An alternative weekend for the RYVM group “Young University Students and Not only…” , who chose to spend May 1st immersing themselves in some of society’s most fragile realities.
After months of preparation and discussion, guided by the theme of Democracy and Justice and the question “How can a Christian act in the world to contribute to the construction of a democratic and just society?” the young people—accompanied by Father Daniele Carta—decided to get personally involved. The goal: to encounter often-forgotten realities firsthand, to understand them and be challenged.
The starting conviction is clear: to build a truly just society, we must begin with the “least” (Matthew 25:40), listening to and embracing the needs of the most vulnerable. With this spirit, young people from different parts of Italy travelled to Rome to bring this vision to life. Over the weekend, the group met with various organizations active in the capital, dedicated to caring for and supporting vulnerable individuals.
Among these, the visit and service at the La Nuova Arca family home: the faces of the children, mothers, volunteers and educators deeply affected the participants, reminding them of a concrete responsibility towards stories that are often close to home, but too easily ignored.
Prayer 
Testimony 
Sharing
Particularly significant was the testimony of Francesco, a former prisoner who spent 25 years in prison. His story offered food for thought on the prison system and its meaning, demonstrating how redemption is possible. Through culture, theater, and faith, Francesco found a path to rebirth, glimpsing a light even in the darkest moments.
Also unforgettable was the meeting with Gabriella, whose commitment to social justice has left a profound mark. Her focus is on human dignity, particularly within prisons, and on the reintegration of women into society through support programs. In this context, organizations like Opera Ronconi-Pennesi represent a fundamental point of reference for fostering integration and offering new life opportunities.
The journey concluded with a visit to the parish community of San Giovanni N. Neumann in Montespaccato, a Roman neighborhood where a Redemptorist community and a RYVM group operate. The young people’s stories revealed a reality marked by social suffering, but also by a strong desire for redemption and a concrete hope: that of meeting and supporting the most vulnerable.
The weekend concluded with a Eucharistic celebration at the church of Montespaccato: a moment of thanksgiving for the experience and of entrusting to the Lord all the faces and stories we encountered.
An experience that left participants not only with emotion, but also with a deeper understanding: building a more just society requires meeting, listening, and concrete commitment to those most vulnerable.
Gabriel Colacchio
