“"Creating a Home" was the theme chosen for this year's World Day of Prayer for Vocations. These words are taken from the apostolic exhortation Christus vivit by Pope Francis. These words perfectly sum up the experience we had last weekend in the parish community of Copiano. We immediately felt at home here, when we visited the Casa di Accoglienza alla Vita (Home for the Welcome to Life) on Saturday afternoon, where children and young people from difficult family situations are hosted. Children up to the age of six and those of school age are welcomed into two different facilities, where they are supported in their daily development by educators. Among these is Deacon Luca Tentori, who introduced us to the various faces that make up the community and shared some of his personal experience in this environment. We then had a snack with the young guests, some of whom were keen to entertain us with their Christmas-themed musical performances and to show us firsthand the various rooms of the house where they live together. Finally, we visited Casa Ines, where the youngest children, some of whom are barely more than newborns, live, and we got to know them and the educators who care for them.
We immediately felt at home, even with the people we met at the oratory that evening. After Mass in the parish church, we ate pizza with the post-confirmation and adolescent groups, their teachers, and other oratory volunteers. It was a truly wonderful moment of conviviality, where we shared our experiences in a truly familiar atmosphere. The impression we got that evening was truly that of the community. capable of an authentic and cordial welcome, which is referenced in the text of the prayer for vocations we've used so often this year. We experienced the same familiarity the following day when we celebrated Mass, led by an exceptional choir and a large but well-organized group of altar servers, thanks also to the help of a couple of older boys. After Mass, we concluded the Sunday morning with games organised in the oratory for the catechism students, in which we seminarians were directly involved as leaders of the three teams that were formed.
In short, just two half-days were enough to realise how a family-like community like Copiano's is truly the fertile ground from which the seeds of all those specific vocations can sprout, making the Church a welcoming home for all. A home where the Lord continues to be present, as on Christmas night, in a daily routine made up of simple gestures, yet filled with love and generosity.
And we wish you a Merry Christmas by sharing another joyful moment we experienced last Friday, December 20, when, together with our bishop and the seminary staff, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Father Giacomo Ravizza's ordination during the Eucharistic celebration followed by a Christmas dinner.
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