CHIARA LUCE DAY AT SASSELLO

Once again this year, around 800 young people have come together to celebrate Chiara Luce Badano’s anniversary at Sassello, North West Italy. These young people make us relive the intense spiritual atmosphere that has characterized those two days.

The weather forecast for the weekend (5^th & 6^th October) at Sassello had predicted torrential rains. Nevertheless, we were ready to welcome about 450 young people who had already booked for Chiara Luce’s anniversary. Besides, we knew we could count on Someone special.

And that was it! All the young people who alighted from the numerous coaches that invaded Sassello, didn’t need to open their umbrella while visiting the various places that were indicated in the guided tour to know better Chiara Luce’s life.

The first stop was the Holy Trinity parish. Carlo Montaguti, a focolarino doctor present on this special occasion even though on a mission in Ivory Coast. He shared about his relationship with Chiara Luce and the circumstances which led to the miracle she performed and later acknowledged by the Catholic Church.

Carlo’s sharing was preceded by a warm welcome with songs, sung by the some Youth for Unity groups, who also accompanied us throughout the whole programme.

Later on, we shifted to the nearby Immaculate Conception church where we met Tiziana, a schoolmate of Chiara Luce. She read to us a beautiful unpublished letter that Chiara Luce had written to her during a particularly painful of her life.

A colourful and festive line of young people filled up the slopping street leading to the beautiful church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, where we enjoyed the view of the ‘Little Switzerland’, as Chiara Luce called her beloved town, Sassello.

There we met with Maria Teresa and Ruggero, Chiara Luce’s parents! With infinite love, they answered to our many questions.

Later, we had a few moments of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by a visit to Chiara Luce’s tomb at Sassello’s cemetery. We were invited to write a message or a simple thought on a piece of paper and leave it in a basket. During this moment, each one of us had the chance of opening his or her heart with Chiara Luce.

Time passed away very quickly. We were all taken by this atmosphere of joy, peace and great simplicity. We suppose that it was just as Chiara Luce would have liked it!

Meanwhile, a small “web commission” was set up in order to gather impressions and short interviews. Even the Mayor of Sassello participated. Visit: www.chiaraluce.org

The evening ended with Holy Mass celebrated in small town close to Sassello, La Maddalena. The atmosphere recalls the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro!