English 
The popular mission held in Lanuvio from 5 to 13 April, organized by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), saw the active participation of various religious congregations, young people and lay people, including our novices. The inspiring theme “I was waiting for you” guided intense days of evangelization and sharing. Through visits to families, moments of listening to the Word and community prayer, our young people lived an authentic experience of proclamation in everyday life.
Gifts received: testimony, joy and encounter
The experience gave the young missionaries testimony, joy and authentic encounter. As Anna says, it was “a great gift to be a witness, share joy and establish a good relationship with people”. Marina emphasized the beauty of “participating as a people of Christ” and encouraging the encounter with Jesus. Pavithra experienced the joy of giving herself totally, while Audette found trust and courage in the collaborative work between congregations.
Valentina summarized the experience with the words of Fr. Clemente Vismara: “Life is beautiful if given with joy”. For Tithi, at her first missionary experience, it was the opportunity to receive the gift of friendship and increase “the burning desire to proclaim”.
Challenges faced: closed doors and distant hearts
The journey was not without its difficulties. The greatest challenge felt especially by Anna, Audette and Johanna, was represented by the visits to families, where many people did not open their doors for various reasons: commitments, disinterest, fear, belonging to other faiths, and lack of knowledge of the popular mission.
Marina found it difficult to “meet people who have distanced themselves from faith”, understanding that “patience is needed and that only God can bring about a change in the heart of man”, while for Pavithra, who comes from India, the main challenge was the language.
Valentina struggled initially with “complete trust.” It was a constant surprise, not knowing whom they would meet or how the day would unfold. Tithi had to overcome her shyness in a new place with strangers.
Testimonies that touch the heart
Each novice was struck by authentic testimonies of faith. Anna noted how in centers of listening to the Word of God, many people spoke of the gifts received from the Lord, emphasizing that “even smiling, listening to each other, helping each other, getting close to people are talents”.
Marina tells of a mother she met during a family visit: “Once very active in church, after getting sick years ago, she saw her friends disappear”. After listening to her and inviting her to participate in the prayer, to her great surprise she showed up the next day and was very happy. Marina understood that “those who have trust in God, through prayer experience his presence and liberation”.
Audette was touched by the testimony of “an elderly lady whose husband is ill for many years”. Maintaining faith and trust in God, she found strength and hope in those close to her. She was impressed to see “people with good relationships with neighbours” who help each other.
Johanna was touched by the sharing of a couple, Fabio and Sabrina, who put together their gifts to “build the family in a Christian way”, cultivating “with care the seed of faith received as a precious gift from God”.
A word to carry in the heart
At the end of the experience, each participant took with them a meaningful word. Anna chose “happiness”, Marina “joy of discovery”, recognizing that everything depended “only on the grace of God”. Pavithra and Audette both cherish the phrase “I was waiting for you”, which gives them strength and hope.
Valentina chose the word “Freely”, recognizing God’s style, while Tithi brings “joy and love for the mission”. Feeling welcomed both among the missionaries and among the people, Johanna chose “Hospitality and Friendship”.
An experience that continues
The mission ended with the Palm Sunday celebrations, but its fruits continue to ripen. As Annibale, a parishioner testified: “A wonderful experience that increases faith, the desire to live together and mutual love.”
Through the challenges of meeting in an often indifferent world, this experience has generated unexpected gifts, revealed the strength of faith in everyday stories and left behind words full of meaning that continue to resonate well beyond the days of the mission.
Sr. Emanuela Nardin, General Direction community
