A special Saturday, in full Christmas atmosphere, the one experienced on December 10 by many young people both in the city’s Cathedral Basilica and in the square, as part of the project “A star in the night”, conceived by Msgr. Giuseppe La Speme, archiepiscopal delegate for the Cathedral and carried out with the collaboration of the group “Our Father … Father of all”.
The aim is to offer citizens the opportunity to live an experience of spirituality, in the late evening, in the heart of the nightlife, in a particularly suggestive context, such as that of the Basilica, with Christ Pantocrator who, in all his splendour, captures the eye and heart of every visitor.
Numerous young people, including foreigners, were invited to enter the church by couples of “evangelizers” who, through a “God’s Candy”, i.e. a roll of paper containing a message of joy and hope, conveyed by the words of a Saint or of the Sacred scripture, they managed to establish a dialogue centered on God’s love and tenderness, to listen to the needs of their interlocutors: those who declared themselves believers and practitioners, those who were atheists, those who manifested their thirst for knowledge, deepening, understanding, who wished to confront each other and ask for support in prayer.
Furthermore, the faithful who entered the Cathedral had the opportunity to enjoy a video projection through a large screen which, through particularly touching images and many thoughts of Pope Francis and of men and women who have made their lives a gift for others , has managed to reach hearts, making people perceive how to give meaning to Christmas, a celebration of joy, light, hope, thanks to a God made flesh, only out of love for humanity. Furthermore, those who wished could freely read passages from the Sacred Scriptures, placed on a lectern near the Chapel of the Crucifix, and write a prayer in a notebook, placed near the altar of the SS. Sacrament.
The musical background was sublime which, together with the soft lights, helped to create an atmosphere suitable for reflection and prayer. A great, unspeakable joy in us, in seeing so many young people who, unfamiliar with the Word of God, seated on the steps outside the cathedral, listened in amazement to the Parable of the Merciful Father or a small group of Catholic Egyptians who, usually marginalized, were able to express themselves and understand, with the help of the Google translator, what the couples were saying.
Finally, all those present, satisfied with the initiative and grateful for what they received, could do nothing but ask about the next appointment.
They are the fruits of the mission, evidence of God’s presence in our lives.
The whole diocesan community is left with the commitment to persevere in joyful and courageous proclamation, to live Holy Christmas ever better, because, as Pope Francis says, where God is born, hope and peace are born and there is no more place for hate and for war.