Volunteers today: “For me, you’re another Padre Pio!”

“When I can, I attend a group for retirees in my neighbourhood. I see that certain people are avoided by the ‘decent’ folks in the group, because of their scruffy appearance: alcoholics, homeless, who bide the time with a bottle as their only companion, and no one tries to involve them in the games, or the conversation.

So I began learning how to play cards and bocce, in order to be able to spend time with them without any judging. At first I had to put up with their frequent reprimands. But I made an effort anyway to be friendly and disposed towards them; also to accept their language and their ramshackle way of playing.

One day, Giulio, whom everyone considered the biggest vagrant, was admitted to hospital because of an alcoholic problem, but no one which hospital he was in. I did some searching and made several phone calls, but because of privacy I wasn’t given any news. In the end, I contacted the city police and they were able to track him down. I took care of him. His doctor explained his medical condition to me if I were a relative. Then I took him home, obtained his medicines and some packages of food.

Silvio, another alcoholic whose driver’s license had been removed, was about to lose his job. I stepped in to help him get it back. Now he’s out of his addiction and has become the animator of a group of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Ulysses was a competitive player, and he bragged about being a “priest-hater”. For two years I put up with his rather aggressive statements. Then, he developed a tumour but, proud as he was, he wouldn’t accept help from anyone. One day he asked me to take him home. This unexpected request was like an answer for me, that perhaps I had made a breakthrough and conveyed a bit of my faith to him.

Gianni, the youngest one in the group, was 50 years old. He was tall as a giant and lived a very disordered life. Because of his lifestyle he was considered last in the ‘good conduct’ rankings. I stood by him until the last day of his life. His family members were surprised, and so was he. A few days before his death he squeezed my hand inside that giant fist of his, expressing his esteem and gratitude.

Guido is a deaf mute; the most isolated one in the group because communicating with him is very demanding. We’ve become friends, and now he’s my partner when we play trump.

One day, Giulio, the homeless man, removed a picture of Saint Padre Pio from his pocket and, in front of the whole group, said to me: “For me, you’re another Saint Padre Pio*.” From that day on everyone in the circle began calling me by that name and, despite the fact that I found it embarrassing, the name stuck.

These friends now await my arrival with joy and I often find myself playing cards with my deaf mute friend against the two alcoholics. We’ve become the most famous team in the circle, and also the noisiest!

Before going to the circle, I make a visit in a nearby church – something that has not escaped the attention of the group – to ask Him for the strength and guidance in loving these socially disadvantaged friends of mine.”

* Padre Pio of Pietrelcina is an Italian saint renowned for his miracles.