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Italy: living in a state of Mission PDF Print E-mail
Written by The novices   
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Since the Christmas season has come to end we return to the daily rhythm of ordinary time. This time, however, we had the opportunity to begin the new year differently. All of the us who are currently living in Italy and preparing to become Consolata Missionaries gathered together for a three day (January 2nd-4th) interseminary meeting at our theological seminary located in Bravetta, Italy.
The theme of the event was entitled “Interpersonal relations in a multicultural context oriented towards following Jesus and working in the mission”. What? Come again? Although the title may seen rather overwhelming at first glance, our two keynote speakers, F. Frank Gioda imc, superior of the Italian region, and Sr. Frances Bernacchia, of the Sisters of Dorothy of Cemmo, imparted their practical wisdom by helping us to reflect on communal life, in the context of our very different cultural backgrounds and characters, and how to achieve a sense of unity in following Jesus in light of these differences.

In the afternoon of the first session, F. Frank focused on how our whole formative program is fundamentally based on how to live the Gospel as a true disciple of the Lord. Being a missionary isn’t just a geographical issue, but rather, it involves living in a “state of mission”. This means that we need to step out of our own framework and reach out towards others; being able to work and share together, or “partilhar” as is said in a language very dear to F. Frank. It would be a wonderful thing if all of our communities could learn to share our interior lives and faith experiences with one another. Where we are able to tell others if we “feel sad” or “happy” while knowing that they are listening to us.

The following day, Sr. Frances brought to light some inherent difficulties with respect to interpersonal relations. She spoke about how we sometimes avoid engaging in dialogue with others who are different from ourselves under the pretext that “they will not understand me”. Is the real problem the result of insurmountable cultural differences or is it rather that we are afraid to let others come close to us, and that they might provoke us, become a burden, or enter into our own personal territory? All of us have experienced the desire to enter into deeper interpersonal relationships with certain people. Nevertheless, we have also experienced various negative feelings towards others (e.g. that person is annoying). If we are able to recognize and accept these feelings once they emerge, they can actually help us to learn something new about ourselves. This can be an opportunity to allow ourselves to grow in our relationships and also to experience a change within ourselves. The Lord does not only preach the Good News, but he also offers us the possibility of living our lives to the fullest. If we truly believe that each person is created in the image of God and that He is present in each one of us, accepting the challenges that arise from difficult interpersonal relations can lead us to experience God in unexpected ways.

Sr. Frances, in all her gentleness and mode of relating to others helped to create a warm climate of friendship and genuine fraternity.

In the afternoon, during our final group sessions, we had the opportunity to discuss the topic of obedience and authority. Some underlined the importance of faithfulness and friendship in our relations with our superiors, others argued that Christ alone is the only true authority figure, and, moreover, others insisted that the superior should not work alone but rather guide and sustain the discernment of the entire community.

During the evening, we gathered together with our formators to play various games and other group activities. The following day we had the opportunity to go on a walking tour of the Vatican gardens with a very charming tour guide who was the splitting image of Jane Fonda. She led us into the incredible world of popes, cardinals, Swiss guards and gardeners.

After all of these enjoyable events, some of us have returned to either taking the daily bus 98 to university or are back at Bedizzole to continue on with our discernment process. The others have returned to Alpignano to continue with their formation, studying philosophy and hosting groups that come for various spiritual formation programs. For Daniel Lorunguia, however, he will reach an important milestone in his life by being ordained to the deaconate this coming January 20th.

These encounters, even though they are always too short in duration, nevertheless leave a sign, inspire enthusiasm by being in a big group. They give us an opportunity to listen, talk, laugh and pray, and leave us with good feelings of friendship when we hear them say “we hope that you will be with us here next year in Bravetta”.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 February 2007 )