The exhibit on Fr. Giussani, “From My Life to Yours,” which we brought to our parish in Kajang (twelve miles from Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia) where we meet with other friends from the movement, has been a singular grace and has exceeded all of our expectations.

The idea to bring an exhibit to our parish came to me a few months ago because I perceived that our presence was awakening curiosity in other parishioners. So I proposed the Giussani exhibit to my friends in the community and they responded with great enthusiasm. I thought about him because of personal gratitude for what he means to my life and that of my family.

There was a lot of work to be done in terms of logistics and fundraising, but everything was resolved thanks to the help of our friends. For example, to print out the panels I had said, “We have two options: the cheap one and the ‘luxurious’ one. Let’s see how much money we can raise and in exactly one week we will decide.” Indeed, the donations were quick and very generous, and they allowed us to print large high-quality panels. No one imagined they would be so beautiful. In terms of the location for the exhibit, although we did plan ahead, we only had one choice: a corner under the canopy outside the church. All other locations, like rooms and auditoriums, were already booked for other activities. But this turned out to be the best solution because it was right by the main entrance to the Church: in plain sight for everyone coming and going. After a couple of Saturdays spent painting and repainting some old chalkboards on which we would then hang the panels, we exposed the exhibit that remained displayed for two consecutive weekends.

It was impressive to see how many simple encounters were happening. A man came up to us curious about Fr. Giussani’s photographs. I asked him if I could help with some explanation. Instead, he started telling me about himself and his dramatic life: three kids, one of which is autistic, he is raising on his own because his wife left after learning of their son’s illness. As he was saying these things he never stopped smiling and his serenity within objective difficulty made me curious. In the end, he didn’t see the exhibit, but now when we see each other we greet one another with a big “hello!”



Halfway through the week, Antonietta suggested we take the exhibit to other parishes, but I was concerned about all the obstacles. Instead, on the last day, a friar from another Kuala Lumpur parish was just passing through and came close to the panel on Fr. Giussani’s biography. I offered to explain it to him, but he said, “Thank you, but I don’t have time right now: I have to go celebrate mass.” But he added, “Why don’t you take this to my parish? Any example of a holy life can help us on our journey of faith.” Amazing!

I also ran into another parishioner who started repeating some Giussani phrases tome … I thought he had never stopped to look at our exhibit but instead he had read it. He also told me about himself and his faith life. There was also the encounter with Alan who walked up to me and said, “After many faith workshops that touched this or that sentimental chord, I decided I would no longer participate. All those devotional groups do not interest me. I feel the need for something that will help me delve into the reasons behind my faith. When do you guys meet? Can I come?”

But the greatest surprise was when our friend Mark sent the following message on WhatsApp: “Sunday at one AB is coming to see the exhibit. We will be there, right?!” I answered, “Certainly!” AB is the nickname we use to refer to monsignor Julian Leow, archbishop of Kuala Lumpur. I would never have thought he would find room in his busy Sunday schedule to accept our invite. So I asked our friends in the community to be there: “Everyone at the exhibit on Sunday, not to display our (small) numbers, but because we need to be confirmed in our faith by the Bishop.” After the guided exhibit, Msgr. Leow stayed with us for some refreshments during which we told him about how we had met the movement. I was stunned he remembered and asked about John and Hilary; he had met them several years prior and they could not be there with us that day. In the end we gave him a copy of Fr. Giussani’s biography. He left with warm regards. When we returned home gladly, “it was about four in the afternoon,” as is written on one of my favorite panels from the exhibit.

Francesco, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia