A
Franciscan presence on the streets of Taranto
“If a grain of wheat… dies, it produces much fruit”
(John 12,24)
Taranto, Paul VI neighborhood: here the Brothers
Minor Conventual from the province of Puglia work in one of four parishes in
the district that sprang up in the last 50 years to house industrial working
families. The area has almost nothing to offer, the inhabitants are isolated in
huge cement apartment buildings that rise amidst acres of abandoned,
undeveloped land.
In this vast, difficult, often dangerous
neighborhood the church becomes “yeast” of humanity and of hope. Here fear,
hatred and anger reside. The inhabitants are deeply wounded, having learned
from early childhood the language of violence; one must be strong in order to
not be crushed, one must defend oneself against everyone, no one can be
trusted.
During the month of July, spent with the friars in
Taranto, the challenge of how to create human relationships with the locals
provoked me to seek out the correct attitude to have, the right words to say in
the midst of this conflict-oriented atmosphere. What to do in this situation?
How can the friars, the church, testify to the love of Christ in this mission-field.
I found the answer in a single word, “compassion,”
in other words: being present, simply standing alongside the other, feeling
that which the other feels.
The most significant experience from my time in
Taranto was the “Street Oratory” (street camp) organized with a group of
volunteers in the most difficult part of the neighborhood, where children and
youth group up sharing the street with wild dogs that populate the area.
Forced to grow up far too quickly, these kids come
from dysfunctional families, parents in prison or in drug rehabilitation
centers. Many of them have stopped dreaming because early on their life was
marred by suffering and injustice, and they have learned to respond with
violence and the same injustice.
However when
their eyes meet a loving gaze that does not desire to judge or criticize them
they once again are free to laugh. The little onese act like adults, but give
them a ball, carry them on your back or make them run and they revert back to
their true identity: children. It is important to recognize in them the
profound need to be loved and to love, to receive a hug or a kind word, to feel
important in the eyes of another.
Seeing this
situation, the fear that attacks my heart comes from the knowledge that a true
change, a radical turn-around, is very difficult; these children’s destinies
seem determined from the outset! Their only option is the street and all that
it has to offer. Sometimes after being with them I had the impression that all
our work had been in vain. There did not seem to be any positive results or
changes. So after it was all over many of the volunteers, resigned, said, “It’s a
waste of time.” These children relax during the games but then return to their normal
lives of fights, provocations and vendettas.
This mission is
difficult and yet at the same time stimulating! Here our conventual fraternity
can truly live out the Franciscan charism in its “purest” form, serving the
marginalized. Though often in discouraging situations and with no
gratification, the community moves forward rebuilding where others have
destroyed, becoming channels of peace in the logic of unconditional love, in a
constant openness to listen to others and in being a welcoming presence.
Practically speaking they seek to create alliances with the various agencies
present in the area, developing common projects (like the aforementioned “street
oratory” as well as soccer camps, dance lessons etc…) Already there has been much
fruit, not the least of which is the construction – finally! – of a church
building after many years in which the parish has had to make do without one.
There are many
possibilities hidden behind the faces of the brothers and sisters that could
truly change this little world! Many collaborate with the parish in order to
build a better Paul VI neighborhood, offering their personal resources and
talents. Drop after drop the stone is worn smooth and takes form: this presence
is a seed in the desert that, once grown, will help bring salvation.
Friar
Vito Cosimo Manca
No comments:
Post a Comment