The Miracle of...life

Last week some young women came to Caberra to pray in the Church of the Annunciation. We evoked the story of the “Devota” together, then their attention went upon the Thanksgiving Medals (for miracles received) hanging on the wall in the St John’s Chapel. Once there were many more of them; but with the passing of the centuries they have gone missing. Margherita left a sign of her goodness, of her unconditional love, and of her compassion. The essence of the Thanksgiving Medals is the recognition of a gift received, a reminder of the mysterious way a prayer recited in solitude and desperation is heard and gathered up by God. Who donates a Thanksgiving Medal has received a miracle or has been graced by God in the intent and in the facts. One of our young visitors is expecting a baby; she asked for the miracle that perpetuates in time from when the World was Created: the miracle of life. Our most joyful regards to all expectant mothers and we thank them for being faithful collaborators of God in keeping safe the gift of life. Mimma (translate by Diliana)

The Waiting

We are living the days waiting for Christmas. It should be a peaceful and joyful waiting with a look within ours souls and towards heaven. But instead, if we go to a big shopping centre we come out feeling dazed and confused...in them you remain shocked by a huge mass of people who continue to fill shopping baskets and trolleys with anything that glitters. Then at home we realise that a lot of the things we bought are useless and clutters up our homes. So where is the poverty that we all hear about? Roberto Benigni preaching The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, becomes topical because he blends in with the audience, especially with those who suffer, and he evokes sensations, eternal values and gives a message of honesty and wisdom which touches you deeply. The most urgent need to deal with is our spiritual need not the material need: the need which doesn’t make you see the hungry, or the homeless and who experiments with Dante:...”come sa di sale lo pane altrui e come è duro calle lo scendere e salir per l’altrui scale” (roughly translated means “How good tasting is the bread of others and how hard it is to go up and down the stairs for others.” ) Best Wishes for Christmas to all foreigners. Mimma (translate by Diliana)

Every New Day…

A few years ago I met a hunter, who had attached to his belt, upon a considerable stomach, a lovely row of small birds. One next to the other, hanging upside down by their little claws, their heads swaying, their beaks open and their little black eyes glasslike without life.- Look, aren’t they lovely?-the Hunter said to me- It was true: they made a colourful garland on a dark background, with their small red, yellow and white patches of colour: a martyrdom of sparrows and robin red breasts!- And tonight- the Hunter continued amused – Come, come along ... their will be ‘Polenta’ and roast birds for supper- He pointed out the happy conclusion of his day! I remember a few verses of a poem by Bonhoeffer: “Every new day there is a new begining in our lives, every day is all tied up and finished!! I salute you affectionately. Mimma (translate by Diliana)

Humilty

To better ourselves, in whatever stage in our lives (obviously as adults) I feel that it is necessary to take a break and examine the progress of us becoming Real Women or Real Men. The Old Man and the New Man figures are always present within us. The New Man is or always should be in constant conflict with the inner Old Man to discover who we really are. Actually, it is essential to look within oneself and listen to oneself to be able to figure out the good or bad sides of our character, and make the New Man within us emerge, renewed and clean. But this transformation is only possible when I free myself from my pride and practice with patients Humility. Because only by using Humility lightened up by Grace can you arrive at the Truth. Mimma (translate by Diliana)

Beauty will save the world

...and we all want to this to be true, but do we collaborate so that this will happen? If we want this great event to be realized, I think that all of us need to do their part. The world is not simply a “globe” within which there is a mass of agitated people. The world is each one of us with their own interior beauty, for this reason, young or old that we are, we need to dip into this beauty which has as a base love and spread it to everyone so that this joy can be celebrated with children, the sick, the poor, friends, relatives, neighbours and strangers...It is the Beauty of God and the splendor of the whole creation that will save the world. Mimma (translate by Diliana)

REMEMBRANCE OF THE DECEASED

In the month of November we all feel motivated to go to the cemetery to honour our dead. Everybody goes, or almost, those that practice our faith and those that don’t. Huge plant pots filled with chrysanthemums and other flowers emerge from the white tomb stone. One has the impression that there is a competition for who puts the biggest plant of flowers... It true, that in the end the cemetery looks like a garden! Pity that only a week ago that same cemetery looked rather sad with those faded, scentless fake flowers! I imagine the souls of our dead watching the scene in silence and full of love in eternity, with their mysterious wisdom they fix their eyes filled with light in ours filled with tears. Mimma (translate by Diliana)

The Tenderness of God

Tenderness is one of the most beautiful emotions that anyone in the world could ever hope for. If you watch a child cry, a lamb bleat, a defenceless old man thet looks upon you with tenderness you can't help but be moved and can't help but fell the desire to caress, comfort and give, to make them feel, alive, your unconditional love? And if you do these things you can't help but feel repaid by a deep joy and peace never found before? Even though, being very imperfect people, we are able to give tenderness to others, how much more God is able to give each of us for having loved our neighbours like ourselves! Well, there are instants in life when you truely realize the tenderness of God upon you. If you are innocent like a child and Keep an intorior listening attitude, you will feel an endless tenderness deep in your heart which makes you say: Thankyou...Thankyou...And then you rejoice for this gift of love, for this state of grace that you hope will continue forever. Mimma (translate by Diliana)