The GS vacation was a real surprise. For three days, I was shown the origin and the depth of this friendship–especially in the video about Father Giussani, and during the visit to his grave. I had felt the desire to know who Father Giussani really was for some time. I think about all the times we quote him: “Fr. Gius this, and Fr. Gius that…” Who was he? Why did he initiate something this beautiful? Who were those kids who followed him at the beginning? Do I have the same need, the same desire? Coming to discover something more about the origin of what I have been following for the past four years, and therefore the foundation of what I am, moved me. Standing in front of Father Giussani’s grave, I looked around at us, 150 kids, some standing, others kneeling, praying for a man none of us has ever known in person. The first image that comes to mind when I think of him is my mom’s face waking me up, so many years ago, with tears in her eyes, telling me that Father Giussani had just died. Looking at her, as well as at other adults moved to tears in front of him, I understand how strongly I, too, feel his presence. I think back to the words of the video–the narrator referred to those first kids spending time with him as “his own.” I want to be one of “Giussani’s own” too, and I want to be Christ’s forever, because it is so beautiful.

Federica