In a few words, how would you describe World Youth Day?

Filip: During Sunday Mass, in the Creed, we say: I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. World Youth Day is the perfect event which can show participants what the words: ‘catholic’ and ‘apostolic’ really mean!

First, let’s turn to the word ‘apostolic’. The Church is apostolic because it is built on the Apostle’s faith and tradition. The head of the Apostles, as we know, is Saint Peter. World Youth Day is an extraordinary opportunity to meet the Pope – the Peter of our times. Saint Ignatius of Antioch is famous for the words: Where the bishop is, there is the Church, these words paraphrase the eighth chapter of his letter to the Church at Smyrna, capturing one of the main ideas of World Youth Day.

Secondly, the word ‘catholic’. The word catholic comes from the ancient Greek adjective ‘καθολικός’ (katholikos), which means universal. So what does it mean that the Church is universal?

The Church is sent to all people, to all cultures, to all places. Jesus said to his disciples: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). World Youth Day is a brilliant chance to meet people from all over the world who believe in one God. Participants could also share with each other the different ways of living the faith. It is easily noticeable that Christians have different sensibilities and spiritualities, but all have the common purpose, ‘who’ is Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth: World Youth Day is definitely an event of great joy. It’s what I would call, ‘’a life experience’’. It’s incredible to see how big and alive our Church is! So many young people from all around the world gather all together to celebrate their love for our Lord. At WYD there’s this inexplicable atmosphere of happiness, fraternity, community and joy. What also touches you are the many differences that each person has. We are all different. We all have our story to tell – and we all attend WYD for different reasons and desires. But amid our differences, we have one thing in common. We have a heart that is singing the same song: God – the incredible mystery of WYD.

What are some moments that touched you during your experience and which you think shed light upon the unique character of the Christian Faith?

Filip: I am still amazed by one moment – which I had heard about before visiting Lisbon. It’s traditional that during World Youth Day there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with the Pope. this is a silent adoration. When I heard 1.5 billion people gathered together falling silent all at once, I knew that something extraordinary was going on. I think nothing, apart from God’s presence, is possible to stop all noises like it happened then.

Elizabeth: Like Filip, the moments that have touched me the most were the Adorations we had. They were most special to me because it was during these moments that I felt God’s presence the most. It was during these times that I would feel Jesus speaking right through my heart pronouncing the words, ‘’Do not be afraid. I am with you’’.

Something that also touched me was the endlessness joy that everyone had during those hot and tiring days. The days we lived were pretty intense but no one would show that! Everyone was always full of energy, singing, dancing, having fun… they always had this big wave of joy and always had smiles on their faces. No matter what hour or place, you could turn around and always find people being happy. And that was such a contagious happiness! That was something that amazed me so much to the point where I was able to finally understand the ‘secret’’ meaning of being a follower of Christ —  praising, being joyful even when things gets too hard to handle, and showing happiness and gratitude even when you’re your worst. These are also some of the main keys of sainthood. Like Pope Francis once said: ‘’A sad saint, it’s not a saint’’. And like Saint Philip Neri also said ‘’A servant of God ought to always be happy’’. Let’s all be saints together!

Can World Youth Day be a space that challenges and perhaps also aids those who do not see themselves as belonging to the Christian Faith/or to any faith at all? If so, how?

Filip: Does God exist? What is He like? Why do we live? – without any doubt, I can say that everyone, at some point, is asking or asked themselves these questions. For nonbelievers or those who are still searching for answers, attending World Youth Days provides a chance to meet the Catholic Church, to compare the answers which they have in their heart with the answers which the Church proclaims.

Nonbelievers might get to know the Church which is rich – not in a financial way, but because of its diversity. Maybe somewhere, those who are searching will find their place. I hope that God will grant them the grace of faith, because as he said: Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7).

Why should anyone consider attending the next World Youth Day?

Filip: There are many reasons why we should consider attending the next edition of the World Youth Day, but maybe the one I would like to emphasize most is the fact that we can feel the Kingdom of our Father there.

We read in the Bible: For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20). In Lisbon, around 1.5 billion Christians gathered in the name of Christ. I dare say, we all had the feeling that He is there with us. On the streets there were Christians full of joy and real hope. The hope and joy which have, have their source in the Passion and the Resurrection of our Lord.

In the next chapters of the Gospel of Matthew we read: Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40). During World Youth Days, the families, schools, and institutions that hosted us performed the Corporal Works of Mercy. They fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, sheltered the homeless. We all were immersed in the Kingdom of God. Go there to experience it. It’s worth it.

And, how do you think that we can bring the WYD spirit to our own little communities in our hometowns?

Filip: I believe that bringing the World Youth Day spirit to our communities is possible by doing all that we were inspired to do during our days in Lisbon: expressing the joy of our faith, performing the Works of Mercy, talking about God with peers and meeting to praise God together. We also might make the Pope present among us by reading and discussing his encyclicals, Apostolic exhortations, and letters. I truly hope that we will keep the spirit in our communities, at least to the next World Youth Day!

Liza: I feel like we should not keep what we experienced in Lisbon to ourselves. Being at WYD felt as if I was given many things and now I feel the need to give what I received, to others. We are the proof that our church is still alive and that God still speaks to the young. We have now the job to show this to those who could not attend, by sharing the message of this incredible experience! All we can do is to share our experience and feelings but mostly important ,we need to share the joy we got for free. Because joy is meant to be shared with others, not to be kept to ourselves! I believe that this is what we can do in order to bring the WYD spirit to our families and communities…the rest God will do!”.

The post World Youth Day – Gone But With Us Still! appeared first on Universe of Faith.

1. In a few words, how would you describe the nature and purpose of World Youth Day – particularly to those persons who are not familiar with it.

Elizabeth: World Youth Day is a Catholic festival for youths from all over the globe; they gather to celebrate and positively influence each other (including those who do not consider themselves to be part of/active in) the faith. This happens formally through masses events namely, conferences, religious and encounter opportunities such as mass/prayer/benediction, exhibitions, sports, music, and art. In addition, the myriad of conversations and living in a micro community for a week with pilgrims far from and close to home also contributes to this evangelical experience.

Clifton: A year earlier I visited Fatima and there I had my first taste of the universal Church joined in prayer. Everyday people from all over the world would gather in front of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima to say the rosary which was being said in different languages. Different languages but joined in one prayer and in one faith; it was beautiful. I loved how in the name of Jesus, people from different nations were drawn to the same place. This increased my belief that, despite what’s going on in the world, I was not alone in my faith. When I got wind of the World Youth Day happening in Lisbon, I immediately became drawn to the idea of going. I imagined it would be an experience which was similar to what I had experienced a year earlier.

In the name of Jesus, the World Youth Day drew 1.5 million Catholics, mostly youths, from all the nations. In Lisbon, together we shared our faith, our love for the Jesus and His Church and grew in hope of all that He has promised. And the Lord promises that “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20) and His presence could be felt throughout the World Youth Day. In the times of prayer, in the friendships, in the lively Christian concerts, in the hours of walking, in the uncomfortable sleeping; I could feel the peace of His presence.

2. Outline some moments that touched you during your experience and which you think help shed light upon the unique nature of the Christian Faith.

Elizabeth: Many pilgrims experience unique spiritual and social experiences such as Taize prayers, praying with relics, attending mass, the way of the cross and prayers with the masses of international youths. Taize prayers with the Gregorian fathers for example takes on a celestial dimension when combined with genuine prayer. We have all listened to a well-rehearsed choir who pull out all the musical stops for their audience; Taize hymns however, are simple and repetitive and yet they create the space to dialogue with the one who loves us the most – as a loving, caring Father who is omnipresent and ever close to us. Relics were also on display and personal prayer time is encouraged; this time there were plenty to choose from but that of St Therese of Lisieux proved to be popular. Championing her ‘Little way’, pilgrims were able to relate to her littleness as they too are young and full of anxieties. Despite this, just like Therese, they can pray and live their faith boldly reassured by her words;

‘God would not make me wish for something impossible and so, in spite of my littleness, I can aim at being a saint’ (Birri, C., n.d.).

Clifton: On the first day of the World Youth Day celebrations, youths were invited to join for the Opening Ceremony. I immediately felt that this was no usual celebration. On the way to the stage, loads of youths from every nation were walking in groups, waving their country’s flag, singing worship songs in their language and being merry. This moment ignited my heart with hope and joy and I felt prompted to praise God for His faithfulness to His Church. In this moment I also felt assured, that notwithstanding the huge number of people that gathered for the World Youth Day, God cared for me in a personal manner, knew me by name and He has claimed me as His own. It was no coincidence that I was there. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

The Evening Vigil was another awe-inspiring moment. Following moments of prayer, we were invited to a few minutes of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. As soon as the priest came out with the Blessed Sacrament, the 1.5million people gathered, fell into silence, and started falling to their knees in adoration and in prayer. As I fell on my knees, I could not help but be lifted in a spirit of praise to our awesome God. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

3. Can World Youth Day be a space that (challenges) and perhaps also aids those who do not see themselves as belonging to the Christian Faith/or to any faith at all? If so, how?

Elizabeth: Aside from personal renew of catholic beliefs, world youth day is a prime opportunity for dialogue between believers and non-believers. Pilgrims fill the streets with their songs, flags and everyone was proud to wear the pilgrim kit (especially the bucket hat!). Locals can’t help but wonder who Catholics really are, what they believe/stand for and why is it worth traveling so far for the festival. In a sense, pilgrims go back to basics as they talk of or exhibit core dogma in uncomplicated, mundane language. We explain that reality needs an unlimited, finite explanation that is God; he allows and uses evil to bring about greater goods so much so that he used crucifixion to set us free. Hot topics such as abortion, scandals in the church and defending marriage can be tackled in the queue for a ‘free’ hotdog; the unborn are persons with great potential who are threatened by abortion; the sins of the few should not disprove the whole truth of the church; marriage is a sacred, indissoluble contract ‘in Christ who strengthens’ (Phi14:13) spouses to bear all of life’s challenges (Horn, 2020).

“Furthermore, the aura of W.Y.D breaks the catholic stereotype of idle, old people who chant out prayers like parrots; rather, it shows the true faith in the body of youths who are searching to pursue the truth” – Elizabeth

 

Indeed, the Pope stressed that, ‘it is Jesus Himself who is looking at you, at this moment…he knows your sorrows, your successes, and your failure… Do not be afraid. Take heart, do not be afraid’. (Vatican, 2023). This is the armour we need to keep swimming upstream in our predominantly secular world. Carlo Acutis sums it up perfectly, ‘if we recognise the enormous blessing, we have in the Lord…we would participate in the fruits of the sacrifice and let go of so many superfluous things’ (Acutis, C., n.d).

Clifton: Apart from the World Youth Day being a Catholic gathering, it is also a gathering of youths from different nations. It is a gathering through which one could experience a sense of unity and peace between the nations which is special for anyone of any faith. Conversations with youths from other countries are very common and it is also common for youths from different countries to exchange gifts originating from their country with one another. Central to the Christian faith are joy, peace and love, and in my experience these were central markers of the World Youth Day. Who cannot do with a little more of joy, peace and love?

The World Youth Day challenged me, and might also challenge someone of a different faith, to re-think some misconceptions about what the Catholic Church looks like. It is not a lifeless Church confined to intimidating buildings or dull prayers. With the World Youth Day one may come to realise that the Church is also made up of youth, who are full of life and joy, and who express their faith in ways that are vibrant and beautiful. After experiencing faith in this way, one may come to see those intimidating buildings, as places of genuine faith-filled worship, and the prayers as enriching meditations.

4. Why should anyone consider attending the next World Youth Day? And how do you think that we can bring the WYD spirit to our own little communities in Malta?

Elizabeth: Wyd is a spiritual ‘boost’ where anyone can renew or discover contemporary catholic faith as it is lived internationally by lay people worldwide. It will hopefully inspire you to take up the Pope’s challenge to be the rain that our earth so desperately needs (Wells, C., 2023). Drops of rain make a difference as friendships form with the aim of cultivating the international catholic community. Form a practical point of view, pilgrims develop a newfound appreciation for a hot showers, comfortable beds and easy access to food (no long ques!).

Moreover, we can promote an attitude for gratitude amongst out communities. We have the privilege of knowing and being loved by God; this is especially prominent in little things like gathering people to go to mass and creating spiritual and social opportunities to foster growth in the community. We can also pray traditional prayers, such the rosary, and contemporary ones in the form of praise fest concerts with catholic music. We might even include different languages to include our newfound international friends because after all ‘there are many parts, yet one body’ of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-27).

Clifton: At the end of the World Youth Day, the Pope addressed the youth and instructed us to not be afraid. I felt this message to be calling me to not be afraid to, like Mary, arise and go with haste (Luke 1:39), and share the joy, peace and hope we experienced during the World Youth Day back to Malta; back to my family and friends, my work, my parish and the places where I serve. I felt encouraged to not be afraid to be a witness of Christ in these places.

“I would say that the World Youth Day has gone by, but this experience is continuing to bear fruit days after. During my sorrows, my failures and burdens, I continue to be reminded of those words of the Pope and of Luke1:39. I am reminded to not be afraid and to allow the Holy Spirit to work within me so that I may go with haste to face all that life throws at me” – Clifton

The gifts received from other youths serve as good reminders. Throughout the World Youth Day I also had the opportunity to network with other youths who share the same faith from Malta. This allowed me to get to know and connect with other Catholic youth groups which I was not aware of before and I feel encouraged to maintain this connection and seek opportunities to collaborate. For these reasons, I feel very confident in recommending anyone seeking to grow in faith and to connect with other people sharing their faith, to attend the next World Youth Day.

The post Back From World Youth Day! And Now? appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Initially you were all searching – how has forming part of “Christ Our Neighbour Group” helped you with ‘sifting your faith’?

Marylene: The initial group originated from a group of sixth formers, mainly in our late teens and early twenties, it was a phase in our development where existential questions came to the fore.  The teachings instilled in us by our parents came under scrutiny. It is typical at that age to stir away from the past, which tended to seem obsolete or irrelevant. Most of us had the background of the Legion of Mary and good parental grounding. If our ideas differed from that of our family, we would not dare to question it, but we kept it to ourselves. However, the apple does not fall too far from the tree and the group helped us build on what was already there but with a different perspective and outlook.

It was also helpful to realize that our thoughts and ideas were shared by others. The group helped us discuss issues common to all. ‘Sifting the faith’ is a continuous process. A lifelong one that changes or rather is modified as we mature and undergo life’s undulating cycles. Our contacts with the elderly, children in institutes and people with a disability helped, provided exposure to the needs and painful expectations of society, and helped fulfil our ethos stating that we should be hands-on.

In the group-prayer written by Fr Joe Busuttil (i.e., the group’s first spiritual director), the word “sejħa” (i.e., call) is mentioned. How important is it for us to first discern where God is calling us “to be”, rather than merely experimenting without being open to His guidance?

Marylene: The quest to find out more intensive and introspective questions as to our reason for being and our place in this world leads one to question living according to the ‘will of God’. If one does not comply with the will of God, one is not living life to its fulfilment. Discernment could be confusing to an inquiring mind and leads to disquieting thoughts, especially for someone like me who always feels that the grass is greener on the other side of the field, especially when one is still finding one’s place in the world vis a vis work, status vocation, etc.

My acceptance to join the group was not only a call but the need to search for something which was so much bigger than oneself. Retreats, prayer meetings, and discussions guided by the help of Fr. Joe helped in paving the way for discernment. As time went by and maturity set in, you realise that it would be easier to abandon yourself to the will of God by actually giving up your quest and accepting life as it is. A poster hanging in one of the prayer rooms at the Little Flower (nuns) stated: ‘BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED’. This surrender provided the backdrop to listen to ‘God’s voice and be aware of the nudges and inner voices.

In our conversation, you outlined the “revolutionary” approach that you initially had in your earlier years: in what ways, do you think, can youths (in general) and those within the Church be revolutionary today?

Marylene: I distinctly remember having the urge to change things in our society. I might not term them as ‘revolutionary’ but it was an attempt, such as going on the beaches with placards protesting against topless bathing. Our interactions with social groups as mentioned above, and the activities we organized were in themselves an attempt to change the world and the perspective of society towards them. Apart from that it provided cohesion for the group.

Today’s youths have ample opportunities to make themselves heard – starting from our environment to the corruption of society. Youths being able to vote from the age of 16 provides a substantial cohort when elections occur. Who wants to face corruption in society, injustices, and the destruction of our limited green space? At our age, we do not aspire much, but young people and children deserve to live in peace, tranquillity, and an environment that promotes good mental health. You have much to fight about. Your livelihood and well-being are at stake! You can still make it!

During the last two years, I had many opportunities to hear mass in various parishes in Gozo. Mass there had a certain amount of enthusiasm, modern choirs, and the churches were full. It set me thinking.   There was such a stark difference between Churches in Gozo and the majority of Maltese parishes (obviously not all).

While the output from the priest celebrating mass was important and clearly there was a creative element at play, the attitude of the laity was that of enthusiasm. And it was like a light bulb suddenly lighting up. We expect our priests to be creative, do things differently. The ritual of the mass is what it is and can hardly be changed. I often try to put myself in the shoes of the priest celebrating mass facing a handful of lethargic people. The situation is pathetic. I feel that a priest can only work according to the energy generated by an interested and cooperating congregation. Young people today have so many activities to kindle their enthusiasm and expose them to the needs of an ailing world. I envy World Youth Day. What enthusiasm! What an experience!

One activity I clearly remember was the feast of Kristu Re where all religious groups including CONG gathered in Floriana at the foot of the Statue of Christ the King with banners and marched down Kings Way to congregate in front of St. John’s Cathedral.   That event was not simply to acknowledge Christ as King but to unite religious groups with a common goal. It felt good!

Women in the Church.

Marylene: Women’s voices have also been silenced from time immemorial in spite of the fact that in the gospels Mary Magdalenand Mother Mary were given priority, dignity, and importance. It’s a miracle in itself that we have amazing women who, because they heard the voice of God, risked everything and followed their calling. These brave women, saints, and mystics gave up everything to evangelize and make themselves heard in spite of the prevailing culture in a male-dominated world.

Personally, I feel that the Pope’s suggestion to promote women deacons and try to include them within the church is a first step to include more women and have their perspectives noted. But I sincerely hope that it does not stop there. I firmly believe that women have much to contribute and should have a more active role in the running of a parish.

“Vocation is not limited simply to clergy within the Catholic Church but includes every individual. We all have a calling in some way or form to be God’s hands on this earth. Each on his own way to minister to God’s people.”

The group always made it our priority by joining Dar tal-Providenza and the elderly at Little Sisters of the Poor and the Orphans in Żabbar and share in their lives. Hence the name (i.e., Christ Our Neighbour Group).

In light of Fr Joe Inguanez recent passing, the group extends their condolences and prayers to him and all his loved ones. Fr Inguanez was CONG’s chaplain for a number of years.

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The post Bloom Where You Are Planted! The Experience of growing in a Community of Faith – Marylene Savona Ventura appeared first on Universe of Faith.

Looking to Scripture one notices that, on numerous occasions, Christians are invited to be “witnesses”. Acts 1:8, for example, says: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. … But what exactly does it mean for one to be a witness? On this matter, St Augustine writes that, “to be a witness for Jesus means that you speak about Jesus to others with your actions and words”. A more expressive definition is the following:

A witness is a person who calls attention to something other than himself, one who is called upon to give—or to be—evidence of something. He gives—or is—witness. All true religious witness is an exteriorization of inner commitment; it transmits truth to others in a living way. A witness is a person totally given to God and his fellow men. There are three elements in this Christian witness: message, signs to convince, divine helps to awaken and draw others to God.

In reading the above, perhaps a level of scepticism could befall us.  In today’s world, how effective is it to ‘attend to something other than myself’? More specifically, how would I be helping others if I ‘exteriorised’ my inner commitment and my personal relationship with God? … How can I authentically do this?

Rajesh Mohur’s Profound Search For God

Born in Mauritius, Rajesh Mohur was a Hindu from a family of the Brahmin caste, the highest Hindu caste. His father was a priest and president of the Hindu Association of Mauritius. He taught his son all the Hindu prayers and instilled religious culture and history in him. Rajesh narrates how: ‘‘[My father] used to teach me from the early beginning about all of their prayers … about the scriptures, Indian scriptures”. Eventually, at the age of 16, Rajesh was sent to Gujarat to continue his studies.

After gaining admission to a university, Rajesh graduated with a degree in physics. During his time there, he was even more fully immersed in Hindu culture and religious practice. ‘‘I’ve been to so many temples. I met so many gurus in the meditation center, and I met swamis”, Rajesh recalls here.  ‘‘I witnessed all of those places. It was peaceful, you know. Nice. But your life doesn’t change. … I was in search of a living God.’’

‘‘My journey was always to find something that … from myself, deep down, I could not fulfil.”

Just as he was about to enrol in a master’s program in England, Rajesh learned of his father’s death. As a result, he soon returned to Mauritius to help his family, who were facing financial problems. Full of anger and bitterness, Rajesh took refuge in Hindu prayer, but was unable to find solace.

‘‘And then I met Carlo, such a small child’’, Mohur remembers.

Touched in the Heart by a Child

Rajesh’s first impression of Carlo Acutis, with his brown curly hair, was that he looked like the little cherubs seen in paintings and sculptures around Milan. On his second day working for the family, Mohur recounts that little Carlo approached him with a big smile and a gift — a piece of chewing gum. And on rainy days, Carlo would sometimes watch videotapes of cartoons based on the Bible and the lives of the saints together with Rajesh, who watched with interest because he had not had much exposure to Catholicism.

After Carlo made his first Communion at the age of 7, Rajesh would walk with him to the church around the corner from his house for Mass or to pray on his way to and from school.  This is because Carlo enjoyed going to church regularly to pray before or after school. It was there that Rajesh witnessed young Carlo’s soul blossoming like beautiful roses in spring!

“His behaviour changed when he was inside the church, with all respect. He knew that there was something different where Jesus lives…. That touched my heart,” recalls Rajesh.

But the young boy’s generosity with others and the way he spoke about his faith was what ultimately converted Rajesh. He confesses, “seeing Carlo’s acts, you know, (the acts) of such a small child, that was what converted me”.

Speaking of God with a “Sweetness”

One particular trait of Carlo was his tendency and eagerness to talk to Mohur about the things that he loved: heaven, the Mass, and the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He explained everything with ‘‘such a sweetness”, Rajesh writes. ‘‘He always talked about the Eucharist, Jesus, how he suffered for us … sacrificed his life for us’’

‘‘Carlo, told me that wherever you go, you may find Jesus present in Flesh, Soul, and Blood [in the tabernacle].’’ Here, Rajesh would ask Carlo how such a thing could be possible, and then the boy would explain the Eucharist to him, along with other aspects of the faith.

“He did this so sweetly. It felt as if we had already gone up to heaven.”

Finally, as he grew up, Carlo taught Rajesh to pray the Rosary, and explained to him the the importance of the sacraments and other truths of the faith. “He knew the Catechism of the Catholic Church almost by heart and explained it so brilliantly that he managed to get me excited about the sacraments”, says Rajesh. When he then told Carlo that he had been having dreams about Jesus, Carlo responded, “Jesus loves you, Rajesh.”

Encountering the Living God

‘‘So, slowly, slowly … he used to tell me the importance of baptism and so many other things also’ … all those experiences changed my life. And I could see the living God’’. Four years after first meeting Carlo, Rajesh was baptized. He was in his late 30s at the time, and as an adult entering the Catholic Church, he received at once all the Catholic sacraments of initiation: baptism, first communion, and confirmation in a Mass at Acutis’ parish in 1999.

Carlo’s family threw a party afterward for Rajesh and his friends, sharing sweets and snacks at their apartment. Mohur let Carlo pick where to go out for dinner. He said that Carlo proposed: ‘‘Let’s go to the Chinese restaurant today because it’s a special day.’’  Mohur joked in reply: ‘‘It’s special for me, but it’s more special for you because you like Chinese food’.’ Joking aside, Acutis later told his parents: ‘‘There are many people who do not realize what an infinite gift it is to receive baptism’’.

Carlo’s (and our) Role In All This

How did Carlo manage to get Rajesh “excited about the sacraments”? How did he “touch his heart”? How did he help Rajesh discover the “infinite gift of baptism”? Surely, God and His grace played a role in all this. But there must have been something more –

Carlo’s total co-operation with God! This was not a co-operation that was done out of mere ‘duty’, ‘habit’ or ‘ritual’ – but a co-operation done out of love; within a living relationship of love! Indeed, it was not only Carlo’s versed knowledge of the Catholic Faith and the Catechism, it was not only his ability to outline the reasoning behind the Faith with a sweetness – these are all crucial and important – but it was also his living witness to a living God. It was Carlo’s selfless love – which permeated all his actions and thoughts. It was love – integrated with love for the other and for all creation – that healed Rajesh and showed him, ultimately, the true identity of that God whom he had been searching for all his life.

We too are called to ‘attend to something other than our self’. And although we may not be called to do this in the same way Carlo did – we are certainly called to express the same degree of love (if not more)! Learning love’s ropes is an infinite journey in itself, but God never denies our search or any request for help. We may even begin from the very beginning and simply ask God to cultivate within us the desire to love – or to understand what it means to love in a fuller and more holistic way. So, let’s just try to ask. Through love, we shall most certainly be given!

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The post From Hindu to Catholic: The Beautiful Effects of Witnessing Jesus! appeared first on Universe of Faith.

I’m very patriotic when it comes to language, literature, and culture, but not so with music. When it comes to choosing between Malta Eurovision Song Contest and Sanremo, I choose the latter. Just to clarify, by ‘following’ I mean scrolling through the songs on my smartphone, since I neither have a television nor enough patience and time to spend in front of a light emitting box.

For the Ariston Theatre, this year’s concert was a good one because many of the songs that made it to the final stage were somewhat beautiful in their style, melody, or lyrics. Even if initially I didn’t give it too much importance, one of the songs that struck me most was Tango by Tananai, which placed fifth.

After hearing it for several times and watched the music video, I realised that this was a contemporary masterpiece. To put you in context, it speaks of two lovers separated by the war in Ukraine. The music video is made up of a divided screen, with clips of her and their daughter (both refugees in Italy) on the left, and on the right, clips shot by him; an inexperienced soldier, back in Ukraine during their daily video calls.

To some extent it’s a typical Italian love ballad, with statements featuring the desire to return to the day they met and reverse the events so that they won’t be suffering of a love-story lived at a distance. However, there are also a couple of disturbing lines that almost shook me and made me struggle to bring out their real meaning after reading through the lyrics repeatedly. The last lines of the pre-chorus and the opening lines of the chorus are as follow:

Lo so quanto ti manco, ma chissà perché Dio

Ci pesta come un tango e ci fa dire

Amore tra le palazzine a fuoco

La tua voce riconosco …

When I heard “God” and “tango” in such proximity, a repressed memory from my secondary school years came to the fore: the stupid song called ‘Lord of the Dance’ which we sang during mass and which I hated wholeheartedly. Moreover, it’s quite weird to imagine God dancing tango, being a Trinity and not a couple (apologies for the blasphemy). But what’s most harsh about these few words is that it’s as if God is trampling on them like in a tango dance because of this horrendous experience they’re going through, and yet the singer somewhat acknowledges that it is God that makes them say, “my love,” even in the midst of broken buildings and explosions.

This paradox has baffled theologians and philosophers for millennia, and they only managed to reach partial answers which are either too logical to touch the heart, or too sentimental to make a cohesive argument. However, I cannot stop listening to these verses because, let’s face it, as we pray in the Our Fathers’—“and lead us not into temptation”—we know that in life we pass through many trials, and ‘faith’ removes nothing from the suffering to be endured.

In a sense, sometimes, only poetry, music, and art can transmit the belief that God is there, even amid our hells, and that it is only love that makes hell bearable, both that of our loved ones and also His love—which is not always easy to see and verify.

Yet God’s love guides our stories, both in their highs and also in their lows. God’s love endures even when we promise that on a Monday we’ll be back, but have little faith that Monday will ever come (Io tornerò un lunedì/Ma non è mai lunedì). Love makes our hearts beat and it itself sows small seeds of love amid deserts.

So, back to the question, “Tananai’s Tango and… God?”… I think this art-piece succeeds at showing that only God, while sometimes apparently trampling on us in the dance of his love for us, makes us capable of loving (i.e., even when we are living through hell on earth). He who is love itself, gives us the grace to not give into doubt, fear, anxiety, or egoism. Indeed, and here, in being transformed into God’s nature, we become selfless like him. Through love and being loved, we become love.

It is only if we sow love that humanity will be able to reap the fruit of love one day. This fruit is not a forbidden fruit, but a fruit that God wishes us to feed on abundantly!

Read More –

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In Search of Beauty

I look out the window

to see a restless night.

I close my eyes, so that I might for a while

escape the pain behind me.

There sat he

behind me

news on the telly.

He’d been on the news

some days ago.

Run over by a reckless driver.

Hit and run. Both legs mangled.

Forever injured.

Now the news spoke

of ground shattering war,

lives taken, families scattered.

War, famine,

death, destruction.

Brother deceiving brother.

A world in chaos.

And in this moment of despair,

in a world with no rhyme or reason,

I turn my face upwards towards the stars

and silently scream

“Where is my God?”

And I think to myself,

why do I expect to find God in hell?

What is this place we call our own

if not a man-made hell?

Here in the realm in which we tread,

in which we’ve spread our corruption,

we have silenced Heaven’s bell; for we no longer seek

it’s guiding toll, threw away the Holy Bread.

Our god is born from self-deception.

Greed and power-lust are its holy word.

We are a world of modern-day Mammonites.

The devil calls,

‘Come to me and I’ll reward ye

Wealth, power, all the world’s comforts shall serve ye…..if simply

Ye kneel before ”me.”

Tempted with an easy life,

a life of grazing on coin, engorged with recognition and fame

we’ve thrown our soul onto the pyre,

sold our soul to the devil’s fire.

So I clutch the crucifix hanging from my neck

pleading for a sign that God is listening.

But all I hear, in this darkened night, is the street below, brimming

with the desperate vibrations of a technological world,

a world desperate to make gods from men.

I squeeze my eyes, my mind swirls with thought.

What prayer ought I say?

What words may this mouth of a blasphemer speak?

I try to croak out a plea for help,

but the weight of my sins seems to pull the prayer into deep abyss

leaving in its wake a snake-like silence seemingly solid and unbreakable.

Until to my surprise,

through that deep solid silence,

A voice breaks in song.

It was a simple song

sweetly sung, its sound softly soaring and at times, falling.

Its simplicity seemed to lure me.

I lean back towards the song

and before long,

I can make out the words

constructing a song of praise

to Him who made all.

Slowly my eyes open, I turn round,

and there before me sits the singer,

wheelchair bound.

“How?”, “how can you find the words to sing

of beauty, in a world so sick without

love, a world so drenched in darkness and sin?”

A smile shined from his face and he said

“Finding the words is no hard feat,

when beauty is all around.

You just have to learn to see”.

My father used say;

“how does the sparrow fly so free

despite all that threatens it?

It flies because it knows

that beauty always grows

taller than terror.

It knows it can find shelter

in the trees that tower,

and find peace

among the smallest flowers.

Despite all that hunts it,

the sparrow never gives in.

And so must we never give up

just because of sin.

Just because there’s death

does not mean there’s no life.

There is still love

despite the strife.

The loving parent

who adores the child,

the patient teacher

who nurtures the mind,

The humble worker

to whom most are blind,

who toils and troubles

to serve.

There are many times

when humans sacrifice out of love.

It is this sacrifice

that raises us above

our monstrous desires.

Open your eyes

See past the lies

The world is not in darkness.

It isn’t all night.

Open your eyes and see the light.”

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Easter has always been my favourite Celebration. Since I was little girl, I always liked to remember the passion of Christ and the deep “love-message” behind it. Unfortunately, I think that we as human beings often forget about the importance of loving, about True Love:

Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other (John 13:34)

A Universal Call to Love

This is the primary message that I think God is telling us this Easter. When we have God “fully alive” inside of our hearts, when we have our eyes on Him, then we are able to see Him in the “faces” of the people around us too. God helps us to see the divinity in our fellow friends (and even of strangers).

This Easter, God is especially calling us to open our hearts to our enemies and to all of the people that are hard for us to love or to even care about.  He is calling us to be more welcoming and less exclusive. Indeed, it is important to remind ourselves of our place on this Earth (of our role as human beings made in God’s image) and of the mission that we are all called to uniquely accomplish.

So along the way, remember to follow God’s steps and to do what He’s calling you to do! A friend of mine once said that following God’s will means loving. If you do things for others with Christ’s love and show it with joy and compassion, then you’re already fulfilling His will.

Love requires Sacrifice

But love also requires sacrifice in different aspects. At the end of the day, love is about sacrifices that are worth making. Even if it feels like it doesn’t make sense, even if it feels painful, even if you don’t feel sure of it, if God is calling you to do it, trust the word of your Lord and reassure your heart with His presence.

Thus, let’s all try to listen to what God is calling us to do this Easter. Let’s try to love more. We must remember Jesus’s sacrifice and see it as a way to be better people.  Not just better Christians, but better human beings. Only with love and a good dedication to others, can we live a fulfilled life! Ultimately, Christ’s love is a guide: a sign to us that proves that love always has the final word – and that Easter is a precious Personal call to Love, a call that leads to Freedom.

To end this reflection of mine, I’d like to leave you with a message, hoping that it might touch your heart and help you to make a change in your life. I strongly believe that we were put on this Earth to live for others, not for ourselves. So make a good use of your love! 🙂

Wishing everyone a happy Easter!

Lisa Grimaldi.

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If you have had the opportunity to read or instead watch the film Dune (i.e., which if you haven’t yet, you should, considering it stars some incredible actors such as Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya) you might be familiar with these phrases: “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain”.

Just from reading this, one can immediately sense that Frank Herbert, the author, had a very profound intuition into the fundamental realities of existence. Indeed, Herbert is here tapping into one of humanities lengthiest struggles since time in memorial.

Fearing Death

We have all in one way or another experienced fear and its detrimental effects. But I think one of the core fears that we must inevitably face is that of death. So much so that it has almost become taboo to even mention in today’s culture.

Yet without sometimes even being aware of it, we incessantly experience ‘little deaths’, as Herbert puts it. Whether it be discontent at the workplace, financial issues, illness, maybe you’re mocked/humiliated or you’re going through countless quarrels at home, or perhaps, even more severe, you might feel worthless and lost – you mention it – all of these can then trigger even more fears within us and the vicious cycle begins. In other words, like Jesus, it might just well be that right now you feel somewhat ‘crucified’ – defenceless, desperate, completely and utterly exhausted.

Jesus providentially spent three hours hanging on the cross, however, most victims would last there for days – potentially even weeks under excruciating (i.e., a word which means ‘from the cross’) torment. How long have you been hanging from your cross?

Remembering The Resurrection

It is at these moments when we recall an event that occurred around two centuries ago which completely revolutionised our reality – the Resurrection. It is through the Resurrection that Jesus conquers one of, if not the most inherent and inevitable fears within us all; in turn giving life to some of the deepest desires within our hearts.

Jesus affirms that the ‘little-deaths’ and eventually the ‘big-death’ is not something to fear but rather a process of attaining the best of ourselves. As Jesus himself allegorises, in order for a tree to grow, the seed must die. From a microscopic perspective, around three-hundred million cells in a human body die every minute in order for new ones to flourish. I also just recently discovered that the pearl of an oyster is in actual fact the result of a healed wound. This is consequentially and literally what Jesus accomplishes on the cross! He gathers up our pains, our sufferings, our loses, our ‘little-deaths’ and ultimately even our ‘big-death’ and, as Tim Odell beautifully sings in his song ‘Heal’, “like an empty sail that takes the wind”, Jesus transforms them into healing, triumph and ultimately life, all through His Resurrection.

As Dr Scott Hahn, in his ambiguously titled book ‘Hope to Die’ articulates, “we were made for life. We were made for joy…and in Christ that life and joy are already ours”. Further on, Dr Hahn remarks that, “we have nothing to fear from the terrors of the world…they cannot rob us of the hope that fills us – the hope of eternal life”. And this is exactly what we all ultimately desire, whether we are aware of it or not, “eternal life”. Therefore, if I could now rephrase Herbert’s quote, “[w]here the fear has gone there will be nothing [left in the tomb]. Only [Jesus] will remain”.

In light of all this, it doesn’t come to much of a surprise that one of the first things that Jesus utters to the women coming to the tomb post-Resurrection is, “[d]o not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10). Remembering the resurrection, therefore, is more than us recalling a past-event; it entails us immersing our self in the present in the events that Christ himself experienced.

Be Not Afraid

This is not, however, the first time that God has spoken to our subterranean desires, encouraging us to be free of fear. As a matter of fact, within the pages of Scripture, the phrase ‘fear not’ (or equivalent translations) appears only slightly over one-hundred times in the Old Testament, as well as about forty-four times in the New Testament.

This is, in essence, the life Jesus calls all of us to live. To live life knowing that no failure, no distress, no discontent and not even death itself has the final word. It is through this way of life that we can also boldly acclaim, “I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me”.

The post How Easter Speaks To Some Of The Most Essential Desires Within Us appeared first on Universe of Faith.

The passion and the crucifixion of Christ are very dear to me. In fact, I sincerely believe that if Christ had to call me to be His disciple, He would call me during that journey. In Christ who is suffering, I do not see a man whom I should pity; in Christ who is undergoing His passion, feelings of guilt and shame stay away from me. As He undergoes his passion, rather, I find myself lost in His loving gaze for me. My eyes meet His and I feel tenderly loved in a complete way, in a way I have never imagined before. I feel immersed in an ocean of unconditional love.

As He is enduring the scourging, I do not see Jesus as a victim of human sin, but my Saviour who is freeing me and saving me. I realise how deeply precious and dear I am for God. I find myself wanting to hide and find comfort in His wounds. I find myself wanting to walk all this journey with Him – to be there for Him. And I can see the Spirit of the Resurrection already present.

Why should I be afraid of His passion, why should I seek to run away – when in those moments I can experience his deepest and most tender love for me?

His blood is sanctifying. It heals me. He gives me the courage to follow in His footsteps and also embrace the pains of my life steadfastly. I love the passion of Christ, for I do not simply see a human being who is undergoing pain and suffering from human sin, but the glory of God. Because during this affliction, from Him emerged only light, unconditional love, forgiveness. A torrential of graces were poured on to us! And these are graces which give us the strength to receive and accept the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Graces which, when we believe wholeheartedly that Jesus is our Saviour, can give us the faculty to transform our lives completely.

In light of all this, I am reminded of a metaphor that a priest once narrated on a radio-station. He compared the journey of Christ’s death and resurrection to a woman giving labour. The pain and suffering, irrespective of their horror, are ultimately needed for the child to be born. This means that suffering isn’t something that we should always attempt to escape, but to realise that sometimes there is a kind of freedom and potential growth in it. In a sense, the Resurrection wouldn’t make sense without the antecedence of Death. And this death – all form of death – is never separated from He who loves us. Grace gives colour even to the blackness of the tomb.

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When I was an atheist, I believed there was no evidence for God, but that science  was truth. Then science showed me there was no evidence for atheism – Dr Sy Garte, PhD in Biochemistry

Questions featuring the relation between the most recent scientific evidence and the existence of God are ones that are hotly debated in our society (and rightly so). The positions taken are many – some say that God and science do not go hand in hand – even that science has, in some sense, done away with the “proofs” for the existence of God. Is this so?

Today we will make recourse to a highly respected Biochemist – someone who was, for most of their life, a staunch atheist. His name Sy Garte. What is so striking about Dr Garte is the fact that it was science per se – his own research – which compelled him to discover God’s existence. The question is: what exactly was it that helped him understand that a divine reality (i.e. and ultimately that the Christian God) actually exists?

Garte’s primary work is his award-winning book titled, The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith (Kregel Publications, 2019). Here, Garte competently explores physics, philosophy of science, quantum entanglement, mathematics, evolution, consciousness, and the fight for morality and justice, all in a fast-moving personal story that’s rather humorous at points and heart-wrenching in others. He begins the book by affirming the importance of questioning. Raised in a militant anti-religious (communist) family, he narrates how “my parents’ atheism was indeed a deeply felt religious belief, and that it was successfully transmitted to and accepted by me at a very young age”. His faith, in other words, was in atheism. In this respect, Garte confesses that “like all faiths, the faith I was born into raised questions. And like all faiths, mine had ready answers for most of these questions”. The questions raised were: “why are we here? what is our purpose?”. But in light of his Marxist (communist) context, the answer to these questions were clear to him: “to work for the betterment of all humanity, to strive for fairness and justice in the world for all, to defeat the evil forces of superstition, oppression, and hatred”. All “good answers”, he concludes.

In this respect, however, while acknowledging the plausibility of such answers, Garte realised that there was a problem with the Marxist framework: “but even early in my life, I sensed a problem with them”. Thus, in a quasi-Lewisian fashion, Garte asked, “if there is no concept of fairness in nature (no objective standard), and if humans are nothing more than natural beings, why should they be fair?”:

where did the subversive concepts of fairness and justice come from? What was their source if it wasn’t from the natural world?

According to an atheistic framework, capitalists are simply acting out the pseudo-Darwinist prerogative of the survival of the fittest. At first, Garte approached these questions by adopting a purely Darwinist approach: “the answer I came up with was that humans had somehow evolved to a higher level in the midst of a cruel and uncaring world, that humans had evolved a sense of purpose and a potential for further growth and development”. He continues here, writing, “I felt that through an evolutionary quirk (what Richard Dawkins later referred to as a “spandrel”), humans had become a unique species of animal that could feel, think, and create”. In this vein, Garte understood that we humans had “evolved from the natural world, but [he] also came to see that we were something more”. We could create beauty, we could change our lives, we could love. All of these unique capacities, he writes, “were vague and uncertain ideas, pretty well lost in the maelstrom of anti-religious views that dominated my mind”.

Until it all changed. And because?

It would not do justice to explore the rigorous scientific evidence that Garte outlines in the book in such a limited space. What I suggest, rather, is for anyone who is sincerely curious to explore the book, authentically. What can be said for certain is that the book manages to show that, the common idea that to be a Christian one must park one’s mind at the doors of the church before entering, is a myth. Garte’s journey is testament of one who searched lengthily for the truth and who let the truth itself guide him – through the means of his own rigorous discipline. He is a brilliant example of a Christian following Jesus’s command to love God with our minds (Matt. 22:37).

Check out Sy Garte’s website in which one can provide feedback about the book, post a review, or ask questions.

Dr. Garte’s book “The Works of His Hands“.

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