They arrived from: Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Banias, Kfarbo and Tartous. Who would have ever imagined spending a week-end with the youth from all parts of Syria. Is this pure madness? The organizers asked themselves. Maybe so, but it became a reality. The number kept growing day after day, until it reached a total of 67.
«This is how our adventure began,» they recounted. «We chose a safe place which all could reach, even if the trip took 10 hours. The idea was to spend three days together to live, share, pray, cry, and play, immersed in nature but with mutual love among us.»
«What matters most in my life?» was the title of the week-end, a question that echoed even more in an uncertain situation like that of the young Syrians. They divided into four groups that focused on different themes: “A special bond with the Father,” “With Jesus every day,” “the Love that makes us free,” and “Love for Mary,” which they deepened with passages of the Holy Scriptures, the Popes and saints, accompanied by true stories of other youth who had preceded them along the path towards sanctity.
When I arrived for the week-end I was tired of the war – confided Fatima – and I felt that life was stagnant, but then once again I experienced God’s presence in my life and his Love for us through the love of the others. Now when I undergo difficult moments, I just need to think that someone is praying for me and is trying to live in the same way, and this gives me a great inner peace. I have understood that the most important thing is to live life … loving Jesus in every neighbour.»
On the first day they delve d deeper into one of the main tenets of the spirituality of unity, «God who is Love.» Tracing the story of the beginning of the Focolare in Trent during the Second World War, in the destruction of all, they traced also the reality of Syria today. «Everything passes, only God remains,» someone said, and so: «What matters most in my life?». One of them said: «Living Christianity in a radical way.» On the second day, through a discourse of Chiara Lubich to the youth in the 1970s, «Jesus the Master,» their choice of God emerged.
«We even sang, danced and played in the evenings, and it made us all feel like a true family,» Murad and Lina wrote. Upon leaving, some said: «I thank Jesus for all the moments of joy and pain.» Haashim said «I experienced God’s caress once again – I feel the responsibility of bringing this grace to all around us.»
Unforgettable days. «During the week-end – Samir wrote – «we made our fill of peace and serenity that have given us the strength to return to living in this dramatic situation.» And Nahda concluded – «Despite the absurdity of the war, I no longer feel alone.»
Grazie infinite a tutti per la vostra sete di speranza e la vostra gioia di esistere anche così, in un paese distrutto , pieno di incognite… Mi sono ritrovata nella vostra forza rivoluzionaria, di quando ero una gen della prima generazione (anni 70),…ma senza guerra…
Quando leggo le nostre news , le prime che mi interessano sono le vostre notizie, e prego ed offro per una speranza di pace! …”Inventiamoci la pace”, come ha detto Emmaus all’ONU, e voi lo fate ogni giorno! 1 franca linaro
VOCES NÃO ESTÃO MESMO SOZINHOS! TENHO ME ESFORÇADO (ASSIM COMO TANTOS OUTROS AQUI NO BRASIL), A VIVER TODOS OS DIAS PELA PAZ, POR VOCES, PARA QUE NÃO LHES FALTE A ESPERANÇA!!!
Grazie per la vostra testimonianza e tenacia nel continuare ad essere fedeli all’Ideale di Chiara,
ci da gioia sapere che ci siete e continuate a vivere per un mondo unito.
Non passa giorno che non preghiamo per voi. Vi siamo vicini.
un vero esempio di vita eroica per Dio e nella totale fiducia nel suo Amore. Siamo noi a dover ringraziarvi carissimi giovani siriani… ci aprite gli occhi e alargate l’anima nell’unica scelta da fare nella vita; DIO.
Siate sicuri delle noste preghiere e unita’!!
Merci à vous tous de ce témoignage , de votre courage et l’envie de vivre malgré les moments de souffrance que vous traverser , l’Idéal nous pousse, nous encourage et nous fortifie dans le quotidien, soyez assuré de nos prières et de notre soutien pour que la Paix revienne dans votre pays et partout où des hommes, des femmes, des enfants veulent vivre pour la Liberté.
En Lui je vous confie à Marie.
grazie per la vostra vita davante a Dio, e per la forza del vostro Amore a Lui, siate securi dela mostra pregliere e unita.