“Jesus is our hope”
My heart is filled with joy and gratitude for what I have experienced with these young people; a new experience made up of many events in which I, as a young foreign nun among young people from different countries and regions: Malta, Italy (Milan, Molise, Rome…), was involved. I have had many experiences in my life, but this one is the most special to me. I had many desires and different feelings, so much joy but also fear, especially because of the different language and culture. The words of Jesus: ‘I am here, do not be afraid’ encouraged me to continue and to go and meet the young people. He himself is the face I want to see in young people. Despite the many difficulties, my heart has always been open to going beyond limits, fears and anxieties so that my desires could be realised.
I experienced so much sisterly love with my sisters, rich in attention, collaboration and mutual help, following the example of Saint Jeanne Antide: every action was an expression of charity, every small humble work ignited the fire of Christ’s love all around. I was able to connect with the young people especially through prayer, and I also got to know them on the journey, while speaking with them and in moments of sharing. I encountered different faces of Jesus in them, each one carrying and showing Him differently: in joy, in openness, in their abilities, in their fragility, in their characteristics, in their smiles, in their tears… each one of them moved me, arousing in me the desire to enter into relationship with them, respecting the diversity and uniqueness of each one. Meeting witnesses of life: in prison, I was touched by the humanity that each person carries within oneself, in his/her fragility: there is a truth that I experienced once again, namely that the Lord loves us as we are, with an immense love.
This is our hope – those who trust in Him will not be disappointed. “JESUS IS OUR HOPE”. As Pope Leo said in his homily at the closing Mass of the Youth Jubilee: “Let us remain united to Him, let us remain in His friendship, always, cultivating it with prayer, adoration, Eucharistic Communion, frequent Confession, generous charity, (…). Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less. Then you will see the light of the Gospel grow every day, in you and around you.”
Pope Leo XIV’s message clearly shows us that the joy of feeling loved by God is very important because it unites us to one another, gladdens our hearts and drives us forward with hope in Jesus Christ, our love and our Saviour.
I cherish in my heart the word “stay”, which I have enjoyed in a special way in this experience, together with the young people: staying in the presence of Jesus, staying together to build friendship, building brotherly and sisterly love, staying together seeking the good of others.
On Friday 1 August, we prepared the vigil together with the various groups led by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne Antide Thouret and with the “missionary” collaboration of the Thouret Foundation: an international flavour and truly that of a universal church. Sr Maria Xinh, Roma