It was the beginning of 2020. Samuele asked Irene out. They went out together two or three times. Then came Covid-19, followed by the pandemic, lockdowns and distance. It was heartbreaking!

They had to make do with seeing each other on their mobile phones.

But their love grew wings, ever stronger, until it brought them, on the afternoon of Saturday, September 5, to Theotokos, where they celebrated their wedding, surrounded mostly by young couples and accompanied by the songs of Gen Verde.

Irene Bambi comes from a town near Loppiano and was involved in the local parish group, while Samuele Vannacci grew up among the Focolare youth and is still actively involved in the Movement.

She works for a local company, while he is employed by a mechanical engineering firm.

The principal celebrant was Fr. Stefano Isolan, a longtime friend of Samuele. Their friendship also has a special connection: both are children of families who live in the Focolare town.

“You have discovered the love of God, a love that is utterly concrete,” Fr. Stefano emphasized. “Everyone who is here, whether a believer or not, has shown you something of the Lord’s love. To love means to seek, and now the adventure begins: bringing love into the most ordinary moments of everyday life.”
www.loppiano.it  – di Paolo Loriga