A few weeks after the close of the International Congress of Canossian Laity, “With Magdalene, pilgrims of hope in the world”, held in Rome during this grace-filled Jubilee of Hope, I find myself reopening the blue folder with all the papers, prayers and notes. As I turn them over in my hands, I reflect on the extraordinary richness of that experience.
Around sixty lay participants from twenty different countries, together with Canossian Sisters and Fathers, gathered to represent the many realities touched by the Canossian missions. United by the same charism, they came to listen, to share, to seek out new paths to walk together.
I cannot help but think of St Magdalene, who longed to be “reduced to dust” in order to reach the furthest corners of the earth and bring Jesus where He was unknown, and therefore unloved. Today we find ourselves inside her dream, part of the Father’s plan; and for the gift received, we keep the flame alive so that it may never be extinguished. These days were filled with moments of great significance, and the talks will serve as precious material for formation in the years ahead.
My personal testimony springs from the way this experience rekindled in me the desire to go on hoping — and to become hope for others. Already last year I had been given the opportunity to collaborate, in my own small way, with the Italian team that supported the International Coordination in preparing the Congress. Everyone contributed what they could, even with the challenges of distance, language and culture. At times it was not easy to adjust to one another’s way of doing things, but it became part of the journey together. Behind those few days lay months of careful preparation: from practical arrangements to the planning of the liturgies, the selection of themes and speakers, and the search for meaningful ways of fostering real dialogue.
How can I capture the atmosphere of the Congress? In everyday life we hardly notice the neighbour who comes from another culture, because diversity has become so familiar. Here it was different: we were deeply aware of being united by the passion that had brought us together, and at the same time the individuality of each person stood out with even greater clarity.
It truly felt like a new Pentecost: so much energy! Joyful moments with dancing and colourful songs of folklore, celebrations full of life — all one hymn of praise to the Lord! To sit at the same table, to share meals without embarrassment at not understanding each other, was in itself unforgettable. It was the combination of all these moments that gave those days their unique and unforgettable character.
There were, too, moments of profound emotion. Chief among them was the Jubilee Pilgrimage to St Peter’s. The Eucharistic celebration, presided over by the Canossian Fathers at the altar beside the image of St Magdalene, was a gift beyond measure. It felt as though she herself were there, welcoming us, embracing us, and giving us courage.
In his homily, Father Francesco reminded us of our own “burning bush”, our flame: the baptismal call to be salt and leaven in everyday life, especially among the little ones, those who know how to welcome, like Mary, the woman of hope. Afterwards, despite the sweltering heat and the long walk — hard for the older members especially — we went on to the Holy Door and crossed its threshold together in prayer, each one entrusting to the Lord the darker shades of his or her life, seeking the bright light of hope in a new beginning.
The themes: laity and synodality
The reflections highlighted above all two themes: hope and synodality. Two speakers in particular stood out for me: Erica Tossani, Director of Caritas Ambrosiana, and Luigino Bruni, economist of the Focolare Movement. Erica spoke of her experience as a facilitator at the recent Universal Synod of Bishops — a revolutionary step compared with the past, when lay people had no part in such an event. It marks a significant change, a greater openness to the world. She recalled Pope Francis’ words on synodality, describing it as the attitude the pilgrim Church must embrace as it journeys into the third millennium.
Luigino Bruni spoke to us about Christian hope, drawing on the figure of the prophet Jeremiah. Misunderstood and rejected, Jeremiah warned of the coming exile in Babylon — a prophecy that was fulfilled. Yet from the small remnant who returned, the Messiah would one day be born. Bruni then offered a striking portrait of Jesus Himself: living the ordinary life of a carpenter, calling His disciples as they worked. He urged us to be salt and leaven in our everyday lives. It is precisely where no way forward seems possible that God’s new life can take root. Even today, he reminded us, we are that ‘small remnant. So the question arises: in our own contexts, in our daily lives, how do we respond to this same call today?
In the following days, the content of the talks was taken up in group workshops, to find personal and collective responses. The workshops were introduced by the Gospel passage of the Beatitudes and by the experience of St Josephine Bakhita, a universal sister, who lived the Beatitudes and overcame slavery. Each participant wrote on a coloured card in the shape of a footprint — after sharing in groups — his or her hope, the passion to go on seeking the way. These footprints were then placed along a path leading up to the ambo in the chapel where Mass was celebrated each evening, the path marked by a cloth like a bright trail of light. Along the way were signs indicating the “streets” to follow: the way of meekness and humility, the way of joy and beauty, the way of gentleness and patience, the way of mercy and peace, the way of silence and prayer.
The final image was not only a living icon of the Congress theme “With Magdalene, pilgrims of hope”, but also a prophecy of the small people of God who carry within themselves the seeds of new life.
(Mariapia Raja, Foggia, Italy)
