A missing son “My son, in the critical age of adolescence, and probably due to bad company, disappeared without giving any news of himself. In the evening I would go and look for him among the vagabonds. My desperation created misunderstandings with my husband, and I was running the risk of neglecting not only him but also my two other sons. One day, I recounted that during my search around town, I had met many young people who were alone, and who had been reduced to living on the streets due to drug addiction. My other sons offered to come with me to take food and clothing. Since then, life in the family has changed. That tragedy was really an eye opener.” (M. J. – Switzerland) The hospital “The critically ill patient next to my bed confided to me that he was an agnostic and that he hoped to die soon. I listened to him lengthily and then I felt I had to say to him: ‘I think that our task as human beings is to value life at every stage, whether we are healthy (employed or with other commitments), or sick (with our therapies, pains, in our relationships with the nurses, relatives and the other patients). Death, however, may come, but we shall be what we have done in life and valuing the life we have received.’ The other patient seems to be serene now. In the evening, he who was always brooding even welcomed his daughter with a smile. I think he will sleep better tonight.” (D.B. – Trent, Italy) Prison visit “Rosa had to go the next day to teach in a military jail that was out of the way and did not have a car. I offered to accompany her, and moved some of my various commitments. The next day, on the way I tried to reassure my friend: I would make use of my time waiting outside the jail to say a prayer for her. So I did, while she was inside. After a few hours, I saw her come out all smiles due to the relationship she had established with the new students; she had felt my support through prayers. Now she goes to the jail on her own, but still treasures the experience we lived together.” (C. D. – Campania, Italy) The soldier of the Presidential guards “Corneille is a student at Kinshasha University. Last week he was there, in front of the faculty together with his friends, when a soldier of the Presidential guards approached them and begged for help for his child who was seriously ill. The students looked at one another, their hands in their pockets. Also Corneille put his hands in his pocket, and fumbled with: in the left pocket, the leaflet with the Word of Life, and in the right, some coins. After a moment’s hesitation, he offered the money to the soldier. When they were alone again, his friends said: ‘You must be mad, giving your money to him, above all!’ So Corneille gave them the Word of Life. They read it and one of them said: ‘You are really a coherent person. I like that.’ ((C. – Democratic Republic of Congo )