LETTERS
LETTERS
A Particular Day
Dear Fr Giussani: The Friday before the Opening Day here in London was a particularly
hard day at the office. The person in charge of me had been out of touch for
over a week and was not ready to find five minutes for me, so I spent the morning
walking up and down in his office begging for some of his time. On the same day,
a colleague refused to help me to solve a problem, for no apparent reason. I
was terribly angry and said to myself, “This is war between you and me,
mate. Just wait for the next time you need something and I’ll give you
hell!” I was decidedly wound up, but also sad for the atmosphere in the
office. Then I took a telephone call from a colleague, a Greek girl whom I had
invited to a barbecue at the home of my friends of the Memores. She invited me
for coffee. It came to my mind at once: “I could invite her to the Opening
Day!” I took a copy of the leaflet “Education and Work” to
bring to her, but for a moment I stopped and thought, “How can I invite
her to the Opening Day when I am so angry? If she asks me how I am, I cannot
but tell her what happened, that I would like to punch my colleagues in the face.” Anyway,
there was something that left me unsettled and I asked myself, “Why am
I inviting her to the Opening Day?” I went down to her with the leaflet.
As I expected, she asked me what had happened and I told her of the heavy day
I’d had, but I added that I expect something else from my work, that it’s
not enough for me to live like that, and that I desire to live my work in a more
human way–and for this reason I invite her to meet some friends of mine
who would tell us of a more fascinating way to live. What struck me as I invited
her was not that I am someone who has understood everything. I didn’t invite
her because I am a good, kind girl who never gets angry, but what makes things
different for me is the company, the friends I have met. They are friends who
continually awaken in me what I desire; they don’t leave me at ease and
they make me see and touch that there is a way of living that fascinates me and
attracts me more than I could imagine or realize.
Emanuela, London
Vacations
in Argentina
Dear Fr Giussani: We are three “giessini [ CL Student Youth],” Martino
and Veronica from Bergamo and Dino from Cremona. During the Christmas vacation,
we went to Argentina with Fr Alberto. Before we left, Fr Giorgio told us, “Spend
time with them, share everything, witness what you have encountered, and learn
from them.” As the day of departure drew near we felt a growing fear in
us and so we said the only thing to do is to pray and entrust everything to Our
Lady. We did the same in the most important shrine of Our Lady in Argentina,
that of the Virgen de Luhan: we saw there a woman sitting on a bench breastfeeding
her child. This fact made us understand that our attachment to Our Lady must
be like the attachment of that child to his mother’s breast. And, as it
happens, Our Lady left her touch on everything: we were able to pay for the trip
thanks to many friends of our community; the 12-hour bus ride going to the GS
vacation was not a burden, but precious time for getting to know some friends;
the fact that we didn’t know the language did not prevent the formation
of fine relationships…. We were struck by the work of Fr Mario: a corner
of heaven in one of the poorest and most abandoned areas of Buenos Aires. As
soon as you see the buildings, the schools and the workshops, you realize immediately
that this priest had a real educative concern, to welcome people with their global
needs and to have them encounter the beauty of a friendship and a home. And then
there was the experience of the vacation with 150 “giessini” coming
from all over Argentina (it took some of them 18 hours on the bus to get there).
From the beginning, we were welcomed by youngsters and adults whom we met for
the first time, but it was as if we had always known them. We were struck by
their simplicity and readiness in everything; unlike the way we sometimes live
the gestures, they never complained about anything. They thanked us for the collection
of money we are making in the Italian schools in order to help them and their
friends with study grants. During the vacation, we worked on the exhibition on
happiness: we acknowledged that we have the same question and the same answer,
as well as the same great effort and the same forgetfulness. Francesco wrote
to us, telling us that the vacation was a re-creation for him; during the assembly
many expressed the desire to continue this experience at home, too, in family
and social situations that are dramatic. Now we are back in Italy. How can we
avoid losing this grace? How can we carry on this friendship that has begun with
the Argentineans? We want that what we have lived be forever and that the experience
of correspondence we lived can go on, for them and for us.
Martino, Dino, and Veronica
On Pilgrimage
Dear Fr Giussani: More than 1,200 people replied positively to our invitation
to the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgencita of Caacúpé, “fixed
term” of the faith of the Paraguayan people. We gave thanks for the pontificate
of John Paul II, renewed our prayers for your health, and presented all the needs
of our people. Those who had the simplicity to obey and follow, walking through
the night in silence about 6 miles, experienced the exaltation of their “I.” Thanks
for educating our hearts in this affection for Our Lady. We greet you warmly,
and expect you for next year’s pilgrimage!
The CL community in Paraguay
The Only True Wealth
Dear Fr Giussani: In 1966, I met Communion and Liberation and I lived that encounter
with all the readiness I had.
Unfortunately, in 1969-1970 I left CL; our whole group broke up because of a
terrible crisis. I felt so lost and betrayed that, without realizing what I was
doing, I ended up getting involved in politics. It was a disaster; I felt completely
lonely and was angry with the whole world. Thus, I began to follow more difficult
and winding roads, having other experiences. Every so often a reminder sounded
in my heart, a nostalgia that I often repressed. The few times I went into a
church and heard a song of CL I would come out moved and confused. It seemed
to me that God had forgotten me, and I was so stupid not to hear, see and understand
His voice that was always coming into my heart. In 1999, I went to work in a
large firm in Milan. The Lord knocked at my door and I met the Movement again.
This time, I was so attentive and watchful that I said yes, a yes that will go
on until I die. What I have understood is that despite my betrayals, sins and
mistakes, He has called me; He fixed His eyes on me, small and frail; His message
reached my life, my house, and my family, with our friends of the Fraternity.
A few days ago, the letter accepting my application to the Fraternity arrived,
and this is the most beautiful gift I received. The cover of the edition of Traces, “Man’s
freedom is man’s salvation” recalled my heart. Now salvation is the
Mystery of God who communicates Himself to man. This is the greatest wealth that
each of us possesses; all that you have taught us and communicated to us are
the witness of the education you have given as a testament for our life, and
can guide us and allows us to support each other. Thanks for the relationship
of paternity that you have given us.
Erberta, Milan
After 40 Years,
Back in Tuscany
I spent the first days of 2004 on a farm on the outskirts of Sinalunga, Italy,
with a few dozen youngsters from two state high schools in Milan and some of
their teachers. I was very happy for this opportunity and came back thankfully
to my daily work, not only for having seen lots of fine things, like the Cathedral
of Saint Antimo and the city of Siena with its treasures, not only for having
seen the white mantle of frost in the fields and the gentle sunshine on the hills
and cypresses of the Tuscan countryside, not only for the large space given for
reading and study foreseen by those who had planned the holiday. What made me
reflect most is the silent work of the one who, giving life to the community,
made possible that the experience should continue in time, with a situation of
the youth much changed but still in need of the Christian announcement, of its
art and its tenderness. It seems almost impossible, and therefore even more beautiful,
since it is evidently a gift, that after almost 40 years from my first trip to
Tuscany and Florence, as a “giessina” [CL student youth], I could
be there, not far away, with other students and colleagues; and that there could
be the taste for renewing what had struck me then, with almost the same accent:
the life of the Church, the culture that has to do with life. It is a little
like when you go to Mass and there are others there reciting the rosary as they
wait for the priest, and you feel full of gratitude because the Church is there
and we are part of it.
Laura, Milan
The Holy Spirit,
Protector
I teach Italian in a junior high school and I suggested that my students join
the Seekers of the Holy Grail group. Five of them answered my invitation to take
part in the various moments proposed. One of these is L., a boy in the third
year of junior high school, the son of a Protestant pastor. His parents have
always encouraged his participation in the Grail both out of esteem for me and
because of the positive assessment of the value of the educative experience proposed.
Some days ago, the students made their promise in which they expressed the reason
for their belonging, entrusting themselves to one of the saints they had gotten
to know during the work done together this year. L. wrote, “This year I
joined the group of friends who changed my life, the Seekers of the Grail. I
chose to join this group because I needed a different company from the one in
which you are with your parents and friends. Even though life is not all roses,
I know that in this company I will solve many doubts and problems. I choose the
Holy Spirit as my protector because I am a Protestant and not used to praying
to saints.”
A reader
A Song, a Friend,
an Encounter
Dear Fr Giussani:
In February 2001, I left Aboke for my first job in AVSI–Kampala. In the
city, business seemed to be in full blast. But, amidst the thousands of people,
I felt so lonely. I had to wait for the long days to pass so that on weekends
I could travel back to Aboke to embrace the love and attention that Sr Alba and
Sr Rachele had always given me. Or if I didn’t go, on Sundays I remained
in church to attend two or three Masses.
One morning, I learned that every Thursday there’s Mass at Christ the King
Church and some AVSI [Association of Volunteers in International Service] staff
members also attended. After work, I went for the Mass. At the end, there was
an announcement that on Saturday there would be choir practice at the AVSI compound.
Songs! I love singing. I joined the choir and participated in the practice not
knowing that a greater event awaited me.
As the choir members were dispersing, I was invited to attend “Community
School” led by Gustavo Corti, an Italian physiotherapist in Uganda. That
evening, I went home with a glowing spirit, for I had met friends. Since then,
I have continued attending community schools and participating in singing. That
was the key to my new beginning, the encounter with the Movement and friends
of the Movement.
I am grateful to God that I met friends like Julie, Gustavo, and others in the
Movement who, despite my limitations, have loved me and given me strength to
carry on.
Dear Father Giussani, thank you for your good teaching that has changed my life
and the lives of many other people. I praise that Lord for giving you such wisdom.
Jennifer, Uganda
The Rebirth
of CLU in Chicago
Dear Friend:
I wanted to let you know that we had our first School of Community of the year
today. We started with Chapter 2 [Why the Church?]. The only ones that were there
today were Lupe, Alma, and myself. Although we weren’t a lot, I can tell
you that it was one of the most beautiful Schools of Community that I have had.
Maybe it was the realization that we were there because we wanted to be there,
because we truly desired it. I mean, we have always wanted it, but sometimes,
you know, it’s because of the excitement of seeing the Italians, eating
at their place and what not. But today, it was just the three of us. I went to
pick Lupe up and as soon as we arrived at the Newman Center, Alma arrived with
Linda (who left soon after). We started with a “Gloria.” We were
all so happy! Nobody was discouraged.
We had an interesting talk about the rationalistic attitude. I can’t quite
say I understand everything; we had doubts about similar things–for example,
when Don Giussani starts talking about St Paul: what was the point of that? We
didn’t know how to connect it. But I was doing what Don Pino suggested,
asking Christ to allow me to see and understand what He wanted me to. “What
are you trying to say here, Lord?” In our quest for understanding, we started
talking about an example that Father Carrón gave. Alma said she could relate
to that with her
Marketing class (the example is long). To me that was beautiful, because she
was able to compare her life and what she sees with the text. And so, there you
have us, three girls at the Newman Center (which was about to close–all
the lights were turned off except for ours and Eva was just waiting for us to
finish so that she could close) being faithful to what Don Giussani proposes
we do in order to live Christianity as an Event, to be truly free. I tend to
worry, thinking, “Am I doing this right?” “I don’t think
I'm fit.” But, in fact, it is all truly a miracle! It’s a miracle
that we are together. I mean, who can do this? May God grant us the understanding
of His words through Don Giussani; may He open our minds and hearts to Him and
the experience we share. And, well, since we are at it, may He also grant us
a guy that plays the guitar and sings so that we can have some music going on!
We finished with the “Angelus” and on the way back we talked about
having a
Mexican dinner for CLU, since the Italians are the ones that always feed us.
Thanks for being my friend!
Mayela, Chicago
Like the Tin Man
Dear Friends:
I have read that “there is something sacred about the birth of thought,
as there is with any birth.” That is how it has been for me ... a birth
of a new thought that CL has brought. We (John and I) have only stumbled over
the threshold of what this Movement is and already much is being experienced.
After each new exposure to CL, either through School of Community, Diaconias,
music, the writings of Giussani and Traces, or just spending time with the people...
I come away with a feeling of release ... like it’s OK to relax in my skin–my
humanity. I can breathe deeply and just be His creation, warts and all. I can
cease striving and know that He is God. The unique ministry of Communion and
Liberation has revealed God and His Love for me by helping me to understand the
reality of His daily, minute-by-minute Presence which looms before me and is
not something that I cannot find or know ... wanting me to see everything before
me as a revelation of Who He is and who I truly am as His child.
Can we truly ever know ourselves, without knowing our Creator and His intentions?
St Augustine wrote, “The mind of a man trying to understand the immutable
substance of God had to be purged first.” I have felt the purgation rather
keenly for about a year now, since I became interested in the CL Movement. My
conversion to Catholicism eight years ago was a major shift in my thoughts and
beliefs. Now, CL is another pivot in the road–that has become THE ROAD,
provoking us in encountering the event of Mystery which has become the Presence
of the God-Man in the face of being.
I find myself feeling like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz who so desires a real
heart ... but better than the movie ... he also receives flesh, replacing the
tin of his body ... all because of being awakened to the knowledge, beauty, and
power of an Encounter.
Giussani’s writing articulates our yearning and desires and confronts the
questions that beg our response. One more School of Community means one more
set of arrows penetrating our hearts and minds with sentences like “We
gather together to pull the nothingness out of each other ...” or “You
get up in the morning for an explosion inside you of the fact of Christ!”
One of the most troublesome sentences I've ever heard came from a very wonderful,
faithful, and active in the faith old friend who told me not long before she
died of cancer (in her 70’s) that she had gone through her whole Christian
life serving Christ but not quite feeling His love ... always feeling unloved.
I don’t want to live my existence unable to grasp the reality of His love
and His Presence shining His clear light on even the most ordinary or painful
of days. I don’t want to be a ragged child of the King, spiritually. I
want to taste His divine mercy and believe it, and reflect it–not nullifying
His work of redemption for me by my crippled perception of truth, my uneducated
mind, my finite vision.
One of the biggest “cracks in the tin” has been the exposure of my “Lone
Ranger Christian” mentality ingrained in me from my Protestant upbringing.
I’ve heard myself say to others that not having a father (since I was six)
has never affected me either way. And yet I now believe it helped reinforce the “tin.” I
hear talk about the relationships that bind us–our friendships. I am ashamed
to admit I am sometimes perplexed. I now see in many ways that my independent
nature–also ingrained in me from way back–has been a detriment in
how I relate to others. All of these realizations that are coming to me through
whispers, music, discussions, and also shouts through the written word are paving
my way to a freedom, a communion, and a liberation I have never known.
In regards to John, all I can say is that this Movement has fanned the flame
in him unlike anything I’ve seen in the 23 years I’ve known him.
I’ve always seen the flame within him; its intensity is what attracted
me to him when I met him. It was re-kindled “big time” when he came
back to the Catholic Church eight years ago, but this Movement is fanning the
flame within him daily into a beautiful brilliance I’ve waited a long time
to see. It’s as if he’s finally found the language that best quenches
his thirst to understand himself, God, and man. Being his wife, I’ve always
seen the unique gifts within him and wondered how they’d be best put to
use “someday.” Well, 22 years and 7 kids later ... I guess 46 is
not too old to begin a work of God. John becoming Crosby'’s GS leader just
fits like a glove in my estimation!
To sum up our experience with Communion and Liberation ... my husband’s
flame is being fanned consistently and strongly, while my body of tin is turning
to flesh–and it feels oh so good!
Teri and John, Minnesota