May 23, 1992: Italian magistrate Giovanni Falcone was killed in a Mafia bombing together with his wife and bodyguards. 57 days later, on July 19, another prosecuting magistrate, Paolo Borsellino, who was also investigating the Mafia, died in a second attack. Those sad events marked a civil re-awakening, starting from the new generations, which today is living in a new phase.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the massacre, ships carrying 2000 students will arrive in Palermo. Various activities have been organised involving the local citizens, including one by the Focolare’s “Youth for Unity” who will promote the “Golden Rule” as the basis for a culture of justice in the public squares of Palermo as well at the site of the “Falcone Tree” (a magnolia tree planted in front of the magistrate’s house which has become a focal point for the anti-Mafia movement) during the solemn commemoration.
Their manifesto reads: “Our motto is the Golden Rule found in all the sacred books of the great world religions and the basis for Natural Law”.
In the Gospel it says: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. “ (Mt 7:12)
In the Old Testament: “What is hateful to you do not do to others. This is the whole Law” (31st Sabbath, Babylonian Talmud)
In the Qur’an: “None of you is truly a believer until he he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” (Prophet Mohammed, 13th of the 40 Hadith Nawawi)
In the Buddhist holy book: “Treat not others in ways that yourself would find hurtful.” (Udana-Varga 5.18)
“Living the Golden Rule in our cities also means abiding by the law,” continues the appeal of the Youth for Unity. It means rejecting all forms of bribery and not giving in to bullying ; it means becoming involved in civic life and refusing Mafia dealings and corruption.
The young people’s aspiration is that there be lawfulness in the city “where the underprivileged, the least in our community are looked after,” “keeping in mind the blood of the martyrs which has been shed over the years in our lands”. Their desire is that this message can reach the Youth for Unity throughout Italy and as many young people as possible so that together they can be “the answer and the fruit of the bloodshed of martyrs in order to build a better future for our country and the world”.
At the conclusion of this initiative aimed at peace and justice, the Youth for Unity will invite all the young people in the various towns and cities of Palermo and Sicily to meet on June 2nd in a symbolic place: the Brancaccio neighbourhood. This is where the Fr Pino Puglisi was killed by the Mafia. He was a priest who gave his life for his people through his mission of re-education. School materials and supplies collected on the day will be donated to the “Puglisi” high school.
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