I live in the United States. One year ago, a Protestant girl met our small GS high school community, spurred by curiosity for the change she had noticed in a friend of hers who had previously met us. Six months after her encounter, she left to attend college. I was filled with wonder, considering how something as fragile as an encounter (especially where there are no “structures” or initiatives besides the texts that the Movement provides, and where the community is as small as ours) has indeed an indestructible strength, capable of resisting the attacks of the whole world. This girl asked me many, many questions (sometimes polemical ones) about Catholic doctrine, and her objections seemed insurmountable, given her Protestant upbringing. Nevertheless, while her mind was coming up with more questions, her face was becoming more radiant every day. I often told her that she needed to start from what she had seen and had felt an attraction for. She was ever more determined to find answers for all her objections. Last week, she returned from college, for spring break. She went with her family to their Protestant church, and her tutor (the person who followed her formation in the Protestant faith) was puzzled when she learned that our friend had attended Mass with the CLU university students. Her tutor told her that her perplexity was due to a sincere affection for her, and that she was concerned that she wasn’t able to distinguish what was true from what was false. At that point, our friend answered that she was certain that every person had in himself or herself the ability to judge and recognize what was true, beautiful, and right. Can you imagine these words coming from this girl? Father Giussani is alive and present now! In her brief journey, she has faced many challenges to her fragile encounter with us. At the same time, she also has had many experiences confirming what had happened to her. Later, she told me that she was preparing to receive the sacraments! I asked her, “Are you aware that in the ceremony you will have to declare that you believe in everything that the Catholic Church says? What will you do with all those questions you had about the saints, Holy Communion, and all your other objections?” She answered, “I am certain of a few things, and that’s enough for me. In time, I will understand the rest.” Lately, I have often thought about something Father Giussani said on his last birthday (when I had gone to visit him with a few friends): “How great is God–or better, how great is that man, Jesus of Nazareth!” Back then, I was not moved by those words. Now, nine years later, they are erupting from the depths of my “I,” and I don’t have a better way to describe what is happening. Who are You, Jesus, with such power, with such attractiveness, that nothing can dispel You? You are more real than reality itself! Father Giussani’s method is current and effective; it’s like a rock one can build life upon! I was standing in front of that girl as if on sacred ground; I felt like taking my sandals off before the One who was becoming present right before my eyes. I was the privileged witness of a mysterious relationship. The following day, I received Communion in a different way, and His presence filled me with silence.