“I work in a school in an underprivileged area. One of the experiences I had lived at the end of the year was a confirmation of how each of us can build unity in his own workplace. An ugly episode had happened, involving a professor against the school Principal and other colleagues. While I was taking down the minutes of a school council, there was a moment of conflict. The police arrived, the ambulance, etc. and there was a very explosive atmosphere.  Injunctions were served, there were threats to sue, complaints… It was a very negative moment, colleagues were taking sides with one party or the other, at times making mischief and then each going his own way. I felt really uneasy, the report I had to make was really tough, and I tried only to describe the facts. I tried to listen to everyone without prejudice. I felt I had to do something to mend the relationships. The various parties trusted me, seeing how I had worked during the year and because of my relationships with the students, the families and colleagues. I was in this state, just waiting for an occasion when the School Principal asked me to do something to calm down everyone and bring peace back. At this point I went to pray before Jesus in the Eucharist and asked him to make me his spokesperson, since I knew I was not capable of resolving the situation with my own resources. So, with great apprehension, I called the colleague who was involved and who risked getting fired. An idealist with a great sense of justice, and in my view, very honest; he wasn’t a believer but was in search, and with whom I had built a deep relationship based on common convictions. The minute he saw my concern over the situation, he loosened up. We spoke about his life, the motivations behind all that had happened, and he said he was willing to take back his words and ask excuse for some of his attitudes, and certainly not in defence of his principles. I then went to the School Principal, and also on this occasion tried to listen and share. At the end they met and cleared things with one another, to dispel the many misunderstanding of the past. After other encounters the situation was resolved. It was a great relief to all, and a chance to start anew and look ahead. My colleague told me: ‘I want to thank you above all because I managed to free myself from the grudges and I was able to forgive, in a civil manner, that is, I managed to move on.” On my part instead, I knew I had to thank God for his love and mercy.’  (G. B. – Italy)