with shacks leather couches, with people sitting longer anything new. Then, with the as far as the eye can see: all that need. on them, who instead of watching TV challenge of the work at the Meeting “Seeing this, Giussani told me, ‘Rose, watch the clogged traffic of cars, ani- Point and the friendship that was saving the world means crying out mals, and carts. On the corner, in the renewed with some people, “It was Christ to everyone. It means living dark, without streetlamps, a preacher an encounter within the encounter. your yes, so their destiny will be ac- with a Bible in his hand is shouting The experience of the Lord’s presence complished as God wants, just as himself hoarse. Behind their mosquito and care for me.” yours is being accomplished.’”

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