With the embrace…
“Most of the time a hug is to detach a little piece of yourself to give it to the other…” (Fr. Neruda), this is what we experienced on the day of the Redemptorist Youth Vocation Ministry (RYVM) ITALY last March 30 in Scifelli (FR), starting certainly from the rich welcome of the communities of Scifelli and Fontana Fratta, led by the parish priest Fr. Habib CSsR and member of the RYVM ITALY Commission, making us feel the embrace of home with a rich breakfast and a lunch full of delicacies.
The evocative structure of the house founded by St. Alphonsus CSsR in 1773 was the backdrop. Upon their arrival, the young people of the RYVM were welcomed with songs and dances to immediately enter into a joyful atmosphere that accompanied us throughout the day. This was followed by a brief moment of prayer that introduced us, with the parable of the merciful Father (Lk 15, 11-31), to the theme of the embrace, explored in depth with the catechesis of Fr. Daniele Carta CSsR, Director of the RYVM ITALIA Commission. The activities that followed allowed the children and young people to experience a gesture that within itself communicates, shares, expresses feelings, transforms; this reflection on the embrace with oneself, with others and with God, accompanied them to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the strongest embrace of God.
Redentoristi e la Commissione PGVR Italia.
It was a great joy for everyone to welcome the RYVM ITALIA Cross, desired by the Commission and donated by the Perleonardi family of Rome-Montespaccato, in loving memory of their son Stefano, who returned to the Father’s house at a young age. In this Cross, in the arms, shines a mosaic made of many pieces, of Stefano’s life, of the life of Fr. Raffaele CSsR who now looks at us from heaven, of the life of each of us: “there we are, each of us has his own color, on that Cross which is not a sign of failure but of victory and new life, there is our life… on this Cross there are also pieces of a different color, red, placed there where the nails of Jesus were… on the side, on the head, behold He is with us” emphasized Fr. Gennaro CSsR, the Provincial, continued with the blessing of the Cross.
Immediately after lunch, a moment of animation and games followed. To conclude in a great embrace of Communion, we celebrated the Holy Mass in the parish church of “Beata Maria Vergine del Buon Consiglio.”
“We embrace to find ourselves whole” (A. Merini), an embrace full of gratitude to the community that hosted us, to the mayor of Veroli G. Caperna, to the city councillor E. Velocci and to all the RYVM groups with the Fathers who accompanied them, from Francavilla al Mare, San Sperate, Rome SGN Neumann and S. Gioacchino, Frosinone, Pagani, Avellino, Corato, Materdomini-Caposele, Ciorani, Francica, Schiavonea, each of whom contributed to the success of the day!!! We are the Church… yes, we are! Strange… when they say they are bored!!!
Laura Bonardi
RYVM ITALY Commission
